Jimmy Cliff «Rebirth» [2012]

I'm listening to Jimmy Cliff's Rebirth while fragging on Openarena like there is no tomorrow. I'm alone in my flat, while Beatrice gets rid of schorching Lucifer. It's the last spell of the first summer post-Berlusconi.

My to-do list is full of major tasks: hoover the entire surface of my little home, regain the trust and confidence of my spouse, consolidate my position while working for the man, while finding ways for a personal and collective exodus from capitalism. Not to mention the plans i have for the kids, and the city they were given to grow-up in.

There is nothing to eat in the fridge, but i have plenty of soul food and the good vibes and inspired lyrics of Mr Cliff. This is also my rebirth, and, allow me, The harder they come, the harder they'll fall.

Enjoy! --> Here.

Sinead O' Connor «Throw Down Your Arms» [2005]

Having made the cheesiest video in the history of image in motion, good ole Sinead is condemned to be quoted forever for that song. Add that she tore the picture of Pope John Paul II, just after singing Bob Marley's War a cappella in a live interview, and you get an idea of  the sort of troubled artist she is.

In 2005 Sinead was back with a reggae cover album, full of classics and recorded at the Tuff Gong studios of Kingston Jamaica, nonetheless. The comparison between the Emerald Isle and the most famous Caribbean island holds quite well. Both are famous for being green, if you allow me explaining the joke.

Throw down your arms and - - - > come.

Via http://sanityisafulltimejob.blogspot.com

George Benson «The Other Side Of Abbey Road» [1969] VS Easy Star All-Stars «Easy Star's Lonely Heart Dub Band» [2009]

In the realm of things nobody really felt the need for, this is an interesting challenge. Which of the 2 yankee contestants can better express the musical spirit of The Beatles, the band that brought sitar to the Western audiences?

George Benson, master of guitar, payed his homage to the Fab Four back in 1969. His Other Side Of Abbey Road is a conceptual re-visitation of the Beatles' classic, released just months after the original. There is no room for reverence in it, just plenty of solos and extra notes, and the need to do a medley of the songs in order to express his jazzy attitude.

The Defendant - - - > Left Corner

Easy Star All-Stars on the other side confronted the myth of the Sirs from Liverpool something like 40 years after. They did it with no fear of appearing blasphemous, and with the philological rigor they've always shown in their reinterpretation of modern classics.

The Challengers - - - > Right Corner    

The Ventures «The Original» [1998]

Nel 1980, nel corso di una chiacchierata core a core sulla spiaggia dell'isola di Martha's Vineyard, nel Massachussets, John Belushi diede al suo amico Dan Aykroyd una cassettina audio. Spiegò che se fosse scomparso prematuramente in quella cassetta c'era la colonna sonora del suo funerale. Nello specifico, scelse una canzone dei Ventures, "The 200 Pound Bee", "l'ape da 90 chilogrammi".
Sciaguratamente, in una fredda giornata del 1982, Dan fu costretto a rispettare quella promessa. Impossibile non pensare alla gag del Belushi  degli esordi al Saturday Night Live (mai troppo amata dalll'attore) in cui il futuro Jake Blues interpretava un volatile obeso, con tanto di ali e tuta a strisce gialle e nere. La canzone che accompagnò il vecchio John dall'altra sponda dell'Ade è compresa in questa raccolta.
I Ventures si formarono nel 1958 a Tacoma, Washington. Coverizzarono la qualunque, dalla tarantella alla musica classica passando per il mambo e il rock. Masticavano e vomitavano tutto in chiave surf sfoggiando un bel suono fuzz e attitudine proto-punk.

Surfa in omaggio a Belushi ---> QUI