Album Picks Import Reviews THIS IS THE MODERN WORLD BEFORE AND AFTER SCIENCE THE JAM-Polydor PD -1-6129 (7.98) BRIAN ENO-Polydor 2302 071 (U.K.) One of the U.K.'s better new wave out- After his recent collaborations with Clus- fits, the group has scored notable success ter, David Bowie and Robert Fripp, Eno there, but has yet to make commercial has finally made the kind of album that gains here. Their second Ip still contains will earn him the recognition he deserves many reference points to the early Who, inhis own right. An impressive cast of but the songs are getting better and the musicians led by PhilCollins are em- inclusionof"All Aroundthe World" ployed to furtherhisproclivities for a makes it a stronger Ip. somewhat offbeat sound. ON FIRE THE DIODES T-CONNECTION-Dash 30008 (TK) (6.98) Columbia PES 90441 (Canada) This sextet specializes in high energy r&b .1.=r MIL Canada's new wave entry was produced and their recent successes speak well for by Bob Gallo who has given the quartet a them. Their percussive sound hits hard powerful but controlled sound and direc- without having to rely on brass to bolster tion. Of note is the group's version of the its impact on songs like the punchy title Cyrkle's "Red Rubber Ball" andBarry tune which moves along at a brisk pace rr Mann -Cynthia Weil's "Shapes Of Things for seven minutes. To Come." In between these isa good deal of energy behind songs like "Time THE VERVE YEARS (1952-54) Damage" and "Behind Those Eyes." CHARLIE PARKER-Verve VE-2-2523 (8.98) The third (and final) volume of Parker's ECHOES OF THE 60's/PHIL SPECTOR Verve recordings finds the saxophonist VARIOUS ARTISTS-Phil Spector 2307 013 (U.K.) working with strings, voices, big band and There have been numerous releases of small groups. The two record set includes compilation albums of Phil Spector pro- many fine and memorable performances ductions in the U.K. over the past year including "Autumn In New York," "Night but all seem to pale compared to these and Day," "I Get A Kick Out Of You" and 20 selections on one Ip. Some of the best "In The Still Of the Night." music to come out of the early '60s has been collected here, with each song con- VICTIM OF ROMANCE taining Spector's unique signature. MICHELLE PHILLIPS-A&M SP 4651 (7.98) Phillips' first solo album was produced by LE DESERT NOIR the redoubtable Jack Nitzsche and the MARKUSFELD-Egg 900.528 (France) voice that graced numerous hits with the Alain Markusfeld is a musician who we Mamas and Popas is in fine form. The title know very little about but his composi- track is perhaps the most immediate, be- tions which feature him on guitars, bass ing reminiscent of the Phil Spector wall of and piano are as sophisticated as they are sound, but the quieter moments are the varied. An Eastern influence keeps surfac- ones where she excells. ing in electric and acoustic numbers but histastes are eclectic enough to make I AM A PHOTOGRAPH this well recorded Ip interesting. AMANDA LEAR-Chrysalis CHR 1173 (7.98) BREAKOUT A celebratedactressandscenemaker throughout Europe, Lear makes her disc DEAD END KIDS-CBS 82254 (U.K.) debut with a Munich produced album of Under the aegis of pop maestro Barry disco styled material. Lear is a singer with Blue, this young outfit scored a top five a very unique sounding voice that cuts hit in the U.K. with their re -make of the through the throbbing arrangements. The Honeycombs' "Have I The Right." Their seven minute "Blood and Honey" is the album is comprised mainly of Blue orig- Ip's most commercial offering. inals, but covers of DC5 and Richie Valens material should connect with any pop aficionado. PRANA PEOPLE Prelude PRL 12150 (6.98) LIVE The first album for basketball great Earl THE BEATLES REVIVAL BAND-Telefunken 6.23179 Monroe's Pretty Pearl Records production (Germany) company is an uptempo tour -de -force of The second album fromthis German perky dance rhythms and unrelenting vo- group was recorded live in Frankfurt and cals. The quartet scores with the opener, unlike its predecessor, the vocals are sung "Pranian Man" and doesnotletup in English. The group gets very close to through "Is Your Life A Party," "Wishful the originals on Lennon and McCartney's Thinking" and "Disco -Mania." "Hey Jude," "Eight Days A Week," "It Won't. Be Long" and "Day Tripper." OFF ON AN ISLAND PAUL DELICATO-AVI 6029 (6.98) ZEITGEIST Delicato had several easy listening hits a TONY COE-EMI 3207 (U.K.) couple of years back and his first album "Zeitgeist"isa concept that originated since then shows a definite sophistication during the 19th century German idealist in his vocals and arrangements. The med- movement and inspired the recording of ley of Alan O'Day's "Train Of Thought" this Ip last year. Tony Coe composed the and "Mystery Train" is the highlight but music and Jill Robin the poetry on this his easy going vocals make every song a fusion work that touches on jazz, classical winner. and chamber music, and the avant-garde. 26 RECORD WORLD DECEMBER 24, 1977.