STACK #135 Jan 2016

MUSIC REVIEWS

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Kerser Next Step Who’s the Aussie artist who’s had three Top 10 albums without any radio play? That’d be Scott Barrow, better known as Kerser, which is an apt name for an act with a potty mouth. But he’s also got plenty to say about the state of the nation on his fifth album, documenting his drug use as well as feuds with fellow rappers 360 and Allday. But Kerser, from Campbelltown in western Sydney, also has a sense of humour, even sampling Roxette’s Listen To Your Heart . “Ten years ago, I would’ve grabbed your f–ing purse and run,” he raps. But now Kerser is sitting pretty as Australian hip hop’s most vital voice. (ABK Records/Warner) Jeff Jenkins

Erykah Badu But You Caint Use My Phone She's not fast but she's never boring. Erykah Badu's sixth album in 19 years is a mixtape with a dial tone running through it, drawing a squiggly line from her own classic Tyrone to Drake's Hotline Bling , re-sung in sultry style as Cell U Lar Device . There's the usual sample-spotter fun to be had between the Usher and Isley Brothers throwbacks, but Badu's own smooth delivery and nutty twists trump every cut. Producer Zach Witnessin is a light-fingered accomplice to a project that’s funny on the surface and as deeply layered as you wanna go with history, both musical and personal, right down to the last connection with ex-partner Andre 3000 on Hello , which makes Adele's call sound, well, a little on the hysterical side. (EMI) Michael Dwyer

Various Molly First, a disclosure: the upcoming Molly mini-series is based on a book I wrote with Ian “Molly” Meldrum, The Never, Um, Ever Ending Story . As the mini-series’ executive producer Michael Gudinski states in the soundtrack’s liner notes, “It’s been a crazy life... it hasn’t been a stretch turning his life into a drama.” It should be stressed this

is not a Countdown compilation, even though the mini-series focuses on the Countdown era (and most of the key Countdown characters are represented, including Skyhooks, Sherbet, John Paul Young and Hush). The soundtrack tells the tale of Molly’s magical music life, with 60 tracks spread over three CDs. It’s a diverse collection, from Lynne Randell’s 1967 hit Ciao Baby to Tina Arena’s 1995 single Sorrento Moon . There are some obvious omissions – notably Madonna, who doesn’t allow her songs to appear on compilations – but overall this is a sparkling celebration of a remarkable life. Molly even produced three of the songs (Russell Morris’s The Real Thing , Supernaut’s I Like It Both Ways and The Ferrets’ Don’t Fall In Love ). As Gudinski writes, “No one has done more for Australian music.” (Liberation) Jeff Jenkins

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MUSIC

Don Burrows and James Morrison In Good Company Legendary musician Don Burrows forty years. In the early '80s he discovered and became a mentor to teenage virtuoso James Morrison, the man who has taken on Don's mantle as Australia's most revered jazz musician. This selection of standards includes What's New , Teach Me Tonight and Easy to Love , all originally recorded in 2010 and now available for the first time. It features Don on alto flute, clarinet and alto sax, James on trombone and trumpet, and Phil Stack on double bass. Included is a bonus CD of earlier recordings. (ABC) Billy Pinnell has been at the forefront of the jazz world for more than

Youssou N'Dour Fatteliku (Live In Athens 1987) Senegalese singer/songwriter Youssou N'Dour is one of the most celebrated African musicians in history. His mix of traditional music and eclectic influences – ranging from Cuban, hip hop, jazz and soul, often embellished by rock or pop music from outside Senegalese culture – has made him an international superstar. A guest on Peter Gabriel's 'So' tour, N'Dour's never-before-released live performance recorded in Athens in 1987 captures this great artist and his band at their irresistible best. His extraordinary voice, laced with power and emotion, is heard to great effect on his duet with Gabriel, In Your Eyes . (Planet) Billy Pinnell

Troye Sivan Blue Neighbourhood

Samantha Jade Nine Can you name all the winners of The X Factor and The Voice ? Of course, you can’t. The singing show production line is spitting out more “stars” than we can keep up with. But Samantha Jade, Australia's 2012 X Factor winner, seems to be carving a successful career as a singer and actor. On her second album – her first since her winner’s record – she comes across as a mix of Jessica Mauboy and Kylie, collaborating with Aussie producers DNA as well as Babyface and the ubiquitous Pitbull. Jade had a hand in writing most of the songs, including the poignant title track, which was inspired by her mum, Jacqui, who died of cancer in 2014. (Sony) Jeff Jenkins

Perth’s Troye Sivan has seamlessly made the transition from YouTube sensation to recording star. The 20-year-old’s first full-length album is the sound of young love from someone who seems like an old soul. “Loving’s so good,” Sivan sings in Suburbia , “when love is young.” Delivering honest and revealing pop music, he’s this generation’s Darren Hayes, with a knack for standing out in a crowded pop marketplace. “I’m just some dumb kid trying to kid myself that I’ve got my shit together,” Sivan states in Lost Boy . Don’t believe it. Troye Sivan arrives fully formed; lost and found. 2016 should be his year. (EMI) Jeff Jenkins

JANUARY 2016

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