 
LITTLE AXE This blues-rock album got my attention because it's on Peter Gabriel's
RealWorld label and was produced by Adrian Sherwood at On-U Sound. It
starts with simple acoustic guitars dueting on a chestnut like "My
girl" or "House of the rising sun," but is in fact Son
House's "Don't you mind people grinning in your face." Then
more influences appear from Hendrix to Eno. Gradually the African Head
Charge sound starts to permeate the disc, especially when Junior Delgado
sings on "Go away devil" backed with harmonica and monstro
rumbling bass -- till we get a full-on thumping finale ("Sinners")
that is as good as Adrian Sherwood gets, which is pretty darn good.
Along the way there are some oddities. Or maybe it's the fact that I
usually listen to songs in languages other than English and have to
pay close attention, or read the liner notes, if I want to know what's
being related. Track three is an overly sincere song in praise of Trade
Unions. Track 9 is a truly horrific song called "All in the same
boat." Thank Gad for i-tunes: I was able to re-burn the album minus
those two tracks. I had earworms after two listens. "All in the
same boat" goes right down there with "England swings like
a pendulum do," and a few other monstrosities. It's a list of things
that remind you of Mod England. "Champagne and Grits" is more
rock than blues, but goes off in interesting directions. "Living
in a dangerous time" has uncredited samples of a hellfire preacher
that instantly evoked Eno and Byrne's "My Life in the bush of ghosts."
Junior Delgado reappears to lend some reggae vibes to "Sinners"
and there's even a surprise appearance by Leadbelly! That is the great
finale that makes this disc worth getting. Or failing that, check your
Leadbelly collection for the song it samples, "Run sinners."
(I couldn't find it.) -- Doctor Rhythm
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