Advantages: Good value unmixed innovative sounds
Disadvantages: Not for the "harder" style d&b fans

...I wonder if we will begin to define Drum & Bass by record labels instead of ambiguous sub-genres in the future? We could say that Soul:r belongs somewhere in the liquid funk spectrum, but I think that it transcends this labelling and incorporates a beautiful myriad of soundscapes all of its own. All tracks on the compilation are well produced and polished. "Wide Eyes" by Marcus Intalex is a really nice venture into d&b electro minimalism; it's really nice to hear fresh tracks like this bringing the music forward. "Heaven Sent" is another one of my favourites, with some beautiful vocals from Robert Manos that accompany the haunting background perfectly. If you liked "Move On" (released on Hospital), then you will love this. As always, each Calibre track is spot on (and there are three); I hate to repeat what others say, but really, you... Read review

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Advantages: reasonable prices with a real airline, free food and drink, reliable and on-time
Disadvantages: no direct flight to Prague

...I first flew DAT (Delta Air Transport) when I went to Prague with my boyfriend in late December. I originally booked with Sabena but was then told that Sabena had gone out of business, so as you can imagine we were a wee bit dubious when we booked on a DAT flight. DAT is based in Brussels and their slogan is DAT - reconnecting Brussels and that is exactly what they do. (Read below for a list of destinations.) The reason I chose to fly on DAT was because they were a lot cheaper than other airlines at that time of year, costing only £130. The flight stopped in Brussels and we were to connect to another DAT flight that would take us to Prague. All went very well indeed. The planes had lovely wide leather seats with lots of leg room. We were given drinks, sandwiches and chocolates to eat and the service was extremely professional... Read review

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Advantages: Sounds better than tape, good editing, easy to use
Disadvantages: sounds like a minidisc

...feature i find especially useful when tightening up the cue points of studio masters. Other features include fade in/out, music scan, auto spacing and the option to produce automatic track markers when recording a source with 3 second gaps between the music. The controls are well laid out with a big remote control for track naming etc, and the sound quality is excellent in relation to how much money you spend. The data compression required for minidisc recording still produces a characteristic brittle kind of sound around the upper mid range but it is far better than many recorders i have listened to, even more expensive ones. If you have a small studio and can't afford a DAT machine or even if you just want to replace your cassette deck then you can't go far wrong with one of these as long as you don't expect a 100% dead on accurate... Read review

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Advantages: See Op
Disadvantages: See Op

...? Not a hope. And this has continued throughout the 80’s and 90’s with new releases, coming out with extra tracks or remasters or whatever, leaving the fans who bought the original music either left behind or out of pocket. Not only that , in the early nineties there were scare stories put about that CD’s only had a very limited life and everyone had to switch to DAT. Luckily the public saw right through that one… Event 3: Then everyone got PCs and access to the internet, and with total irony, the very digital media that record companies and certain artist had used to completely rip off their fans became the medium by which music could be distributed freely and easily, in a way that tape was never able to do. I found it hilarious to hear Elton John and Metallica bleating about their lost revenue, yet they still... Read review

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Advantages: One of the best songs ever - A Little Bit More
Disadvantages: A disappointing end to the album.

.... It hasn't been used as far as I know for any type of programme but it is the kind that could easily fit into that category. I like it. "Bad Eye Bill" is a great song. It reminds me very much of country music and I could imagine a hall of people line dancing to this. The smooth tones of the harmonica really enhance the image of simple life and simple graces. Thanking the Lord for Rock N Roll and Gin! Track six and eight ("Who Dat" & "I'm A Lamb") are not my cup of tea to be honest and I do usually fast forward or listen with only half an ear. There is just something about them that either makes them too far out, or just not smooth enough for me. However track 7 "Let The Loose End Drag" is upbeat and has excellent trumpet additions, which really pump the song up. Along with an amazing electric guitar instrumental the song makes me yell... Read review

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Advantages: Lots of new hip hop music, new artists, lots of tracks
Disadvantages: If you don't like hip hop/r&b/rap music this is definitely not for you

...The album 'A Little Darker' is a Hip Hop and R&B album made in the Uk, it features artists such as Akala and Ms. Dynamite and many other artists I had never heard of until I got the album, it's also produced by Illastate Records. The album was recorded between November 2005 and April 2006 and was released in September 2006. The Album consists of 24 tracks and features several different UK artists. I didn't actually buy the CD instead I downloaded it of emusic which has a lot of unknown music. If your into UK Hip Hop and R&B you will definitely enjoy listening to this album. Tracks: 1. Kick You Out - Ms. Dynamite, Bear Man, L Man 2. Knowbody - Akala, Ms. Dynamite, Ghetto & Big 3. Way Back When - Ms. Dynamite 4. 16's - Akala, Shizzle, Purple, Jenda, Wariko 5. On - Ms. Dynamite & All In One 6. So Much Flows - Ms. Dynamite... Read review

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Advantages: Tim Westwood is the advantage
Disadvantages: no chance

...Tim Westwood may be white and middles class, but dont get caught up in the colour, it wouldnt matter if this gentleman was green with tenticles he is true to what he does and good at it. one of the finest hip hop Dj's if not the finest and one of the best music knows about. hes knows it all and stays true to rap and his beleifs. with the biggest names inr ap and hip hop on his shows and in his contact books... he still gives gos to those who are coming through and supports all rap scenes not just the US one. not only a genius of the airwaves also one in t he clubs he s not all mouth but cana ctually throw down a pretty aiight party! some critisice him for "trying to act balck" but who gives a flying sh*t 'bout dat he is the true one to rapa nd makes it good for all. his shows make rap accessible to all and opent o all people... Read review

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Advantages: Panpipes, hip-hop, throat singing and the value of enjoying music
Disadvantages: Academics, choirmasters and performance art

...For me writing about 2007 in music means simply writing about 2007, almost all of it, and for that reason this review (or whatever you wish to call it) is going to be a long one. I apologise in advance. Very little of my year was focused around anything else. And so this was my 2007 in music; a few of the things that I studied, performed, heard, and learnt. January At the start of 2007 I was a third of a way through a masters in ethnomusicology. Ethnomusicology is the study of world music, more or less. Although a masters in ethnomusicology mostly involves a lot of talking about how to study world music rather than actually studying the music itself; theory and ethics and fieldwork strategies and how to write about 'others' without calling them savages. During January I developed my hatred of the word 'representation... Read review

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Advantages: Music is essential to many people's lives
Disadvantages: Has it gone too far in on many levels???

...Hello all!!! For my next op, I've decided to raise the temperature a little bit, because I do have the bad feeling some people may be steamed from this op. If you are, just remember that opinions are like a**holes, everyone's got them and they all stink. LOL, ok, ok, seriously though, I think I make some really good points here as to where music has gone as far as the 21st century is concerned. So, sit back, read and have an open mind....to me it makes sense, and I hope it does to some extent to all of you too. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<GROWING UP WITH MUSIC>>>>>>>>>>>>> Exactly....who has not grown up with music? Even if you were raised by wolves in the Rockies or the Alps, or if you have been kept in isolation, I'm sure that every single person has listened to some form of music one way or another... Read review

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Advantages: Mildly entertaining?
Disadvantages: Rather self-indulgent. And quite long.

...Music has been a part of my life (albeit a part with varying importance) since before I started secondary school. For the past two years I’ve done nothing but music. And so my 10 Musical Memories aren’t, like thingywhatsits and leaofRafkis, my favourite tracks and the memories they embody, but instead some of most memorable and entertaining musical moments from the past eight years of my life. I realize this review is pure self-indulgence, but I hope that some ciaoers have the patience to read it, and even enjoy it. Like chocolate but…without the patience. Hmm. Anyway…Thank you for reading! 1. School carol services in Norwich cathedral Every year at Norwich High I used to sing in the annual carol service. And they were never particularly spectacular, or momentous, but they just became a fundamental part of what my Christmas was... Read review

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