Day 0674 - Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches

Happy Mondays "Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches" (1990)

I wasn't a huge fan of "Bummed" the previous Happy Mondays album on this list, but this one appealed to my sensibilities much more.   The production is clearer than 'Bummed's muddy sound, and the mix of raucous, almost punky rock, with dance beats and hints of 60s influences presents a sound that largely doesn't feel like it has aged too much at all.

The album and band helped link rockers to ravers and probably influenced some of the 'Cool Britannia set with its interesting mix of sounds a production ideas.

Day 0233 - Live!

Fela Ransome-Kuti and the Africa '70 with Ginger Baker "Live!" (1971)

 
Fela had been working in the genres of funk and afro-beat for a while.  After a slow start, he gained some popularity in his homeland of Nigeria.  He met with Ginger Baker (himself a fan of African music) who agreed to produce some albums for Fela and his band.  This led rather organically to this collaboration.

It's a record that explores its grooves intricately, with some exciting drumming from Ginger.  Arguably, his playing goes beyond even his work in Cream.