Continued from page 16 Edition arrives in time for the album ’ s 30th anniversary . The slipcase box features a 3-D lenticular cover . The album is housed in a tri-fold cover with lyrics and original artwork augmented by images from the album ’ s CD single releases . A double-sided art print is also included . “ I feel like a winner when I make a mix tape ,” declares Ad- Rock during “ Flute Loop .” Throwing hiphop , rap , hardcore , rock , soul , lounge , and jazz into producer Mario Caldato Jr .’ s blender , Ill Communication put the Beasties and listeners alike on cloud nine in 1994 . Most fans place this mix tape second only to Paul ’ s Boutique , with good reason .
– Jeff Elbel
9 JOHN LENNON Mind Games The Ultimate Collection
( Apple / Universal )
1973 ’ s Mind Games is John Lennon ’ s underdog album , released a year after the political and unpopular Some Time in New York City , while he was being spied on by the FBI . Critics generally were mixed on its release , perhaps tainted by the toxic double album released a year earlier . The title track is a top-five Lennon solo single , a pseudoreggae anthem with John ’ s dreamy chorus and infectious guitar riff . Like Ultimate Collection versions of Plastic Ono Band and Imagine , there ’ s a ton of music here . Every track is dissected and rearranged at the direction of Sean Ono Lennon . For new Lennon fans , it is perhaps too much to take in , but for die-hards , it ’ s an enjoyable several-day listen . The original mix has been adjusted in the Ultimate Mixes , with the bluesy rockabilly rocker Tight A $, most affected by David Spinozza ’ s guitar being much more prominent in the mix . It ’ s almost jarring from the original version but improved . The anti-Nixon and Vietnam War anthem “ Bring On The Lucie ( Freeda People )” is one of Lennon ’ s best solo tracks and is another prominent advance forward . The Element and Evolution Mixes strip Mind Games to its bare bones , adding more depth to the ex-Beatles ' most underappreciated albums .
– John Vernon
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16 illinoisentertainer . com august 2024