Anti NY
subtitle:: Rare Music From The Early '80's New York Underground And Some Contemporary Versions
label::Gomma Records
format:: CD
This crucial compilation of early 80s underground music out of NYC all having a connection with the Mudd Club was put together by German compiler Munk.
Highlights include the debut single by music journalist Vivien Goldman originally released on the independent New York label 99 Records (who also brought us ESG, Liquid Liquid and Glenn Branca).
This track Launderette (#1) is a Slits/Snatch inspired take on funky reggae fun equating boyfriends with laundry and has a backing band consisting of Aswad's bassist George Oban Levi, drummer Robert Wyatt, pianist Steve Beresford and producers Keith Levine and John Lydon of Public Image Limited. Vivien is known for having turned Bob Marley onto the Clash which resulted in the punk-reggae cross- over tune "Punky Reggae Party" in 1978.
The second track If I Gave You A Party is hyper electro at its best. Track three is a true rarity: the only recorded track by Gray, which included artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and often guested future film director Vincent Gallo (Buffalo 66). This track is a mellow building rhythmic piece comprised of scrapings and bowl- tappings and reminds me of Savage Republic.
Track five by The Del/Byzanteens includes film director Jim Jarmusch on keyboards and has some jolting rhythms and group male vocals in a repetitve Bowie-style.
Track six by Ike Yard (the first American group on Factory's American label) has some drum machine sounds, quiet male vocals and is very subtle - not sounding dated at all.
Anti NY also features new remixes of the '80s tunes (Tracks 8 through 12) including funky reworks by idm stars Funkstorung, Syrup (featuring members of The Poets Of Rhythm and Beanfield) and the CD's producers Munk.
---Patrick
