Spiritualized - Royal Albert Hall October 10 1997 Live

Spiritualized - Royal Albert Hall October 10 1997 Live (Arista) _______________________________________________

RZA Discusses His Alter Ego: Bobby Digital

Part One Of A Two-Part Interview

Following RZA talking about his new album and movie, Bobby Digital in Stereo, is as dizzying a task as hearing those four pesky voices of the Spice Girls answer a simple question like "What Is Girl Power?" You get a bevy of soundbitey one-liners and disjointed stream- of- consciouness thoughts that lend themselves more for a Strangest Words Out of An Artists Mouth year-end wrap-up than for a feature story.

But then again, how could it not be strange when the album and movie in question are based on a story that RZA concocted about a guy who turns into a superhero and gets his power from a honey serum? What RZA has done is create another persona, Bobby Digital, which is taken from his own other aliases Bobby Stills and Bobby Diggs, for his forthcoming straight- to- video movie, and its soundtrack, which is due next Tuesday (Nov. 24) on Gee Street Records. The soundtrack features guest appearances by Method Man, Ras Kass, Masta Killa, Killarmy, Ghostface Killah, Jamie Sommers, U-God, Force MDs, and Royal Fam. Inspectah Deck lent a production hand as well.

The movie, which RZA has funded himself, will likely come out next spring. RZA -- whose illustrious career includes production credits for Raekwon, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, GZA, Ghostface Killah, Gravediggaz, Bjork, and the Bulworth soundtrack, not the mention the fact that he handles about 30% of Wu-Tang Clan production -- is still looking for financing for the film (so he can get back some of the mega-bucks he spent out of pocket) and a distributor. The movie was made in Los Angeles between January and May of this year.

Meanwhile, RZA's solo album is due in February on Gee Street. Check out part two of our interview for more about that album.

Q: So, did the idea for Bobby Digital come after smoking a joint?

A: Yeah. I definitely had a high stimulation in my head at the moment. It came around New Year's Eve. It just popped up like a fucking segment, then the music kept coming. Like, I wanted to do orchestra- type music, but I don't got no orchestra. So I said, you know, like a digital orchestra, that's my orchestra. So Bobby Digital is a digital orchestra. You know what I mean? [Uh, not really, but...]

Q: What's up with the superhero thing?

A: It's like a persona. See, I'm a B-boy, but I wasn't allowed to really be myself because I've been kind of contained doing all these albums and doing all this work. So I never really got a chance to enjoy my so-called success, so the B-boy that spawned me was buried under the brain, and it wanted to break out. When he broke out, all my childhood shit broke out with me, so instead of being fucking 28, I became 18, and then from 18, I flashed back to being eight. So, it's like I'm becoming three ages at one time. And when I was 18, I was into comics and Godzilla movies, toys, superheroes... And I had all these movie ideas in my head. I would walk around all day and just fantasize a movie.

Q: What's the story of Bobby Digital?

A: The movie is two-tier. The first tier starts in the '80s. A guy, he's talking about getting guns off the street, calming down the violence, taking it back to hand- to- hand fighting. When a nigga disses you, you just punch him in his face. I'd rather see somebody get punched in the face than a nigga shot dead, and his ma will never see him no more. Sometimes a good smack is what a person may deserve. Non- violence is the best way, of course, but let's not kill 'em.

Q: So the movie and soundtrack have an anti-gun theme?

A: Yeah, for the first tier of the movie. But what happens is you got people that don't want the anti-gun thing happening, so they wind up assassinating one of the guys. Like, there's this other guy named Leader 1, he's more respected than Bobby Digital. He's got more power than Bobby Digital, but he gets killed and they blame it on Bobby Digital. So he goes through a few things and they wind up forcing him underground, and he emerges 10 years later. Then, he's also inside his laboratory making some shit -- the honey serum, because his crew is called the killer bees. He makes this honey serum and it gets you high. I don't want to say it's a drug. I don't want to promote drugs. But on first impression, it's a drug, but it's deeper than that. So, it's the '90s now, and the computers are hooked to the chemicals, and what he's trying to do is make a digital signal... So he comes back in the '90s wearing a mask, and he's a superhero now, and this serum advanced his consciousness... and he just becomes a millionaire.

Q: What are his superhero powers?

A: Basically, he can just transmit. He can just travel through the signals. So that was the second tier. The third tier isn't in the film, though. We have a comic book coming, based in the future. In the third tier, he's got a special bio-armor suit with different weapons that pop out. We got a sneak preview of it coming in the November issue of Stress magazine. [The issue is on newsstands now.]

Q: When you were a kid, what superhero did you want to be?

A: Galactus. Or Silver Surfer. Galactus, he's the greatest. He eats the whole planet. He comes to your planet and destroys the whole planet. He sent Silver Surfer out first to go find planets for him, then he shows up, that's it. But when he got to Earth, though, that's the only planet he didn't eat. Galactus had to spare Earth. Twice he spared Earth, [even though when] he came back the second time he wasn't gonna spare it.

Q: So then Bobby Digital is kind of like Galactus?

A: No, Bobby Digital is more like Silver Surfer as far as his ranking, and RZA will be Galactus.

Q: What's the music on the soundtrack like?

A: It's great. Lyrically and shit, my B-boy style they're using is very competitive with the top artists out there -- in fact, no other artists can compare. The only ones that can compare are the other members of the Wu-Tang Clan. Other than that, the rest of these guys should give it up. Production- wise and shit, I got a lot of imitating. It's gonna be hard to imitate this. You got to have some kind of musical knowledge to imitate this. You won't be able to just go look and try to find something that sounds like me and sample it and chop it up. You gonna have to know how to play chords. Man, the R&B producers may be better off imitating than the hip-hop producers -- if the R&B producers imitate my shit, which they do anyway a little bit, you know what I mean?

Q: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...

A: Yeah. Well, if they do this on this one, that means they gonna let me in their market, and I'll get into the R&B market and it's over, you know what I mean?

- Carrie Borzillo

For more information on this artist, see: http://p0.com/r.d?4h07USyek=musicblvd/cgi-bin/tw/4605_42_159350 _______________________________________________

Paul Oakenfold Makes Guinness Book Of World Records

Many people have been hyped as the most popular DJ in the world, but when both the Guinness Book of World Records and DJ magazine say it, it must be true. Paul Oakenfold is the recipient of the honorable tag, as the influential U.K. club culture magazine, DJ, has named him the No. 1 DJ of 1998, and the Guinness Book of World Records has him as the most successful club DJ in their 1999 book.

The entry on Oakenfold reads: "Paul Oakenfold has sold 1 million records and owns the Perfecto music label. He is reported to earn 250,000 ($400,000) a year. The remixer and producer has worked with U2 and the Rolling Stones, making him the most influential DJ to have moved from club culture into the mainstream. He has worked in Australia, the U.S.A., Hong Kong, Brazil, Argentina, and all over Europe and played at private parties for Madonna, Naomi Campbell, and Grace Jones."

Oakenfold's first U.S. album, CD Tranceport, was released on Nov. 3 on Kinetic Records. His Sept. 26 show at the Bowery Ballroom in New York can be viewed and heard at http://p0.com/r.d?iB07USyek=/ssound.pseudo.com.

- Carrie Borzillo

For more information on this artist, see: http://p0.com/r.d?hB07USyek=musicblvd/cgi-bin/tw/4605_42_52572 _______________________________________________

The Automator Builds Indian Beats On Bombay The Hard Way

In between producing the recent Jon Spencer Blues Explosion album and finishing the anticipated The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly project, hip-hop superproducer Dan "the Automator" Nakamura found time this year to work on a unique album of beats called Bombay the Hard Way: Guns, Cars, & Sitars. You've heard of Blaxploitation? This is Brownsploitation, an album of funky beats built around samples from Hindi action film soundtracks, due out Dec. 1 on Motel Records.

"There's a lot of great music from Bollywood films that we used to make this record," explains executive producer Adrian Milan. "Bollywood," of course, is the nickname given to the Indian film capital of Bombay. "We gave the source tapes to Automator and let him create loops and beats out of all the fragments."

Milan was initially aiming for a Blaxploitation soundtrack compilation, but the high cost of licensing the rarer tracks provided a major roadblock. While searching on the Internet one day, he came across a posting that suggested fans of the genre also check out Brownsploitation, the music of Bollywood. "So I did," Milan says. "I started learning about the films and then talked with New York cab drivers who were Indian to find out more. At first they thought I was making fun of them, but then once they realized I knew what I was talking about, they couldn't stop."

Bombay the Hard Way draws from classic Hindi films from the late '70s, such as Quarbani and Don, all scored by the legendary Indian duo Kalyanji and Anandji. Milan got in touch with them, also through the Internet, and eventually secured the original master tapes. "They had them sitting in a closet, untouched in 20 years," Milan muses.

Dust Brother Mike Simpson was the first to express support for the project, but as his plate became full, he suggested Automator, who was equally enthusiastic about the record. A special, less- publicized surprise is the additional drum work of Josh Davis on a handful of tracks. Davis, aka DJ Shadow, just happened to be in the studio one day when Automator was working on the songs.

Meanwhile, the Automator has been holed up recently with Prince Paul to put the final touches on The Good, The Bad & The Ugly project due out early next year.

- Joseph Patel

For more information on this artist, see: http://p0.com/r.d?6h07USyek=musicblvd/cgi-bin/tw/4605_42_275917 _______________________________________________

Coolio Arraigned On Traffic, Drug Charges

Coolio was arraigned in South Bay Municipal Court on Friday (Nov. 21) on various misdemeanor traffic and drug charges stemming from his Sept. 15 (allstar, Sept. 17) arrest in Lawndale, Calif. Judge Thomas Sokolov scheduled a preliminary hearing for Jan. 7.

According to a clerk in Division 4, Coolio stuck with his Oct. 21 plea of not guilty (allstar, Oct. 21) and was released on his own recognizance.

Coolio has already paid a $1,000 fine for a citation for his minor traffic violation, which turned into a gun- toting, drug- possessing nightmare when arresting officers burned him for possession of a concealed firearm, possession of marijuana, driving with an expired license, and driving on the wrong side of the road. Coolio faces up to three years in prison for the firearm charge alone.

- Kevin Raub

For more information on this artist, see: http://p0.com/r.d?uh07USyek=musicblvd/cgi-bin/tw/4605_42_15192 _______________________________________________

Ronnie Spector/Joey Ramone EP To Be Released Early Next Year

Ex-Ronette Ronnie Spector will be re-emerging in 1999, as Creation Records has finally nailed down a release date for She Talks to Rainbows, a four-track E.P. produced by Joey Ramone.

Rainbows will surface in England on Jan. 18. Songs on the E.P. include the Ronettes' "Bye Bye Baby" (duet with Ramone), Brian Wilson's "Don't Worry Baby," the Ramones' "She Talks to Rainbows," and Johnny Thunders' "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" (which was also covered by Guns N' Roses on 1993's album The Spaghetti Incident?). She Talks to Rainbows will be her first major recording since 1987's Unfinished Business. There is no word on a U.S. release date at press time.

Spector will appear on England's Later with Jools Holland television show with the Divine Comedy in December before returning to the States to host the Ronnie Spector Christmas party at Life in New York on Dec. 16. At that show, Spector will perform a variety of Christmas favorites as well as new material, including a few tunes with Ramone and a few other unannounced special guests.

As for a new full-length release in 1999, it's a possiblity, according to Jonathan Greenfield, Spector's manager of 20 years. "Ronnie is collecting material for a new album but at this point, I just can't make any predictions about its release," said Greenfield. "But she wants to make more records." Greenfield also stated that one track Spector is working on was sent to her by David Bowie.

As previously reported in allstar (Nov. 3), Spector recently recorded "Mony Mony" with the Pretty Things for inclusion on that band's comeback album, next year's Savage Eye.

- Kevin Raub

For more information on this artist, see: http://p0.com/r.d?ph07USyek=musicblvd/cgi-bin/tw/4605_42_66369 _______________________________________________

'80s Metal Bands Return From The Grave

They're baaack. Just when you thought you were safe, '80s hair bands are returning en masse to make more noize. At a time when rock and roll seems to be a dirty word, those peroxide- toting, pop- hook- wielding rockers are finding a seemingly unlikely ally, namely Cleopatra Records, who are in the process of issuing new albums by everyone from Cinderella to Great White to Dokken.

It's a pop metal surprise party that nobody planned. Earlier this year, Cleopatra owner Brian Perrera and General Manager Brian McNellis tested the metal waters on their newly inaugurated Deadline imprint. Their initial releases from black metal legends Venom (the double-CD Cast in Stone, a second double-CD New Live & Rare, and a recent tribute album), ex-Iron Maiden Paul DiAnno and his band Killers (New Live & Rare), and the infamous Motorhead (The Singles Collection) proved successful, breaking the stereotype of Cleopatra as a goth and techno label. To top it off, a recent industrial tribute to Metallica, The Blackest Album, sold out its initial pressing, to which McNellis proclaims: "We're rattling the cage of our plant to get us more."

The next link in the chain of events came about when the label's accountant got them interested in an Alice Cooper tribute record that includes members of Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Alice in Chains, and Slash and the Who's Roger Daltrey (allstar, Sept. 28). "We looked at it like this would really bring our profile up in the rock world," recalls McNellis, who points out that Cleopatra has also started releasing classic rock from the likes of Elton John, Yes, and Deep Purple.

The man responsible for the Cooper tribute, Bob Kulick (brother of ex-Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick), was connected with all sorts of '80s rockers. "The next thing you know, we're doing a deal with Cinderella for greatest hits live, plus remixes of the biggest hits," says McNellis. "Which is cool, having techno- industrial remixes of Cinderella songs 'Nobody's Fool' and 'Gypsy Road.' One thing led to another, and it just kind of cascaded."

The Cooper and Cinderella records are only the tip of the iceberg. Cleopatra has signed Quiet Riot, who are working at A&M Studios with producer Bob Marlette (responsible for Black Sabbath's Reunion and Two's Voyeurs) to cut new tracks and re-record old classics. The label also will be releasing greatest hits records -- comprised of either hits and live cuts or hits and remixes -- from the likes of Great White, Bang Tango, Dokken, Pretty Boy Floyd, White Lion, and Union, the latter featuring Bruce Kulick and ex-Motley Crue singer John Corabi. Cleopatra is also talking to -- but has not yet confirmed deals with -- Warrant, the Bulletboys, and L.A. Guns.

It might surprise many people that these bands and this label are uniting, but then Cleopatra is no tiny company, having grown steadily the past few years. (In fact, their back catalog sales for fiscal year 1998 topped a million units.) And many of these hair bands are linked through friendships and business associates, so the expanding Deadline roster is becoming a family affair. "The interesting thing about working with these bands is they certainly don't need the money," says McNellis. "It's really amazing. What's cool about working with them is that they're really grounded. There's all this really tongue- in- cheek, Spinal Tap humor that goes with these bands."

But why hair metal? And why now? "People are looking to rock again. The last time kids had a chance to rock was the Seattle thing. Call it grunge, call it post-punk, call it whatever, but it was rock." He adds: "We had a guy come into the office and he was telling us that there was this band called Metal Shop. They've got management, and they tour 365 days a year. They come to L.A. doing all '80s metal covers, and they're selling out the House Of Blues."

Indeed, hair metal is riding a growing '80s nostalgia wave, and Cleopatra has caught the bug, recently signing Gary Numan, A Flock of Seagulls, Information Society, Berlin, Bow Wow Wow, Dead or Alive, and Missing Persons.

Deadline certainly hopes to profit from a hair metal revival. They are also delving into some of the heavier stuff. The label has already set their wheels in motion with the recent Best of Venom: 1981-1994 and Bang Tango Live. A compilation from Paul DiAnno that chronicles his early work with Maiden and his own band Killers, entitled Beyond the Maiden: The Best of Paul DiAnno, is set for January 12th release. Expect the Alice Cooper tribute out at the end of January, a Slayer tribute possibly due in February, new Quiet Riot and Cinderella discs in March, and a flurry of other albums coming in late spring or early summer.

Declares McNellis: "It's going to be a very metal summer."

- Bryan Reesman

For more information on this artist, see: http://p0.com/r.d?vh07USyek=musicblvd/cgi-bin/tw/4605_42_57403 _______________________________________________

MISS TRUTH:

Motley Crue celebrated the grand opening of their Melrose Avenue rock and roll boutique, S'Crue, on Thursday (Nov. 19) in Los Angeles by busting through the door with a chainsaw. Once inside, drummer Tommy Lee became agitated when several reporters forgot about the store and asked questions about his relationship with Pamela Anderson. "Once again, the reason we are here is because of the store," said Lee. "The cheese just came out," added guitarist Nikki Sixx. Items for sale at S'Crue include all of the band's albums, T-shirts spanning their entire career, and clothes from Bad Boy and Outlaw, the respective clothing lines of Vince Neil and Sixx. When asked by one reporter where the band would draw the line on the merchandise, Sixx replied, "tampons." Motley Crue tampons? That we'd like to see...

All is quiet in the Beastie Boys camp about a secret show in New York on Sunday (Nov. 22), but those who aren't lucky enough to catch the band on Saturday Night Live might want to keep an ear to the ground...

Walking Remy Zero merch catalog Alyssa Milano isn't the only one coming out to see the band these days. Courtney Love and Hole bandmate Melissa Auf der Maur were both in the crowd at the Roxy in West Hollywood on Thursday (Nov. 19) night. Spotted with Milano were Shannen Doherty and Beverly Hills 90210 star Brian Austin Green. Not surprisingly, Sugar Ray frontman Mark McGrath -- who seems to be at every show in town -- was there,too...

- Miss Truth

For more information on this artist, see: http://p0.com/r.d?2h07USyek=musicblvd/cgi-bin/tw/4605_42_50050 _______________________________________________

TODAY'S REVIEW:

Spiritualized
Royal Albert Hall October 10 1997 Live
(Arista)
allstar rating: 7

http://p0.com/r.d?9h07USyek=musicblvd/cgi-bin/tw/4605_43_623450

Jason Pierce and Spiritualized have always been a paradoxical breed: notorious studio perfectionists with a contradictory "you gotta see 'em live" reputation. With this two-disc souvenir, a definitive concert is finally documented for posterity. Performing with an extended family including horns, strings, and a full choir, Spiritualized churns through 15 tracks in 95 minutes, sweeping from intimate whispers to startling firestorms of distorted noise. The album draws most of its material from last year's acclaimed Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space, adding two songs each from Pure Phase and Lazer Guided Melodies, the traditional "Oh Happy Day" and an adrenalized version of Pierce's signature tune, "Walking with Jesus" (originally recorded by Spacemen 3). The sharp differences in these onstage renditions are the discs' most exciting element: "No God Only Religion" adds mariachi trumpet, "Take Your Time" turns up the volume, while "Come Together," "Broken Heart" and a more languid "I Think I'm in Love" gain dazzling gospel textures. Particularly impressive is "Electric Mainline," once a static instrumental on Pure Phase, here an exhilarating orgy of sustained acceleration and crescendo. Only one aspect is missing: the light show.