Ellen Gurley (aka LNMental) is known by different titles: DJ, poet, artist manager, jungle music buyer for Central Records. LNMental has owned her own website since the 90s, promoting good music. When not at her 8-to-5 Monday through Friday gig, her time is spent being the mouthpiece of www.coatcheck.net and contributing to other international publications. Whatever guise you know LNMental under, she is still listening to, loving on and living for THE MUSIC. (LNMental sends love to affiliates of Coatcheck: the Others and Tetra|din!). Here are her Rave-less Top 5 Favorite Albums:
1. STEEL PULSE -- Live in Paris: Rastafari Centennial -- Elysée Montmartre. This album is a hands down favorite, obtained in the early 90s. Steel Pulse is my most beloved reggae outfit, over Tosh, Marley, and Burning Spear. I believe this is the best compilation of their hits. The lyrics of "Roller Skates" speak for me when they say "Life, life without music, I can't go on."
2. FLYWEB -- The Rough Mixes. Todd Busch, a masterful musician and lyricist, came together with two boys (a Trey and a Cody) in Charlotte awhile back and their loyal listeners were pleased. Without approval from Todd, I liken the sound of the band (years departed) to a clever conglomeration of Fugazi, Ozzy and Fishbone.
3. DANGER DOOM -- The Mouse and the Mask. Having not cared for Danger Mouse or MF Doom on solo projects, I was wowed by not being able to get enough of this collaboration. Together, they are Danger Doom. The disc features all the characters from the cartoon Adult Swim, some Madlib signature basslines and samplings of Grecian beats. This is my favorite bling-free hip-hop album, complete with guest appearances from Talib Kweli and Ghostface.
4. CONCRETE BLONDE -- The Bloodletting. The most prized "goth chick" album in my collection, aside from some Siouxsie or Depeche Mode. "Red wine tastes so good with Concrete Blonde, that it's wrong."
5. EARTH, WIND & FIRE -- The Best Of - Vol. 1 - 1978. Ever hear music so good that it makes you want to cry? Earth, Wind & Fire is real music -- responsible for planting the seed of soul and creative juice in a lot of people's minds, as well as molding a vision for future musicians... That's what makes me cry. As EWF falsetto Phillip Bailey sings in "Fantasy": "Every man has a place, in his heart there's a space, And the world can't erase his fantasies."
