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The Dirtbombs | Ultraglide In Black

Full frontal soulrock attack
CD, In The Red/Sonic Rendezvous

Tekst: Martÿn ter Haar

Publicatiedatum: 08 september 2001

Garage-punk godfather and hardest working man in showbusiness Mick Collins releases two albums at the same time. Both are filled with covers, but don't expect lame filler albums. The Dirtbombs' 'Ultraglide In Black' is a tribute to the artists Collins grew up with and is mainly filled with covers of soul classics by such artists like George Clinton, Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye. The Dirtbombs give the songs a raw edge, but keep the soul and swing intact. The dual bass / dual drums line-up guarantees an ultra-fat sound, especially when Collins and his regular engineer and Dirtbombs bassist Jim Diamond do the production. When it comes to a raw and fat sound this duo is unsurpassed, laying down a sound that makes the overrated Steve Albini cry for his momma.
'Chains Of Love', the opening track of 'Ultraglide In Black' is the single of the year. even if it won't be released as a single. Damn, that track rocks! Actually the first 6 tracks are solid gold, with the aforementioned 'Chains Of Love', 'Underdog' and 'I'll Wait' as the primi inter pares.
The first weaker track is 'The Thing'. It is one of those songs were the lyrics tell you to how do the dance from the title, and it's a pretty average in the subgenre. The superfly versions of Curtis Mayfield's 'Kung Fu' and Phil Lynnot's 'Ode To A Black Man' that follow, are right on the spot again. Unfortunately the last four tracks are nowhere near the level of the first few. Tracks by slicker soul artists like Marvin Gaye and Barry White turn out to be not as suitable for the Dirtbombs' treatment as funkier material by Stevie Wonder and Curtis Mayfield. Too bad, because the disappointing ending stands between "masterpiece" and "great album".
Collins' other project, the Screws, released 'Shake Your Monkey' simulaneously with 'Ultraglide In Black'. The idea is similar, only the Screws attack blues and r&b classics instead of soul and funk. As the nature of the material demands, the sound is even rawer. There are less high-flyers on 'Shake Your Monkey' than on 'Ultraglide In Black', but overall the quality is more consistent, resulting in an album that's about as good. And that's good. Stand out tracks are the ejaculation of sexual energy 'Story 16', floor filler with Lolita background vocals 'Betcha Can't Kiss Me' and soulful blues stomp 'If Loving Is Believing'. Guitarist Terri Wahl handles vocals on two tracks. The psychotic result is pretty good, but does interrupt the flow of the album.

http://www.kindamuzik.net/recensie/the-dirtbombs/ultraglide-in-black/1188/
Meer The Dirtbombs op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/the-dirtbombs