|
Although
James Brown will retain the true mantle forever, Kalle Ryan is unofficially
the hardest working man in show business. With a mammoth output of approximately
3 to 4 albums a year under various guises and different personal record
labels, Mr. Ryan has really taken the music world by storm. This week
sees the release of a single entitled "Toasting Paint" that epitomises
this incredible workhorse ethic. For it is no ordinary single mind you,
but in fact a single release from a double album collection of b-sides
and cover versions, with some b-sides of its own.
Not content to simply offer his eclectic and dedicated fanbase a remastered
version of a former b-side, this single release is supplemented with a
reworked rap version of that same track (rapping courtesy of East Coast
golden child Acrylic Kid), and an acoustic version of the U2 track "Zoo
Station".
The song itself is a catchy acoustic tune complete with Ryan's trademark
gravelly folk warbling, and a true fan and completist will no doubt pick
this up, yet to the casual listener this offers nothing new on first encounter.
However the true power of this release is to be found (not surprisingly)
in its b-sides. The aforementioned rap rearrangement of Toasting Paint
is a thumping, lively hip-hop tune that would not sound out of place on
a Busta Rhymes record. And the acoustic guitar version of Zoo Station
is an alternative take to the one featured on Ryan's album.
One has come to expect the volume of work released by Ryan (how does he
find time to record so much?), but it is the sheer first class quality
of that output that is most impressive. With this single, Ryan has once
again treated his fans with respect and offered them an intelligent eclectic
palate of recordings. The album from which it is culled, is equally impressive
and deserves a listen. Highly recommended on all counts.
|