#ChildishGambino #VNYL - Vinyl Record Curated Subscription Box #3 Review

Here is my 3rd review of the #VNYL subscription box. This time I decided to get a preselected box #ChildishGambino. To see the full written review go to www.GuineyDesign.com/blog

To view my entire collection visit https://www.discogs.com/user/jguiney/collection.

Box 3 was not a "Homerun!"

I tried to switch things up a little for my review and third #VNYL box.  This month, I noticed, through their emails,  that #VNYL  had  a monthly box containing the new Childish Gambino record  along with two surprise records. Seeing as I've been a fan of Childish Gambino for quite some time and had been meaning to pick up this record, I thought why not tell #VNYL one record that I would like and see how close they could come at getting me two more that I would really enjoy. Of the other two records, the Ben Webster record , though still not a record I was actively looking for in the stacks in my local store, is a great addition to my collection. The third and final record, is another, in a not-so-favorable trend of #VNYL selections, a neo-psychedelic pop record that seems to fall short musically. (Another interesting trend is that usually these records can be tied to the VNYL.org exclusive vinyl pressings.)

Box #3 was a 3 of 5. (Technically since I chose the Childish Gambino record, that's not great.)

The VYNL box costs $38.00/month

This card was included in my VNYL Box to explain the curation.

Childish Gambino  - Awaken My Love           

"For your #ChildishGambino pack, I'm sending you "Awaken My Love!" featuring the single "Redbone" If you want it you can have it.”

Since this record has been over reviewed and dissected I will keep this review short. I asked for this record, I knew what I was getting, and I think it's great.

I have been a fan of Childish Gambino since his mixtapes. I own Camp and have played out a Because of the Internet CD, so to say the music from Awaken My Love is different, is like saying skateboarding and surfing are different, sure they both use boards, and sure they are both Donald Glover, but that is about it. Awaken My Love is a complete 180 into soul that the his previous records were too hip hop to attempt... And it works. 

Childish Gambino - Awaken My Love

This was the reason that I selected this vibe. I had already known I was going to get this album, so getting the # was a no brainer.

Ben Webster - Gone With the Wind

Record Store Day 2016 release on white vinyl.

Ben Webster - Gone With the Wind

(180 g. Record Store Day, White LP) 

“A record from Ben Webster that'll wrap you in nostalgia and tenderness with this lush sax sound."

Ben Webster was an American Jazz Saxophonist. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1909. Ben played multiple instruments before finally deciding on the tenor sax in the 30's. Throughout the 30's he played with many famous American Jazz musicians, before landing a full time gig, as the first leading tenor soloist, with Duke Ellington's Band in 1940. The stint lasted 3 years before a fallout between the two Jazz greats caused Webster to leave the band. 

Like many American Jazz musicians of his time, Webster emigrated to Europe in the late mid-60's in search of steady work and, in 1969, he took up permanent residence in Copenhagen, Denmark. 

Gone With the Wind was a result of Webster's time in Europe. Recorded live at the Montmartre Jazzhus in Copenhagen, Denmark on January 31, 1965, this reissue is the first time in 3 plus decades that this show has been put on wax.  Limited edition 1,000 copies.

Accompanied by Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass, Alex Riel on drums, and Kenny Drew on keys, Ben Webster takes the lead voice as this record is places the listener at a stage side table in a dark basement club. Over the course of about 45 minutes, each musician is highlighted, and skillfully passes the musical baton taking the listener on a tour of tempo and the instrumental interplay that characterizes great Jazz. 

As someone unfamiliar with Ben Webster, this was an incredible introduction. This is a great record for any fan or Jazz Saxophone or someone just trying to broaden their Jazz collection.

4 of 5

Sugar Candy Mountain- Do Right

Enough with the Neo-psychedelic Pop #VNYL, you got lucky with 1 but the other 2 ... No, just, NO!   

Sugar Candy Mountain- Do Right                 (Vnyl.org, Green LP)

“Finally a vinyl exclusive edition of some synth-based psychadelic tunes...”

Melding the raw intensity of Tame Impala with the hazy psychedelic pop of Mild High Club, the ephemeral orchestral arrangements of The Beach Boys, and the driving energy of The Supremes Sugar Candy Mountain creates a perfect cocktail of old and new.

Stop it!

You can describe it however you want on the sticker on the cover. but that doesn't make it true.

This is my third box and the third "psychedelic pop" record that #VNYL has given me.  Personally this is 2 too many. Neo-psychedelic pop takes cues from some classic albums (that I own), but the key word is "classics". The original psychedelic era produced tombs of work and yet I only own some classics, and of those that are widely considered classics I own a few select records. Nowhere in my profile did I select "Psychedelic" or "Pop", so I do not understand the #VNYL obsession with pushing Neo-psychedelic Pop.

The "Summer of Love" is gone and the referential music, just like the Wook idealization of the Hippie drug culture, and #VNYL curators trying to force one self-pressed emerging Psychedelic Pop band in every box, needs to stop. 

****** This is my message to all #VNYL curators if my 4th or 5th box contain another Psychedelic or Psychedelic Pop or Neo-psychedelic Pop record I will be pausing and then cancelling my subscription *******

So about this actual record. Do Right is the third album from Sugar Candy Mountain, an Oakland based duet, consisting of Will Halsey and Ash Reiter. The pair tries to create a unique sound blending classic 60's West Coast psychedelia with pastoral folk and pop.

It falls short, musically it's redundant, bland, and can seem monotonous. Reiter has a lovely voice, but her slow , melodic delivery  spends a majority of the album competing with the instruments to create an album that is slow and droning. Lyrically. there is nothing groundbreaking or quote-worthy. This album can be a slug to get through, and does not stand out in my collection. It will have limited rotation. 

2 outta 5

Once again the entire #VNYL box as a whole was 3 of 5, and it was dragged down by Sugar Candy Mountain. Good luck with box #4 #VNYL there is alot riding on this one.