Great Britain's
BGO
imprint (an acronym for "Beat Goes On") is one of the reissue labels to beat. They pick consistently interesting titles -- and in some cases cover an artist's entire discography -- remaster the material impeccably, and provide fine historical liner notes by a variety of critics. It is also a basic tenet of theirs, unlike other labels, that whenever possible, they package two albums on a single disc. Their double discs exist simply because they have to, not necessarily by choice. This package assembles guitarist
Adrian Belew
's first two solo records for
Island Records
on a single disc with excellent notes by
Daryl Easlea
. At the time of this writing in 2009, neither title is available in North America or in Great Britain except in this package. 1982's
Lone Rhino
was recorded after
Belew
had played on three of the most important recordings of the era after punk:
David Bowie
's
Lodger
(the third part of his Berlin trilogy), the
Talking Heads
'
Remain in Light
, and
Discipline
, the debut offering from the re-formed
King Crimson
. While the set's material is generally lighter and breezier, there is plenty of experimentation in both technique and production. It includes terrific, if quirky songs such as the ubiquitous robotic funk of
"Big Electric Cat,"
the jittery roots rock of
"Momur,"
the ambient
"Hot Sun,"
and the spacious socio-political pop of
"The Lone Rhinoceros."
Twang Bar King
, issued in 1983 between
Beat
and
Three of a Perfect Pair
albums, is even more schizophrenically ambitious in its approach. It features a killer adrenaline-fuelled cover of the
Beatles
"I'm Down,"
the urbane and droll disillusioned pop song
"I Wonder,"
with some delightfully -- if subtly nuanced -- funk undertones, and the gorgeous, experimental ambient ballad
"Ballet for a Blue Whale."
The sound is superb, and the music is well worth considering for those curious about
; but essential for fans who haven't been able to obtain this material on CD. ~ Thom Jurek