BABE RUTH Vinyl & CDs

Review: When British prog rock band Babe Ruth recorded 'The Mexican' - a low-slung funk-rock workout that came complete with weighty bass and killer drum breaks - they could have had no idea of the impact it would have during the block party phase of hip-hop's evolution (or, for that matter, that Jellybean Benitez would record a Latin hip-hop cover in the early 80s). It's the track's significance within hip-hop that inspired these revisions from break-digger Mister Mushi. Both of the producer's 'Special Edit' versions - vocal on the A-side, instrumental on the flip - make the most of the track's prototype hip-hop breaks, restless bassline and Latin-tinged fuck-rock guitar licks. They're basically the breaker-friendly revisions the dancers want and need.

Review: Live In Montreal documents a live performance by the towering rock titans Babe Ruth in April 1975, at which point the band consisted of a total of four out of its five original members. Formerly only available via internet archive sites or in inferior quality, this rather legendary concert brought with it a nigh demonic energy, with the English hard rockers laying down one of their best documented performances by way of gnarly vocal snarlage from lead singer Ellie Hope and prime shreddage from the likes of Bernie Marsden and Ray Knott. The band notably broke the USA and Canada; Live In Montreal is a testament to their popularity across the Atlantic, and hears a full-quality restoration of some heavy live renditions of such greats as 'Wells Fargo', 'Sad But Rich', 'Black Dog' and 'A Fistful Of Dollars'.