The Rolling Stones
Midge Marsden Eno X Dirty
On Air (Universal)
★★★
A half century after they released their first single Come On in June, 1963, the Rolling Stones remain as relevant in an ageist society – the term that was originally coined by Robert Neil Butler in 1969 to describe ‘‘the dismissive and contemptuous attitude towards the elderly’’. Without The Rolling Stones, rock music would have no context and while it might be accurate to suggest that they are now a legacy band and irrelevant to contemporary music, On Air –a collection of ‘‘rarely heard radio recordings with most of them live from the BBC studios between 1963-65’’ – captures the raw and unrefined essence of a band, which achieved a lasting currency that some modern artists can only dare to dream of. On Air doesn’t rate among the greatest of so many classic Rolling Stones albums – Beggars Banquet, Sticky Fingers, Exile On Main Street, Goats Head Soup, Black And Blue, Some Girls and, maybe, Voodoo Lounge – but there are few artists around nowadays that you could say will still be relevant in 40 years. – Mike Alexander
The Midge Marsden Collection (SDL Music)
★★★★
Is there a name as synonymous with New Zealand blues as Midge Marsden? The diminutive bluesman has made a career out of playing a type of music that, let’s face it, isn’t top of the charts. Yet he’s stuck at it, and The Midge Marsden Collection – purportedly celebrating 50 years in the business, although he’s actually been playing longer than that – is a fine testament to a long career. The two-disc collection stretches from Marsden’s days with The Breakaways until two years ago. It’s primarily blues-based, but not all straight blues. Highlights include big hit Burning Rain, delightful early cut Rangitoto and the rollicking Believe It’s Over. Travellin’ On, featuring Marsden’s friend Stevie Ray Vaughan, would be worth a listen for the guitar work alone. – Jack Barlow
Evil Adventures & Happy Endings (Self released)
★★★★
After a series of stunning singles and EPs, Grey Lynn’s premier rap duo drop a stunning eight-track exploration of peak performance Kiwi hip-hop. A central component of Auckland’s illustrious rap crew Young Gifted and Broke, Eno X Dirty display many of the lush jazz and soul influences the collective is known to incorporate. Producer Eden Jouavel (Eno) is clearly one of New Zealand’s fastest rising beat makers with an aesthetic that could almost stand alone as an instrumental hip-hop record. Rapper Manu Walters (Dirty) has a distinct feel and flow that has the ability to be as laidback as it is aggressive. Evil Adventures & Happy Endings is the soundtrack to your next Grey Lynn house party. – Hugh Collins