ARTS The Michigan Daily Wednesday, September 27, 1989 Page 7 ' p . Cultural convergence 'China Song' generates support for students Big Audio Dynamite Megatop Phoenix Columbia Records I like Big Audio Dynamite. I like them a lot. So when B.A.D. man Mick Jones said that Megatop Phoenix was "the album we always wanted to make," I was excited. (For those of you not in the know, Mick Jones used to be in the Clash.) I was still excited when I brought the tape home and plopped it in my stereo. After all, there were 17 songs listed on the sleeve and the guy at the counter said that it sounded really good. Confused was how I felt three (real) songs later. First of all, five of the 17 songs listed are actually just bits of Don Letts' sample library. Since these songs are not noticeably different from the beginnings and endings of other songs, I don't know why they were designated as they were. This is especially confusing when two of the first three songs fail to turn up. Well then, how are the remaining twelve songs? Not bad, I suppose (pun intended). There aren't any standout gems such as "The Bottom Line"or "C'mon Every Beatbox," but tunes like "Dragon Town," "Baby, Don't Apologise," and "Stalag 123" certainly carry their weight. Heck, there's even a sort of tribute to the godfather of soul on "James Brown." The band's decline in lyrical qual- ity continues on this installment of the B.A.D. saga, however. Instead of the witty and original lines found on earlier works such as This is Big Au- dio Dynamite, we get drivel like this: "Take a stand/ before you fall/ Your country needs you/ to play football." Not many profound state- ments on this platter. Maybe Mick watched a bit too much daytime TV in the hospital during his near-fatal bout with pneumonia. The credits are so extensive as to list what Mick was listening to in the hospital. It's easy to spot the re- sults of some of these influences. Take De La Soul for example. While samples of others' songs are incor- porated into De La Soul's sound with great success, B.A.D. just hasn't gotten the hang of it yet. The result? Well, would someone please tell me why the intro to the Who's "I Can't Explain" is suddenly thrust into "Contact" and then is gone just as suddenly? Don and Mick need a little more practice at this type of sampling if they plan on continuing it. There's less emphasis on the gui- tar this time around; keyboards and sequencers play a more prominent role than on earlier efforts. This isn't See RECORDS, page 8 BY MICHELE KNAUB CHINA Song: A Concert of Music and Poetry in Sup- port of the Chinese Democracy Movement is an event sponsored by the Chinese Student Action Committee, Human Rights for China, and the China Song Concert Committee. According to organizers, the event is an expression of solidarity between Chinese and Ameri- cans based on their common democratic aspirations. The concert also intends to convey support for the Chinese students now in the United States, who are facing an uncertain future in the wake of the Beijing government's response to student demonstrations. "A concert like this seems like the best way to build sup- port," said Alec Meiklejohn, China Song Committee organizer. "This concert is culture-oriented, and in this community, that builds understanding. This event is in the spirit of the movement." Both Western and Chinese music will be featured at the concert. Musicians scheduled to perform include pi- anist Ellen Chu, who holds a masters degree in music from the University and the University's Chinese Stu- dent String Quartet, comprised of graduate students from the University's Music School. Two Detroit- based groups will perform traditional music: the Cathay Melodiers, a Chinese choir, and the Floating Cloud Chinese Instrumental Group, a traditional Chi- nese music ensemble. ; Music won't be the only art form to be enjoyed at the concert. Cui Shu Oin, a graduate student in Ameri can Culture, will read contemporary Chinese poetry, followed by English translations read by Ann Arbor- area dramatist Elsie Bryant and musician Stephanie Ozer. Speaking in support of the Chinese movement will be Ann Arbor Councilmember Nelson Meade, State Representative Perry Bullard, and a representative of Senator Donald Riegle. Senator Carl Levin has sent a letter of support to be read at the concert. CHINA SONG: A CONCERT OF MUSIC AND POETRY IN SUPPORT OF THE CHINESE DEMOC- RACY MOVEMENT will take place tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church of Ann A- bor, 1917 Washtenaw Avenue. Admission is free. Be a Daily Arts staffer... or just Look like one. 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