Customer Reviews

Aux Armes et caetera

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

To most Brits like myself Serge Gainsbourg was just some lechy bloke who sang Je T'aime with Jane Birkin. That was until I heard Aux Armes Et Caetera. Smoky and Sulty, its cool reggae grooves wash over you especially on gorgeous tracks like Daisy Temple and Lola Rastaquouere. Even if you can't speak French it's sexy stuff. Fans of the original album may be dismayed to learn that although this double CD is fundamentally the same recording, it has been given a major dub overhaul and sometimes the sound effects take the emphasis away from the vocal. But to newcomers it's great showcase for one of France's national treasures and Jamaica's finest rhythm sections.

I LOVE THIS RECORD. If you are into dub, or just good music in general, there are hours of fun ahead of you with this one. Serge's snaky lyrics, Sly and Robbie's amazing production and backing -- it is hard to imagine it being anything less than incredible. It a holy grail of reggae, a classic record for any genre and any country.

The second disc is a complete reworking of the first - complete with dub mixes that are wonderful and DJ/Singer versions from some of the biggest stars in jamaican music. So basically you have it all in one package.

Its a classic record that's been added to in a tasteful and groundshaking way.

I take back everything I've said about reggae. I'm a changed man. Right here on the spot I will admit to you that I have never given reggae a chance. I've blown it off, not so much based on the fact that I don't like the actual music, but more because of those annoying skinny white hippie kids in high school with the Bob Marley t-shirts. Let me say that after being sucked into this album, this gem of gems, that I stand on the edge of becoming one of those annoying skinny white hippie kids in the Bob Marley t-shirt.
!??! How can Serge Gainsbourg be so great? This is the ultimate treat. This music will chill you out like nothing else while at the same time injecting a subtle euphoric mania into your bloodstream. Serge employs all things kick back here, you will not be left unfazed. Tune in and sit back as you drift into a rhythmic cloud of tight dopamine pleasing drums, kicky smooth bass love, Serge's signature spoken word, and back up vocals that make dreams come true. You need this, I need this, the whole world needs it.

this record is phenomenal. one of serge's best. and one's of the best records that sly and robbie ever recorded too. its political, its sexual, its everything you want in a dub reggae recording. win friends! influence enemies! this record is magical.....

Fans of Gainsbourg who aren't fond of reggae (like myself) will find that even they can't help but get swept up in the laid back vibe of this fantastic album, which turned out to be his last great one.

The second CD is pretty superflous though unless you are really into dub, which I'm not. Chances are you'll never really listen to it when you've got the album proper on the first disc. Overall the album itself is highly recommended, probably one of Serge's best five efforts.

Usually, mad experiments like this one, should never come to life. But when they threw the switch, instead of a Frankenstein's monster, we got a whole different creature. We got Serge's innuendo slowly breathing over Sly and Robbie's slinky riddims. So put the torch down, there is no need to storm the castle's laboratory. Although, old time roots rockers should have a heads up, some devious Dubs of this record have been circulating around for decades. Think of Lee "Scratch " Perry's White Belly Rat. Aux Armes Et Cartera is inspired slackness...