The Revenge Of The Jasmine Minks 'The Revenge Of The Jasmine Minks' album

The Jasmine Minks LPs have been out of print since Creation Records closed up shop but Rev-Ola Records just released a 24 track-long compilation of the best of Creation years. It's is perfect!

Scotland's anti-capitalist indie rock group, The Jasmine Minks have never put out a poor song or album. While many compilations only include popular singles and do not represent the band properly, Joe Foster and Rev-Ola (along with Cherry Red Records) have put out the definitive Jasmine Minks compilation from their work on Creation Records. "The Revenge Of The Jasmine Minks" is 24 tracks of soulful, pop poetry. Every single song not only has a timeless quality but a soulful passion. From the first cut "Where The Traffic Goes" to the final "Marcella", the compilation shows the evolution of the band throughout the 80's. Originally signed to Creation Records, The Jasmine Minks were an essential part to the Living Room scene and the Creation Records story. With some line-up changes, the group eventually moved to a more softer and soulful sound. They shared the bills with legends like Happy Mondays, Jesus And Mary Chain, The Jazz Butcher, Primal Scream, Mexico 70 The Loft, and more. Eventually, they broke up and Alan McGee closed up shop for Creation Records. Many years later, Alan McGee created the brand new label named Poptones. With the help of fellow mink, Wattie Mink, The Jasmine Minks regrouped and released the mind-blowing comeback album "Popartglory" on Poptones. While none of the songs on "Popartglory" are on this compilation, "The Revenge Of The Jasmine Minks" is an excellent representation of a majority of their career and a beloved time period. When many people think of Creation Records, they think of Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine, House Of Love, Felt, Oasis, Jesus And Mary Chain or Swervedriver. Only the real obsessive Creation lovers know about The Loft, The Legend, Biff Bang Pow!, Slaughter Joe, or Baby Amphetamine. The Jasmine Minks are one of those under-appreciated legends who never compromised their music or their beliefs. There was always purpose and meaning behind every lyric and chord. Behind every chord and lyric, there was an intense passion. Ever since Creation Records closed up shop, the old Minks LPs and CDs were out of print. Some of them sold for $60 on Ebay! 90% of the band's discography was out of print! Rev-Ola and Cherry Red have been releasing compilations from Creation bands like Slaughter Joe and Biff Bang Pow! Now, it is time for The Jasmine Minks to have their revenge.

There are many classic Jasmine Minks songs and most of them from the Creation years are included on this compilation. The soulful doo-wop of "Cold Heart" is a timeless track that gets better with age. The double vocals with the 50's influence mixed in with jangle guitars make this precious. Alan McGee's favorite, "Cut Me Deep" shines with intense emotion that has not been lost over the years. The lyrics and the melodies maintain the pop sensibility without being trite: ".We had a good thing going / Every time I cried / The knife you cut so deep in me will stay to the day I die." The harder cuts like "Where The Traffic Goes", "Forces Network", and "Think" show the younger, energetic Minks. Even the cuts like "Work For Nothing" still hold up today. It is a shame that the b-sides "Mr. Magic" and "Black & Blue" are not included but the punked out romantic "World's No Place" adds to the rarity section of the compilation. ".I like to write songs about flowers and holding hands. The world's no place for a romantic today." Another classic track is the soulful "Soul Station" where they sing: ".The race is over / I'll take my time from now on." These are precious moments by the Minks.

The energetic and youthful tracks start the compilation. One their first singles, "Where The Traffic Goes" is simply incredible. It rolls over the listener like a juggernaut. The dueling vocals and the loud guitars thrash. Still, the song is incredibly tight. "Forces Network" has that 80's punk feel. Back then, they wanted it to be a single but McGee made them release "What's Happening" as the a-side. "What's Happening" is a sloppy but tight affair that has both the confusion and acceptance of love. ".I don't know what's happening but I know it's just right." The influence of Television Personalities is extremely evident in this track. "Work For Nothing" could easily be interpreted as an anthem for greed but it holds the truth that people should not work and sweat for free. "We don't work for nothing" is repeated over the chugging eighties-sounding chorus. The verses are the real special part of the track: ".Once I said I'd never smoke / And I never drink / Once I said I'd never do drugs / because I didn't think." The song is really only known to people who were either early Jasmine fans or who had the Creation Soup box seat. (I was both.) "Veronica" is another up-tempo Minks masterpiece. A truly mind-blowing and body-moving early Minks song is "Think!". Before the funky grooves lyrical confidence of Happy Mondays and Stone Roses, The Jasmine Minks were getting down with "Think!" The funky bass line and fast jangle of the guitars are complemented with groovy drums and a very danceable percussion. It is a perfect mix of modern funk rhythm and 60's R&B. "Think!" is an extremely powerful song. ".You want gratitude - you want me to show it - show it now! / I want an attitude - I want you to know it." You can imagine the fun they had recording this song and the fun they had playing it live. Still, "Think!" is very serious. It is about empowerment and not letting someone else have control over you. It is the first Jasmine Minks song I fell in love with (and it was not the last).

While the early albums were very energetic with loud guitars, the last two Creation albums were mellow and mature in comparison. "Another Age" and "Scratch The Surface" included classic cuts like "Cuts Me Deep", "Marcella", "Soul Station", "Veronica", "Lost & Living" and "Reaching Out". Adam Sanderson left the group and the future of the group was in question. Wattie Mink officially joined the group around this time and he was known as the savior of the Minks. While "Cut Me Deep" did get critical acclaim, many people think these were forgotten albums. These are the songs that grow on you and become better with age. While songs like "Think!", "Cold Heart" and "Where The Traffic Goes" instantly hit the listener, the perfect songs like "Soul Station", "Lost & Living" and "Veronica" grow in listener's mind and become timeless classics. The compilation includes these incredible tracks from "Another Age" and "Scratch The Surface" LPs. It even includes the very short (less than 2 minutes long) "Time For You". The only problem is that "Shiny And Black" is not included. While many of the songs on the "Another Age" and "Scratch The Surface" do sound very similar when packaged together, this compilation presents them in a different context. The wonderful "Little Things" stands out and shines bright when it may have been lost within similar sounding songs on "Scratch The Surface". The magnificent evolution and maturity of The Jasmine Minks are well represented due to the selections from these two albums.

After Creation Records, the Minks took a long break. They released a mostly instrumental experimental album "Veritas" on their own Genius Move label (along with Mp3.com). Their proper "Popartglory" LP on Poptones is modern masterpiece that gives the Minks a new sound while maintaining their soulful core. Bus Stop Label also released the timeless "I Heard `I Wish It Would Rain'" EP. The EP included the title track along with perfect versions of "Learn to Suffer" and "Blown Away". While it is a shame songs from this period are not included on this compilation, "The Revenge Of The Jasmine Minks" is truly about the Creation era and truly gives the listener and fan the proper Minks experience.

The Jasmine Minks are an excellent band that should not only be respected but also revered as one of preeminent indie-pop groups ever. "The Revenge Of The Jasmine Minks" compilation is a perfect representation of the Creation years. Since there is not one bad song on this compilation and it is very interesting to hear their growth, the LP flows with a beautiful grace. The only minor problem with the compilation is the fact that there are a couple of rare Minks tracks that were left out. The inclusion of b-sides like "Black And Blue", "Sunset", and "You Got Me Wrong" would have been wonderful. It probably was extremely difficult to choose only 24 tracks from a catalog of exceptional songs. Every song by the Minks is a gem and these are just some of the brightest. Other wonderful aspects of the compilation are the 2 articles in the liner notes for the CD. One article is by Kevin Pearce and the other article is an interview with Jim Shepherd by Alistair Fitchett. In the sleeve, there are tons of wonderful pictures, album sleeves, and even concert flyers with some very well respected groups sharing the bill. The LP's actual cover (featuring 2 children on the beach) contributes to the precious and timeless quality of their music. For years, the LPs originally released on Creation have been out of print. Cherry Red re-released the Felt albums and will be re-releasing the Momus albums. Let us hope all of the Jasmine Minks LPs will be re-released too. Until then, this compilation can serve as an ideal introduction to the band or "best of Creation years" mix for fans. As Wattie Mink would say, "Make a genius move!" In the classic track "Cold Heart", they sing: "They took the chain and they broke the links / The revenge of the Jasmine Minks." Revenge never sounded so sweet.

Review by Todd E. Jones

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