(Noble Rot) www.collectorschoicemusic.com

It’s important to remember that Ben Vaughn’s career started with the word Combo affixed to his name. They were together for half of the eighties, releasing two albums. Beautiful Thing was their second and has been reissued in a sharp package that foregoes the original booklet’s lyrics (unnecessary anyway, since you can make out every word that’s sung) but adds liner notes providing historical context. By the time this set was recorded the Combo was at their peak as an ensemble, playing off one another with the ease of familiarity. Four players, but they were capable of sounding like fewer. From their gang chorus vocals and shouts, to Gus Cordovox’s accordion and Lonesome Bob’s minimalist trap set, this is the sound of a real band. Vaughn’s subsequent albums are as full of classic songs as this one, but the focus was never again so squarely on the band.

Standout Tracks: “Jerry Lewis in France,” “Shingaling With Me” DAVID GREENBERGER