THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN - VARIOUS ARTISTS
Many who fell in love with the Clash investigated the records and styles that informed the genre-skipping cool of albums like “London Calling.” And, in many cases, they fell in love with those (sub)genres and bands, too. So chances are that if you make your way to this soulful soundtrack to Julien Temple’s forthcoming remembrance of the late Joe Strummer, the trip will feel familiar and fun. The disc is a seamless and slightly sad joyride through the Strummer jukebox, a smartly selected melange of early and important American rock ‘n’ roll (Elvis, Woody Guthrie, Eddie Cochrane, Dylan, MC5), obscure Jamaican gems (U-Roy, Earnest Ranglin) and Latin delights (Andres Landeros, Rachid Taha). Also mixed in are emotional and amusing bits of Strummer dialogue and clever contributions from each of his bands (a part a cappella-delivered version of “White Riot,” the 101ers’ classic “Keys to Your Heart”). (Legacy Recordings) Billboard
