The basic ingredients are one part street-wise, horn-driven New Jersey rock a la early-Springsteen / Southside Johnny, and one part ethnic Irish pop in the spirit of Dexy’s Midnight Runners. Where the mind boggles is when New York City’s Black 47 (the peak year of the Irish Potato Famine) also manages to incorporate reggae (“Fire Of Freedom”), mutant Dixieland jazz (“Fanatic Heart”), groove music (“Funky Ceili”) and hip-hop (the autobiographical “Rockin’ The Bronx”)…all with a lead vocalist who has a similar angst-ridden whine as Robert Smith of The Cure. Overall, Fire Of Freedom could be the most fun you squeeze out of a five-inch disc. – Roch Parisien
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