Everything Is Possible: Very Best Of Living Colour

Whoever writes Living Colour's PR materials and hypes them as the first black rock band seems to have conveniently forgotten about trailblazers like Funkadelic and Jimi Hendrix (or Bo Diddley and Little Richard for that matter), but that doesn't detract from the fierce punch packed by this New York foursome. EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE: THE VERY BEST OF LIVING COLOUR provides a superb overview of the band's output, and represents their metal-inflected heaviness, commitment to stylistic integration (strains of funk, soul, pop, and West Indian music surface), and, thanks to guitarist Vernon Reid, their downtown NY pedigree (check the excellent cover of Talking Heads' "Memories Can't Wait"). Most of all the set will remind listeners that Living Colour was an inventive, no-nonsense powerhouse outfit more than deserving of due respect.