| New Shabbos Waltz | | Posted Sunday, September 10, 2006 8:11:37 PM by BlogJeeves Team | | Master mandolinist David Grisman and clarinet virtuoso Andy Statman, in a long-awaited follow-up to Songs of Our Fathers (1995), have again combined their shared Jewish heritages. That both men are veterans of the "newgrass" and folk scenes comes across in the Appalachian-like swing of the title selection and their collaboration sounds unforced and mutually sympathetic throughout. Statman's honking, shrieking clarinet, with its echoes of past masters like Giora Feidman and Dave Tarras, soars and swoops along, just this side of spoken language. Grisman's plangent yet mellifluous plucked strings are miracles of flawless technique and taste, and he is periodically joined by Statman on the same instrument. The duo are assisted by studio drummer Hal Blaine and Enrique Coria on acoustic guitar, both of whom also appeared on Songs of Our Fathers, plus noted slide guitarist Bob Brozman and Grisman's son, Samson, who ably sits in on bass. Highlights include "Oifen Pripitchik" (On the Hearth), a sweetly melancholy 19th-century Yiddish song, and the Chassidic niggun, "Ani Ma'amin" (I Believe), composed by Rabbi Ezriel Dovid Fastag in a cattle car en route to the Treblinka death camp-- it later became a survivalist anthem sung in other such hell-holes. --Christina Roden... | |
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| | | Paris 1919 | | Posted Friday, September 08, 2006 6:11:37 AM by BlogJeeves Team | | One of John Cale's Very Finest Solo Efforts, Paris 1919 is also Among his Most Accessible Records, One which Grows in Depth and Resonance with Each Successive Listen. A Consciously Literary Work - the Songs Even Bear Titles Like "Child's Christmas in Wales," "Macbeth," and "Graham Greene" - Paris 1919 is Close in Spirit to a Collection of Short Stories; The Songs Are Richly Poetic, Enigmatic Period Pieces Strongly Evocative of their Time and Place. Chris Thomas' Production is Appropriately Lush and Sweeping, with Many Tracks Set to Orchestral Accompaniment; Indeed, There's Little Here to Suggest Either Cale's Noisy, Abrasive Past Or the Chaos About to Resurface in his Subsequent Work - for Better Or Worse, his Music Never Achieved a Similar Beauty Again.... | |
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| | | Lenine | | Posted Sunday, September 03, 2006 10:12:02 AM by BlogJeeves Team | | Brazilian songsmith Lenine has been influenced and inspired by everything from pop and rock to Massive Attack and Gilberto Gil. His U.S. debut disc, then, is a virtual melting pot of those diverse sounds. Shake, stir and sway to the sounds of this intriguing artist. Lenine's songs have been recorded by the likes of Sergio Mendes and Dionne Warwick, but he is at the forefront of this disc, which actually culls material from three Brazilian releases. Featured players include Latin-funk heroes Yerba Buena, who join in on the simmering "Rosebud (O Verbo E A Verba);" and '80s oddity Living Colour, who groove during "O Homem Dos Olhos De Raio X." Electronic touches accent the disc, but the sound of live instrumentation anchors most of the material. Lenine thrives--and thrills--as another gem in Brazil's ever-expanding court of musical masters. --Joey Guerra... | |
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| | | Chillounge | | Posted Thursday, August 31, 2006 10:12:09 PM by BlogJeeves Team | | With late night beats and cool morning sensations as downtempo excursions mingle with silky beats and luxurious grooves. This soulful journey into a world of chilled electronica, nu-jazz rhythems and smooth sensual vocals forcuses on some of today's top vibrant artists from around the world.... | |
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| | | Bend It Like Beckham - Music From The Motion Picture | | Posted Tuesday, August 29, 2006 10:11:41 AM by BlogJeeves Team | | Asian exclusive edition of 2002 soundtrack features eight bonus tracks (not available on the US version), 'Baddest Ruffest Backyard Dog', 'It's Beckham's Corner' (dialogue), 'Learn To Cook Dahl' (dialogue), 'Juicy Juicy Mangoes' (dialogue), 'Move On Up' Curtis Mayfield, 'Eyes Down' (dialogue), 'Can't Make Round Chapattis' (dialogue) & 'The Offside Rule Is' (dialogue). 22 tracks. WEA.... | |
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| | | Music from the Coffee Lands | | Posted Saturday, August 26, 2006 10:11:49 PM by BlogJeeves Team | | The artists gathered together here hail from nations and cultures noted for the growing and export of coffee. As with this CD's companion release, Music from the Tea Lands, one senses the possibility of lucrative product tie-ins, but part of the proceeds from the album are earmarked for charity and any catchy idea that gets the music out there is a good thing. Like the luscious drink itself, the tunes come in many intensities and flavors, ranging from a light-as-air ditty from Peru, to the more complex vocal stylings of Colombia's Claudia Gomez, to Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca's earthy Afro-Cuban Congolese rumba. The album is a lively and fascinating travelogue, making landfall in Cuba, Kenya, Brazil, Uganda, Mexico, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and Peru. As with many other Putumayo projects, aside from its musical pleasures, this set would make an entertaining and educational experience for younger family members. --Christina Roden ... | |
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| | | Graham Nash/David Crosby | | Posted Thursday, August 24, 2006 10:11:35 AM by BlogJeeves Team | | Reissue of the former Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young member's debut outing together as a duo in a digipak. First released in 1972 for Atlantic, 'Crosby & Nash' features guest appearances by Dave Mason, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel and Grateful Dead members Jerry Garcia & Phil Lesh, plus the classic 'Southbound Train' and the top 40 hit 'Immigration Man'. 11 tracks total. 1998 Atlantic Records release. ... | |
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| | | Ahi Vamos | | Posted Saturday, August 19, 2006 10:11:50 AM by BlogJeeves Team | | Gustavo Cerati trades in his electronic urges for rock reverb and jangly guitar riffs on Ahi Vamos, his first proper solo studio effort since 2002's Siempre es Hoy. In actuality, the new disc is closer in sound to some of Cerati's work as frontman for Argentine rock band Soda Stereo, which flourished throughout the 1980s. Cerati was also surely influenced by his acclaimed work with Shakira, Los Caifanes, and Babasonicos. Whatever the reason, it's allowed the prolific performer to remain a relevant force in the rock en espanol world without relying on an easy regurgitation of hits. Ahi Vamos swoops and swirls through an urgent array of styles, from arena-rock fist pumpers ("Uno Entre 1000") to '80s-inspired retro grooves ("Caravana") and moments of sparkling commercial immediacy ("Adios," "Otra Piel"). Through it all, Cerati's way with a guitar remains a wily, wondrous highlight. --Joey Guerra... | |
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| | | The Blues Brothers Complete | | Posted Monday, August 14, 2006 8:11:59 AM by BlogJeeves Team | | All of the unique tracks from the albums 'The Blues BrothersOriginal Soundtrack', 'The Definitive Collection' and 'The Best Of The Blues Brothers'. 35 tracks total, including 'Soul Man', 'Rubber Biscuit', 'She Caught The Katy', 'Peter Gunn Theme', 'Everybody Needs Somebody' and 'Gimme Some Lovin''. Full color picture CDs - disc one is of Jake (John Belushi), disc two is of Elwood (Dan Akroyd). Double slimline jewel case. 1998 Atlantic Records release. ... | |
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| | | 360° | | Posted Friday, August 11, 2006 8:11:33 PM by BlogJeeves Team | | Tattooed, razor-thin urban-pop performer Chelo has Dancing With the Stars to thank for an impressive career catapult. The young singer debuted first single "Cha Cha" on the reality hoof-fest earlier this year and landed prime spots on the 2006 FIFA World Cup and at the Miss Universe Pageant. He could have easily gone the way of "Mambo No. 5" footnote Lou Bega, but Chelo offers an impressive follow-up with debut disc 360°. It's an ultra-modern, criminally catchy set of bilingual tracks that ping-pongs effortlessly between genres. Silky ballads ("Slow Motion") snuggle up against Middle Eastern-flavored hip shakers ("Voodoo") and hypnotic club tracks ("Fantasy," the flirty "Yummy"). Kick-off cut "Un Corazon" samples a classic salsa track--Willie Colon's and Hector Lavoe's "La Murga"--to artfully weave its one-love credo; and "Touch 2 Nite" rides an early '80s-inspired freestyle groove. Even better is "U Got Me," a slinky, sexy standout that seems to conjure a mix of Prince, Justin Timberlake and Marc Anthony--all at the same time. An impressive, energetic debut collection. --Joey Guerra... | |
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