George Jones - The Essential George Jones

Epic/Legacy/Sony BMG (2 CD Set)

George Jones is one of the earliest influences in the same tone of Hank Williams, but with more ballads. Jones is a honky-tonk singer with a clearly Nashville sound. This 40 song, 2 CD set, comes with such greats as, the Grammy nominated, "He Stopped Loving Her Today," "If The Drinkin' Don't Kill Me (Her Memory Will)" and " She Still Thinks I Care."
Jones' style heavily reflects his small town upbringing and stays true to country roots. One of the only things added in production is the string section which is inserted very tactfully. His creative stylings in music led the rest of the music industry to explore ballads more and more; eventually Jones created almost exclusively ballads; which is what we hear on this album today.
(Editor's Note: I been listening to music for a long, long time. But, nobody has brought me more tears and pain than George Jones.)

The Duduka Da Fonseca Quintet - Samba Jazz In Black & White

Zoho/Allegro

Da Fonseca is another Zoho artists, a drummer no less, that has spent much time and energy in making latin-jazz fusion. Like Dafnis Prieto, Da Fonseca has a rigidly structured jazz base to his songs that leaves room for improvisation throughout, but his Latin influence comes primarily from his drum beats.
Unlike Prieto, Da Fonseca is not as vibrant and exuberant with his playing as his younger contemporary. However, his style is more relaxed and danceable that that of Prieto. As a fairly new genre, Da Fonseca does a stand up job pioneering the intricacies involved in latin-jazz fusion.

David Gilmour - On An Island

Columbia

David Gilmour, most well known for his brilliant work as guitarist and main vocalist in Pink Floyd, has released his latest CD, which he says he is most proud of; that is quite the statement given his previous work (although Roger Waters often won creative direction among Pink Floyd). "On An Island" lulls the listener into a slow paced, meditative mood with it's ambling and sometimes eccentric guitar pieces. "Smile" is a modestly simple, yet sublimely genius song that is a modern folk lullaby free of synthesizer melodies: "I'll make my getaway/Time on my own/ Search for a better way/ To find my way home to your smile."
The electronic and somewhat ambient music is still very much a presence in Gilmour's sound. Songs such as "A Pocket Full Of Stones" and "Castellorizon" showcase the powerful emotions that Gilmour is so known and loved for. But the best parts of this album, and for that matter all of Gilmour's music, is his rock jams; "Take A Breath," "Red Sky At NIght" and "Then I Close My Eyes" all have guitar soloing jam sessions, but all the jams are distinct and create their own personality. "On An Island" is what some might call a crescendo or culmination of work; all of Gilmour's best talents and creative insights make their way onto this album in one form or another. "On An Island" is a rockin', yet mellow, acoustic, yet synth infused aural journey for the adventurously inclined.

Kataklysm - In The Arms of Devastation

Nuclear Blast

For all of you Death/Black Metal skeptics out there, this is for you. There are a few things to keep in mind about Death and Black Metal when listening with an untrained ear (yes, I realize that "trained ear" and "metal" are rarely, if ever, used in the same sentence): 1) listen to how "tight" the group sounds. Metal groups, especially Black Metal, are very synchronized; listen to these blaring guitars and almost incomprehensible drum beats, then listen for how well the group can keep themselves together. 2) Black Metal is frequently very melodically and harmonically inclined. Lead guitar solos in good Metal are intricate, utilize the whole fretboard and are mind bendingly fast. 3) Can you imagine the tolerance and endurance a throat needs to sustain this kind of singing? Imagine what kind of reconstructive throat surgery a truly devoted Black Metal singer will have to face.
Kataklysm exceeds in these, and many other fine points of Metal greatness. The CD technically contains nine tracks, although it's actually broken down into 99 separate tracks (probably for piracy purposes). Songs such as "To Reign Again" and "Open Scars" are models for Black Metal excellence. "To Reign Again" is particularly enticing; it opens with a non-distorted, renaissance styled guitar piece which spares no time getting to the hard hitting, fast synchronized metal we know and love, but leaves room for instrumental breakdowns and blood curdling screaming. Don't be a pussy: just get the CD.

Jaco Pastorius Big Band - The Word Is Out!

Heads Up/Telarc

Jaco Pastorius is one of the greatest bass players in modern times, with the exception of Les Claypool (although they play completely different styles), has made headway all across the jazz world. Unfortunately, Jaco is no longer with us (he died in 1987), but this record is a collection of older, original Jaco works and many tracks are rerecordings of his own compositions, but recorded posthumously. His compositions all have the signature "Jaco style," which consists of oddly timed compositions with heavier bass lines and lofty and intricate brass and percussion section arrangements. Many of these tracks come out of a 2003 recording session that, of course, isn't quite the same without Jaco, but his spirit lives on in his brilliantly scored compilation.

Sonny Burgess - Stronger

CPI/CBuJ

Here is my attempt to give a balanced review of mainstream country music. First off, let me get this out of the way; what egotistical freak names his album "Stronger?" To Burgess' credit, "Jesus and Bartenders" is a humorous comparison of Jesus and Bartenders, "They both know a man in trouble when they see one/ They're both willing to listen when he talks/ Anger and depression, tearful confessions/ Jesus and bartenders hear it all."
Although, Burgess didn't actually write any of the songs on the album, so I can only really credit him with good taste in lyrics. Sonny's music doesn't tug at my heartstings, no matter how many minor chords, emotional guitar solos, and twangy vocals he implements, I just cannot see any creative thought. The third track, "A Little Bit Stronger," is the blueprint for a mainstream country song, "I've got this broken heart/ You say you can fix Girl I've heard those words before/ I've tried everything known to man to numb the pain and there's one thing for sure/ I need something just a little bit stronger." How many songs can you count that tells you the answer to a broken heart is one, two, or ten shots of triple distilled whiskey? Point in case, Sonny Burgess isn't the type of country that makes me want to move to Texas.

Bill Evans - Plays For Lovers

Riverside/Concord

"Plays For Lovers" is mostly a compilation of the original Evans trio: Bill Evans on piano, Scott LaFaro on bass and Paul Motian on drums. Evans is well known for his special interpretation and writing of "jazz ballads," something he did very well; but, Evans was not constricted to this narrow jazz genre. He could swing as fast and hard as anyone else when the mood struck him, but his real talent and soul resided in his soft styled piano with sparatic bursts of finger flying madness that leaves one elated and lost in a dual tempo jazz universe.
After the death of LaFaro, Evans went through a string of different bass players including Chuck Isreals who plays on Evans' classic "Polka Dots and Moonbeams." While many box sets and live recordings are now available for Evans' large bodied recorded works, this collection contains what he is known for and was drawn to, what he does best, piano with classic sensibilities but with a firm grasp of jazz's African roots. This CD might have been more aptly named "Plays For Himself."

HEM - No Word From Tom

Waveland/Nettwerk

HEM is a quickly growing band that specializes in Americana. Their influences can be traced all over the landscape of American music: from George Jones to the Grateful Dead. to Fountains Of Wayne. "No Word From Tom" is a collection of originals, covers and live performances. They cover the great Tony Jo White's "Rainy Night In Georgia," as well as many other covers which they reinterpret and recreate into something new and innovative. Their lead vocalist, Sally Ellyson, has not the fullest sound, but the voice that was made for folk, blues and ballads. The eight piece group combine their sounds and styles to create the whole, which is a fluid, harmonizing and passionate creative force unto it's own.
***Shelton's Pick of The Week: "The Present"***

Colossus - West Oaktown

Om: Hip Hop

Colossus is a 6' 8" British to Oakland transplant R&B, funk, and hip hop artist that has worked with the likes of Roy Ayers, Fred Wesley and James Brown. "West Oaktown" is Colossus' first album with Om: Hip Hop, with an organic feeling that obviously grew right out of Oakland.
Tracks such as "Like That" are perfect examples of Colossus' fusion of R&B, funk and hip hop that also reflect Colossus' interest in jazz. For those who enjoy rap artists that use bands and not just a D.J., such as the Roots, this album is a good find with actual musicians on keyboards, drums and guitar. Colossus is an excellent up and coming underground hip hop experience. Keep your eyes out for Colossus on tour.

Pray For The Soul Of Betty - Pray For The Soul Of Betty

Baby Julius/KOCH

These guys should start worrying more about learning to play their instruments, instead of worrying about the condition of Betty's Soul. When I hear this band's debut album, most of what I hear is a muddled, dull and dumbed down form of pop metal, with occasional fits of alt-rock balladry.
American Idol finalist (5th place), Constantine Maroulis, is the lead singer of the band, and not surprisingly, he's not a very keen singer. Now... not very keen is putting it nicely. I'll leave it at that. The other members of the band, Taylor (bass), Joao Joya (guitar) and Hamboussi (drums) all seem to have a common interest in abusing musical instruments. But with titles such as "Rich Bitch" (hey it rhymes!), "Suicide" and "Some of My Fucked Up World," who could not love them? This album was a waste of time and money for everyone involved.
(Editor's Note: The dude sounds like he's severely constipated, and he doesn't know what to do about it.)

Various Artists - Hip Hop Essentials 1979-1991 Vol 3

Tommy Boy

In this volume of Hip Hop Essentials, you get to hear everyone from Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince to NWA to A Tribe Called Quest. As always, this compilation stays away from focusing on specific cliques within hip hop at this time, offering a wide scope of the scene at the time. Eric B. & Rakim are featured with "Microphone Fiend" (later covered by RATM). The track talks about the love of hip hop and the duo is familiar to anyone who has heard them before.
Despite the awesome compilations of songs, I have to say censoring hip hop, especially roots and gangster hip hop, is completely against the spirit of the genre. All of these compilations censor the usual words such as fuck, motherfucker, shit, but not bitch or hoe. In any case a song like "Fuck Tha Police" is just not the same when, every other word, the song sounds like it is skipping. On the other hand, the star of this album is Tone-Loc with "Funky Cold Medina;" the story about ludes gone wrong. Overall, the series is great, apart from the occasional mutilated track. Even hip hop veterans might learn a couple things.

Grand National - Kicking The National Habit

Recall/Sunday Best

Grand National gets points for being original. They somehow seem to go blend genres like a bartender mixes drinks. I congratulate their no formula approach to song writing, but sometimes I feel like I'm listening to a rastafarian, disco, ska, alternative accident. I wonder if after recording the album, they woke up the next day and felt as though they mixed the wrong drinks.

Ella Jenkins - Ella Jenkins and a Union of Friends Pulling Together

Smithsonian Folkways

Ella Jenkins is, and has been, a musical educator since the 1950s. This cd is a musical introduction for kids to the ideas of unity, cooperation and labor unions. She chooses songs, lyrics and poetry to play or recite with political forethought about about workers' rights. Songs like "Going Down The Road Feeling Bad," "The Farmer Feeds Us All" and "In Unity There Is Strength" open up a person's (even a child's) mind to the atrocities of industrialization and the strength of the group in the face of adversity. This is a great buy for your kids, but not necessarily for yourself.
(Editor's Note: Don't forget, as Ella Jenkins sings, "I'm Stickin' To The Union." Workers should never forget that there are really two classes in a capitalist society: the ruling class and the working class. And workers must unite so that they can't be exploited and abused by the people who own them: the ruling class. Whatcha' gonna do? We should make sure that unions protect and represent the workers. They must not sell out, and it is our responsibility to see to it. It's called rank and file unionism where the workers make sure that the unions fight hard for their rights. Rights refer not only to higher wages, but to serious protection against the bosses. That means we can't be fired without a real arbitration. This is not slavery anymore, those days are over. Make sure it stays that way.)

Richie Hawtin - DE9 | Transitions

Novamute/Minus

It is really easy to fuck up electronica and make it incomprehensibly boring; however, electronica, when done well, can be all enveloping. This isn't to say there isn't a certain... well, charm is overstating it., but Hawkins work has an impressive intensity. However, intensity is also often interpreted as boring.
Each song on the album is incomplete and just, through gradual changes, becomes another song, but not really. I say this for two reasons. One- the whole album is essentially one track and, Two- the one track doesn't change enough to qualify having separate sections to make even the illusion of separate songs. In fact, the tempo doesn't change... except one time. So, if MDMA is your thing, have fun eroding your brain to repetitive crap!

The Subdudes - Behind The Levee

Back Porch/Narada/EMI

The Subdudes have always had a particular non-recreatible sound that only this 4-some can produce. The tambourine of Steve Amedee, exquisite bluesy guitar of Tommy Malone and incredible vocal interplay throughout fit together as only this group can achieve. "Next To Me" is a sparsely instrumented but steady and and intricately composed song that sets you up for the rest of the album, but is like the sunshine before storm. The cd just get better and better. "Social Aid and Pleasure Club" is an upbeat, funky song that is either incredibly satiristic or sarcastic, "I heard a rhythm from some drummin' that was comin' from within/ I smelled a catfish fryin' -- you know there's something cookin'--/ At the Social, Social Aid and Pleasure Club." The members of the Subdudes work together like simple puzzle pieces of an elegant painting.
(Editor's Note: KPIG, the greatest radio station in the land, thinks this album is top of the line right now. And I fully agree with them.)
***So Nice, Gotta Do It Up Twice (Created by the Original NYC DJ, Jocko, 1955)***

Wallace Roney - Mystikal

High Note

Wallace Roney studied music for 10 years with the great Miles Davis. This influence has greatly rubbed off on Roney's own musical style. The horn player, Wallace, plays quick, sometimes shrill, improvisational solos that more than hint at a touch of Davis. This is not to say that Roney isn't an exceptional musician; he has played excellently for a variety of musicians including Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea.
The sound of his band has a loose yet collected jazz sound but also features contemporary keyboards and turntables that are utilized, for the most part, in good taste so as not to interfere with the jazz element, but to create a fusion. "Mystikal" takes a new twist on old pleasures, pure jazz, funk and everything in-between.

Shooter Jennings - Electric Rodeo

Universal South

Yes, Shooter Jennings is the son of the "infamous" Waylon Jennings. The similarities in his music and his fathers are numerous. But Shooter's style is somewhat more aggressive with newer industry formats. This makes Shooter a perfect poster boy for boozin', abusin' styled parties, especially with "Little White Lines," "All those little white lines, little white lines/ are gonna set fire to my whole world."
Shooter has a good sense of humor when it comes to his recordings. His lyrics reflect what seems like to be a healthy sense of humor. From "Alligator Chomp," an almost Frank Zappa-esque style of vocals mixed with a honky-tonk, budweiser accompaniment from the band, to "Manifesto no.2," a hilarious satire of blind religious zeal, "If I get too drunk tonight/ Jesus gonna drive me home... If I get locked up tonight/ Jesus gonna' throw my bail," Shooter Jennings is quality, upbeat, fun and totally bizarre country music.

The Elms - The Chess Hotel

Universal South

The Elms are from the Indiana town of Seymour, the same small town as John Mellencamp. But The Elms, unlike Mellencamp, hate small town life referring to the Midwest as "a wasteland" and defies the "Pink House" myth.
However, they seem in some ways proud of their geographical origin by stating that they are "swingin' Midwestern-bred" rock. And they are. They have a soul for rock 'n' roll that seems to be increasingly harder to find. True rock is so far removed from today's culture that to hear someone do it justice is a surprising pleasure. The Elms make a point and prove their songwriting abilities with this album. It has been this reviewers pleasure to listen.

Cornbread Red - Bluegrass Tribute To Linkin Park

CMH

When Linkin Park burst onto nu-metal/rap metal scene in 2000 with their debut album, the aptly named "Hybrid Theory," they immediately ripped the backslash from between the two genres, smashing the two heads together in a blend that for many would be the final word on the subject. The interplay between lead singer Chester Bennington and MC Mike Shinoda was the double helix of this new lifeform; their unique stylings, along with an atmospheric, light/dark pop sensibility and a healthy dose of electronic artiness, set Linkin Park aside from the rest of the pack and rocketed them to international stardom.
This album, "Bluegrass Tribute to Linkin Park," pays homage to their vocal ingenuity and musical creativity. Utilizing their impeccable voices and masterful playing, bluegrass group Cornbread Red bridge the gap between two seemingly disparate musical styles in a way that will make perfect sense once you slap this sucker on. In. the end, you'll find this record matters...

Peter Spink - Heartland

In The News

Peter Spink seems to have practically created this album from beginning to end: songwriter, singer, guitar, organ and producing. His vocals leave a certain illusive "something" to be obtained, but his guitar styles are very interesting. He has a skillful approach to his song intros, bridges and right down to his strumming rhythms.
Some people say that god lives in the music between the notes; Spink has what could be a comfortable space for god in his guitar playing. Besides his guitar techniques, his compositional structure is a little awkward, but his lyrics are interesting in their variety of subjects and their interest in interpersonal relationships. "Heartland" is definitely a mixed bag, there are elements that don't come across quite right, but there are also elements that are incredibly beautiful.

Matisyahu - Youth

JDub/Or/Epic/Sony BMG

I don't think that anyone could have seen this one coming. Orthodox Jewish reggae/hip hop. But, damn, it makes sense. When you listen to the tracks on "Youth" you will be amazed at how well these intensely religiously people with intensely religious lyrics sound, and how fundamentally (no pun intended) these young Jewish men understand Reggae.
Matisyahu has a intricate knowledge of rhyme and flow, and the band is simply incredible. I have trouble getting into religious music, but this music is so well done, and so different, it gets easier to hear "Fire descends from on high in the shape of a lion/ Burn the sacrifice of pride and ride on to Mount Zion." Matisyahu is the best mainstream (or otherwise) reggae to come into America in the last 5 years. This if nothing else is enough to shatter the genre/race myth for good.