Miles Davis - Plays For Lovers

Prestige/Concord

Needless to say, none of the cuts from "Sketches Of Spain" are included on "Plays For Lovers.'' All of Davis' more experimental and innovative material is left behind, not nearly romantic enough for this compilation. John Coltrane accompanies Davis on most of the tracks as well as Red Garland (piano), Paul Chambers (bass) and Philly Joe Jones (drums). Other great musicians who pitch in their two cents are Charles Mingus, Max Roach and Horace Silver, among others.
"Plays For Lovers" includes some of Davis' more traditionally styled tunes such as "My Funny Valentine," "Smooch," and "In Your Own Sweet Way," all of which are not of Miles' own composition, but Miles' makes them his. His sax style is recognizable within the first several seconds of any Davis recording. Davis is the man who revolutionized jazz with modal styled jazz; that is to say that he changed the way jazz was played from chord changes to modes and scales. Despite the narrow scope of the compilation's choices, it is hard to go wrong with Miles Davis.

Meshuggah - Catch Thirtythree

Nuclear Blast

Meshuggah is one of those bands that can be an acquired taste. But once the taste is right, they'll rock you so hard you won't know what hit you. Their particular brand of metal is as offbeat as you can get. They play heavily with odd time signatures and insidious song structures. Although Meshuggah can be grating on the ears for some, their technical capacity for understanding music is practically unsurpassed within the metal scene.
In "Catch Thirtythree" Meshuggah pushes the limits on their capacity for syncopated madness. When listening to them, one will wonder how they manage to keep it together, when it can sound so random. The songs, in a industrial or electronica style, tend to blend into one another; three tracks can sound as if they are only one. If one can get past their time signature oddities, they will find a wealth of magnificently composed and executed metal music.

Roy Orbison - The Essential Roy Orbison

(2 Cd Set) Monument/Orbison/ Legacy/Sony BMG

It is indisputable that Orbison's legend influenced and continues to influence music on a grand scale. His voice is recognizable on any track he cut. His style was mimicked and repeated time and time again. The truly best cuts of Roy Orbison must be hard to determine, but tracks such as "Ooby Dooby," "Crying," "Blue Bayou," "Dream Baby" and "Oh, Pretty Woman" are without a doubt, essential. However, one of the best recordings ever was "It's Over." The song is a ballad, but has a seemingly opposite styled musical fashion that blends together perfectly to create a masterpiece.
Roy had everything it took to be a rock hero: a great voice, musical sensibility and a love for the stage. He was so popular in America that even the Beatles dreaded having to go onstage after him; fans would scream for more. Bob Dylan said that Orbison, "...sang like a professional criminal." Which is true; he'll steal your heart at first listen.

Chloe Day - Pixie Runway

Shivering Johnny

Chloe Day, to say the very least, is impressively eclectic in her musical style. Her songs vary from acoustic folk to electronica; at times she branches out into balladry and jazz. Often her music is enticing with her quirks and oddities, but at other times her music is long and dry with flat vocal stylings. Songs such as "Catnip" and "Curves" have original sounds that draw the listener in. "Catnip" inparticular has a kickass bass line that is infectious and steady.
Her first album, "The Return Of..." had much more consistency and elegance than "Pixie Runway." However, "Runway" shows much more potential and diversity; she has an energy to her music that hasn't come to full blossom. Her vocal styles on her first album sounded much more personal and involved, while on this album, she seems to be holding back. But Day is one to keep your eye on.

Monty Alexander - Concrete Jungle: The Music of Bob Marley

Telarc

Monty Alexander, a Jamaican born jazz pianist, has had a well grounded career in jazz, starting out with his first jazz cover of Bob Marley, "Stir It Up." Many years, and quite a few albums later, he has returned to Bob Marley's compositions. His covers do not strive to imitate the original works and are clearly jazz compositions with strong reggae elements.
Alexander uses the original frame of Marley's songs as the basis for each track; but the end product is embellished upon with impromptu jazz solos and improvisations. The result? Well, the results are completely varied. The first track, "Africa Unite," is the best example of the work on the album; it takes the song's melody and frame, but then heads in a completely different direction filled with piano soloing and jazz structure.
The "Concrete Jungle" track is a more straight forward cover, which actually works against Alexander, because the listener feels like listening to Bob Marley instead of a toned down jazz-esque cover. Some tracks are so far removed from the original recordings that it almost qualifies as an original composition (like so many techno remixes, where the original track is not even recognizable) such as "Crazy Baldheads" and "Simmer Down." In the end, it is very interesting what Monty Alexander has done with Bob Marley's work, but I would rather listen to Bob Marley.

Echo and the Bunnymen - Siberia

Cooking Vinyl

Echo and the Bunnymen enjoyed modest success in Britain and the U.S. during the '80s post-punk (although punk is truly not dead) era of rock/goth groups, such as the Cure. They broke up in 1989 due to the death of bandmate de Freitas. Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant reunited in 1994 and have been together since. Unfortunately, their style has ceased to grow, although to their credit they no longer use a drum machine.
"Siberia" isn't exactly like being in a Soviet internment camp, but it doesn't add up to a rollicking good time. The duo has not escaped from the '80s, and that comes across very strongly in their music.

Various Artists - Brazilian Lounge

Putumayo

"It is impossible to deny the influence that Brazil has on today's global culture. From music and film to fashion and dance, Brazil has become one of the world's most important resources of popular art and entertainment. This collection of Brazilian music explores the electronic, bossa nova (known in Brazil as "new Bossa") that permeates Brazilian club culture.
The artists on the album are more than just DJs; they have original compositions with creative twists on already established styles. Artists such as Luca Mundaca and Bebel Gilberto are masters of the relatively new cross genre; they utilize their cultural heritage as well as a broad array of influences to create music that sticks to the soul. Putumayo has released an enormous amount of music from around the world that opens the globe up to under appreciated and lesser known musicians.
(Editor's Note: Fairly recently, the Brazilian people elected "Lula" as their Prime Minister. Here's looking at you Lula. I hope you don't let the USA steal all the wealth that Brazil possesses, that you protect the forests mightily, and that you create joy for the poor people of your country; the rich have more than enough.)

Savage Garden - The Best Of Savage Garden: Truly Madly Completely

Columbia

Savage Garden has enjoyed amazing success among adolescent teen girls, with hits such as "I Knew I Loved You," "Truly Madly Deeply" and "Crash and Burn." For those of you who know this band, there will inevitably be one of two reactions: "I Love Them!" or "DEAR GOD MAKE IT STOP!" Their style is Femme Rock and it is fairly clear that the purpose of the duo is to get girls, which they are undoubtedly amazingly successful at.
Their electro ballad rock and soft vocals are the perfect teen idol formula. Their metrosexual image seals the deal as far as their fan base is concerned. The album has all the hits and some misses, as well as a couple of tunes from Darren Hayes' solo career. Savage Garden has been popular in the past, but there are reasons why some groups fall out of popularity.

Various Artists - Dave Chappelle's Block Party

Geffen/Universal

The story of the Block Party is amazing; there is a lot in the movie that isn't released on the album. For instance, Dave Chappelle got the Fugees to reunite for a live performance, which was featured in the movie and was as awesome as you would expect. But those tracks were not released due to record company complications.
The album has an all-hip-hop and all star lineup including Dead Prez, Blackstar (Mos Def and Talik Kweli), Erykah Badu and Jill Scott. Many more performers were present, but these cuts were the best (that could legally be released). With all of the performers a live band was present including drummer of The Roots, ?uest Love, who played on practically every track.
All the artists and their performances are amazing from beginning to end. Jill Scott definitely steals the show with "The Way," an immensely powerful track that is most accurately described as soulful rock hop; the crowds reaction was almost as powerful as the performance itself. Dave Chappelle did a fuckin' amazing job of organizing this concert and creating the documentary, especially on the budget he had (most of the filming was done on a camcorder). If you love hip hop, you cannot pass this album up.
***Sean's Single of The Week: Jill Scott's "The Way"***

Stayton Bonner - Think I'm Gonna Move To Australia

Blue Trout

Stayton Bonner is an artist that takes in the world around him and expresses it poignantly though his voice and guitar. Bonner comes through with truth and humor, his songs "Me and My Poodle" and "Lonely When Your Here" are two excellent examples of the tones that Bonner can produce.
"Me and My Poodle" is a funny tale of a man unashamed about his poodle companionship, despite the laughter of his friends; the song is also accompanied by a witty story behind the song, "When we picked up [the poodle] on Shakespeare's birthday, we figured it was a good sign he'd grow up to be an intelligent pet. A couple of nights later [the poodle] woke up the household barking at his own reflection in a dimly lit window, and we realized the signs may have been off for the Bonner family."
"Lonely When Your Here" is a sad song of an older married couple after their children have moved out, and their relationship is empty of love and emotion. The song is sung as a duet with a female vocalist which adds a depth to the song that hits the listener where it hurts. Bonner is an insightful songwriter and accomplished folk musician, and "Think I'm Gonna Move To Australia" is a great album.

Jason Miles - What's Going On?: Songs Of Marvin Gaye

Narada Jazz/EMI

Jason Miles was influenced by his favorite artists when all three of them (Miles Davis, Herbie Mann and Gato Barbieri) placed Marvin Gaye "at or near the top of their lists" of favorite musicians. He decided to make a Gaye cover album with a new style. Now, it is not that Jason Miles is a poor musician or producer, because that is simply not the case. However, imitating and replicating Marvin Gaye is a task that just about anyone is bound to struggle with. If your looking for some good Marvin Gaye tunes, go to the real stuff.

Bob Delevante - Columbus and the Colossal Mistake

Relay

Bob Delevante, formerly of the Delevantes (a brotherly duo), has a new solo release with original and borrowed material. He has played with some heavy artists such as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Gary Tallent of the E Street Band, but his own style is more down home country rock. The title track is smart and funny with lyrics such as, "Columbus went looking for the Far East/ when America got in his way/ Now I guess I know just how good he must have felt when I bumped into you."
Delevante's up tempo songs are his best such as "Texarkana State Of Mind." This style lends itself to Delevante easier than slower folk styles such as his blasphemous rendition of "Blitzkrieg Bop." The quality of the album varies throughout, but overall, it is not his best work.
***Shelton's Single Of The Week: "Texarkana State of Mind"***

Against All Authority - The Restoration of Chaos & Order

Hopeless

AAA's (Against All Authority) most recent album is partly a direct assault on George W. Bush and American society, and partly an aggressive and fun party album. The song "The Restoration of Chaos & Order" is based on a misspoken Dubya, "You're free. And freedom is beautiful. And, you know, it'll take time to restore chaos and order- but we, uh- order out of chaos. But we will."
Other politically charged songs include "Sweet Televised Destruction," "Radio Waves," "Best Enemy" and "War Machine Breakdown," whose lyrics include, "I can see you're in control. Abusing what you hold. Authority is bought and sold. Suffocate the truth. We breathe the lies you've told. So you send the kids off to war (not yours). Once again the rich kill the poor. Don't wanna kill, fight or die for you. Safe inside your big glass towers. Sending kids out to be devoured."
AAA is almost unrelentingly attacking social constructions of wealth, status, boundaries, war and many other socially degrading institutions. But they do take time to have some good old punk fun with "All Ages Show Tonight," "Silence Is Golden but Duck Tape Is Silver" and "I Just Wanna Start A Circle Pit." AAA is a fascist-killing machine that can rock out and have more fun than any hawkish, neo-conservitive asshole, anytime, anyday.

Lizzie West & The White Buffalo - I Pledge Allegiance To Myself

Appleseed

Lizzie West has a clearly eclectic musical style that comes full circle in the realm of Americana. From the sex charged reggae cut, "Rope Me In And Smoke Me" to the folk rock ballad of thanks, "Portrait Of An Artist As A Young Woman (Thank You)," Lizzie West is a well rounded musician, with her own distinct rough edges.
West also expresses her talent for emotionally powerful songwriting in "19 Miles To Baghdad", "The flag is flying across the country, Me and the band, we play the bars and highway/ 'The flags fly the highest where the people buy their cars'/ She says, '19 miles to Baghdad, I guess we haven't come so far.'" Lizzie West bares her soul on all the tracks and sings her heart out for her own compositions and even a couple of covers like "Get Up, Stand Up" and a fantastic rendition of "City Of New Orleans."
To top it off Lizzie West has one of the most creative singing styles and she has mastered vibrato in her voice. This engages the listener, even if the listener doesn't like it. The sound is hers alone. This is a great album full of surprises and superb songwriting.
(Editor's Note: What can I say Lizzie? You are top of the fuckin' line.)

Earl Thomas - Intersection

Memphis International/Megaforce/RED

Intersection is probably the most appropriate title for this album. It is an intersection of roots music put into a contemporary model, but most of all, this is a soul infused rock album. Earl Thomas performs such classics as "Workin' Together," "Bang A Gong" and "Brown Sugar." And not only can the cat make these songs his own, he can play the guitar and solo like a demon (listen to "Bang A Gong" and "Sweet Like Sugar").
Thomas has played with all sorts of heavyweights including Ike Turner, Etta James, B.B. King and Dr. John. With this well rounded roots background, Thomas has come further by pouring his soul into his own project. For a prearranged band that had never met before recording, these guys have synergy that many musicians would kill for. To top it off, Thomas has a voice that could hypnotize and seduce Hugh Hefner. "Intersection" has a classic sound, but he knows how to make old music new.
***So Nice, Gotta Do It Up Twice (Created by the Original NYC DJ, Jocko, 1955)***

Various Artists - Hip Hop Essentials 1979-1991 Vol 4

Tommy Boy

On this Volume of "Hip Hop Essentials" (see past top 21 lists for previous volumes) Tommy Boy introduces Public Enemy, UTFO, Run-DMC and 2 Live Crew; as well as selecting songs from previously featured artists like Grand Master Flash & The Furious 5, LL Kool J and Kool Moe Dee. Public Enemy has one of my favorites "Don't Believe The Hype," a classic song about the importance of counter culture, which hip hop was from 1979 to 1991.
Run-DMC comes through with "Sucker MCs," which is essentially the bare bones of rap; Run-DMC knew the fundamentals of rhythm so well that they didn't even bother with tainting it with melody, and it worked better than almost anyone expected. And of course 2 Live Crew steals the show with "Me So Horny," with the unforgettable samples of, "Oh, me so horny" and "I love you long time." The fourth volume in the series isn't the strongest, but contains some seriously legendary artists and songs.

Paul Reddick - Villanelle

NorthernBlues/Big Daddy

Paul Reddick has the kind of low down bluesy, roots folk style that soothes the soul and speaks to the troubles of the human condition. Reddick is an exemplary songwriter in the world of modern blues; he was even nominated for the W.C. Handy songwriting award for "Rattlebag" in 2002.
Reddick draws his influences from such legends as Kenneth Rexroth and William Carlos; walking in their footsteps is no easy task, but Paul Reddick manages to rise to the occasion track after track. This is not to say that he mimics these artists, but his influences are clearly drawn here. Reddick has a way with music that is all his own, and he can stand his ground with his own compositions such as "Luck In Love," a gritty sounding, zydeco-blues tune that defies traditional blues composition and is simply groundbreaking in the industry. "Villanelle" explores blues with an ear for the unusual.

Lobi Traore - The Lobi Traore Group

Honest Jons/Astralwerks

This is a truly fascinating album. Most people who are at all interested in Americana and roots music, know that it all traces back to Africa, and Mali inparticular. I have heard some traditional Mali stringed instrument recordings, and the correlation to blues music is incredible; there are times where you could swear they were playing 12-bar blues.
Lobi Traore is the quintessential blend of blues and Malian music. He takes the Malian compositional structure for a song, which, to the Western ear consists of many odd time signatures and odd syncopation that can be startling. Then TraorÚ plays his electric guitar the music really takes off; the tunes comes alive and one can't avoid recognizing the diligence and skill involved in such an undertaking.
The Lobi Traore Group recorded in Mali, supplied by power through one miniscule power cord and recording each song together in one take. The soul and energy is captured perfectly, and the mix came out great. There is no high tech over dubbing or layering, just raw Malian blues.

Paul Manousos - For Better or Worse

Shock & Fall/Burnside

Put simply, Paul Manousos is not the best singer, songwriter or musician. He consistently uses derivative lyrics and his songs tend to blend together. The title track "For Better or Worse" sounds more or less like the track before it, "This Love." The song structures and compositions are used over and over like a skipping record. So let's take the needle off shall we?

Various Artists - Na Mele O Keaka: The Hawaiian Tribute To Jack Johnson

CMH

Palm trees swaying in the breeze. Waves breaking on the shore. Warm sand between your toes. It's a perfect day in paradise when "Na Mele O Keaka" comes on the stereo. This all-instrumental tribute to the master of the laid-back groove features Jack's songs performed on ukulele, lap steel slide guitar and slack-key guitar for a unique sonic experience that will transport you to Jack's home island of Oahu.
"Na Mele O Keaka" (literally translated as "Jack's Music") is a unique tribute to the surfer turned film-maker turned rock star whose songs have inspired a generation of music lovers. The snappy guitar riffs and catchy melodies of Jack's coolest songs come alive in the hands of some of the best Hawaiian musicians performing today including beautiful versions of "Times Like These," "Sitting Waiting Wishing" and the one that started it all-- "Rodeo Clowns." When the last song of "Na Mele O Keaka" fades out, you'll be chanting, "Hana Hou!"

Massive Attack - Collected

(2 CD Set) Virgin/EMI

"Collected" is, of course, a greatest hits album. With a band as established in the electronica genre, with four albums under their belt and plenty of awesome music, a 2 cd set, best of album is no sweat. The "Collection" contains the brilliantly scored and recorded songs such as "Angel," "Teardrop," "Unfinished Sympathy" and "Safe From Harm" just on the first cd alone.
The group has a great line up and history for producing quality albums (with the forgivable exception of "100th Window"), and have yet another album in the making, "Weather Underground," scheduled for a 2007 release. This "Collected" works is a must have for anyone unfamiliar with the band; it will give you a good insight into the genius that is Massive Attack.