Styles P - Time is Money

Interscope/Universal

Whether as part of the triple threat that is The LOX or as a solo artist, Styles Peniro's razor sharp slick talk has enamored him to countless heads that like their Hip-Hop hardcore.
After having three hit records in a row, Switchfoot approached Oh! Gravity. in contemplation and with a desire for growth. So they went to Tim Palmer, UK veteran producer for The Cure, Tears For Fears, U2, Tin Machine amongst others.
His debut album sold like hotcakes, while his second one was sold-short due to an untimely incarceration. With Time and Money Styles sidesteps any notion of a sophomore slump by instead accomplishing the impressive task of surpassing the high expectations set after his solid debut album.

Ronnie Milsap - My Life

RCA Nashville/Sony BMG

Ronnie Milsap was one of the major figures of country music in the 1970's and 1980's developing a hybrid of country and pop which brought a large audience. He was born in North Carolina, blind from congenital glaucoma. But after a failed Rock and R'nB career he moved to Nashville in hopes of jumping starting his lagging career.
After a year he signed to RCA Victor where he would remain for the bulk of his musical experience. In the summer of 1973 his first single "I Hate You," reached the Country Top Ten. The following year he had three number one's in a row--"Pure Love," "Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends," and "(I'd Be) A Legend of My Time," a Don Gibson classic.
Milsap still has a warm, friendly croon and an easy delivery to his music, which makes it easy to overlook the hints of soul, gospel and pop. That's because his mellow country-pop is so relaxed. It simply seems to exist without any effort. My Life is a representation of all Ronnie has built his career upon. It is Pop enough to catch your attention and Country enough to take over your heart.

Dionne Warwick - My Friends & Me

Concord

My Friends & Me would have to be the finale of all best-of-meets-tribute albums that I have ever come across. Lady of Love herself, Dionne Warwick remixes, remodels, and revives some of the best classic songs of love and heartache.
Her friends whom help to create the "new classic" feel include some of the most exceptional contemporary artists of today. All of which have struck a chord with Warwick's brand of saucy, sultry, sensuous music. The guest list includes Gloria Estefan, Cyndi Lauper, Mya, Kelis, Olivia Newton-John and many more accomplished female artists. They recreate straight from the A-list, "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head," "Wishin' and Hopin'," and Reba McEntire duets on "I Say a Little Prayer."
All the songs are just as good as new singles. Any lover of love will appreciate this album, and may find it as one of her best.

Jim Lauderdale - Country Super Hits Vol I

Yep Roc

It has been over two years since Jim Lauderdale has released new music to the public. To make up for time lost, and to prove that he hasn't been just kicking back, Lauderdale has returned to the scene on a new label with two simultaneous releases: Bluegrass and Country Super Hits Vol I.
Country Super Hits was co-produced with Odie Blackmon, and features perfect country choruses and hard core honky-tonk sound that first won him numerous faithful fans. The high powered musical lineup includes guitarist Kenny Vaughan, Pat Buchanan and multi-instrumentalist Shawn Camp. This is the demonstration of how Jim Lauderdale is a deep reservoir of talent and that he is on a never ending quest for the perfect song.
Shelton's Single of the Week: "He Stopped Loving Her Today"

Anais Mitchell - The Brightness/i>

Her voice may be alarming but her music is profound. With The Brightness Mitchell gives us a glimpse into the raw talent and infectious energy of underground folkies. (Yep, you bet your knickers that there is an underground scene for folk music!)
Over the course of eleven songs listeners are carried away into different realms and times. You will find yourself in Bethlehem and in the hillsides of Virginia. The next song you'll be basking in the New Mexican diamond night sky or watching the world blur by from a train hopper's hide-a-way. But for all it's worldliness, this is a lovingly crafted, homemade album--instantly memorable.
***Shelton's Single of the week: "Shenandoah"***

Brian McKnight - Ten

Warner Bros.

Embracing an eloquence and smooth persona, the music of Brian McKnight has been defining the definition of American soul man since 1991. Like the Motown godfathers this New York native has a pitch perfect voice and a silky style that personifies the vibe of vintage soul without being outdated and worn-out. On his latest record, Ten, the best of what Brian has to offer us is provided.

...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead - So Divided

Interscope/UMG

The five piece band Trail of Dead are best known for creating innovative, passionate rock music. The truth is that they are explosive! Continuously, they challenge themselves and reexamine their ability, always searching for a better way to thrill the fans.
At times, So Divided resonates with a beautiful symphonic paradise. Collisions of strings, pianos and the vast variety of drums is sheer indulgence. Their upbeat sound and heavy subject matter makes Trail of Dead my creme ala creme.

Gene Autry and Friends - Songs for the Whole Year

Varese Sarabande/Universal

Gene Autry was more than a musician. His music, coupled with his careers in movies and on radio and television, made him a part of the mythos that has made up the American identity for the past hundred years--John Wayne with a little bit of Sam Houston and Davey Crockett all rolled into one, with a great singing voice and an ear for music added on.
He defined country music for two generations of listeners, cowboy songs for much of the 20th century and American music for much of the world. He was country's first genuine "multi-media" star, the best known Country and Western singer on records, in movies (he appeared in 93), on radio and on television.
In that good-ole-southern wholesomeness of the 30's, 40's and 50's, the Year-Round Cowboy himself, beloved Gene Autry brings spirit to the holidays. Autry narrates throughout the album describing his feelings on the times. A beautiful collection of classic, dated recordings, they truly warm your heart and tickle your funny bone. He sings classics like, "Peter Cottontail," and "Here Comes Santa Claus," and his brand of humorous staples like "I Paid My Income Tax Today." This is a top notch roundup of heavy classics. A pure gem.

Lorraine Hunt Lieberson and the Boston Symphony - Neruda Songs

Nonesuch/Warner Music Group

This is an exhaustive collection of love sonnets by famous poet, Pablo Neruda and performed by the late Lorraine Lieberson. Her mezzo soprano voice bellows with passion as she relates in spanish a love story so profound that only the Boston Symphony could be worthy of coloring the musical landscape.
Each of the five poems set to music reflect a different face in love's mirror. The first song/poem 'If Your Eyes Were Not the Color of the Moon,' is pure appreciation of the beloved. The third poem 'Don't Go Far Off, Not Even For a Day,' relates the anguish of love--the fear of separation. And the fifth is the epitome of love. 'My Love, If I Die and You Don't,' is the mournful acceptance of mortality and the reverberance of love eternal--for true love knows not death.

Al Di Meola - Consequence of Chaos

Telarc

On Consequence of Chaos, the legendary guitarist and mastermind composer, Al Di Meola, known for being the best in fusion guitar, delivers a searing high-caliber recording. It is brimming with colorful and complex arrangements that entice the mind and delight the ear.
Consequence of Chaos marks his return to playing solid-body electric guitar in the context of modern concepts and compositions. This is the mecca of modern jazz guitar--the absolute best blend of blazing rock riffs, jazz ensemble and classical style picking.

Sugarcult - Lights Out

Fearless/V2 Artemis

Welcome to the new and improved Sugarcult. In a surprise turn around the LA-based quartet have released Lights Out--a modern rock revolution! Bound to redefine how the world sees mod-rock Lights Out reveals the sound and vision of an inspired band hitting their prime. The album explores the voids in a loveless life full of empty promises, broken hearts, empty bank accounts and broken-down dreams. The song 'Do It Alone' opens up for the listener the world of a man who has been running away from the full potential of a relationship and selling short for the compromising, and although sometimes fun, desolate emotional aftermath of one-nighter's.
This is an album that covers diverse territory. Tim Pagnotta, Sugarcult front man, has delved deep inside himself and has pulled out remarkable, hot hits that are real. No more meaningless noise for this band!

Rob Mullins - Standards & More

Planet Mullins/RME

Rob Mullins' 16th solo project is his first straight jazz CD since Jazz Jazz was released in 1989. Mullins recording career includes guest spots with Hubert Laws, Spike Robinson, Eric Marienthal and The Crusaders.
This album includes standards and originals done Mullins-style with a strong cast capable of delicate ballads as well as burning it up with the swing. Mullins arrangement skills are highlighted on the complete reworking of Beethoven's "Fur Elise." This is one of the finer men in jazz today and in Standards & More Mullins proves that he is worthy of the praise.

De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising

Tommy Boy

When you're a group of minds way out of time, you invent your own era and style. That's what Long Island, NY teenagers De La Soul did for this 1989 debut 3 Feet High and Rising. In their hip-hop, there were no drug dealers; no gangsters; no hoodlums. Just Posdnuos, Mase and Trugoy, a triumvirate of psychedelically dressed boho would-be's--and their equally eccentric producer, Prince Paul--with more ideas than they could ever hope to confine to a simple audio record. Not for lack of trying.
They certainly did try on 3 Feet, a classic crammed wall-to-wall with bizarro concepts that set De La apart from all their contemporaries. Songs touch on the social issues of the day, ("Say No Go," "Ghetto Fine,") teenage lust ("Jenifa Taught Me," "Buddy") and an assertive individuality ("Me, Myself, I") If it wasn't for the individual talents of each member, De La Soul wouldn't have been able to make the influential music with a message that they were known for.
In every case, the production was boisterous, teeming with whimsical samples from a range of genres, and demonstrating facility with everything from television commercial jingles to the club music pastiche. Just as fascinating were the skits, in which a collection of increasingly preposterous characters competed in mock game shows. Not only did these brief, absurd interludes help give 3 Feet a narrative arc, they also helped establish De La, often referred to as Rap's first hippies, as quirky artists with heart, willing to poke fun at themselves.

Alejandro Escovedo - The Boxing Mirror

Back Porch/Virgin/EMI

Alejandro Escovedo was there at the onset of American punk, forming the Nuns in San Francisco in 1977 and opening for the Sex Pistols at their final show in January 1978. He made art rock with Judy Nylon in New York as the Õ80s beckoned. And he all but founded alt-country circa 1980 in Austin with Rank and File, along with two other old punks, Chip and Tony Kinman of the Dils. He eventually formed respected rock/glam group the True Believers with his brother Javier of the Zeros. He has it in his blood; another one of his brothers being Santana percussionist Pete Escovedo, and then there's PeteÕs famous daughter, Sheila E--former Prince lover and accomplished drummer.
He made his real mark as a rootsy-folk-country, western-flavored solo artist, starting in 1992 with Gravity.(Which was full of the grief and suffrage of losing his ex-wife shortly after their divorce.)
He has had a long hard battle with Hepatitis C and has finally won! Now, after three years of assistance and a new course of treatment, Escovedo makes a moving return with The Boxing Mirror, which is produced by John Cale. HeÕs embarking on his first tour since, and that pleases him.
The album is riveting. He didn't make a survivor record; rather he remembers the good with the difficult. But all in all the changes made are testimony to his growing maturity. Consider the emotional folk-rock centerpiece "Arizona," which takes dead aim on his old persona:
"IÕve been empty since Arizona/ I turned my back on me/ And faced the face of who I thought I was" soon resolves into the pleasantries of "One kiss just led to another/ One kiss just fades into lover."
The orchestral elements (which Cale aids and abets) add a certain sweep and timelessness to the Southwestern rock/pop brew. He's back on his feet and we are all rooting him on!

Neurosonic - Drama Queen

Bodog

Nuerosonic is the scion of Jason Darr. As vehemet and unapologetic as it's creator, the music of Neurosonic has its own ferocious vigor.The music on Drama Queen is beyond the limits of ballsy. It is downright brutal. Dar's voice is so diverse that he is able to pull off the various genre's the songs encompass.
Blatant, honest musings make up the lyrical content and with the edgy music that is set to his killer chorus' Jason's music stands out above the rest of today's mediocre crap.
***So Nice, Gotta Do It Up Twice (Created by the Original NYC DJ, Jocko, 1955)***

Various Artists - The Best of 2006

Universal Motown

Qwel & Meaty Ogre - Freezerburner

Galapagos4/REDEYE

This is the second issue of Qwel's Four Seasons series; the first The Harvest was a serious success. Freezerburner is slightly darker than the previous release, just as winter is darker that the fall. Qwel and Ogre have captured the essence of winter, the desolate frigidness of being trapped in your mind.
With Qwel's mastery of words and smooth delivery, he shows us through Freezerburner that his abilities are only expanding. Meaty Ogre throws the beats together that suite the album's feel while keeping them banging. This is the balance between darkness and hope, brought to you in a way that only Qwel and Meaty Ogre could serve up.

Kottak - therupy

S.N.U.G./Escapi

Kottak, formerly known as Krunk, has arrived! Their debut therupy has a "Cheap Trick-meets-Green Day-on-a-bad-day" feel. Vocalist/guitarist Jimmy Ratchitt has been a songwriter all his life, and he has drummed for Kingdom Come, and for the last ten years has been with the German rock legends, Scorpions. Talk about an "ultimate day job!"
That is not the only thing this band has to boast. Athena Lee, Tommy Lee's hottie sis, is the brain and brawn of the bands heartbeat. Obvious comparisons will undoubtingly be made over the brother and sister's drumming styles, but this is for certain: Athena is her own person and can give anyone a run for their money. Kottak represents her vision, the band's singular vision, and along with Jimmy, Dav and Rev, a shot at the brass ring.

Wynonna - A Classic Christmas

Curb

Even though the holiday jitters have barely gone with the decomposing trees that have sat on the lawns of my neighbors for the last couple of weeks, I have A Classic Christmas here for review. Just when I thought that it was all over, I got the ONLY Christmas album that was worth listening to. As my editor has said plenty of times over, Wynonna can do just about anything, and we'll listen.
Point is that Wynonna is one of the greatest female vocalists of our time, regardless the genre, and these songs show her ability as both a vocalist and an interpreter. And we raise our glasses to ten more months of not having to hear "Walking Down a Winter Wonderland" every where we go!
Editor's Note: I know that Christmas is long gone, but I received this album after Christmas. So if necessary, buy it for Christmas this year.

Various Artists - Indie Translations of the White Stripes

The Secret Life of Records/CMH

The White Stripes opened the doors of creativity, making old sounds new again. Indie Translations of the White Stripes is one big thank you note. The bands on this album have been liberated from the shackles of redundancy by the idiosyncratic tastes of Jack and Meg White. Indie Translations of the White Stripes is a celebration of the Detroit duo and the history of wonderful music.
The dynamic duo the musical super heroes that made rock'n'roll dirty again. Except there are no hidden identities here. Jack and Meg White don't used assumed names. Then again, don't assume anything concerning the White Stripes, who embrace music, not trends. Beginning with the fundamentals--blues and punk--the band continued to increase its sonic palette with each new release. Rock, pop and country; sometimes all at once. By keeping their song's simple the White Stripes make anything and everything possible.

Taking Back Sunday - Louder Now: Partone/i>

One of last year's most anticipated albums Louder Now was released back in April and flew to number two on Billboard's Top 200 chart one week later, scanning more than 157,000 units.
Now Taking Back Sunday have released their first ever DVD component to their complex music. Louder Now: Partone contains the original CD in it's entirety. The DVD has 90 minuets of intimate stories from all the band members. Massive behind--the-scene footage from the recording studio, on the tour bus, both backstage and on stage is provided. Exclusive footage of the Long Beach Arena show; in the hotel rooms and even at the boy's homes.
The DVD also includes the music video for "Make Damn Sure" 2006 MTV2's Viewer Choice Award winner, and the smash hit "Liar (Takes One to Know One)". This is the one buy that your gonna be glad you made.

"Thats what I believe got him relected is the people knew that you could beleve what he said."/"Well that's a request to do that."/"Our country is strong-"how many people to march I don't no." - We go forward to defend freedom-"Take the governments side."-and all that is good and just in our world." -George W. Bush

All my devotion betrayed
I am no longer afraid
I was too blinded to see
How much you've stolen from me

You wanna' know why I feel so horrified?
I let my innocence die
You wanna' know why I can't be pacified?
You made me bury something
I won't be sleeping tonight

I only wanted the blessing made
Now I've been labeled a renegade
It seems so clear now what I must do
You're no immortal
I won't let them
Deify you
They view you as the new messiah
Deify you
Renew belief in some demented man

You wanna' know why it seems the passion's died?
We've all been living this lie
You wanna' know why my will's been fortified?
You've made me hunger again
Good luck sleeping tonight

I only wanted the blessing made
Now I've been labeled a renegade
It seems so clear now what I must do
You're no immortal
I won't let them
Deify you
They view you as the new messiah
Deify you
Renew belief in some demented man

All my devotion betrayed
I am no longer afraid
All my devotion betrayed
I am no longer afraid
I was too blinded to see
How much you've stolen from me
I was too blinded to see
All my devotion betrayed
I am no longer afraid
I was too blinded to see
How much you've stolen from me

Deify you
They view you as the new messiah
Deify you
Renew belief in some demented man

Deify you
(All my devotion betrayed)
They view you as the new messiah
(I am no longer afraid)
Deify you
(I was too blinded to see)
Renew belief in some demented man....
(How much you've stolen from me...)

Political Article: South America: Toward an Alternative Future By: Noam Chomsky Back To Top Last month a coincidence of birth and death signaled a transition for South America and indeed for the world. The former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet died even as leaders of South American nations concluded a two-day summit meeting in Cochabamba, Bolivia, hosted by President Evo Morales, at which the participants and the agenda represented the antithesis of Pinochet and his era. In the Cochabamba Declaration, the presidents and envoys of 12 countries agreed to study the idea of forming a continent-wide community similar to the European Union. The declaration marks another stage toward regional integration in South America, 500 years after the European conquests. The subcontinent, from Venezuela to Argentina, may yet present an example to the world on how to create an alternative future from a legacy of empire and terror. The United States has long dominated the region by two major methods: violence and economic strangulation. Quite generally, international affairs have more than a slight resemblance to the Mafia. The Godfather does not take it lightly when he is crossed, even by a small storekeeper. Previous attempts at independence have been crushed, partly because of a lack of regional cooperation. Without it, threats can be handled one by one. (Central America, unfortunately, has yet to shake the fear and destruction left over from decades of U.S.-backed terror, especially during the 1980s.) To the United States, the real enemy has always been independent nationalism, particularly when it threatens to become a "contagious example," to borrow Henry Kissinger's characterization of democratic socialism in Chile. On Sept. 11, 1973, Pinochet's forces attacked the Chilean presidential palace. Salvador Allende, the democratically elected president, died in the palace, apparently by his own hand, because he was unwilling to surrender to the assault that demolished Latin America's oldest, most vibrant democracy and established a regime of torture and repression. The official death toll for the coup is 3,200; the actual toll is commonly estimated at double that figure. An official inquiry 30 years after the coup found evidence of approximately 30,000 cases of torture during the Pinochet regime. Among the leaders at Cochabamba was the Chilean president, Michelle Bachelet. Like Allende, she is a socialist and a physician. She also is a former exile and political prisoner. Her father was a general who died in prison after being tortured. At Cochabamba, Morales and President Hugo Ch‡vez of Venezuela celebrated a new joint venture, a gas separation project in Bolivia. Such cooperation strengthens the region's role as a major player in global energy. Venezuela is already the only Latin American member of OPEC, with by far the largest proven oil reserves outside the Middle East. Ch‡vez envisions Petroamerica, an integrated energy system of the kind that China is trying to initiate in Asia. The new Ecuadorian president, Rafael Correa, proposed a land-and-river trade link from the Brazilian Amazon rain forest to Ecuador's Pacific Coast Ñ a South American equivalent of the Panama Canal. Other promising developments include Telesur, a new pan-Latin American TV channel based in Venezuela and an effort to break the Western media monopoly. The Brazilian president, Luiz In‡cio Lula da Silva, called on fellow leaders to overcome historical differences and unite the continent, however difficult the task. Integration is a prerequisite for genuine independence. The colonial history Ñ Spain, Britain, other European powers, the United States Ñ not only divided countries from one another but also left a sharp internal division within the countries, between a wealthy small elite and a mass of impoverished people. The main economic controls in recent years have come from the International Monetary Fund, which is virtually a branch of the U.S. Treasury Department. But Argentina, Brazil and now Bolivia have moved to free themselves of IMF strictures. Because of the new developments in South America, the United States has been forced to adjust policy. The governments that now have U.S. support Ñ like Brazil under Lula Ñ might well have been overthrown in the past, as was President Jo‹o Goulart of Brazil in a U.S.-backed coup in 1964. To maintain Washington's party line, though, it's necessary to finesse some of the facts. For example, when Lula was re- elected in October, one of his first acts was to fly to Caracas to support Ch‡vez's electoral campaign. Also, Lula dedicated a Brazilian project in Venezuela, a bridge over the Orinoco River, and discussed other joint ventures. The tempo is picking up. Also last month, Mercosur, the South American trading bloc, continued the dialogue on South American unity at its semiannual meeting in Brazil, where Lula inaugurated the Mercosur Parliament Ñ another promising sign of deliverance from the demons of the past.

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