MUSIC
NEWS & NOTES SPOTLIGHT
OCTOBER
2010 RECORD LABEL SPOTLIGHT
POP
& ROCK
DECCA
RECORDS - Singer-songwriter Paula Cole doesn’t make
a lot of albums but when she does it’s a real treat. After Cole’s
2007 album Courage came out, she took a break and after a few
years she’s back again with Ithaca. Commenting
on the album Cole 
claims,
‘My albums are polaroid snapshots of my life. The writing is
the hard part because my process is highly personal and autobiographical.’
Cole credits producer legend Bobby Colomby with getting her back into
the music world and, Colomby also produced Courage, which was
recorded during Cole's painful divorce. She adds, ‘The overall
theme of Ithaca is the return to home and making peace with
it.’ She can wail with the best of them, including Yoko Ono,
yet Cole cites John Lennon among her biggest musical influences and,
in a kindred spirit with Lennon’s gimme some truth style of music,
Cole bears her soul her and the lyrics printed in the booklet are
often brutally honest.’ Compared to the softer spoken Courage
album, Ithaca also rocks when it has to and when she gets
it rolling, Cole rocks with the best of them. Backing Paula up in
the studio are renowned session stars including Marc Ribot (guitar)
and Tony Levin (stick), along with guitarists Kevin Barry
and Ben Butler, drummer Ben Wittman and more topped
off by solid co-production from Chris Roberts and engineer
Kevin Killen. Whether rocking out or going deep and dark, Cole
brings it all back home with Ithaca. www.PaulaCole.com
/ www.DeccaRecords.com
EMARCY
/ UNIVERSAL - Based in NYC, the Emarcy label continues releasing
amazing jazz-pop CD releases. High on the list of 2010 CDs from Emarcy
is Home, a new album of jazz standards from singer
Jane Monheit. For Home, Ms. Monheit is joined by a number
of
jazz musician heroes including guitarists John Pizzarelli and
Frank Vignola in addition to studio legends like Mark O’Connor
(violin), Rick Montalbano (drums) and Larry Goldings
(piano). If you love jazz standards—the kind you might hear
in a late night bar on a rainy night in Manhattan—you have to
give a listen to Ms. Monheit’s Home album. Commenting
on the twelve track CD, she adds, ‘I wanted to return home to
doing what I love best. Getting back to my roots. For me, there’s
nothing like singing a jazz standard and giving it new life through
one’s own interpretation; bringing it to a new audience in a
whole new and different light.’ For a good insight into just
how well Ms. Monheit works with these top players, take a listen to
track 4, “Tonight You Belong To Me,” composed by Billy Rose
and Lee David. Short and sweet, the track features a cozy duet between
Ms. Monheit and John Pizzarelli, that really encapsulates the best
spirit of the jazz standards brought to light here. Summing up, Jane
adds, ‘This is a project I’ve been thinking of for a long
time...an album of songs and a group of musicians that are deeply
important to me. My relationship to these songs and my love for the
people playing them make this album what it is.’ www.Emarcy.com
/ www.JaneMonheitOnline.com
INTIMATE
AUDIO - Dedicated to his dad, the 2010 CD release of Mannerisms
Magnified presents a good introduction to the music of Dale
Turner. Turner has proven himself time and again as a guitarist—including
several solo releases and a stint playing guitar in the group of avant
gard guitarist David Pritchard—yet for Mannerisms Magnified
Turner’s sound is quite eclectic, eclectic pop. Turner’s
adventurous guitar work sounds influenced by a wealth of icons like
Steve Morse, Tommy Emmanuel, Ty Tabor, Jeff Beck and other fretboard
heroes. There’s also a definite Zappa-esque and Mike Keneally
like influence in Turner’s guitar sound and vocals. The first
track—”Brian On The Brain”—starts off at least
as an homage of sorts to Brian Wilson, yet other parts of the album
takes off on a more progressive rock tangent that is quite harder
edged and in doing so, presents Turner as a multitalented yet quite
eclectic composer / guitarist who never fails to take a hard left
turn or roll out a turn on a dime chord sequence. Frank Zappa would
also enjoy Turner’s off-the-wall lyrics which he claims was influenced
by writers and comics from Dr. Seuss to George Carlin and Bill Maher.
According to the liner notes of the CD, Turner was very impressed
as a kid, watching his dad build things out of nothing and Mannerisms
Magnified is basically his attempt at following in his “craftperson”
footsteps by writing, performing, recording and mixing everything
himself. The whole album is so well designed and engineered you’d
never guess it was all one person doing it all. In addition, the CD
packaging is fantastic with Turner also creating the illustrations,
art direction and design. An interesting choice for fans of adventurous
American progressive rock, Mannerisms Magnified takes rock
music in a daring new approach and direction. www.IntimateAudio.com
LASER’S EDGE - Laser’s Edge founder Ken
Golden was a big fan of the music this writer was releasing on
Breakthru’ Records back in the early ‘80s. And although
I have seen him since the Pekka Pohjola concert at the Bitter End
in 1993—I’m happy to say, Ken has done quite well over the
years turning Laser’s Edge from an import CD mail-order company
at the end of the '80s into a world class record label. Ken’s
vision has included releasing a range of classic Eurock style albums—including
historic, first ever CD remasters on Laser’s Edge from Finnforest
and Secret Oyster—over the years that draws on the spirit of
the great European instrumental and prog-rock music of the ‘70s
and early ‘80s. Hey Ken, remember ordering me the Humpe Humpe
CD in 1989 just after I lost my label and I was living down in
Florida? (LOL!) Anyway, Laser’s Edge hits a new musical height
with the 2010 release of Hybrid Child from the
group District 97. A conglomerate of Chicago based players
backing up singer Leslie Hunt—including the group’s
main composer and percussionist Jonathan Schang (drums), Jim
Tashian (guitar), Rob Clearfield (keys), Katinka Kleijn
and Patrick Mulcahy (bass)—District 97 skillfully mix
the no holds barred rock fusion style of say, early YES, Canterbury
proggers National Health and 21st century American fusioneers like
Liquid Tension Experiment. In the spirit of Ann Wilson of Heart, the
band’s new singer Leslie Hunt was an American Idol top ten female
finalist in 2007 and in this setting she fits into the prog-rock style
quite handily. With Hunt’s multi-textured vocals giving a voice
to a solid progressive rock sound, District 97 actually breaks new
ground for the state of rock music in 2010. www.District97.net
LOST HIGHWAY / ISLAND RECORDS - Back in 1965, Tom
Jones made his big breakthrough with incredible pop classics like
“It’s Not Unusual”, “What’s New Pussycat”
and by ‘66 “Green Green Grass Of Home”. Of course huge
albums released in the U.S. through London / Parrot Records made Jones
a household name and by the dawn of the ‘70s he eventually became
a king in Las Vegas. Personally, my favorite Jones moment came years
later with in his now classic performance in the late ‘90s Mars
Attacks! movie which saw him in Vegas once again, this time helping
to obliterate armies of martian monsters who were invading Earth!
Can’t believe Tom didn’t win an oscar for that! Well, despite
all the many compilations from his wistful ‘60s heyday, Jones
is back big time in 2010 with Praise & Blame,
an album of religious hymns. Kicking off with a cover of Bob Dylan’s
“What Good Am I?”, the album segues perfectly into “Lord
Help” which Jones just smokes with rock power and glory. Jones
may be 70 already but he’s still got the vocal dynamic of his
younger years. On Praise & Blame Jones has a rocking band
which really zones in on his new 21st century rock sound here including
some sizzling electric guitar from Ethan Johns, who also produced
the album. With half the album featuring Jones tackling music from
Dylan, John Lee Hooker, Rosetta Tharp, Jesse May Hemphill and more,
the second half features kindred tracks written by Jones and producer
Ethan Johns. A round of top players assist Jones and Johns including
SYN drummer Jeremy Stacey, bass ace Dave Bronze, with
guest spots from Augie Myers (farfisa), B.J. Cole (steel
guitar,) Booker T. Jones (keyboards) and much more.
Inspired by classic gospel / hymnal albums by Johnny Cash and Elvis,
Jones does the genre right on an album that simply rocks with a born
again, god-fearing fervor. www.TomJones.com
NEW
FOLK RECORDS - Specializing in acoustic instrumental music—and
then having much success with Steve Miller Band guitarist Kenny Lee
Lewis and scoring critical acclaim with folk-rock instrumental artists
Greg Herriges and Lehto & Wright—the New Folk label scores
folk-rock gold with the 2010 CD from U.K. singer-songwriter Peter
Bruntnell. Bruntnell’s seventh album and first since 2004’s
Played Out, the ten track Peter And The Murder Of Crows
continues on with some splendid folk-rock featuring Bruntnell’s
vocals carrying each song on a roller coaster of musical twists and
turns. Influenced by both Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett and noted
U.K. guitarist Bert Jansch, Bruntnell is primarily a singer-songwriter
yet he’s quite skillful on acoustic and electric guitar among
many other instruments while he also gets fine studio support from
a full rock band including Dave Little on electric guitar and
electric sitar, drummer Mark Roberts and more. Bruntnell was
noted by mwe3.com on the october
2002 review of Peter’s then Back Porch Records release of
Ends Of The Earth, and his latest U.S. release on New Folk
Records continues on with some splendid dreamy pop-rock and overall,
is equally intriguing. www.newfolkrecords.com/bruntnell.htm
NU
NOISE RECORDS - It’s interesting that the three big guys
behind Atlantic Records in New York City were actually three Turkish
immigrants; Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun and a fellow Turk Arif Mardin.
As history recalls, Ahmet died in December 2006 at age 83, several
months after Arif Mardin died in June 26 at age 74. Mardin was a key
producer, composing genius and string arranger who was a star at Atlantic
and later at Manhattan Records. Arif's famous smooth as silk productions
of key acts like The Bee Gees, Aretha Franklin, Hall & Oates,
George Benson, Ringo Starr and more are legendary in the music world.
Before he passed away in 2006, Arif was writing music for what was
to be his final album. Compiled and released posthumously in 2010
by his son, Joe Mardin for the NuNoise label, All My
Friends Are Here features key vocal contributions from a number
of artists and friends of Mardin, including Bette Midler with
Barry Gibb, Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Phil
Collins, Dr. John, Hall & Oates, Raul Midon,
Nikki Parrot and many more backed up by a crack band and orchestra
on an album that serves as a good introduction to Mardin’s jazzy,
breezy pop music and his loyal musical friends who serve him well
on this righteous tribute CD. Mardin himself closes out the CD with
the piano soliloquy title track. To further his dad’s musical
legacy—and as a companion to the All My Friends Are Here CD—Joe
Mardin has also produced a critically acclaimed DVD documentary about
his dad entitled The Greatest Ears In town - The Arif Mardin
Story. www.AllMyFriendsAreHere.com
NEUF-ANGLED RECORDS - The story of 1967 would take encyclopedic
volumes to explain in full. For the teeny boppers as we were called,
the Summer Of Love collided with “All You Need Is Love”.
Vietnam was raging and every night we’d sit around the dinner
table and just be shocked into submission hearing about the scores,
sometimes up to 50 or 100 young G.I. soldiers killed and maimed every
day by the the supposed communist guerillas as we came to call them.
Of course invading Nam was a tragic flaw by the American government
as JFK knew all full well and that is why some postulate as to why
he was murdered in Dallas, a great city that is interestingly the
current home of the infamous George “W” Bush. In a new fangled
way, coming in to pitch from the bull-pen far out in left field, the
Colorado based group, The Strolling Scones play up 1967 in
a musical way by picking and choosing a dozen (some obvious, some
not so obvious) covers of classics made popular during that illustrious
period by the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, the Byrds, Hendrix, Donovan,
the Kinks, Cream and a whole lot more culminating in a set closing
cover of “I Was Kaiser Bill’s Batman”, which came out
on the Deram label, at the same time Deram / Decca had Procol Harum
with “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” and Cat Stevens with “Matthew
& Son”, two songs (not covered here) that really shaped Deram
as England’s key pop label back in the day. Recorded by one Whistlin’
Jack Smith, “I Was Kaiser Bill’s Batman” took the
pop charts by storm making it the first instrumental, albeit a complete
musical anomaly from the U.K., to top the U.S. charts (even as a whistler)
since “Telstar” took the U.S. charts by storm in 1962. Any
way, these tongue in cheek music lovers—comprised of Rick
Stockton (recording here under the name T. Malcolme Oxford)
and Helen Highwater (recording here under the name Yardley
London)—are backed up by some fine players who help flesh
out their full band sound here. Sometimes sounding like Kassentz-Katz
playing the best of swinging London, there’s an air of the romanticizing
of an unforgettable time that is hard for pop lovers at any age to
resist. When the great music of the 1960s are taught in college curriculums
in the next hundreds of years or so, they may want to turn to this
record of us looking back at who we really were in 2010 and how amazing
it was when just a transistor radio the size of a pack of cigarettes
was as cool as it got! Unimaginable now, I carried my little AM radio
everywhere. Superbly packaged with a “peeling” graphics
(LOL!), Two Vegans by The Strolling Scones shows how a CD should
be presented (in case you forgot!) while the back cover got me all
sentimental for my old troll doll...an orange headed one that I sometimes
called Maha, as I recall now. www.StrollingScones.com
NEW
FOLK RECORDS - Specializing in acoustic instrumental music—and
then having much success with Steve Miller Band guitarist Kenny Lee
Lewis and scoring critical acclaim with folk-rock instrumental artists
Greg Herriges and Lehto & Wright—the New Folk label scores
folk-rock gold with the 2010 CD from U.K. singer-songwriter Peter
Bruntnell. Bruntnell’s seventh album and first since 2004’s
Played Out, the ten track Peter And The Murder Of Crows
continues on with some splendid folk-rock featuring Bruntnell’s
vocals carrying each song on a roller coaster of musical twists and
turns. Influenced by both Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett and noted
U.K. guitarist Bert Jansch, Bruntnell is primarily a singer-songwriter
yet he’s quite skillful on acoustic and electric guitar among
many other instruments while he also gets fine studio support from
a full rock band including Dave Little on electric guitar and
electric sitar, drummer Mark Roberts and more. As was noted
by mwe3.com on the october 2002 review of Peter’s then Back Porch
Records release of Ends
Of The Earth, his latest U.S. release on New Folk Records
continues on with some splendid dreamy pop-rock and is equally intriguing.
www.newfolkrecrods.com/bruntnell.htm
RADIANT
RECORDS - When guitar ace Steve Morse isn’t busy touring
with Deep Purple or making new albums with his power trio, he can
be found doing what most music lovers do, which is listening to music
and discovering new singers and groups. Mr. Morse strikes gold with
his new album Angelfire, featuring the debut
of a new singer Sarah Spencer. Morse and his music often lends
itself to lyrical melodies just begging for a singer as pure and pristine
as Ms. Spencer. And to find her in his own area in Florida must have
been a great windfall for the guitar icon. According to Steve, ‘It
started when her father asked me to listen to her demos and give her
some advice about a music career. I was reluctant to get involved
in anyone’s decisions, but then I heard her sing. I realized
that right here in Florida was this girl with an amazingly pure voice.’
After a couple years recording in the studio, Morse and Spencer—backed
up by Steve’s band including Dave LaRue (bass) and Van
Romaine (drums and percussion)—show the music world they
make a great team. Co-written by the pair, the music on Angelfire
is very Morse inspired with the melodies and lyrics so skillfully
sung by Ms. Spencer. There’s a great pop edge here coupled with
the guitar-based mastery that Morse and his trio brings to the jazz-rock
world. In a way inspired by Mike Oldfield teaming up in the ‘80s
with Maggie Riley and even the acoustic rock driven sound of Blackmore’s
Night, Angelfire wins you over with a winning performance by
all the players here. www.AngelFireMusic.com
SIDE
B MUSIC - What a great year 2010 has been for L.A. pop music!
For fans of the genre, first off has to be Brian Wilson's George Gershwin
tribute album while other key releases have also come out on 2010
by noted Beatles / Beach Boys disciples like McCartney band utility
guitarist Brian Ray, Nelson Bragg, Anny Celsi, Maple Mars and now
a return to form from Chewy Marble. MWE3.com first reviewed
this fine group way back in March of '01 and their 2010 Modulations
is well worth the long wait. In the spirit of Rick Hromadka of Maple
Mars and Mr. Ray, Chewy Marble kingpin Brian Kassan is still
steering the Chewy Marble sound with able support from vocalist Stu
Forman who blends with Kassan on many of the tracks along with
Derrick Anderson (bass). With his great pop presence, Kassan
rocks and he even adds in a couple intriguing instrumental tracks
that could presage a new sound. Kassan supplies most of instruments
including drums while it's also interesting to note that L.A. pop
masters such as Rick Hromadka and Rick Gallego add in
further production touches on what will come to be chronicled as the
best Chewy Marble album yet, while also highlighting definitely one
of the best years on record for L.A. pop. www.SideBMusic.com
SOCIAL SCIENCE RECORDINGS - A big fan of Harry Nilsson and
Paul McCartney, L.A. based singer-songwriter Vincent Minor released
his first album in 2010 and it’s been getting great press from
the pop cognoscenti. Why stop here, so MWE3.com is also pleased to
say it’s a solid pop set with lots of ‘68 era Nilsson and
McCartney-esque white album era Beatle inspired pop magic. Sometimes
low key, yet a rocker when he chooses, Minor has a midas touch in
the studio and accompanying his tinkling ivories, voice and songs
are fine players including Tom Biller (bass, production), Stewart
Cole (horns), Zac Rae (keyboards), Ed Maxwell (bass)
and more. Minor cites Morrissey and Bowie as big influences, yet with
his effects-enhanced acoustic piano laden pop tracks—there are
no guitars here—Minor comes across a unique and rising pop talent
in his own right. www.VincentMinor.com
WHOORAY
- Back when I interviewed Brian Ray on September 29, 2005,
for 20th Century Guitar magazine I knew full well his was a name that
would come to pass into books on rock history. As the utility player
in the Paul McCartney group for the past eight years, Ray may have
toured the four corners of the world with Sir Paul, but he has also
been game to establish his own name as a solo artist. He came close
on his ‘05 solo debut CD, the brilliant Mondo Magneto,
and 5 years later on his own Whooray label, Ray comes ever closer
with 2010’s This Way Up. The up arrow on
the outer CD slip case, signifying a positive sun-shiny type Beatles
inspired sound, gives a good indication where Ray and his group are
going on the eleven cut album. And, I mean how bad could it be anyway
with Ray co-writing on a number of tracks with fellow guitar enthusiast
Oliver Leiber, son of Jerry Leiber of rock and roll songwriting
pioneers Leiber/Stoller, on the album. Personally, I can’t think
of a better and cooler guitarist / bass player than Brian Ray, for
McCartney to recreate that vintage Beatles sound especially in the
live setting Paul loves. The Ray man can do it all himself, like Sir
Paul, however he does collaborate with Oliver Leiber here, who is
an amazing authority on guitars and guitar sounds himself, along with
a number of fine players players including a guest spot from McCartney
band drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. who propels the big beat with
Ray directing the festivities on his latest rockin’ rollover
trip into the land of power pop. www.Brian-Ray.com
WOODSTOCK RECORDS - Back in 2009 Woodstock Records—actually
based up in Woodstock N.Y.—released an excellent comeback album
from New Riders Of The Purple Sage called Where I Come From. Now
in 2010, Woodstock Records have a new album release out called Songs
Of The Grateful Dead: A Tribute To Jerry Garcia & Robert Hunter
by singer-songwriter Jesse McReynolds & Friends.
Those friends include New Riders guitarist David Nelson and
studio guitar ace Stu Allen. Reviving 13 classics from the
songbook of The Grateful Dead, specifically songs penned by Garcia
and Hunter, McReynolds and company strike a musical nerve that really
gets to the gist of why the Dead are considered an American treasury
of great songs. Renowned for his work with Jim & Jesse, McReynolds
is a Grand Ole Opry member for 45 years and his knowledge and expertise
in delivering the Grateful Dead classics is really something to behold.
In his liner notes, Dead lyricist Robert Hunter adds, ‘Jesse’s
singing is like a long lost brother voice between Jerry Garcia and
David Nelson. The singing is steady and strong. Jerry would approve,
I’m certain.’ In addition to the cross section of Dead classics—including
favorites like “Ripple”, “Fire On The Mountain”
and Garcia’s ‘72 solo jewel “Deal”—there’s
also a bonus cut, a new original song called “Day By Day”
penned by Jesse and Robert Hunter. Compared to the psychedelic vibe
of the early Grateful Dead, Songs Of The Grateful Dead is a
more more relaxed, with a near country rock vibe and will appeal to
New Riders fans as well as Grateful Dead albums like American Beauty,
which is really the prototype for this blend of country-rock magic.
A number of like-minded musicians back up McReynolds, Nelson, Allen
and company, while excellent packaging and artwork topped off by freshly
penned liner notes from McReynolds and Aaron “Professor Louie”
Hurwitz (of Crowmatix fame) seals the deal on this appealing and
highly listenable tribute to the timeless magic of the much missed
Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead. www.WoodstockRecords.com
INSTRUMENTAL
1K
RECORDINGS - A studied revival mixing influences like early ‘70s
U.K. jazzers such as Soft Machine and Henry Cow, the 2010 release
of The Seven Dreams by Goldbug takes the avant
jazz fusion genre to another level. Guitarist Tim Motzer gets
solid support from his band mates Eric Slick (drums), Barry
Meehan (bas) and Soft Machine flute/sax man Theo Travis.
Mix in the spirit of Syd era Pink Floyd and the strategies of King
Crimson founder Bob Fripp and you come close to a description. Being
all instrumental, this superbly recorded album blends New Age, jazz,
fusion and the rage of futuristic beats on a CD that just sounds more
intriguing with each spin. In addition to The Seven Dreams, Motzer
has also released Descending, credited to Tim
Motzer & Markus Reuter. The duo’s ambient excursion includes
guest spots once again from Theo Travis as well as pedal steel ace
B.J. Cole and Pat Mastelotto adding electronics. www.1kRecordings.com
BLACK MAMBA RECORDS - From jazz-rock to guitar based fusion
to surf-rock, guitarist Adrian Raso has it covered on his 2010
CD Clean Up The Mess. A number of influences
come to mind including Mark Knopfler, whose guitar sound has obviously
influenced Raso. Based out in Ontario, Canada, Raso gets solid support
from drummer Jeff Consi, and overall the entire album just
rocks up a storm. Although he’s devoted to the instrumental rock
genre, Raso was influenced early on by rock icons like Jimi Hendrix,
Jeff Beck and Prince, although he’s quick to point out in his
liner notes that his real love affair is with his guitar—the
Fender Stratocaster. Although he’s recorded several acoustic-based
guitar instrumental albums, including a Django Reinhardt tribute called
C’est La Vie in 2008, Raso’s 2010 release Clean
Up The Mess—with its mix of driving guitar tracks—should
find a home right away with the rock instrumental crowd. www.Adrian
Raso.com
BOGDO ULA - Guitarist Samuli Kristian and drummer Ivan
Horder are on a roll this year. These creative Finns form the
basis of the instrumental rock fusion band called Bogdo Ula.
The all instrumental Bogdo Ula broke down musical walls in 2009 with
their CD Aerograd and they return in late 2010 with the equally
fascinating sound of Charge. If anything the
CD takes the Bogdo Ula sound further out there, creating hypnotic
waves of cosmic, celestial guitar sounds in the spirit of David Gilmour,
Syd Barrett, Terje Rypdal and Steve Hillage, who proffered a similar
guitar sound in Gong during the mid ‘70s. With a keen fascinating
for 21st century recording techniques, Finland’s Bogdo Ula bring
the sound of cosmic instrumental rock up to date with often startling,
cosmic results. Charge is a haunting roller coaster trip into
the land of intergalactic instrumental rock guitar. www.Bogdo-Ula.com
DEADSLACKSTRING RECORDS - With a name like Deadslackstring
it better be good right? Well funny enough one cool CD on that label
happens to be a 2009-ish solo piano work from Richard Moult entitled
Ethe. Recorded live on piano in July 2008 in
St. Leonards Parish Church in Hastings, England, the mood is dark
and severe—the music like a door slightly ajar in a dark room
begging to be opened. Check out the cover art—blackness pervades
the view and the music doesn’t even think of letting in the light.
Moult is a master of piano suspense and his music borders on a nightmarish
soundtrack. With further “lysergic morphing” in the studio
by someone called The Bricoleur, Moult’s piano borrows
its sonic vision from kindred influences such as the Eno’s and
Harold Budd. A solo piano album geared for the avant gard / prog and
ambient chill set, Ethe is superbly recorded and guaranteed
to enhance any color you like. www.DeadSlackString.com
DECCA
RECORDS - Back in the '60s, the illustrious, original Decca Records
label from England was responsible for so many of the great classic
rock albums from the Rolling Stones and Moody Blues to say nothing
of their amazing classical repertoire which is world renowned. The
label is handled Stateside here in America by Decca Records US who
are owned by multi-national conglomerate Universal Music. In late
2010, Decca worldwide have a great new CD from remix / producer genius
William Orbit entitled Pieces In A Modern Style 2.
Released as a follow up to William’s 1999 volume one of Pieces,
this second installment features more newly worked-up, switched
on electronic adaptations of Orbit’s influential classical music
favorites including electronic symphonic covers of music we all know
and love from the pens of classical music heroes with famous last
names like J.S. Bach, Pucccini, Faure, Tchaikovsky, Elgar, Saint-Saens
and more. As astute music fans will remember going back to the early
‘80s, William Orbit earned his stripes as a recording artist
back the heyday of the mid ‘80s, just when CD was first coming
out, while producing very appealing dance pop and instrumental no-speak
electronica for Miles Copeland’s now historic IRS label back
in the ‘80s and for much of the ‘90s. As a side project
to his continuing success as a producer and remix artist, Orbit sounds
right at home on this magical foray into the world of classical electronica.
Commenting on his instrumental classical New Age mix Orbit adds, ‘My
parents loved classical music. So those sounds come naturally to me.
Classical was the only music that was played in our house. That’s
why I keep returning to classical pieces for inspiration.’ Fans
of Wendy Carlos, Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre will get a buzz off
of Orbit's modern approach to classical music. Fans should note that
there’s also a companion CD to Pieces—entitled Pieces
In A Modern Style 2 - Remixes, that reworks the CD release
and adds in even more electronic and percussive effects—but (so
far) it’s only available as a download, while there is yet another
companion CD available on Decca entitled Pieces In The Original
Style which compiles the original classical works which inspired
William Orbit. Back around the time when this writer first started
in the music business back in 1983, I sent William Orbit my first
Lp release on Breakthru' Records of the Pekka Pohjola album Urban
Tango. I don’t know if William remembers this but I recall
he said some nice things to me about the Lp and I was very grateful
somebody of his enormous musical intellect would say something cool
about the late Pekka Pohjola, and it’s more than gratifying for
this long time fan to see William Orbit still winning over whole new
generations of pop, classical and electronic music fans with Pieces
In A Modern Style 2. www.WilliamOrbit.com
GALAXY
MUSIC / INAKUSTIK - Guitar icon Al DiMeola as always been
a huge proponent of acoustic jazz / fusion in the spirit of his musical
mentors, such as composer giants like Astor Piazzolla. In this latest
musical wake-up call, Al gets to flex his acoustic guitar chops on
a stellar 2010 CD release entitled He & Carmen.
Featuring Al paired with the flute of Eszter Horgas, the
twelve track live in concert CD clocks in just under 69 minutes while
the entire event was quite well received by the attentive, yet respectful
crowd. Recorded live in Budapest on November 14, 2008, this live CD
pairing of DiMeola and Horgas also features splendid backing from
a number of gifted Hungarian musicians who help fill up the sound
stage. Interestingly, the album was inspired when Al and Eszter joined
together for a proposed jazzy, Latin-tinged remake of music from the
opera Carmen, composed by Georges Bizet (hence the title).
Fittingly, the He & Carmen album features jazzy instrumental
adaptations of Bizet, Astor Piazzolla as well as several DiMeola and
Horgas originals. The all instrumental sound is definitely jazz based
but there’s enough Eastern European musical intrigue to make
it of interest for the classical crossover crowd and even soundtrack
music fans, to say nothing about devoted fans who have followed DiMeola
and his guitars since his groundbreaking mid ‘70s heyday with
Chick Corea and Return To Forever. www.MVDb2b.com
GRANT
GORDY MUSIC - With its mix of rootsy Americana bluegrass (“newgrass”)
music—along with a heapin’ helpful of jazz, classical and
“dawg” music—the self titled CD release of Grant
Gordy is a great introduction to the guitar-centric music
of Denver based acoustic guitarist. Gordy is also a key member in
the band of David “Dawg” Grisman, and on his own
album Gordy follows Grisman’s lead and cuts loose with some splendid
new musical ideas of his own. In a similar back with the rootsy acoustic
folk jazz instrumentals of David Grisman, Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer,
Gordy is never at a loss to implement his wide-ranging instrumental
music ideas and backing up Gordy on his 2010 CD are fine players such
as Alex Hargreaves (fiddle), Paul Kowert (bass), Dominick
Leslie (mandolin), Jamie Stone (banjo) capped off by a
guest appearance from David Grisman on a track here. There’s
also a strong element of Gypsy Jazz in play on the Grant Gordy
album with Gordy’s acoustic guitar sound getting some very
retro-flavored Stephan Grapelli style accompaniment from Hargreaves
on violin / fiddle. An ear-opening treat for fans of the genre, the
Grant Gordy CD just sounds better with each spin while by the
studio production by Gordy and Jayme Stone is first rate. The
CD packaging is good and is capped off by illuminating liner notes
by David Grisman. www.GrantGordy.com
LUNA BLANCA MUSIC - Nuevo flamenco guitar is huge all over the
world, especially in Europe where the guitar has been romanticized
for centuries. Case in point is a German group called Luna Blanca,
a group of guitar practitioners who have just released a 2010 CD called
Provence. The music of Luna Blanca is as appealing
as the album’s cover art, which features pastel type colors adorning
a scenic ocean type beach scape. Key to the Luna Blanca sound are
the group’s two composers Richard Hecks (lead guitar)
and Helmut Graebe (piano, organ). The two receive excellent
support form a number of players including Bino Dola (rhythm,
second lead guitar). I guess in part, thanks to the lush scenic soundscapes,
Luna Blana describe their instrumental nuevo flamenco as new meditative
flamenco, which should hold much appeal for New Age music fans. Although
Hecks grew up listening to The Shadows and The Spotnicks, in recent
years his focus has been further influenced by the guitar-centric
sound of New Age guitar pioneer Ottmar Liebert as well the guitar
based sound of The Gypsy Kings. A fine choice for nuevo flamenco and
New Age guitar fans, Luna Blanca breath new life in the sound of 21st
century guitar instrumental music. www.LunaBlancaMusic.com
MILL CITY TRIO - Based up in the Boston area, Mill City Trio
combines the talents of Anthony D’Anna (drums and
percussion), Jamie Dunphy (guitar) and Greg Passler (guitar
and bass). With a sound that is similar, at least in style, to guitar
fusion 
trendsetters
like Pat Metheny and Kurt Rosenwinkel, the group’s 2010 CD Looking
Up has received much praise from critics and fans alike. Guitar
fans will note that Mill City Trio have several other albums in their
catalog—including Solstice (2006) and Deep Down (2008)—but
2010’s Looking Up is a great place to start to discover
the jazzy, atmospheric, guitar based Mill City Trio instrumental sound.
The overall sound of Looking Up is modern mainstream jazz,
yet fitting in on the album, among the electric guitar based tracks,
there’s also an intriguing acoustic based cut here called “Whirlpool”
that features a kind of bolero like Nuevo Flamenco groove that also
holds up quite well after repeated listening. Interestingly, in addition
to their original jazz compositions, at their concerts, Mill City
Trio has also featured revved-up versions of “Canarios”
by Baroque composer Gaspar Sanz as well as a cover of “Overkill”
from ‘80s rock band Men At Work. One of the best guitar-based
instrumental jazz albums of 2010, Looking Up is a worthy musical
mood changer that will have you looking up in no time. www.MillCityTrio.com
MODERNE SHELLAC - Among America’s greatest, albeit underrated
instrumental music guitarists, Richard Bennett has made his
name in modern times touring with rock guitar icon Mark Knopfler,
although Bennett has had an illustrious love affair with guitar music
for decades. The inspiration for Bennett’s 2010 solo album Valley
Of The Sun takes you back to Bennett’s original infatuation
with the guitar during the time he was first discovered in the late
‘60s in Phoenix by guitar god Al Casey, after which when he then
went on to session work, including cutting numerous albums and touring
with rock/pop legend Neil Diamond. Valley Of The Sun features
eleven Bennett pop/jazz/country style guitar instrumentals, featuring
Bennett backed up by a range of fine players—a full band including
three drummers and additional guitar support from George Bradfute
and Mike Noble. Whether you thrilled to Bennett’s
work as a sideman for Mr. Knopfler or whether you dig Bennett’s
undying fondness and appreciate for his Phoenix background where he
was smitten by the sounds of Duane Eddy, Lee Hazelwood and of course,
Al Casey, you just can’t go wrong with the pure guitar-centric
instro paradise of Valley Of The Sun. The music can’t
be beat and is superbly packaged with cool Phoenix, AZ inspired art
work and additional liner notes by Bennett that puts the whole album
into a logical perspective. www.Richard-Bennett.com
NO HAIR RECORDS - Guitarist Taz Taylor turned heads and
caught ears in the guitar world with his 2004 CD release Caffeine
Racer which introduced Taz as a proponent of the hard rock guitar
sound in the spirit of Gary Moore, Richie Blackmore and others. The
2010 CD release of Big Dumb Rock, by the Taz
Taylor Band is the best yet from the San Diego based guitarist.
Described by Taz as making the album, ‘simply for the joy, the
artistry and above all the fun of playing music’, the ten track
Big Dumb Rock CD features Taz in the studio with drummer Val
Trainor and keyboardist Bruce Connors. Tastefully produced
by Richard “Blitz” Livoni, the net result is a very
cool guitar based instrumental rock that sounds somewhat like
modern hard rock progressives like the Flyin’ Ryan Brothers and
even Wishbone Ash. Taylor’s electric guitar sound is superb and
clearly works as both instrumental hard rock and a more rock based
type of jazz rock fusion kind of sound. Anything but dumb in the conventional
sense of the word, Taz has it covered, guitar wise, on the humorously
titled, yet quite hard rockin’ Big Dumb Rock. www.TazTaylor.com
PETE
LEVIN MUSIC - On of the hippest jazz B-3 organ players on the
current jazz scene, New York’s own Pete Levin can alway
s be counted to lead up solid jazz ensembles and for his 2010 album
Jump! he gets it right. Guitar fans will note the ten
track instrumental jazz set features Dave Stryker while jazz-rock
fans will note on the traps, none other than Return To Forever timekeeper
Lenny White on drums. Manola Badrena adds in some cool
textures while the CD also features guest spots by the late great
guitar ace Joe Beck—a duet from 2008—and Danny
Gottlieb drums on a track here. There’s an uncanny air of
musical ESP these players share. The studio sound is first rate while
the package is topped off by cool digi-pak layout. Levin keeps it
uptown and the groove just flows track to track. www.PeteLevin.com
ROCKADILLO RECORDS - One of the key impresarios behind the history
of rock and fusion instrumental music from Finland, Tapio Korjus
was directly involved with key Finnish artists such as 
Pekka
Pohjola and Wigwam right from the start in the early ‘70s. They
say a leopard never changes his spots so it’s gratifying to see
Tapio continuing on recording and remastering classic Finnish CDs
on his own Rockadillo Records. Key to Rockadillo’s roster in
2010 is a new CD from Finnish World Beat music pioneers Piirpauke,
who are back big time with a fascinating instrumental release called
Koli. Formed by multi-instrumentalist Sakari
Kukko back in the early ‘70s, Piirpauke have always featured
a fantastic electric guitarist in their various lineups and on Koli
Sakari draws on the talents of one time Jim Pembroke / Jimbo guitarist
Jukka Orma. Orma is a faultless guitar rocker by nature yet
he fits in perfectly with Kukko’s legendary World Beat fusion
groove. Although Kukko is a masterful jazz / World Beat instrumental
composer best known for his impeccable flute / sax playing, on Koli,
Sakari and Piirpauke work up some tastefully adapted covers
of classical composers such as Finland’s Sibelius and Russian
composer Tchaikovsky. With a new twist on the time-honored classical
sound, Piirpauke make this music their own, and the compositions of
these revered classical masters sound like they were literally written
for Kukko’s 21st century World Beat sound and vision. Such is
the genius of Sakari Kukko that he can adapt classical music of this
magnitude within the context of what Piirpauke do so well. There’s
also several Kukko originals—including the brilliant, nearly
eight minute “Lo-Hi”—just in case you forgot what a
composing genius Kukko is in his own right. Anyway, in the liner notes
here, Sakari goes into depth on Jean Sibelius and the overall approach
on Koli. As mentioned before, Jukka Orma does a great job filling
in the electric guitar slot in the 21st century Piirpauke and Jukka
and Sakari also get excellent backup from the other group members
including Ismaila Sane (percussion), Eerik Siikasaari (double
bass) and Rami Eskelinen (drums). As if Piirpauke fans need
any further motivation to track down this 21st century music classic,
the CD cover art Koli is simply exquisite, while the recording
sound is first rate, the liner notes informative and well written
and the eye-catching packaging is a joy to behold. www.Rockadilio.fi
ROSANEGRA MUSIC - An obsession with all things guitar—especially
the colorful sound of nuevo flamenco guitar—is right at the center
of the 2010 CD from guitarist Benise. The latest Benise CD,
The Spanish Guitar, is filled with all the flashy
elements of flamenco—from the sound and style of the music, all
the way down to the flashy dancing and costumes associated with the
genre. Commenting on his musical mission, Benise adds, ‘When
I was younger, I felt the guitar calling to me...challenging me, ‘play
what’s in your heart...express your feelings in melodies and
notes...make me (the guitar) an extension of your soul.’
I did not so much choose the guitar as it chose me.’ Even though
he’s quick to point out that he is not so much pure flamenco
as much as a fusion of world music styles, there’s no doubting
his devotion to the flamenco genre throughout the sound and look of
The Spanish Guitar. Whatever you think of his music, there’s
no escaping the fact that his incredible stage show and spectacle—filled
with his Spanish guitar music, along with numerous dancers, cirque
performers and exotic drummers and more—has turned Benise into
the Yanni of the nylon string flamenco guitar. www.benise.com
SPINOUT RECORDS - Fans of the early surf rock and roll groups
like The Ventures and The Shadows might not be readily familiar with
the name Sandy Nelson, but they should be. A native of Santa
Monica, Nelson had a huge single with “Teen Beat”, which
hit the Billboard top ten back in 1959, that more or less established
the drummer as the Gene Krupa of the rock and roll era! Nelson also
went to high school with Jan & Dean and Kim Fowley so that’s
amazing in and of itself. “Let There Be Drums” went to number
seven in ‘61—though in ‘63, Nelson was in a motorcycle
accident and lost his right foot and part of his leg. Nelson continued
making numerous singles and albums throughout the ‘60s—his
repertoire on the Imperial label is historic—and amazingly, Sandy
is back in action in 2010 with an album called Nelsonized from
his new band Sandy Nelson And The Sin City Termites. A hot
band indeed, Nelson gets ardent support from guitarist and Nelson
fan Eddie Angel of Los Straitjackets, rhythm guitarist Remi
Gits and Billy Favata on bass. A joint production with
writing input from all these players, it’s nevertheless Nelson’s
big rock band drum sound that turns the whole thing into a retro surf-rock
blast. www.spinoutmusic.com
STONEDBIRD PRODUCTIONS - Admittedly influenced by jazz legends
such as Tony Williams and Jack DeJohnette, drumming wizard Asaf
Sirkis is making waves with his 2010 CD entitled Letting
Go, recorded by his group The Asaf Sirkis Trio and
released on his own Stonedbird Productions. There’s a definite
air of instrumental jazz-rock fusion on the release with Asaf and
his trio evoking the spirit of guitar trendsetters like Pat Metheny
and Allan Holdsworth. Key to Asaf’s sound is guitarist Tassos
Spiliotopoulos, who has his electric / acoustic fusion guitar
sound down to a science. Also in Asaf’s band on the CD is Yaron
Stavi on electric bass with added coloration on harmonica by Patrick
Bettison on a few tracks here too. Atmospheric, jazzy and rocking
in all the right places, Letting Go is a superb introduction
to the sound of the Asaf Sirkis Trio and overall the CD is a cool
spin for fans of the instrumental jazz-rock fusion genre. www.AsafSirkis.co.uk
URBAN NATURE MUSIC - Guitarist in the San Francisco based Urban
Nature music duo, Todd Boston is making waves as a solo artist
with the 2010 CD release of Alive. On Alive,
Boston merges his finely tuned finger-style guitar picking with
some adventurous modern looping technology and the result makes for
an instrumental acoustic guitar album that should have wide crossover
appeal among guitar fans and those who enjoy guitar based meditative
New Age style instrumentals. Throughout the CD, Boston receives excellent
support from his partner in the Urban Nature duo, Ramesh Kannan
(tabla) as well as current New Age favorite Matthew Schoening,
who adds his cello on a track here. Boston, a guitarist to keep your
eye and ears on, is currently planning to record his next upcoming
release with Windham Hill Records founder, and New Age enthusiast
and guitar virtuoso Will Ackerman. www.ToddBoston.com
WAIKIKI KUKS - Not only is Finland a great place for progressive
instrumental rock music in the spirit of the late great Pekka Pohjola
but it’s also a known hot spot for the tropically troubling sounds
of surf-rock, specifically the sounds of American guitar icons like
Duane Eddy, The Ventures and Link Wray. Those looking for 21st century
bands carrying on the spirit of those vintage '60s instrumental guitars
legends must take a listen to Finland’s Waikiki Kuks.
Their new album No Man’s Wave features a few ‘60s
chestnuts yet most of the album written by guitarist Tomi Liljankoski,
who gets solid backing from Janne Vastamaki (drums) and Jouni
Honkala (bass). Excellent CD production and cool colorful artwork
make this CD release a good bet for guitar instrumental fans. Contact
the band directly: sufinbirdtomi@hotmail.com
REISSUES & RETROSPECTIVES
DIGITAL
NATIONS - Steve Vai and his Favored Nations imprint have been
branching out recently with their download / music on demand label
Digital Nations and they make guitar fans very happy with a 2010 digital
reissue of Telethon by Nashville guitar slinger
Forrest Lee Jr. Forrest has yet another new album coming later
this year—a rock solid blues-rock vocal based album called Mr.
Classified—but guitar fans into smokin’ bluesy,
jazzy instrumentals are well advised to pick up on the brilliant Telethon.
The Telethon CD originally came out in the mid ‘00s
but it’s been out of print in recent years so the only way to
hear it now is with the CDR on demand or download only through Digital
Nations. Growing up in Washington state, Forrest was greatly influenced
by country rock guitar giant Albert Lee’s work with Emmylou Harris
as well as Vince Gill and the usual rock influences—from The
Beatles to Zeppelin. On Telethon—backed up by a solid
band including Pat Coy drums and Jim McLaughlin (harmonica)—Forrest
summons up a red hot instro guitar fest with added guest appearances
from current guitar heroes like Redd Volkaert and Matt Rae,
just to name a couple. Commenting on his working with Digital Nations,
Forrest says, ‘Me and Johnny Hiland have been close friends since
he moved to Nashville in 96. So having known Steve would take something
like Johnny's style, I figured he may like mine as well, country but
with some ass kickin rock stuff and off the wall tunes as well. How
cool is it to sign your name next to Steve Vai's? Pretty damn cool.’
Fans of the instrumental rock sides of icons like Albert Lee, Stevie
Ray Vaughan, Jerry Reed and any of the other guitar legend 'influences'
Forrest mentions on the inside of the CD insert for Telethon, are
strongly advised to give a listen to Forrest’s acclaimed classic
from the world of instrumental rock and country rock music. www.DigitalNations.com
/ www.ForrestLee.com
EMI / VIRGIN - After rock icon David Bowie sadly parted
ways with the late, great Mick Ronson, he went on a veritable musical
tirade, first releasing the insanely brilliant Diamond Dogs in
the spring of ‘74 and then going blue-eyed soulfully psychedelic
on the early ‘75 release of Young Americans. By that time,
Bowie had done a 
brilliant
job reinventing himself as the most unique rock star of all time,
and despite the dismay of some of his original fans who were still
enthralled with album classics like The Man Who Sold The World
and Hunky Dory, Bowie yet again reached a new musical zenith
with his 1975 album Station To Station. By that
time, the lead guitar slot in Bowie’s band was the most coveted
in the rock guitar world and fittingly, both Earl Slick and
Carlos Alomar were once again included in Bowie’s recording
and touring band for the Station To Station album. In retrospect,
perhaps a culmination of what Bowie achieved with Diamond Dogs
and Young Americans, the late ‘75 release of Station
To Station may have been a stop-gap release in retrospect, yet
when it came out back then on RCA, it appeared fully formed as a mind-blowing,
ear shattering, eye-blinding musical statement that just may have
been Bowie’s finest post Ronson recording. Unlike Diamond
Dogs and Young Americans, which took some time to process,
Station To Station featured an instant radio hit in “Golden
Years” that was seemingly played everywhere back in in 1975.
The album has held up quite well in the 35 years since it came out
and in 2010, EMI revamped Station To Station album for CD reissue
yet again—this time as a special three CD edition featuring the
original seven track album remastered yet again—taken straight
off the analogue master—with two additional CDs that recapture
a Bowie concert recorded live on March 23, 1976 at the Nassau Coliseum,
in Uniondale, N.Y. Decked out with a 16 page CD booklet with 2010
liner notes from Cameron Crowe, the attractive box set comes
with all kinds of extras and inserts including the double live album
of the Long Island show plus some impressive hard back post card style
pics of Bowie circa late ‘75. Hard core Bowie fans, who want
the full treatment might want to go all the way for the EMI / Virgin
deluxe edition 5 CD / DVD audio / 3 Lp version of Station To Station
that features the original album, remastered, plus the double live
CD album, plus a repressing of the original RCA CD album remaster
of Station To Station from 1985, plus another CD of rare singles
edits, plus a 3 Lp (black vinyl version of the album and the Coliseum
show) plus a DVD audio version! There’s also a digital download
version that comes with an exclusive bonus track, but the 3 CD box
set with the sundry extras should hit the spot with long time fans.
I mean, I don't even have a record player anymore! Plus, who knew
the RCA master would come back to life in 2010, especially considering
Rykodisc reissued another version of Station To Station on
CD four years after Bowie’s RCA contract was up in 1989, right
Doug? Strange scenes, and quite rightly so, Bowie fans never tire
of this timeless hard rock masterpiece from the magical, transitional
year of 1975. The return of the thin white duke, indeed. www.DavidBowie.com
/ www.ultimatefanpage.com/davidbowie
JAM RECORDS - One of the great American success stories in the
indy label music world, Jeremy Morris is a multifaceted artist.
On one hand a prolific pop singer and composer, on the other hand
a gifted guitarist and instrumental music composer, Jeremy fulfills
his 
mission
as the owner of Jam Records, one of Michigan’s great indy record
label stories. Of note in recent years Jeremy has released an abundance
of music including a 2007 instrumental album entitled New Day
Rising, that in places sounds like the instrumental
version of Dylan or Donovan—pastoral pop music spoken in a solo
setting by the acoustic guitar. Not to be outdone by his guitar expertise,
in 2005 Jeremy released Home In The Sky and then in
2009 he released Rays Of Hope—two instrumental
solo piano albums that again merges Jeremy’s pop leanings within
the acoustic New Age solo grand piano realm. Jeremy’s 2009 album,
Journey To The Center Of The Heart says a lot
about why he’s also favored by a number of vintage pop fans.
Jeremy himself was greatly influenced by the groundbreaking mid ‘60s
rock and pop music of the Who, The Byrds and Syd-era Pink Floyd and
over the past twenty five years he’s been able to coalesce his
sound in an appealing way that brings pop into the millennium, with
love. Jeremy’s love of The Beatles is also legendary and he gets
to put that love on disc with the CD release of Yesterday, Today,
And Forever. I’m guessing 2007, but there’s
no exact copyright date on the CD or booklet, but this is Jeremy covering
The Beatles so the word "timeless" pretty much applies here.
On his self-styled Beatles tribute a bunch of musicians assist, making
it quite a varied Beatles tribute album with the accent on Jeremy’s
near impeccable recreations of seventeen life like Beatles covers
that brings the Fab Four into the future in style, with a cache of
unusual musical twists and turns, including two different fade out
versions of “Tomorrow Never Knows” and adding a unique arrangement
of “Goodnight” complete with a 4 minute coda! Interestingly,
also available through Jeremy’s web site is a various artists
tribute album to Jeremy himself from 2005 entitled Jam On Jeremy,
featuring 14 younger bands devoted to covering Jeremy’s own psyche-pop
and power pop chestnuts. Released on the Ear Theory Recordings
label, the fifteen track Jam On Jeremy tribute shows why old
Jeremy has remained one of the leading indy pop rockers and guitar
icons of the past 25 years. One look at Jeremy’s web site—featuring
all his solo releases and his distribution catalog including the latest
pop releases—and it’s abundantly clear, Jeremy is one of
the top guys in the world of 21st century pop. www.JamRecordings.com
MVD VISUAL / CHROME DREAMS - Let’s face it, being
a 16 year old living in a comfortable suburban home on Long Island
was not the same thing as living in the East Village and hanging out
at Max’s Kansas City back in 1970! Even though David Bowie
was a household word in my world by late 1969, in the mainstream
media he was still pretty much unknown. Same could be said about Long
Island
native Lou Reed and Stooges main man Iggy Pop. What
these three guys had in common and the circumstances that linked them
all around that 1970-72 period is superbly brought into focus on The
Sacred Triangle: Bowie, Iggy & Lou 1971-1973—a 2010
DVD released by Chrome Dreams and handled in the US by MVD Visual.
MVD, along with Eagle Vision, has established themselves among the
most important DVD makers and distributors in the US. As the 107 minute
Sacred Triangle DVD points out, Bowie, Lou and Iggy being signed
to RCA Records in 1971—thanks in no small part to Mainman sharpshooter
Tony DeFries—remains a master stroke of rock music business
lore. And while Bowie’s early producer Tony Visconti was temporarily
out of Bowie’s circle, the rise of Ziggy Stardust propelled
Bowie’s career to amazing heights only dreamed of during the
days of The Man Who Sold The World, thus benefitting all concerned.
Anyway this Sacred Triangle DVD is fascinating stuff really—put
together by expert hands with a clear admiration of the timeless music
Bowie, Lou and Iggy—but especially Bowie—was making at that
time and just how Bowie’s MainMan team convinced RCA to change
the world of music as we knew it. A whole cast of characters brings
this DVD to light and, while there’s no new Bowie interview footage
here per se, there’s plenty of vintage video clips and photo
stills. Plus, there’s a whole lotta love here thanks to cool
new interviews with the great Angie Bowie—Bowie’s
wife back then and clearly a woman who was in a position of authority
at the center of Bowie’s star bound ascent. In addition to the
excellent DVD production and narration, there’s also some fascinating
circa interviews from a number of Bowie’s inner circle. And of
course the always fascinating Angie Bowie, along with fresh insights
from all sorts of characters from the heyday of Mainman and Andy Warhol’s
Factory scene—unbeknownst to this precocious 16 year old on Long
Island—really encapsulates the darker side of Major Tom. The
Sacred Triangle: Bowie, Iggy & Lou 1971-1973 is a must see
DVD for Bowie fans who want to know the dark truth behind the fascinating
Ziggy Stardust era. www.MVDb2b.com
VIRGIN
RECORDS - Back in the early ‘90s Enigma introduced
the talents of Romanian born keyboardist / guitarists / musical conceptualist
Michael Cretu. The heyday of Enigma is remembered with the
2010 3 CD box set entitled Enigma: The Platinum Collection.
With its mix of female Gregorian chant vocals and chill / disco beats,
Enigma fit in perfectly with the goth crowd and went on to sell more
than 50 million albums. Described as a mix between ethnic, electronic
and classical music melded into a mythical, sensual pop symphony,
Enigma's beat heavy synthesized sound bordered on ear pornographic
sound at times. If this ain’t X-rated electronic disco then I
don’t know what is! (lol)Beneath the huge club dance hits and
electronic Gregorian choirs, Cretu is clearly a gifted electronic
music artist. While the first two CDs, disc one and two, of this set
focus on Enigma’s album hits up to and including their current
2000s releases along with a remix collection, on disc three you can
hear ten tracks—entitled The Lost Ones, tracks one through
eleven—of Cretu’s even more avant gard and experimental
instrumental electronic work with some creating pure sonic beauty
as is the case with track two entitled “Lost Two”. www.EnigmaMusic.com
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