New Single Review - T-Pain feat Wasp - No Switch
June 23, 2009 by Willis
Filed under New Tracks - Hip Hop, New Tracks - Other
T-Pain feat Wasp - No Switch - Basically this is a freestyle of Maino’s hit record with T-Pain “All The Above”. Also unfortunately it’s not in English with the exception of “No Switch” so I have no idea what dude is saying. N/A.
Nothing on YouTube… probably not a bad thing.
Easy Star All-Stars - Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub
May 4, 2009 by Willis
Filed under New Album - Other
Easy Star All-Stars - Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub - Album Review
“The reggae collective Easy Star’s third tribute album (after the acclaimed “Dub Side of the Moon” and the adventurous remake of “OK Computer” called “Radiodread”) is its most ambitious yet. The Pink Floyd and Radiohead classics lend themselves naturally to dub electronic exploration; the Beatles’ 1967 classic not so much. But producer/ multi-instrumentalist Michael Goldwasser and keyboardist Victor Axelrod (aka Ticklah) lead a large tribe of reggae stars in a rousing rendition of “Sgt. Pepper” that is loyal to the original yet inventive enough to stand alone. The enlistment of a dozen top reggae singers, toasters and bands is crucial. Among the endless stream of highlights are Frankie Paul’s lush take on “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” Max Romeo’s delightful “Fixing a Hole” and Bunny Rugs’ and U Roy’s profession of unyielding adoration to “Lovely Rita Meter Maid.” On the spiritual side, Goldwasser couldn’t have found a better match than the Hasidic rapper/singer Matisyahu delivering George Harrison’s yearning mystical “Within You, Without You.” The basic tracks are reminiscent enough of the originals that a “no samples were used anywhere” disclaimer appears on the package, yet there are enough tiny eruptions of Caribbean spirit (the carnival sound of “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite” and the dub extension to “When I’m 64″) to enrich this euphoric effort.”
Jimmy Bosch - A Million
May 4, 2009 by Willis
Filed under New Album - Other
Jimmy Bosch - A Million - Album Review
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Jimmy Bosch - A Million
“A powerful player in New York’s Latin music scene and an in-demand sideman who has played with such stars as Ray Barretto, Cachao, Arturo O’Farrill, Marc Anthony and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the trombonist Jimmy Bosch gathers some of his most esteemed peers on “A Millon!” As he has on previous albums, Bosch carries on the spirit of old-school ’70s salsa and classic Cuban music with unself-conscious virtuosity and palpable gusto, keeping the flame of socially relevant lyrics and musical improvisation vibrant without forcing digital beats or other contemporary tricks into the mix. “Foreclosure (Ejecución De Una Hipoteca)” starts with a spoken-word lament about displaced families, backed by a rocking cha cha cha on piano and güiro (scraper) that heralds the good times to come (at least in this song). Also short on lyrics and long on groove are the hard salsa “Mujeres Mandan,” sung by the gutsy young Colombian sonera Johanna Castañeda; a mambo, “Maracayero”; and a hectic carnival take on the mozambique dance style created in ’60s Havana by Pello el Afrokán. The pace slows but doesn’t stall with a bolero and a poignantly spare trombone and bass duet with Rubén Rodriguez.”
Brian Blade - Mama Rosa
May 4, 2009 by Willis
Filed under New Album - Other
Brian Blade - Mama Rosa - Album Review
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Brian Blade - Mama Rosa
“Since bursting onto the jazz scene in the early ’90s, Brian Blade has developed into a drummer, composer and bandleader of formidable force. Cutting across musical and stylistic divides, his playing has elevated the bands of such acts as Joshua Redman, Emmylou Harris and his own Fellowship unit. “Mama Rosa,” his latest album as a leader, is a surprising departure into moody, singer/songwriter fare, and a rousing success at that. Produced by Blade and Daniel Lanois protégé Adam Samuels, the album bathes Blade’s hushed vocals (and surprisingly fluid instrumental work) in tremolo-tinged guitars and pensive piano lines. Lanois guests on haunting tracks like “Mercy Angel,” “Her Song” and “You’ll Always Be My Baby,” his singular guitar sound the perfect foil for Blade’s sonic and lyrical benedictions. Other standout guests include vocalist Kelly Jones and pedal steel players Greg Leisz and Patrick Smith.”
Jesse Winchester - Love Filling Station
April 29, 2009 by Willis
Filed under New Album - Other
Jesse Winchester - Love Filling Station - Album Review
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Jesse Winchester - Love Filling Station
“In a year that’s already seen several overdue comebacks—among them, folkie Tom Rush, erstwhile Manfred Mann vocalist Paul Jones and MG’s founder Booker T. Jones—legendary songwriter Jesse Winchester’s may prove the most significant. Since the late ’70s the author of such classics as “The Brand New Tennessee Waltz” and “Biloxi” has averaged about one studio album per decade (his last was 1999’s “Gentleman of Leisure”), which makes the arrival of “Love Filling Station” reason to celebrate. Recorded in Nashville and abetted by some estimable talent (including Jerry Douglas on lap steel), it swings easily between country/pop material like the sentimental, ’50s-ish “O What a Thrill” (previously covered by the Mavericks) and the jaunty, Western swing-flavored “It’s a Shame About Him,” plus a handful of well-chosen covers, notably Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me.” Throughout, Winchester’s keening upper register remains as delicious as a honey-coated confection, while the occasional raspy inflection conveys a touch-of-gray elegance.—Fred Mills”
Cyril Neville - Brand New Blues
April 26, 2009 by Willis
Filed under New Album - Other
Cyril Neville - Brand New Blues - Album Review
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Cyril Neville - Brand New Blues
“Cyril Neville may be the youngest of the Neville Brothers, the first family of New Orleans rock and R&B, but he has just made his best album. “Brand New Blues” ably covers a lot of territory, from the Southern soul of “I’ll Take Care of You” to the Sly Stone rumble of the title song to the Slim Harpo cooking show that is “Cream Them Beans.” There is terrific guitar playing throughout from producer Brian J, who co-wrote most of the originals with Neville, and guest appearances by older brothers Art Neville and nephew Ivan Neville on organ and Tab Benoit on guitar. Although the more standard blues songs have their share of mean women, they’re nothing compared to the politicians in “Cheatin’ and Lyin’ ” or “Mean Boss Blues” who betray and disappoint honest folks. That is most clear in the finale, a 10-minute rendition of Bob Marley’s “Slave Driver” that moves the scene to post-Katrina New Orleans, and is a striking, yet very funky, indictment of hypocrisy and abandonment. —Wayne Robins”
Allen Toussaint - The Bright Mississippi
April 26, 2009 by Willis
Filed under New Album - Other
Allen Toussaint - The Bright Mississippi - Album Review
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Allen Toussaint - The Bright Mississippi
“Allen Toussaint’s rare amalgam of prodigious piano playing, deft songwriting, arranging and production acumen has kept him at the forefront of modern music for nearly half a century. On “The Bright Mississippi,” the Crescent City’s crown prince of piano takes a rare look back at the venerable New Orleans songbook, reinventing age-old standards one rollicking riff at a time. Producer Joe Henry pairs Toussaint with the roots-ified rhythm section of David Piltch and Jay Bellerose (Henry’s own bandmates, incidentally). The inspiring combination lifts the album far beyond tribute material into sonic territory all its own. Toussaint tackles the classic “St. James Infirmary” with a hymn-like reverence, his rolling piano parts prodding Marc Ribot’s nimble guitar. Saxophonist Joshua Redman guests on the Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn classic “Day Dream” for a blues-drenched duet that simmers from the very first downbeat. And on “A Dear Old Southland,” Toussaint’s playful piano work struts, shimmers and shouts alongside the masterful trumpet lines of Nicholas Payton.—Jon Regen”
Glenn Tilbrook and The Fluffers - Pandemonium Ensues - Album Review
April 14, 2009 by Willis
Filed under New Album - Other
Glenn Tilbrook and The Fluffers - Pandemonium Ensues - Album Review
“Last year’s latest in a series of Squeeze reunions has yet to bear any recorded fruit, but one can sense Glenn Tilbrook’s revitalized-band jones on his latest project. The Fluffers feature two members from the latest Squeeze lineup (keyboardist Stephen Large and drummer Simon Hanson). And “Pandemonium Ensues” sounds like a band outing, a stylistically broad affair. You can feel the energetic ensemble mind-set from the jaunty, accordion-driven and brimmingly optimistic “Best of Times” to the aggressive instrumental “Too Close to the Sun” that features spoken-word snippets from actor Johnny Depp (whose wife, Vanessa Paradis, guests on “Interest & Love”). The melodic mastery that’s long been part of Tilbrook’s work is in abundant evidence, whether the setting is hard-rocking (”Slaughtered Artist”), soulful (”Still”), psychedelic (”Happy Disposition”) or mellow (”Little Ships”). —Gary Graff”
Download Glenn Tilbrook and The Fluffers - Pandemonium Ensues via IsoHunt Torrent
Branford Marsalis Quartet - Metamorphosen
March 16, 2009 by Willis
Filed under New Album - Other
Branford Marsalis Quartet - Metamorphosen
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Branford Marsalis Quartet - Metamorphosen
“Saxophonist Branford Marsalis’ first CD in two years with his decade-old working quartet, “Metamorphosen,” is buoyed by intimate conversations characterized by vivace, whimsy, mystery and lyricism. There aren’t any subpar tunes and no flagging moments as Marsalis, pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts deliver a nine-song masterwork—eight originals and one cover that serves as the centerpiece: an exuberant, jagged scoot through Thelonious Monk’s “Rhythm-a-Ning,” with Marsalis’ tenor blazing the way. The set features spirited jaunts, including Watts’ leadoff tune with a piano-sax chase, “The Return of the Jitney Man,” and Marsalis’ playful, bouncy 19-bar dance, “Jabberwocky,” his sole contribution to the disc. The pure treats are the ballads, especially two gently melancholic gems by Calderazzo, “The Blossom of Parting” and “The Last Goodbye.” Key to the success of “Metamorphosen” is the quartet’s sense of intuitive ease and adventure that comes with longevity. —Dan Ouellette”
Various Artists - Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Allegro
March 1, 2009 by Willis
Filed under New Album - Other
“This first complete recording of what was one of the few entries in the iconic oeuvre of Rodgers & Hammerstein to be less than wildly successful is a delightfully entertaining and academically intriguing work. The musical debuted in late 1947, and in less than a year had essentially vanished. This new recording has been carefully guided by the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, and, featuring some of the grandest voices in modern musical theater and opera, is as close to artistically and technically perfect as imaginable. Historical quibbles over precisely where and how the musical perhaps stumbled, as well as soared, seem arcane and irrelevant today. Hammerstein’s book and lyrics are touching as ever, and Rodgers’ music runs a gamut from lighthearted to majestic. And both men were in peak, impeccable command of their crafts. —Gordon Ely”
