SOUND CHECK MISSY ``MISDEMEANOR'' ELLIOTT/``MISS E ... SO ADDICTIVE'' (GOLD MIND/EASTWEST/EEG).On her third solo effort, Elliott bluntly puts the ``X'' in sexual healing - and insists references to the club drug Ecstasy are merely metaphorical. Maybe. But there's no mistaking what she's getting at in such sleaze-a- thons as ``Dog in Heat,'' featuring a growly Redman and Method Man rapping about ``doing it on your daddy's front lawn.'' Or ``One Minute Man,'' which you can safely assume will never see airplay air·play n. The broadcasting of an audio or audiovisual recording on the air over radio or television. airplay Noun the broadcast performances of a record on radio on Radio Disney This article may contain original research or unverified claims. Please help Wikipedia by adding references. See the for details. This article has been tagged since August 2007. . Often admired and frequently copied for his double-jointed rhythm tracks, producer and longtime Elliott collaborator Timothy ``Timbaland'' Mosely here embraces a wider sonic palette The Sonic Palette is a MIDI controller type musical instrument. It consists of an 84 force sensor note surface, placed within a body that is wearable with a guitar strap. The body also contains various other controls including two additional force sensors, a tactile switch, and two than on 1999's simplistic sim·plism n. The tendency to oversimplify an issue or a problem by ignoring complexities or complications. [French simplisme, from simple, simple, from Old French; see simple mega-seller ``Da Real World.'' Techno, '70s funk, house and Indian raga rhythms all find a place somewhere in the new disc's 15 tracks. To Elliott's female-specific caterwaul, retorts and general reinforcement is provided by a pantheon of rent-a-guests, including Ludacris, Da Brat, Eve, Busta Rhymes and Ginuwine. All of which makes for mildly entertaining listening if you're a hip-hop fan already in the mood. If not, ``X-Tasy'' probably won't even help. Two and one half stars - Fred Shuster Soundtrack/``Songcatcher'' (Vanguard) This set of ``music from and inspired by'' the forthcoming movie strives to be the next ``O Brother, Where Art Thou?'' It comes just a tad short of that fine Americana compilation's sublime eclecticism eclecticism, in art eclecticism (ĭklĕk`tĭsĭz'əm), art style in which features are borrowed from various styles. (and, with four producers on this one, lacks T-Bone Burnett's subtly unifying taste). ``Songcatcher'' is an almost all-girl affair, with just about every female star in the current authentic music firmament - Iris DeMent de·ment tr.v. de·ment·ed, de·ment·ing, de·ments 1. To make (a person) insane. 2. To cause (a person) to lose intellectual capacity. , Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Allison Moorer, Julie Miller, Maria McKee, Rosanne Cash and, just for fun, Nashvillean Patty Loveless and the legendary Hazel Dickens - respectfully attacking an Appalachian chestnut. The recordings are uniformly lovely, but the standout, as is often happening these days, belongs to Dolly Parton par·ton n. Any of the point particles believed to be a constituent of hadrons, now known as quarks. No longer in technical use. [part(icle) + -on1.] . Her mother-daughter argument, ``When Love Is New,'' sung with Emmy Rossum and exquisite emotional enunciation enunciation (inun´sēā´sh  n),n an auxiliary function of teeth, particularly those in the anterior sector of the dental arch; the formation of sounds , gives an immediate psychological kick to the rural folk traditions that this album so thoughtfully curates. Three and one half stars - Bob Strauss Freddie Hubbard/New Colors (Hip Bop) Hubbard's chops aren't what they were; drugs, overwork overwork the condition produced by working a draft animal or working dog, an eventing or endurance horse too hard. See also exhaustion. and illness have taken their toll. On recent records, the '60s trumpet icon has been but a shadow of his former self. This isn't a comeback as much as a testimony to perseverance and good taste. Hubbard's solo efforts remain sketchy, but supported by a lively young ensemble, he helms a warm set of classics and new tunes. The real stars here are saxophonist Craig Handy and pianist Xavier Davis, who swing mightily on soulful renditions of Hubbard standards like ``Red Clay'' and ``One of Another Kind.'' While no longer the pacesetter whose lyrical playing on the 1961 Oliver Nelson gem, ``Stolen Moments,'' is considered a gauntlet for up-and-comers, Hubbard retains the ability to inspire. Three stars - Glenn Whipp Ours/``Distorted Lullabies'' (DreamWorks) Sweeping guitars, edgy percussion and a dreamy social crusader with a soaring tenor - did somebody say U2? Nope, but the strong influence of that band's ``War'' era on New York's far less-engaging Ours is definitely hard to ignore. Yet, submerge sub·merge v. sub·merged, sub·merg·ing, sub·merg·es v.tr. 1. To place under water. 2. To cover with water; inundate. 3. To hide from view; obscure. v.intr. yourself in ``Drowning,'' ``Fallen Souls'' and ``Here Is the Light'' and you'll agree these ``Lullabies'' won't be putting anybody to sleep. Two and one half stars - Sandra Barrera John Mayall & Friends/``Along for the Ride'' (Eagle) A solid set of electric blues from the irrepressible Englishman, featuring a fine assortment of past collaborators (the nucleus of Fleetwood Mac), towering contemporaries (Billy Preston, Steve Cropper CROPPER, contracts. One who, having no interest in the land, works it in consideration of receiving a portion of the crop for his labor. 2 Rawle, R. 12. , ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons Famous people named Gibbons include:
Mayall's voice is still an aridly mellow marvel, but his songwriting skills (only demonstrated on the instantly obsolete ode ``California'') remain in a '60s Laurel Canyon haze. Aside from that and a few other clinkers, though, Mayall still sounds very much like the guy who launched dozens of rock-era careers - and he no doubt will tonight with his latest Bluesbreakers lineup at the Canyon in Agoura Hills. Three stars - B.S. CAPTION(S): 5 photos Photo: (1) no caption (MISSY ELLIOTT) (2 -- 5) no caption (CD covers) |
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