SOUND CHECK.FANTASIA: ``Free Yourself'' (J/19) - Three stars Remember Fantasia Barrino's jaw-dropping rendition of Gershwin's ``Summertime'' on ``American Idol''? The crowned vocalist reprises REPRISES. The deductions and payments out of lands, annuities, and the like, are called reprises, because they are taken back; when we speak of the clear yearly value of an estate, we say it is worth so much a year ultra reprises, besides all reprises. 2. that showstopper showstopper - A hardware or (especially) software bug that makes an implementation effectively unusable; one that absolutely has to be fixed before development can go on. Opposite in connotation from its original theatrical use, which refers to something stunningly *good*. on her first full-length release, a mix of ``Idol'' moments, old-school soul and funk. At centerstage here is the Missy Elliott-produced ``Selfish (I Want U 2 Myself),'' one of three songs written and produced by the hip-hop diva. She also raps on this playful concoction of funky flute loops, bass drum beats and samples from the late Indian vocalist Kishore Kumar that weaves a stellar backdrop for Fantasia's quirky, nasally tone. But her album isn't perfect. One of the biggest blights on the 13-track set is the Underdogs-produced ``You Were Always on My Mind'' because it distracts from the flow of more soulful songs like ``Good Lovin'.'' But, hey - you can't win 'em all. - Sandra Barrera VARIOUS: ``This Is Reggae Music: The Golden Era (1960-75)'' (Trojan/Sanctuary) - Two stars Around 20 years ago, Britain's then-indie Trojan label issued ``Rebel Music,'' the greatest reggae compilation in human history - past, present or future. Many of the best moments (Gregory Isaacs Gregory Anthony Isaacs (born 15 July, 1950) is a Jamaican reggae musician. Isaacs was born in Fletchers Land, Kingston, Jamaica. In the 1970s, he emerged as one of the most prolific and popular recording artists in Jamaica. , the Heptones, Horace Andy Horace Andy (born Horace Hinds, 19 February 1951, Kingston, Jamaica), is a roots reggae singer, known for hits such as "Government Land", "You Are My Angel", "Skylarking" and a cover version of "Ain't No Sunshine". , etc.) of this entertaining new 90-track, four-disc box - one of dozens of anthologies issued over the past four years by the reggae imprint now owned by BMG BMG Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (Germand: Federal Ministry for Health) BMG Be My Girl BMG Blue Man Group BMG Bertelsmann Music Group BMG Be My Guest BMG Browning Machine Gun BMG Bulk Metallic Glass - were also heard on that out-of-print set, while some items here are substandard. But as an intro to the many styles of Jamaican pop during its brightest period, the set works well, ideally for those with the curiosity to delve a little deeper than Bob Marley's greatest hits. - Fred Shuster FRANK SINATRA: ``The Christmas Collection'' (Reprise/Rhino) - Three and one half stars This wonderful compilation is getting a lot of buzz for the inclusion of a '91 recording a frail-sounding Sinatra made of ``Silent Night,'' which has been enhanced with a new Johnny Mandel arrangement and includes pianist Bill Miller and guitarist Al Viola, two of the singer's favorite session hands. Truth be known, it's a little poignant (it is, after all, ``Silent Night''), but not all that remarkable. What's great here are some previously uncollected '57 duets with Bing Crosby as well as both sides of a melancholy ``October of My Years''-style Christmas single recorded 30 years ago with Don Costa. Add the cream from '64's ``The Twelve Songs of Christmas'' and '69's ``The Sinatra Family Wish You a Merry Christmas,'' and you've got an invaluable collection of peerlessly sung seasonal titles. - Glenn Whipp VARIOUS: ``All Star Bluegrass bluegrass, any species of the large and widely distributed genus Poa, chiefly range and pasture grasses of economic importance in temperate and cool regions. In general, bluegrasses are perennial with fine-leaved foliage that is bluish green in some species. Celebration'' (Sugar Hill) - Three and one half stars Like the title says, this concert (there's also a DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. version with a few different numbers), recorded at Nashville's storied Ryman Auditorium and broadcast on PBS PBS in full Public Broadcasting Service Private, nonprofit U.S. corporation of public television stations. PBS provides its member stations, which are supported by public funds and private contributions rather than by commercials, with educational, cultural, , is a who's-who kind of affair. Elder statesmen Earl Scruggs and Ralph Stanley rub shoulders with the Nickel Creek whippersnappers, while host Ricky Skaggs welcomes current genre maestros (Del McCoury, Alison Krauss and Union Station, prodigal daughter Patty Loveless) and a handful of attuned at·tune tr.v. at·tuned, at·tun·ing, at·tunes 1. To bring into a harmonious or responsive relationship: an industry that is not attuned to market demands. 2. outsiders (country stars Travis Tritt and Vince Gill, eclectoid Bruce Hornsby) into assorted stage configurations. Classics like ``Shady Grove,'' ``Uncle Pen,'' ``Daniel Prayed'' and the like are all done expertly, if not very innovatively; even the jazzy jazz·y adj. jazz·i·er, jazz·i·est 1. Resembling jazz in form or nature; rhythmical. 2. Slang Showy; flashy: a jazzy car. Creek kids sound traditional here. You couldn't hear much better, though, for this kind of thing. - Bob Strauss RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO: ``Sound of Christmas'' (Verve) - Three stars This one was incredibly popular with the in-crowd during the early half of the '60s. It's certainly ripe for a new generation to add to their holiday stash stash Drug slang noun A place where illicit drugs are hidden , a finger-poppin', if too brief collection of 10 songs to make Christmas even merrier. The first part works best with just Lewis and his deft touch on piano, bassist Eldee Young and drummer Redd Holt delivering bluesy takes on songs like ``Merry Christmas, Baby'' and ``Winter Wonderland.'' The syrupy orchestral arrangements on the last five cuts dampen - but by no means extinguish - the group's toe-tapping holiday spirit. Perfect for holiday get-togethers. - G.W. CAPTION(S): 6 photos Photo: (1) FANTASIA Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com (2 -- 6) no caption (CD covers) |
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