SOUND CHECK.MISSY ELLIOTT: ``The Cookbook'' (Atlantic) - Three stars Since her ``Supa Dupa Fly'' debut in 1997, Elliott has turned out one irresistible batch of hip-hop after another, surprising fans with twists each time. Well, surprise again. This sixth serving follows the winning recipe while improvising some. Take the bass drum kicks and ethereal whispers of ``Joy,'' one of just two tracks produced by Elliott's longtime collaborator Timbaland. Instead of going with the tried and true, Elliott has enlisted a stable of producers, including the Neptunes, who man the infectious party anthem ``Loose Control,'' featuring Ciara and Fat Man Scoop. She also recruits an impressive array of guest vocalists and rappers, from Mary J. Blige and Fantasia fantasia (făntā`zhə) [Ital.,=fancy], musical composition not restricted to a formal design, but constructed freely in the manner of an improvisation. In the 16th and 17th cent. to M.I.A. and Mike Jones. Unfortunately, too many bland ballads keep this from being a must-own set. - Sandra Barrera KEYSHIA COLE: ``The Way It Is'' (A&M) - Three stars Here's an Oaktown homegirl home·girl n. Slang 1. A female friend or acquaintance from one's neighborhood or hometown. 2. A fellow female gang member. Noun 1. with the right working parts - a soaring, soulful voice that recalls Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige at their most stirring, steely pop hooks courtesy of such gifted hip-hop producers as Kanye West and Krucial Keys, and some incredibly large earrings. Cole's take on the scorned-woman song cycle - a concept staffed previously by Tammy Wynette Noun 1. Tammy Wynette - United States country singer (1942-1998) Tammy Wynetter Pugh, Wynette , Millie Jackson and Keys, to name a few - opens with the powerhouse punch of two of the year's best urban pop tracks, the booming, horn-fueled ``(I Just Want It) To Be Over'' and the West-produced ``I Changed My Mind,'' the latter peppered with a brain-teasing sample of Solomon Burke's reading of Allen Toussaint's ``Get Out of My Life, Woman.'' A few other standouts, like the timely closer, ``Never,'' which effectively samples the late Luther Vandross' ``Never Too Much,'' make for a sturdy, if uneven, debut. - Fred Shuster ADRIENNE YOUNG & LITTLE SADIE Little Sadie is a 20th Century American folk ballad. It is also known variously as "Bad Lee Brown", "Cocaine Blues", "Transfusion Blues" and other titles. It tells the story of a man who is apprehended after shooting his wife/girlfriend. He is then sentenced by a judge. : ``The Art of Virtue'' (Addiebelle) - Four stars Making good on the promise of last year's fabulous debut album ``Plow to the End of the Row,'' Young's sophomore effort is an equally rich and vibrant reimagining of classic folk and country forms. A loose theme of moral enlightenment connects most of the songs, but there's room aplenty a·plen·ty adj. In plentiful supply; abundant: "There were warning signs aplenty for their candidates as well" Michael Gelb. for foot-stompin' hoedowns, raucous Cajun passions and charming/harrowing narratives of lives both redeemed and wasted. Young wrote most of the tunes, but the album closes appropriately with soulful renditions of the traditional ``Farther Along'' and the Grateful Dead's ``Brokedown Palace.'' - Bob Strauss BILL CHARLAP William Morrison Charlap is a jazz pianist born October 15, 1966 in New York City. He comes from a musical background: his mother, Sandy Stewart, is a singer and his father was Broadway composer Mark "Moose" Charlap. He has recorded and accompanied with his mother. : ``Plays George Gershwin: The American Soul'' (Blue Note) - Three stars Fans of pianist Charlap - who, for a straight-ahead jazz Straight-ahead jazz is a term used to refer to a widely accepted style of jazz music playing that can be thought of as roughly encompassing the period between bebop and the 1960s styles of Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock. artist, sells a lot of CDs - know how good he is at coming up with new arrangements for old songs with his longtime trio (drummer Kenny Washington There are several notable persons named Kenny Washington, including:
In non-Classical musical groups, the horn section , including Nicholas Payton, Frank Wess and longtime friend Phil Woods. The approach is traditional, befitting be·fit·ting adj. Appropriate; suitable; proper. be·fit  ting·ly adv.Adj. 1. the material, and while there's nothing revolutionary in these 10 Gershwin numbers, there's plenty to enjoy in Charlap's trademark elegant, ingenious playing. Charlap will debut many of these titles Wednesday at the Gershwin celebration at the Hollywood Bowl. - Glenn Whipp CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1) MISSY ELLIOTT (2 -- 4) no caption (CD covers) |
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