SOUND CHECK.Byline: Reviewed by Fred Shuster / Daily News Music Critic Noun 1. music critic - a critic of musical performances critic - a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art The Skatalites/``Ball of Fire'' Now based in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , only four founding members of mid-'60s Jamaican ska pioneers the Skatalites remain. Still, the current lineup recaptures the original energy and jazz roots as the trombone-led band revisits essential material some 35 years on. Album opener ``James Bond Theme'' (from the ``Dr. No'' soundtrack) is predictably lively, while ``Latin Goes Ska'' and the title track reflect sturdy Afro-Cuban roots. The great Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin Ernest Ranglin (born June 19, 1932 in Manchester, Jamaica) is a guitarist whose session work at Studio One helped give birth to the ska genre in the late 1950s. Ranglin played on many classic Jamaican recordings, and he performed with artists such as Jimmy Cliff, Monty lends the proceedings even more swing. Trombonist Will Clark
The Dells/``Oh, What a Night! The Great Ballads''! Together 44 years - from the dawn of doowop - with essentially the same lineup, the mighty Dells must be the most consistent group in r&b history. The Chicago quintet early on hit upon a creamy vocal blend spearheaded by lead singer Marvin Junior that weathered shifts in fashion and musical trends. Here is a beautifully compiled anthology of ultimate aphrodisiacs Aphrodisiacs cestus Aphrodite’s girdle made by Hephaestus; magically induces passion. [Gk. Myth.: Benét, 183] ginseng induces passion. [Plant Symbolism: EB, IV: 549] lupin leguminous plant; arouses passion. , timeless slow ballads from 1967-74 that are among the genre's most enduring songs. Chief among them are ``Stay in My Corner,'' ``Oh, What a Night,'' ``The Love We Had (Stays on My Mind)'' and ``My Pretending Days Are Over.'' A Valentine's Day treat. Three Stars Ernest Ranglin/``Memories of Barber Mack'' Ranglin, probably the West Indies' best-known guitarist, dedicates his new effort to the late Jamaican sax player Barber Mack. Like his previous outing, the widely acclaimed ``Below the Bassline A bassline (also spelled bass line) is the term used in many styles of popular music, jazz, blues, trance and funk for the low-pitched instrumental part or line played by a rhythm section instrument such as the electric bass, double bass or keyboard (piano, Hammond organ, ,'' Ranglin's latest reflects strong bop and reggae strains. There are eight originals here, plus warm interpretations of reggae classics ``Stop That Train'' and ``Fade Away.'' Joining Ranglin, who solos with the imagination and fluidity of a Charlie Christian, is drummer Sly Dunbar of prolific rhythm duo Sly and Robbie Sly and Robbie is one of reggae's most prolific and long lasting production teams. The rhythm section of drummer Lowell Dunbar (nicknamed Sly after Sly Stone, one of his favorite musicians) and bass guitarist Robert Shakespeare started working together in the mid 1970s, after fame. Three Stars Aretha Franklin/``The Delta Meets Detroit: Aretha's Blues'' As this sturdy collection of blues from Lady Soul illustrates, Aretha simply blows most other vocalists, especially today's bunch, out of the water. Although soul fanatics already will own these 16 tracks, it's nice to have memorable moaners such as ``Pitiful,'' ``I Wonder,'' ``Going Down Slow,'' ``Dr. Feelgood'' and the live-in-Paris version of ``I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)'' in one place. Along with the telepathic te·lep·a·thy n. Communication through means other than the senses, as by the exercise of an occult power. tel Muscle Shoals rhythm section The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, also known as The Swampers, were based in the Alabama town of Muscle Shoals. Some of their members included Jimmy Johnson (guitar), Roger Hawkins (drums), David Hood (bass), and Barry Beckett (keyboards). , Eric Clapton and Duane Allman pop up for a couple of choice solos. Aretha reaches places other singers don't even know exist. Three and One Half Stars Dean Fraser/``Big Up!'' Like fellow Caribbean session veteran Ernest Ranglin, celebrated Jamaican saxophonist Fraser creates a perfect hybrid of jazz and reggae. His new solo album includes radical reworkings of classics from various eras of post-'50s Jamaican pop, including the Skatalites' ``Dick Tracy,'' the Mighty Diamonds' ``Have Mercy'' and Black Uhuru's ``Shine Eye Gal.'' Fraser, playing tenor, alto and soprano saxes, boasts a rootsy, groove-based approach on the disc's outstanding solo sections. The record is given extra rhythmic thrust by the use of two sizzling siz·zle intr.v. siz·zled, siz·zling, siz·zles 1. To make the hissing sound characteristic of frying fat. 2. To seethe with anger or indignation. 3. drummers. Three and One Half Stars Sixteen Deluxe/``Emits Showers of Sparks'' On its major label debut, acclaimed Austin indie rockers Sixteen Deluxe fashion a clean, uplifting set of distinctive songs that never get too happy. The artful quartet, notable for the arresting harmonies of guitarist-singers Carrie Clark and Chris Smith, create little dark musical corners in even the seemingly cheeriest places. Outstanding cuts that deserve radio recognition include ``Mexico Train,'' ``No Shock (in Bubble)'' and ``Mixed Up.'' Band appears Feb. 27 at Silver Lake's Spaceland. Three Stars Various/``Hound Dog Taylor Theodore Roosevelt "Hound Dog" Taylor (April 12 1915 - December 17 1975) was an American blues guitarist and singer. Career Theodore Roosevelt "Hound Dog" Taylor was born in Natchez, Mississippi in 1915 (some sources say 1917). : A Tribute'' Ry Cooder tells of catching a Hound Dog Taylor gig before the grizzled griz·zled adj. 1. Partly gray or streaked with gray: a grizzled beard. 2. Having fur or hair streaked or tipped with gray. bluesman died in 1975. Taylor, a wicked slide guitarist and singer, was in typically fierce form that night, playing his shabby Japanese-made electric guitar and Sears speakers at such ear-splitting volume that Cooder was taken aback. Over the years, guitarists from George Thorogood to Luther Allison have attempted Hound Dog's often wild sound. On this foot-stomping tribute, those two artists, plus Son Seals, Sonny Landreth, Elvin Bishop, Warren Haynes, Ronnie Earl and others pay homage to the great Taylor with solidly entertaining results. Three Stars Mary Lou Lord/``Got No Shadow'' Singer-songwriter and ex-Boston busker Lord drew notice several years ago when Courtney Love chased her down Sunset Boulevard after a Hole show, furious that Lord not only enjoyed a short fling with Kurt Cobain, but told about it later. Now, after at least one mildly interesting indie release and a major label bidding war, Lord can be judged on her own ability. The results aren't bad. Here are improved versions of previously recorded numbers ``Lights Are Changing'' and the terrific ``Some Jingle Jangle Morning,'' plus covers of folkie folk·ie also folk·y n. pl. folk·ies 1. A folk singer or musician. 2. One who is an enthusiast of folk music. adj. Elizabeth Cotten's ``Shake Sugaree'' and Freedy Johnston's ``Lucky One.'' Lord also collaborates with obscure songwriter Nick Saloman of Brit pop-psychedelic group the Bevis Frond on the album's terrific opener ``His Lamest Flame.'' Along with strong material, ``Got No Shadow'' just plain sounds good. Two Stars. CAPTION(S): 8 Photos Photo: (1) Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin lends swing to the Skatalites' ``Ball of Fire,'' containing extended arrangements that leave room for solos all around. (2--8) no caption (CD covers) |
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