SOUND CHECK.

ANI DIFRANCO: ``Evolve'' (Righteous Babe) - Three stars

Evolve or die, the saying goes, and DiFranco made her choice by sacking her longtime touring ensemble and returning to solo work. In this spirited final band set, the personally charming but lyrically cumbersome singer-songwriter retains her pungent world view in light of increased popularity. As longtime fans know, DiFranco's politics move inward and outward, an outlook personified in the sprawling 10-minute epic ``Serpentine,'' delivered in passionate spoken word and dealing with corporate control of the arts, cultural myopia and the pleasure of spending time alone. But DiFranco's title-track rant about governmental intrusion in the natural world becomes tiresome even as the music itself soars. In stores Tuesday.

- Fred Shuster

STEFANO DI BATTISTA: ``Round About Roma'' (Blue Note) - Three and one half stars

Saxophonist Di Battista renders tribute to his birthplace in this lush collection, which easily ranks as one of the best orchestral jazz albums in years. Much of the credit belongs to arranger Vince Mendoza, best-known for the luxurious way he transformed Joni Mitchell's catalog on her 2000 effort ``Both Sides Now.'' Here Mendoza creates dreamy atmospherics that beautifully evoke Rome's romantic side. The album seamlessly moves between heartfelt originals from Di Battista and Mendoza and also includes Nino Rota's love theme from ``Romeo & Juliet.'' That particular selection isn't surprising given that the music on ``Roma'' possesses the wistful passion of Rota's best work. Somebody should sign these guys up to score a movie.

- Glenn Whipp

JEANNIE KENDALL: ``Jeannie Kendall'' (Rounder) - Three and one half stars

Releasing her first solo album five years after the passing of her father, Royce, the powerhouse voice of the Kendalls reanimates her gift for stirring melodrama. True, few of the new album's songs about enduring love and unendurable heartache reach the hokum-transcending heights of the family duo's cheatin' classics ``Pittsburgh Stealers,'' ``Just Like Real People'' and that greatest country song title of all time, ``Heaven's Just a Sin Away.'' But new tracks ``Smoky Lonesome'' and ``Just a Memory'' come close enough for emotional discomfort. With guest appearances by Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent and others, including ghostly harmonies laid down long ago by Daddy.

- Bob Strauss

VARIOUS: ``African Playground'' (Putumayo) - Three stars

Adults aren't the only ones who can appreciate worldly beats. This well- conceived series from the globally conscious Putumayo label travels the planet to bring kids the best of international music. The latest volume, which follows visits to Latin America and several equally successful compilations, finds such delightful artists as Angelique Kidjo and the Mahotella Queens offering a tuneful, rhythmic musical adventure, with tracks chosen for widest appeal. Kids hear songs in Swahili and Malagasy and learn about the harplike kora while a 32-page booklet details country of origin and illuminates music and lyrics.

- Phillip Zonkel

FICTION PLANE: ``Everything Will Never Be OK'' (MCA) - Three stars

This debut is only the latest in the ever-expanding nepotism-rock genre. The famous dad helping pull the strings this time is Sting, whose 24-year-old son (from his first wife), Joe Sumner, fronts promising Brit- rock trio Fiction Plane, once known by the equally awful name Santa's Boyfriend. While not every little thing he does is magic, mini-Sting can definitely sing and his raspy pipes are part of what makes this 12-track set of angsty rock 'n' roll crackle. Judging from the groove-centric ``Listen to My Babe,'' the sonic bombast of ``Hate'' and the moody ``Silence,'' it's clear there's more than star DNA at work. In stores Tuesday.

- Sandra Barrera

CAPTION(S):

5 photos

Photo:

(1) ANI DIFRANCO: ``Evolve'' (Righteous Babe)

(2 -- 5) no caption (CD covers)