DL MEDIA
SEAN JONES/Roots: Not only a tasty, young trumpeter, Jones is also one that likes to experiment and finds a way to do it this late in the game without sounding like he’s acting out or being different for the sake of being different.  Channeling his vibe from some other source than we are used to, Jones is clearly on the way to somewhere and let’s his playing do his talking.  Not for young malcontents trying to pass themselves off as hipsters, Jones is the real deal and makes it loud and clear that the future is in good hands.
1031 (Mack Ave.)

VINCE GUARALDI/Charlie Brown Christmas: One of those classics that gets reissued every few years with just a little change, but you don’t care and show up anyway.  Remastered and with some added alternate takes, the classic is basically in tact, just spiffed up for the new century, again.  Not in any fancy formats this time, just spiffed up and ready to go.  This music will be fresh and on the scene long after we aren’t.
30066 (Fantasy)

DON BYRON/Do the Boomerang: Byron is one of our fave MVPs deserving of wider recognition.  Specializing in offbeat tribute album, usually that have nothing to do with jazz, here he tackles the work of Jr. Walker and acquits himself as an after the fact member of the All Stars.  Turning up the funk, Byron submerges his identity once again in the service of the concept, shows how well he can blow tenor sax as well and makes a set that just plain blows you away.  Solid party music that is tasty and tastes good, Byron’s hit it out of the park again.
41094 (Blue Note)

GO MEDIA
MORT WEISS/B3 and Me: This would have been billed as a duet set but the B# cat’s label wouldn’t let Weiss use his name, so…  Meanwhile, you have Weiss tearing it up on a bunch of classics that have never been thought of as clarinet/organ face offs, the rest of the band is cooking and this is a fine taste of some straight ahead jazz in the classic blowing session mold.  Sophisticated listening with edge.
20063 (SMS Jazz)

INTERSCOPE
BECK: The original genre bending genre splicer is back with his first real release in some time and he shows that he’s been changing with the times but is still a four on the floor innovator.  With enough verve in the groove to hook a new generation of listeners that only really know him from oldies radio, Beck delivers and shows the pretenders and wannabes just how it’s done.  One dandy sonic excursion into the ether.
7576

PLATINUM WEIRD/Make Believe: Dave Stewart and a new partner pretend they were in pop group in 1974 and this is their great lost album finally seeing the light of day.  Because Stewart has never been afraid to follow his muse into deep left field, it’s always worth checking out what he’s up to whether the masses want to or not.  A wacky set that goes heavy on the iconography in a mode that’s kind of right for the times, any one looking for that offbeat set to make them smile as it plays will have an ace to keep up their sleeve here.
7729

MAXJAZZ
RUSSELL MALONE/Live at the Jazz Standard V. 1: One of the tastiest contemporary jazz guitarists let’s those who don’t have a jazz club within 100 miles hear what it all about live, and the next time he is in that greater area, miles will be driven.  A sparkling set that just let’s Malone be Malone with the abetment of the three pieces behind him, this is a mostly original set with some meaningful covers added to the mix.  Jazz guitar fans are sure to be generous in heaping the superlatives, calling this a smoking set right in the tradition is all you have to know.  And it is hot stuff as well.
602 (String Series)

McGUCKIN ENTERTAINMENT
TEXAS SAPPHIRES/Valley So Steep: One thing about Lloyd Maines, that cat is never going to get old.  Inserting himself in country rock a generation or two removed from when he was in the thick of it, there’s no dust on the cat as he shepherds this date to the promised land.  Country rock with a tattooed, biker edge that feels like it took root in the meth labs of the heartland, this high octane set hits on all eight and never let’s up.  Good harmonies, good songs, good everything, this is an impressive debut by a crew that can only keep getting better based on the way the trajectory feels here.  Check it out, it’s not for genre fans only.
1 (Stag)
 
MUCKLOW PRODUCTIONS
MICHAEL MUCKLOW/Clearly: A fingerstyle guitarist that isn’t afraid  to be an adventurer, Mucklow let’s his influences lead the way as he shapes and shifts them along the way.  With a pair of like minded pals, this introspective, ambient and easy date is a sonic oasis for those looking for a way to get away from it all.  An interesting player with a bright future that has probably put a lot of miles on his old Takoma records along the way.
15915

ROCK PAPER SCISSORS
LA CUMBIAMBA ENEYE/Marioneta: Columbian party music that has it’s heart in rural Columbia but draws energy from both of the countries coasts as well as New York.  These cross cultural things that happen within a culture are pretty wild outings as the internal clash fuels a special kind of fire that happens when old meets new and both are determined to win at all costs.  This is a really tasty world beat date that falls outside the general margins with great results.  If you need some party music from a quadrant you don’t normally hear from or think about, check this out and see if it isn’t what you are looking for.
3 (Chonta)

SOUNDSCAPE PROMOTION/MASSIVE MUSIC
SHARON WEST/Notes from the Woods: Corporate drop out that always had a thing for music decided to follow her muse and see where it led her.  She starts with the basics, and impressionistic set inspired by her local nature walks.  Ever hear the saying you get out what you put in that applies here as it seems like she really got something out of these walks.  Very music an easy adult set that doesn’t go the typical DIY new age cheap out route, this is a well textured set that spares no expense to let the new age good times roll.  Solid adult listening.
2 (Dusty Dreams)

UNIVERSAL SOUTH
SHOOTER JENNINGS/Live at Irving Plaza 4.18.06: His two studio sets haven’t been slackers, but Jennings really knows how to turn it on live and this almost authorized bootleg with tracks from the first two as well as highlights from the live set, make the statement that should be made.  Turning up the heat, Jennings and crew have the crowd in the palm of their hands and everyone has a balls out good time.  Existing somewhere where rock meets country, but not the corner of country-rock, this is the real deal for the next generation.  Proof of all the talent that was in the last generation of this family and how the genes are moving it forward.
7538
AUDIOBOOK SUPPLEMENT
HARPER AUDIO
JACK PRELUTSKY/Behold the Bold Unbrellaphant: Filling the void left by Shel Silverstein and Ogden Nash, Prelutsky has an affinity for nonsense and knows how to make it into something wonderful as opposed to something that just sits on the plate and looks back at you.  Using his gift for mumbo jumbo to it’s fullest, this is fun stuff for the kids that like to play with words, drive you nuts and show how precocious they are.  Put it on for the kids and they won’t even notice you walked away.

BARBARA ROBINSON (read by Elaine Stritch)/Best Christmas Pageant Ever: Certain people without kids will want this just because Stritch is the reader.  Unabridged version of how the worst kids in the world try to redeem themselves by putting on their version of the Christmas story, even if it’s the most lopsided thing you’ve heard from anyone not an aluminum hat wearer.  Funny, crazy stuff you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy.

JESS WALTER (read by Christopher Graybill)/Zero: Dark satire in the tradition of Kafka lives on in the words of Walter.  Using contemporary times and problems as the backdrop to the loss of identity and the problems flowing from it, a hero cop finds himself so messed up that he can’t tell you which end is up or how he got where he is, or why.   People that like it offbeat and dark are sure to lap this up as they smirk with the headphones blocking out the rest of the world.  Certainly one wild ride.

THOMAS FRIEDMAN/From Beirut to Jerusalem: First time on compact disc, this is a 1989 look at a decade of reporting form the middle east when it was a real tinderbox.  Oh, wait, no wonder this stuff is still timely.  Not much has changed.  Almost 20 years later, this is still a ground zero work if you want to understand what’s going on in the other side of the world, and why.  A real gripping listen for geopolitical followers.

TAYLOR & LaBARRE (read by Barrett Whitener)/Mavericks at Work: We know innovation in the work place is a great catalyst, but one of the fallacies of this book is that there’s no room for it when everyone is worried about their job, mortgage, etc.  That’s why we suck and we know it.  Of course, you can always start your won website, break all the rules and be successful in your pjs.  Ah, don’t listen to us.

DVD SUPPLEMENT
UNIVERSAL
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE-Best of Saturday TV Funhouse: No matter how the fortunes of SNL were faring, you could always count on TV Funhouse and Fun with Real Audio to liven things up.  This collection of the wildest stuff the Funhouse gang had to offer is a great stand alone collection that is sure to be a staple at hipper parties when the energy starts to flag.  All your faves are on board, there’s behind the scenes action and if you are a fan, this will turn you inter an uber fan.  Anyone in the market for a god laugh can’t go wrong here.
32071

WARNER HOME VIDEO
BODY HEAT deluxe edition: The main attraction here is the remastering that makes the print crisp and really adds crackle to Kathleen Turner’s debut.  A seminal story of lust and betrayal that launched a lot of careers, this is a good choice to revisit and bring into the technological present.  There’s some deleted scenes for the uber fan but the main story was perfect enough the first time around that these are only pleasant diversions.  If you didn’t get the original, you’ll be glad you waited, if you got the original, you won’t mind upgrading.
81378

Volume 29/Number 24
October 28, 2006
MIDWEST RECORD RECAP
830 W. Main St. #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SECTOR, Editor and Publisher
(c)2006 Midwest Record