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MASSIVE MUSIC
SONICBLOOM/Paradigm Lift: Suppose Zappa had lived long enough to sign hip hoppers to Bizarre. This sounds like what his vision might have been. Straying as far away from rap while still being rap, the mix mastered sounds are not what you’d expect, the lyrics are clearly left of center and the vibe is not exactly where you’d expect the vibe to be. You said you want something different? How about a song that mentions endorphins to a belly dance background? It’s out there alright. You can picture the dreadlock kid on American Idol playing this in his dorm.
3 (CFO)
MICHAEL BLOOM MEDIA RELATIONS
STEVE ALLEE TRIO/Dragonfly: The Naptown local light is back with the second set from his current trio offering a set that reflects his work in scoring as it opens with a riff that sound like it came from “People’s Court” before it launches into a snazzy contemporary jazz collection. Well played sounds for real musos, the trio sends up enough joyful noise on it’s own that you have everything you need right here. Everyone gets a chance to shine in this driving, engaging collection that covers a lot of jazz ground as it makes it’s journey. Spiritually connected to Vince Guaraldi jazz but without the California vibe, this is right in the pocket throughout.
117 (Owl)
ROCK PAPER SCISSORS
SA DINGDING/Alive: As much as these music pundits that clamor for a filter make me scratch my head, the fact that this contemporary Chinese music set came out on Wrasse made me move it to the top of the pile. The Ashbridges know their stuff. With China being as big and diverse as the US, it’s as hard to corral Chinese music as it is our music. Dingding does a great job of making contemporary Chinese music for tourists that want it authentic. With contemporary flourishes that youthful ears can relate to, this ain’t a 1960s Nonesuch Explorer series set. With more of a tribal and belly dance vibe than you might expect, you might not be there is you aren’t into world beat already, but if that’s your genre, this may well take you places you’ve only heard in dreams.
213 (Wrasse)
TWO FOR THE SHOW MEDIA
MARC COPLAND/Another Place: Copland seems to be on a mission to release all the music playing with all the cats he ever wanted to, all at once. Pairing this time with John Abercrombie and Billy Hart with mainstay Drew Gress on bass, this set reflects his view of things away from his New York recordings series. Flexing his more artsy side, it’s not impressionistic jazz, there’s blood and soul, it’s just more low key and wide open. More a jazz for your head set, this piano man delivers yet another winner.
3031 (Pirouet)
DVD SUPPLEMENT
FOX HOME VIDEO
JUMPER: You have to suspend disbelief a little more than usual as action pics go after a younger market. The protagonist finds he can jump from era to era and things are going well until the evil bad guys that hate jumpers come along and upset the applecart. Even though this is a youthful pic, it would take more than topless pix of Megan Fox to keep these baddies in their place and the cat and mouse game begins for this fish out of water. And it does it all without resorting to clichés like we’re doing. Fun stuff that doesn’t make you work too hard and lets you enjoy your popcorn.
Volume 31/Number 207
May 25, 2008
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2008 Midwest Record
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