08/22/08
DL MEDIA
L.A. CHILLHARMONIC: We have so many of these kinds of sets from back in 1991 when jazzbos had to huddle together around the fire because the economy sucked and tours weren’t happening. Ah, what goes around… Richard Smith got on the phone, rounded up Patrice Rushen, Eric Marienthal, Alex Acuna and other similarly situated cats to hang out, keep their chops up and not let you forget them. A rousing jazz flavored date that takes in all your fave funky forms along the way and serves up the kind of solid, fun adult date that stressed adults always have a need for. Very much a fun, light breezy busman’s holiday with vista cruiser sized windows.
7014 (Artistry Music)
RED CAT PUBLICITY
MICHAEL BATES/Clockwise: Solid set from a bold bass player that has the nerve and chops to take jazz in new directions without flying off the edge of the earth in doing so. Having his jazz ethic flanked by punk and classical sensibilities, not only do his low tones fly under the radar, they are subversive in a real ear opening way. A real treat for any one looking for some new jazz that looks far ahead.
1009 (Greenleaf Music)
ROCK PAPER SCISSORS
GYUTO MONKS TANTRIC CHOIR/Tibetan Chants for World Peace: Remember when chants took off by accident and they everybody had chants coming out of everywhere? Looks like Mickey Hart missed the good old days so off he went to bring chant back and in the process, dug up some monks and yogis that had chants that were never heard outside the monastery walls. A spiritual recording that most westerners probably won’t have a clue what to do with, give it to your girl friend when she gets on her next spiritual kick and you’ll be glad you did when the final four rolls around. Don’t try to understand it, just be ready when Oprah gets on her next spiritual soap box.
86 (White Swan)
TWO FOR THE SHOW MEDIA
GEORGE COLLIGAN/Runaway: In the old days, if you were an in demand session cat, at least you got some respect from the record biz when it wanted to cater to the fans that read even the smallest print on the back covers. That measure of respect is gone these days, but cats like Colligan who know they have the chops can create their own respect. This distinctive keyboard whiz sets his own standards here with a date that should have the biggest chance at awareness out of all his past solo sets. If a cat is going to make a run for the roses, this is what his fuel should sound like.
1197 (Sunnyside)
DVD SUPPLEMENT
PARAMOUNT HOME VIDEO
CHEERS Season 10: “Cheers” on automatic pilot runs smoother than most shows when they’re hitting on all eight. Season 10 was a bit of a breather as the gang was getting ready to wrap up the following year. Sam and Rebecca were trying to have a baby. Woody and Kelly got married in a season ending non-cliffhanger. The rest of the gang did rest of the gang things with zingers and bon mots for all. With all the changes the show had been through the writing was as crisp as it was in the beginning. This collection brings back memories of how much fun Thursday night TV used to be even if you had to switch back and forth between Fox and NBC to enjoy it to the max.
Volume 31/Number 296
August 22, 2008
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2008 Midwest Record