C-Nuts
Blitzkrieg Bop and Other Jazz Mutations
Wildchild!
Comment: Renovating pop tunes
These guys tread a musical line between the ludicrous and lovely, and come off like circus acrobats whose performances justify the risks. Although perhaps they went a little too far with their jazzed up version of "Shock the Monkey." Shock indeed. Actually it works - after a second listen. As does their take on Gary Numan's, "Cars," surprisingly enough. Aside from a couple of exceptions C-Nuts improve on the Top 40 hits, adding sophistication, accentuating emotional nuances, and making things swing when needed. These transformed covers have depth, convey joy and are fun to listen to - that can't be said for all of the original versions. In the end, the success of this CD, why the material works can be attributed to the fine musicianship from top to bottom. And while the premise of "Blitzkrieg Bop" is about turning pop into jazz, the fact that C-Nuts are doing popular tunes seems like an afterthought. Also adding to the enjoyment is the way this CD was recorded. It's a pure unadulterated approach to recording (see the Mapleshade story, "Radical Minimalist" in this issue) that makes it possible for the listener to feel like he's actually in the room as musicians jam. -Ben
Ray Brown Trio
Live at Starbucks
Telarc
Comment: Jammin' jazz
First coffee, now jazz. If Starbucks can do for music what it did for coffee then perhaps someone other than Diana Krall will be able to collect at the bank on jazz CDs. Legendary bassist, Ray Brown, along with Geoff Keezer on piano and Karriem Riggins on drums will have to wait for their pop-star payday. In the mean time they spread the musical wealth, displaying great individual skills and showing off their ability for dazzling interplay. These guys jam on some classics and a couple of originals from Brown. Check out the trio's version of "Caravan,"or the other standards, or go straight to the last number, "Starbucks Blues," for a virtuoso bass performance from the master. -Ben
LTJ Bukem Featuring M.C. Conrad-
Progression Sessions
Comment: Progressive / Drum & Bass / Electronic
Do you feel like your music selection is growing thin? Do you feel like you've heard every single beat ever created in this world? Then I've got the cure for what ails ya. That's right, check it out, "I got beats gala, I got beats galore." Yeah that's right beats galore is what this CD is all about. You heard it here first, LTJ Bukem comes out with his newest CD titled "Progression Sessions." This is two fabulous CDs all in one package. Disc one has LTJ Bukem with M.C. Conrad flowing some dope lyrical skills to the beats, and disc two is just the beats, the instrumental, you could say. Both CDs are tight, but disc one is my personal favorite. There's just something about jungle music with an MC flowing over the beats. It is definitely my music of choice right now. LTJ Bukem is a respected music producer, who has been in the industry for many years. He is known worldwide for his quality of beats and his reputation of producing the most complex music of our time. A good challenge for any music lover is to play this CD and try to count all the different beats that are playing at one time. You'll find that some tracks have up to five different beats all coming together to form one sick beat. You'll be amazed at where each beat starts and where each ends. Hey, don't let me tell you if it's good or not, just go buy it and see for yourself. If you don't think it's good, then sell it to your friend. Pick it up at your friendly neighborhood record store. -chux