Oh No
Dr. No's Oxperiment
Stones Throw Records
Rating: 4.5
Sonics: 3
Producer Oh No brings the goods with this 28-track instrumental hip-hop exploration. This album is so cohesive, it almost feels like one long track with different movements. Partially sourced from some serious deep digging in a library of rare vinyl from Turkey, Greece, Lebanon and Italy, Dr. No's Oxperiment matches unusual (unless you're Turkish) sounds with a definite musicality. The sound is clear and straightforward, with mids that often dominate. Bass is tight and fast, so it's a good test for sub response. The sonics don't excite but they don't detract from the enjoyment of this sample orgy. -DC Gott
Sharky & C-Rayz Walz are...
Monster Maker
Baby Grande Records
Rating: 3.5
Sonics: 2
Sharky and C-Rayz Walz are sort of a hip-hop Smiths, putting dark lyrics over music that is, dare I say, playful. D.C. producer Sharkey is consistently inventive with his beats and mixes. Tracks like "That Moment Before Crazy" withstand repeated listening. Bronx MC C-Rayz Walz has a sparse flow that can be described as Chuck D. Lite. C-Rayz has some skills, but he's an acquired taste. The midrange is muddy throughout, cutting down on the affect of Sharkey's intricacies. High frequencies are sweet but overly loud. The stereo recording move back and forth between speakers to good effect but dynamics are nil. -DC Gott
Tony Pancella & Larry Willis
Alter Ego
Mapleshade
Rating: 4
Sonics: 3
Pancella and Willis are brilliant, noted (and self-taught) jazz pianists who began playing as a duo when they happened to meet on tour. After a two-night gig together the idea for this project was born. Pancella and Willis beautifully blend for a full-bodied sound; at times it's as though a single player is putting together very complex harmonies. They also play well against each other for some great solo moments by one or the other. The only letdown here is the sound quality. There's some noticeable distortion and when the keys hit the upper register my speakers crackled even at medium volume. But as pure music this disc is a definite add to the changer. -tired ant
Paavo Jarvi
Cincinnati Symphony OrchestraRachmaninoff, Symphony No. 2
Telarc
Rating: 4
Sonics: 4.5
Even non-fans know a Rachmaninoff melody; that's because this Russian composer of ber-romantic music wrote some of the best- remembered lines of sweeping string sounds. Of course, you'll find his gift for melody here in the second Symphony. Credit to conductor Paavo Jarvi for refocusing attention on Rachmaninoff's symphonic works. He drives the performance of this piece with enough precision, an abundance of passion and great confidence. In the end, the music has the grandness you expect from Rachmaninoff. -tired ant
Eric Kunzel
Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Russian Nights
Telarc
Rating: 4
Sonics: 4
Russians love vodka and arguing about the existence of God. I love Russian literature and the idea that people would willingly indulge in futile metaphysical discussions for intellectual fulfillment. Russians have too much soul and maybe that's what has made their art so great. Russian Nights is a great soundtrack to accompany the varied narratives produced by that complex and complicated land. Works from Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky, along with lesser-known Russian composers provide a wide range of different musical styles, as well as famous and not-so-famous musical pieces. -tired ant
Various Artists
Putumayo Kids Presents: Animal Playground
Putumayo World Music
Rating: 3.5
Sonics: 4
Give your kids a rest from all those videos. How about a little age appropriate music? For the long car trips this summer add the latest Playground disc to the kid's entertainment rotation. Animal Playground is a terrific mix of world music featuring upbeat children's songs, catchy folk music and fun call-and-response tunes. You'll find music from Trinidad, France, the Netherlands, Brazil, South Africa and more, The animal-themed material is engaging in its lyrical content and will inspire the little ones to sing along. Mine did. There's even a track by Grammy-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo. -tired ant