Kindred the Family Soul
In This Life Together (Hidden Beach/Sony BMG)
Kindred’s debut Surrender to Love was hands down the best soul album of ’03. Their sophomore effort picks up where Surrender left off, charting a musical course through the everyday struggles of maintaining a healthy relationship. In fact, the duo was so inspired by the 50-year working/personal relationship of actors Ruby Dee and the late Ossie Davis (name-checked in “The Quote”) that they titled this album after the legendary couple’s autobiography. Once again, the husband-and-wife team and their 13-piece band steer contemporary and classic soul vibes through love’s middle ground (“Thru Love”), while taking time explore societal ills (“Message to Marvin”) and contemplate their unwavering faith (“As of Yet”). Stellar. 8.5/10 (Gerard Dee) With John Legend and Ne-yo at Metropolis, Sat., Nov. 26, 8 p.m., $38.35
Jérôme Minière
Au Grand Théâtre (La Tribu/Select)
Caught live at Quebec City’s Grand Théâtre, Montreal’s Minière and his more-than-capable band—including Patrick Watson and Creature’s Kim Ho, melodic alchemists both—tackle a set list drawn largely from the surreal, meta-corporate exercise Chez Herri Kopter. The CD is less than half the package, though, as the DVD offers a tastefully executed, 23-song concert video, as well as assorted Kopter-connected shorts and other goodies. For an imaginary company, this is a pretty solid product! 8.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg) CD launch at la Tulipe tonight, Thurs., Nov. 24, 8:30 p.m., $17.25
The Duke Spirit
Cuts Across the Land (Polydor UK/Universal)
A pop band’s load of dirty distortion and psychedelia-streaked sludge always feels lighter when there are pop melodies and pretty girls involved, and this London, England, quintet has both. But beyond the catchy choruses and Nico coif, singer Liela Moss lays down her biting lyrics with the authority of Grace Slick while the band lobs on as much soulful grit and gristle as it can muster. They recently told The Independent that they’re inspired by the Jesus and Mary Chain, Spiritualized, the Rolling Stones, Primal Scream and Bo Diddley, and, to their credit, it shows. 8.5/10 (Lorraine Carpenter)
Thee More Shallows
More Deep Cuts (Turn)
With horns, strings, saw, samples and toy piano at the forefront of an otherwise rock ’n’ roll sound, this San Francisco quartet have moulded a moving and immediate sophomore LP. Post-rock, orchestral pop and down-home Americana are evoked in their craftily arranged and textured songs, which range from slight and morose to sonically and emotionally eruptive. Singer-songwriter Dee Kesler and guitarist/back-up singer Odessa Chen keep their vocals steady and slightly hushed, however, providing a calm, commanding eye of the recurring storm. 8/10 (Lorraine Carpenter)
Hashimoto
Until We Turn Square (Full of Beans)
Oh my God, could it be true? Has Montreal singer/songwriter Gordon Hashimoto finally gotten laid? Gone is his pining for the femme fatale, replaced by songs about items in his rehearsal space. He even tosses in a hearty “fuck off” (“Doing the Suzie”). Though he’s turned into quite the pottymouth/ladies’ man, he has thankfully retained his wonderful innocence. Although his voice isn’t as shaky as it once was, Hashimoto still manages to let the words just fall out of his mouth with his matter-of-fact delivery. It’s all lovingly put to bed by producer extraordinaire Howard Bilerman too, doncha know! 7/10 (Johnson Cummins) CD launch at la Sala Rossa, Sun., Nov. 27, 9 p.m., $5
Western Addiction
Cognicide (Fat Wreck)
I hate Fat Wreck as much as any aging punker, but I’ll be damned if this band doesn’t deliver the goods with vitriol on this one. Ya got yer typical mid-tempo punk, but instead of the incredibly tired scream/sing staple, they choose to just, uh, scream. And how can you go wrong with a song called “The Church of Black Flag,” with lyrics like, “In the church where Black Flag resides/There’s no profit, no success, just pride.” Tell it to the congregation! Cool shout-outs aside, these guys are crushing and as immediate as a nail gun. 7.5/10 (Johnson Cummins)
Dr. Draw
Train 64 (Maplenationwide)
Vanessa Mae did a lot to make the classically-trained young violinist a hot pop property—miniskirts and a snarky sense of humour helped—but she’s never been spotted breakdancing. Canada’s 23-year-old Eugene Draw has, part and parcel of his over-the-top spectacular approach, but look (or rather listen) past that and you’ve got a guy who’s not only an intensely energetic virtuoso player but also a bold and utterly irreverent barrier-buster. Shades of techno, funk, blues, Russian folk music and even heavy metal (“Full Moon Lounge”), never to mention a gorgeous electric harp cameo by Marie-Michele Beausoleil, add up to a vivid, vivacious and unpredictable listen. 7.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg) CD launch at Café Campus tonight, Thurs., Nov. 24, 8 p.m., $15
Various
Café Méliès Vol. 4 (Jajou/Select)
It’s one thing to program a mix CD associated with a hot disco, banging club night or exciting music fest. It’s another to do so for a hotel, restaurant or, as is the case here, the java joint in an arthouse cinema complex (Ex-Centris, in fact). The challenge of such a mellow boutique mix is to find tunes that are neither negligible muzak nor overbearingly in your face, tunes that create that atmospheric golden mean. Cheers then to Stéphane Cocke for pulling it off yet again. Round four covers a lot of ground, from Brazilian heat to elegant beats and beyond, with a definite Montreal leaning. Highlights include nice mixes of numbers by Stefie Shock and Ramachandra Borcar, and a sweet one from Lo & the Magnetics. 7.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)
Ghislain Poirier
Breakupdown (Chocolate Industries)
After much ado (and scheduling delays), local DJ/producer Ghislain Poirier drops his much anticipated latest. Not surprisingly, Breakupdown continues on the leftfield hip hop tip with more collabs (Beans, Lotek Hi-Fi and Quebec’s Omnikrom and Séba), gut-warbling, bare-bones electro synths (as on “Don’t Smile It’s Post Modern”), lush ambient beatscapes (“Refuse to Lose”) and under-a-minute rhythmic sketches (“Body Jokes”). While some of the vocal performances are stronger than others, Poirier manages to hold it all down with his darkly playful signature style. 8/10 (Raf Katigbak) CD launch at Zoobizarre, Sat., Nov. 26, 10 p.m., $5
Benny Benassi
Cooking for Pump Kin (Pump Kin/SPG)
The new dance-music label for the Italian powerhouse producer (remember “Satisfaction?”) may also be the punchline to the old gag about what rednecks do on Halloween, but Pump Kin is no joke. Admitting that dance music is going through tough times is one thing, actually doing something about it is another, and with this hour-long mix, Benassi seems unwilling to give up the ghost. Throbbing electro, techno and electro-disco is the order of the day as double-B serves up a killer Tiga remix of Zdar’s “Don’t You Want” and some choice cuts by les Visiteurs, Tomas Andersson, Mario Piu and his own latest single, “Who’s Your Daddy.” Excellent! 8/10 (Raf Katigbak)
L’AssemblÉe
Les Gars du Peuple (IRO/Select)
Armed with an acoustic guitar, MC/producer Ironik teams up with the upbeat and articulate Narkoi to bring l’Assemblée to the people. While Ironik puts in a lot of work providing the musical backdrops for songs like “Plus vrai qu’matur” and “J’étouffe,” it’s Metropolis Music’s DJ Manifest who takes the credit for the French duo’s big tunes, “Quand l’soleil tombe,” “Danger” and “Turn Your Head Around.” Guests include Sans Pression, Dessy DiLauro, Mike Ward, Papaz and many more. 8/10 (Scott C)
Bless
The Book of Bless (Platinumberg/EMI)
On the mic since he was 15, a now-21-year-old Bless presents the culmination of years of hustle and flow with this debut. Once a rhyme prodigy, Bless seems to have settled into his mic persona, occasionally throwing us some of the original swagger that got us up in the first place. This record flows nicely, thanks in part to a few nuggets from producers Ray Ray and Parafino, and songs like “Somethin’ Missing,” and “Jealousy” with Rah Digga. This is an impressive bit of networking, with guest spots from J.R. Writer, Planet Asia, Tony Touch and Cappadonna, but still a little light on standout joints. 7.5/10 (Scott C)
LMS
London2Paris (VP/Universal)
The heritage of Morgan continues. Here, it’s with the youngest of the clan—Lazza, Myriam, and the unfortunately named Shypoo. This is the fourth album from LMS and it seems that the tunes fit the title. Instead of the fairly straight-up roots sound I expect from the talented Morgan clan, this contains a lot of hip hop- and R&B-influenced stuff—check “Not a Player” and “Wit a ‘G’.” It’s too much like the stuff I didn’t like so much on this year’s Morgan Heritage outing. Yeah, they’re from Brooklyn, but if they’re willing to travel from London to Paris, you’d think they’d be able to make a trip to Kingston, Jamaica. Bring back the one drop, guys! 7/10 (Erin Macleod)
Enrico Rava
Tati (ECM/Universal)
Romano-Sclavis-Texier- Le Querrec
African Flashback (Label Bleu/Fusion III)
Two top-notch trio releases (le Querrec is a Magnum photographer) with an Italian connection. Trumpeter Rava is joined by Stefano Bollani, a wonderful pianist, and master drummer Paul Motian on “The Man I Love” and 11 originals by trio members. Drummer Aldo Romano, bassist Henri Texier and Louis Sclavis on reeds are heard on a baker’s dozen, originals all, as are the musicians on these two CDs. Both merit close listening, an act that will bring many musical rewards. Both 9.5/10 (Len Dobbin)
Mini CD Reviews
Gerald Wilson Orchestra New York New Sound (Mack Avenue/Fusion III) Leader Wilson was 85 when he travelled east to record this. Great arrangements and solos from his son Anthony, Jimmy Heath, Renee Rosnes, Kenny Barron etc. 9 (LD)
Chaka Demus and Pliers Reggae Gold (Jet Star) “Murder She Wrote” is still far and away one of the best dancehall tunes ever, and it’s the best track on this otherwise just-okay greatest hits collection. 8 (EM)
Martha Wainwright I Will Internalize (MapleMusic/Universal) More torrid than tortured, these five fine tracks include a duet with Rufus and a cover of French chanteuse Barbara. 8 (LC)
Various Ruff Ryders Vol. 4: The Redemption (Ruff Ryders/Artemis) Apart from Jin, Jadakiss and Nore, I’m torn between Kartoon, Flashy and Pirate. 7 (SC)
City and Colour Sometimes (Dine Alone/EMI) Fans of Bright Eyes and people who take long walks in the rain, take note. 5 (JC)
Santana All That I Am (Arista/Sony BMG) All that the erstwhile overlord of Latino rock is at this point is an empty, co-dependent self-parody. 4 (RB)
Hanson The Best of, Live and Electric (3CG/True North) The mind reels and the stomach churns along to this blue-eyed Okie funk-rock, now with a Michael Bolton-ish crooner amid the crew. 3 (LC)
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