Various
Dave Chappelle’s Block Party (Geffen/Universal)
I always like it when songs that have been painstakingly recorded in the studio are flipped upside-down during the spontaneity of a live performance. As you can probably guess, this is exactly what makes the music in Dave Chappelle’s Block Party so engaging. Backed by a tight live band with the Roots’ ?uestlove at the helm, hip hop and neo-soul anthems are performed by names like Dead Prez, Blackstar, Common, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu for the throngs packed into a Bed-Stuy street corner. For the most part, the artists stay true to their original tracks, but are clearly relishing in the excitement and energy of such an amazing musical happening. Linked together by the artist’s phone calls to each other prior to the show, everything here is live and direct—save Blackstar’s “Born and Raised,” an appropriate ode to Brooklyn. 10/10 (Scott C)
Pierre Lapointe
La forêt des mal-aimés (Audiogram/Select)
It’s more than just the added dose of bold rock punch that makes Lapointe’s sophomore release a step up from his notable debut, and a confirmation of his importance in contemporary Quebec pop. A charming and exquisitely articulate singer, Lapointe has a penchant for the archly romantic, harnessed here to a crepuscular, pseudo-antique fairy-tale thread. Credit goes to producer Jean Massicotte, who once again displays an artful knack for reconciling the current and the classic, and coming up with something greater than the sum of the two. This is apparent on tracks as wide-ranging as the delicate “Nous n’irons pas,” the distinctly McCartney-esque “Au 27-100 Rue des Partances” and the grand, propulsive “Deux par deux rassemblés.” 8.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)
Barzin
My Life in Rooms (Weewerk/Outside)
The new soft rock doesn’t come with bells and whistles, aside from the chime of the vibraphone, or painful sax solos, yet there’s no shortage of satiny horns. Despite this sophomore LP’s languid loveliness, which extends from the brushed drums to the muted, minimal orchestration to Barzin Hosseini’s intimate vocals, his dour lyrics (“I just want drugs,” “There is no God” etc) won’t leave you unscathed. Balanced with the levity of softness and beauty, however, his music never truly depresses or alienates. Also to his credit, a Dears cover is woven into the record with nary a seam to be seen. 8/10 (Lorraine Carpenter) With the Acorn, David Macleod at Casa del Popolo, Sat., March 25
Hard-Fi
Stars of CCTV (Necessary/Warner)
One would think that a strong British cocktail of rock raunch, dub, disco and loud lumpen-prole discontent would add up to a 21st-century Clash, or at least some reasonable facsimile. But whether it’s this U.K. unit’s clumsy and obvious lyrics, dubious melodic sense or overbaked production, too much of their debut disc comes off like a monotone Stereo MCs—or, on “Hard to Beat,” a Daft Punk manqué. To be fair, a trio of back-to-back tunes come out ahead—the insightful Iraq-war gripe “Middle Eastern Holiday,” the capable chant-along “Tied Up Too Tight” and the muscular mod moment “Gotta Reason.” 6.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)
Mogwai
Mr. Beast (Matador/Select)
Three years after their last proper LP, the underwhelming Happy Songs for Happy People, the cheeky Scots return with a little something for everyone, or at least every fan. Eschewing post-rock’s clichés of dramatic progressions and epic proportions, their songs either seethe with harsh guitar noise, coast through almost ambient soundscapes or occupy the middle ground, pairing striking piano melodies and faraway guitar clatter, or (surprisingly) synthetic beats and pedal steel. The band excels in the latter category, the best of both Mogwai worlds, though the return of their heavy hands shows that you can’t keep a good beast down. 8/10 (Lorraine Carpenter)
Nebula
Apollo (Liquor and Poker)
Keeping their brand of stoner rock interesting over the course of many releases isn’t easy, but this time, Nebula do manage to bend the ear without sacrificing any sludge. Produced by Daniel Rey (Ramones, Nashville Pussy), Apollo concentrates on the catchy choruses that previously evaded the band, and singer Eddie Glass gets dangerously close to actually delivering a melody without sacrificing any attitude. Hawkwind oscillations, sitars and vintage synths all send these songs through the psychedelic stratosphere, but it’s the dumber-than-dirt riffs on songs like “The Alchemist” and “Controlled” that Nebula still hang their hat on. 8/10 (Johnson Cummins)
Sepultura
Dante XXI (Steamhammer/ Fusion III)
With three albums under his belt as Max Cavalera’s replacement, it’s time to stop calling singer Derrick Green new. With Green on board, Against, Nation and Roorback gave the rest of the band room for redefinition, and Dante XXI, inspired by the Florentine poet/philosopher’s Divine Comedy, continues on the path of fresh ideas, ruthless vocals and murderous riffs. Not as killer as their last effort Roorback, but just as heavy. Green’s vocal and lyrical range, and novel touches like strings, add new dimensions to their onslaught of sound. 7.5/10 (Lateef Martin)
Kill Cheerleader All Hail (Spinerazor)
Here’s another slab o’ plastic for the rocker clad in spiked belt, teased hair and skull-print bandanna. Obviously fans of Mötley Crüe and other poodle-haired party boys, at their best, Toronto’s Kill Cheerleader can come across like an early Hellacopters, but overall their poseur riffs couldn’t hold a candle to their Scandinavian brethren. Production is low-end heavy, with vocals buried under stacked guitars, and the songs leave too many holes open. Check out the blatant plagiarism on “Don’t Call Me Baby, Baby” (see: Turbonegro’s “Don’t Call Me Motherfucker, Motherfucker”) or the dime-a-dozen lyrics that seem to be plucked straight from Nikki Sixx’s wastebasket. Kill Cheerleader, you give rock a bad name. 6/10 (Johnson Cummins)
Simahlak
Son of Sakuraba (Bully)
Bully Records gives us a look into the heart, mind and basement productions of hometown hero Simahlak on this double seven-inch release, combining some big beats with the nightmarish recesses of the subconscious. Tracks like “What’s In Your Heart” seem ripe and ready for an MC, while other cuts like “Crimson Mask” and “Dead Game” couldn’t be further from the hip hop template. All in all, this may not be the Simahlak you think you know, but the haunting melancholy of this Montreal producer is not something that you will soon forget. 8/10 (Scott C)
Various
Big Apple Rappin’ (Soul Jazz/Fusion III)
Any further back than this and it’s not old school, it’s preschool. Two discs of prototypical hip hop from forgotten figures like Spoonin Gee, T/Ski Valley, the Masterdon Committee and the Fly Guys highlight how delightfully simple, upbeat and naive, by today’s standards, the early New York City rap music of ’79 to ’82 could be. General Echo’s “Rapping Dub Style” illustrates hip hop’s Jamaican link, while Mr. Q and, black-power fist-pumping aside, Brother D & Collective Effort betray its debt to disco. This being a Soul Jazz release, however, solid programming isn’t enough. The fat booklet that comes with is packed with oral history, rare snaps and classic party posters in a punk-rock cut-’n’-paste style. 8.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)
Rhythmicru
Super Toke Mixtape (After Midnight)
Toronto’s Rhythmicru have forged a solid alliance with Montreal’s own Island City Monsters, and make the most of it by teaming up on key releases like this. Super Toke is the epitome of what a mixtape should be, showcasing a barrage of MCs waxing poetic over a variety of beats produced by the handy D-Ray, who works overtime here making everybody sound good. With so many great songs on here, kept short and sweet, it’s only fair that I mention “Street Rebel Network” featuring Reason, Capital V, Castro and Street Rebel, as well as Vandal’s “The Connoisseurs.” MTL represents lovely too, with Eye2Eye’s Second Thought dropping a gem on “Through My Senses.” 7.5/10 (Scott C)
Mint Condition
Live from the 9:30 Club (Caged Bird)
Anyone still associating this Minneapolis-based band with their ’91 urban hit “(Breakin’ My Heat) Pretty Brown Eyes” will be surprised to hear the strong rock, funk and jazz influences permeating their current rich soul sound. Recorded at D.C.’s popular nightspot the 9:30 Club, Mint Condition effectively demonstrate that, five albums deep into their enduring career, they’ve evolved into an exciting live act that’s not afraid to push musical boundaries. From the searing guitar play on “The Tempest” to the straight-ahead funk of “Swole,” the band gives listeners a satisfying musical experience that varies from fan favourites (“Is This Pleasure or Pain,” “I’m Ready”) to experimental jazz (“Mintal”). Solid. 8/10 (Gerard Dee)
Laura Taylor
My Funny Valentine: Memories of Chet Baker (Staying Power)
Gerry Mulligan Quartet
Complete Studio Recordings (Lone Hill Jazz/Trend)
A new voice to me, Ms. Taylor, backed by a superb trio in Steve Kuhn, Eddie Gomez and Lewis Nash, salutes Chet on a baker’s dozen including “Let’s Get Lost‚” “But Not For Me‚” “My Funny Valentine” and her own memorable “Spellbound.” This is a combination that adds up to be one of the best vocal CDs in some time. Baker’s trumpet turns up on two 1957 tracks on the Mulligan compilation which, on the remaining dozen items (from 1962), features Mulligan’s baritone in the company of jazz giant Bob Brookmeyer on valve trombone—a winning collaboration. Both gentlemen are also heard on piano in the course of a program that includes “Open Country‚” “Jive at Five” and “I Believe In You.” Both 10/10 (Len Dobbin)
Mini CD Reviews
Laurindo Almeida Duets With Spanish Guitar (Angel/EMI) On a long-awaited reissue, the guitarist is joined by either mezzo-soprano Salli Terri or the flute of Martin Ruderman over 20 tracks ranging from Almeida himself through Ibert, Ravel and deFalla. 10 (LD)
The Bamboos Step It Up (Ubiquity/Koch) I defy one and all to remain motionless when this Australian outfit’s vintage funk is in earshot. Their take on “Tighten Up” alone is gold-medal material. 8.5 (RB)
Various I Am the Resurrection: A Tribute to John Fahey (Vanguard/Fusion III) Calexico, Lee Ranaldo, Howe Gelb… I am peeing myself as I write this. 8 (JC)
Pythagore Remixes Vol.1 (Unexpected) Some tight reworks of ODB, Necro, Royce da 5’9”, Big Pun and Divine Styler get the nod. 7 (SC)
The Field Register Tire & Caster (Ships at Night) Despite all its finger-pickin’ goodness, this sophomore LP leaves little aftertaste. 6.5 (LC) With Angela Desveaux at O Patro Vys on Fri., March 24, 9 p.m.
Placebo Meds (Virgin/EMI) Part awful, part mediocre, all pro—their formula still has its qualities, but Placebo’s latest bit of tortured teenage glam is strangely devoid of potency. 5 (LC)
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