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K-Reen Self-titled (Trema/Musicor) The title "high priestess of French hip hop and R&B" is enough to live up to, let alone all the comparisons to soul sister Lauryn Hill. But K-Reen isn't riding anybody's coattails. This young siren has a style all her own, which has attracted the talents of other French hip hop luminaries Oxmo Puccino and Fonky Family, to name a few. Unlike Lauryn, K-Reen sticks fairly closely to the traditional R&B template with the odd guest rhymer and such, but the flavour lies in the vocals. The girl can sing. Period. 8/10 (Scott C) K-Reen at Studio Main tonight, Thurs,. April 29
Case Personal Conversation (Universal)
Anointed Self-titled (Epic) Opening with the blistering "Revive Us," this trio make it clear that they're on a mission to push contemporary gospel to new heights. Though their spiritual message remains strong, so does their resolve to reach out to young people with an urban sound. Try the casually funky "Take It Easy," the enrapturing "Head Above Water," or the folksy and ridiculously infectious "Godspot." Superior lyricist Tony Rich and the proficient Keith Crouch are two of the producers who bring it all home. 8/10 (Gerard Dee)
Willie P. Bennett Heartstrings (B Natural Records) It's not like Canadian folk pillar Willie P. Bennett couldn't get Bruce Cockburn, David Wilcox, Amos Garrett, Stephen Fearing or Melanie Doane to jam with him on any of his albums. But since he can, Willie turns this spare charmer of a record into a drop-by party with a one-track limit per guest. Indeed, these are more parlour songs than folk numbers, touching on '20s swing to bluegrass and all with an easy breeze. 7.5/10 (Chris Yurkiw) With Alejandro Escovedo at Café Campus on Sun., May 2
Duke Ellington The Centennial Edition (RCA/BMG) Duke Ellington was born 100 years ago today (April 29) and this exquisite boxed set contains, on 24 CDs, all the known items recorded for RCA--over 450 cuts. They span from 1927 through 1973 and include the great band of the early '40s, the duets with Jimmy Blanton, a number of suites including "Far East" and all three Sacred Concerts. The reissue of the century and every inch is worth the rating of 100/10 (Len Dobbin) Ellington tribute tonight, Thurs., April 29 at the Spectrum
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Judging by this set, l-o-v-e dominates Case's personal conversations, some of which are worth listening to, some you kinda wanna tune out until the droning stops. Not surprisingly, his conversations with others, like R&B stylist Joe ("Faded Pictures") and rapper Cam'ron ("Scandalous"), are his most interesting. Among his soliloquies, "Tell Me"--which bites the Rufus track "Tell Me Something Good"--and "If" (even though it samples from the overused Jeff Lorber track "Rain Dance") are worth overhearing. 7/10 (Gerard Dee)