and Quenatta Simpson, re-work some of the the band's finest repertoire, creating that distinctive House sound but still unmistakeably classic Fatback. A milestone in the history of soul and funk, (the) Fatback (Band) has almost its entire recorded output available on Southbound Records, including the mighty Hustle! The Ultimate Fatback .  (less)

and other tracks were downright splendid when they first appeared on the scene. Some even credit "Pump Up the Volume" with being a breakthrough for the electronic music scene of the late '80s and early '90s. Still, bringing musical innovation to light is not what the makers of this recording had in mind. It's all about the trashy glitz, fleeting glories, and mindless greed of late-20-century American sports. Revel in its dubious charms, and risk having your brains turn to mush while a permanent grin takes over your face. --Matthew Cooke  (less)

Might have Happened for Haza Had Fate Not Intervened. Haza Chose to Update her First Big International Hit Here, the Jewish Traditional "im Nin Alu", which was Sampled Orginally on Marrs "Pump Up the Volume", Bringing her to the Attention of a Vast Audience Far Beyond her Wildest Dreams.  (less)

Will Survive", expect it to be tongue-in-cheek and rancorously funny.  (less)

ever-growing audience. A true original, his new releases prove he's still at the top of his game." -- New York Yoga Magazine "In his earlier career as an acid jazz/rock musician, Halpern jammed with Larry Coryell, Frank Zappa, Al DiMeola, and Rick Derringer. You can hear a taste of that hot-blooded heritage coming through on Drum Spirit." -- New Frontier "Steven Halpern is one of the top twenty keyboard artists of the last twenty years who has changed the way we play--and market--music." -- Keyboard Magazine Drum Spirit creates an irresistible vortex of sound built upon the heartbeat medicine drumbeat. Native flute, keyboards, bass, and drums create a trance-dance tapestryguaranteed to get folks moving and grooving. Guests include AmoChip Dabney, ...  (less)

Four Seasons is surely as overexposed as classical music can be, yet the UK-based Raglan Baroque Players and the gifted violinist Monica Huggett make enchanting and even exciting music out of it. Their playing is clean, energetic, and rhythmically supple--granted, they don't go to the astonishing extremes of tempo you sometimes hear from Rinaldo Alessandrini and Concerto Italiano, but they're a long way from "sewing-machine Baroque." Dynamics are another matter: Huggett, in particular, plays daringly softly at times--and her courage pays off, drawing a listener close as if to hear her whisper secrets. (It was brave also of Virgin's recording engineers not to pump up the volume electronically.) Along with The Four S...  (less)

and Quenatta Simpson, re-work some of the the band's finest repertoire, creating that distinctive House sound but still unmistakeably classic Fatback. A milestone in the history of soul and funk, (the) Fatback (Band) has almost its entire recorded output available on Southbound Records, including the mighty Hustle! The Ultimate Fatback .  (less)

the ‘70s. For people who remember Tricky Dick and long lines at the gas pumps, the term conjures memories of sensitive guys on stools with acoustic guitars. Fast forward to 2003 and the unlikely scenario of punk and indie rockers turning the volume down and looking inward is no longer taboo. Summer Blanket’s songs are adorned by sharp lyricism, melody and indie rock aesthetics with a deep appreciation for rock’s classics. Lou Barlow’s somber primitivism and Wilco’s postmodern roots rock are revered just as much as the giant shadow cast by Lennon and McCartney. The arrangements are beautifully ornate decedents of chamber pop, while still retaining the simple pleasures that come with those classic songwriters of yest...  (less)