"In a Mellotone" and "I'm Beginning to See the Light" was initially withheld from release by producer Dick Bock. Reissue producer Michael Cuscuna wanted to release it, but never found a tape in the Pacific Jazz vaults. Then a fan named John Cobley discovered a test pressing of the session in a record store in England in 1995, and eventually passed it on to Cuscuna. This reissue was digitally transferred from that LP. That amazing story aside, the true value of this album is in its musical and historical relevance. It showcases a 30-year-old fast-maturing Eric Dolphy, two years away from gaining major recognition first with Charles Mingus, then with John Coltrane. Here, particularly on "In a Sentimental Mood," alto sax...  (less)

scene. They released their first EP, "Choose A Side" in March of 2005. They played out whenever and wherever possible in an effort to spread the music and the message, and to build a loyal fanbase. In 2006, after a few lineup changes and a deal with Blackout!/ Creep records, Barricade continues to play relentlessly with no signs of slowing down. Their forthcoming label debut, "Be Heard", is set to be available in stores everywhere this October. Barricade's sound is rooted firmly in punk and traditional hardcore, and draws from influences both old and new. Anyone who considers himself a fan of bands like Agnostic Front, Madball and Terror should definitely check into this band.  (less)

the house when we were children and they became my strongest influences". By the age of ten, she had started writing her own songs. Now comes Beulah with 'Mabel And I', a thrillingly magical new voice with a record to restore your faith in the traditional songwriting values of memorable melodies and intelligent lyrics; it is a record of stories drawn from her 24 year-old life, sung from the heart without artifice or contrivance. Universal. 2005.  (less)

Bud Powell. Old virtues and values filtered through a modern sensibility? It doesn't matter how you put it. What matters is the music and these eight tracks played with passion by Eales and his trio of bassist Chris Laurence and drummer Martin France have a lot to tell you.  (less)

silky smooth voice and vibrant eloquence that captures the heart of "vintage soul" without being old fashion. This blend can be clearly heard, on his debut album, " The Quality of Love ." " I have attempted to express the multiplicity of life's conditions through meaningful, heartfelt sentiments accompanied by the rhythmic pulse of R&B ," says Kenyatta. " I can vividly remember growing up with the spiritual messages and soulful textures that encompassed the sound of old school. My goal is to preserve the values of life through love taught by my classic R&B/Soul forefathers ." With the release of " The Quality of Love ," Kenyatta's first solo album for his label A-Flat Records , the accredited writer/prod...  (less)

recitation. After hitting his stride with Nashville-based Starday Records in 1965 with "Giddyup Go," he joined Dave Dudley and Dick Curless at the top of the then-vibrant trucker-music market. He applied his storytelling skills to the trucker tunes "Phantom 309" and the sentimental, million-selling 1976 CB-themed recitation "Teddy Bear." But Sovine also had a powerful baritone he applied to a variety of other songs, among them Eric Clapton's "Lay Down Sally" and Dudley's "Truck Drivin' Son of a Gun." The value of his cover of Walter Brennan's insipid hit recitation "Old Rivers" may be debatable. This collection also omits a few lesser-known Sovine trucker gems like "Freight Liner Fever" and "Hitch Hiking Girl." It nonetheless stands as a respectable over...  (less)

recitation. After hitting his stride with Nashville-based Starday Records in 1965 with "Giddyup Go," he joined Dave Dudley and Dick Curless at the top of the then-vibrant trucker-music market. He applied his storytelling skills to the trucker tunes "Phantom 309" and the sentimental, million-selling 1976 CB-themed recitation "Teddy Bear." But Sovine also had a powerful baritone he applied to a variety of other songs, among them Eric Clapton's "Lay Down Sally" and Dudley's "Truck Drivin' Son of a Gun." The value of his cover of Walter Brennan's insipid hit recitation "Old Rivers" may be debatable. This collection also omits a few lesser-known Sovine trucker gems like "Freight Liner Fever" and "Hitch Hiking Girl." It nonetheless stands as a respectable over...  (less)

recitation. After hitting his stride with Nashville-based Starday Records in 1965 with "Giddyup Go," he joined Dave Dudley and Dick Curless at the top of the then-vibrant trucker-music market. He applied his storytelling skills to the trucker tunes "Phantom 309" and the sentimental, million-selling 1976 CB-themed recitation "Teddy Bear." But Sovine also had a powerful baritone he applied to a variety of other songs, among them Eric Clapton's "Lay Down Sally" and Dudley's "Truck Drivin' Son of a Gun." The value of his cover of Walter Brennan's insipid hit recitation "Old Rivers" may be debatable. This collection also omits a few lesser-known Sovine trucker gems like "Freight Liner Fever" and "Hitch Hiking Girl." It nonetheless stands as a respectable over...  (less)

recitation. After hitting his stride with Nashville-based Starday Records in 1965 with "Giddyup Go," he joined Dave Dudley and Dick Curless at the top of the then-vibrant trucker-music market. He applied his storytelling skills to the trucker tunes "Phantom 309" and the sentimental, million-selling 1976 CB-themed recitation "Teddy Bear." But Sovine also had a powerful baritone he applied to a variety of other songs, among them Eric Clapton's "Lay Down Sally" and Dudley's "Truck Drivin' Son of a Gun." The value of his cover of Walter Brennan's insipid hit recitation "Old Rivers" may be debatable. This collection also omits a few lesser-known Sovine trucker gems like "Freight Liner Fever" and "Hitch Hiking Girl." It nonetheless stands as a respectable over...  (less)

Clavinet, Farfisa organ, Moog synthesizer, background vocals); Patrick Warren (Chamberlain, synthesizer, vibraphone); David Wilder (bass, background vocals); Dion Derek Murdock (bass); Matt Chamberlain (drums, percussion); Lenny Castro (percussion); Kiilu Beckwith (programming); DJ Kiilu (turntable); Dawn Beckman, Musiic Galloway, Sye Smith (background vocals). Recorded at Paramount Studios, Sunset Sound and A&M Studios, Hollywood California. ""Do Something"" was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. ""I Try"" won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The song was nominated for Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year. Australian edition features the bonus track ""Rather Hazy"". It was no mean feat for an R&B singer debuting in 1999 to embody the aesthetics of vintage soul without resorting to retro '70s stylings. On her first album, Macy Gray manages to bring old-school values to a very contemporary sound. One is immediately struck by Gray's unique, sandpapery voice-something of a cross between Erykah Badu and Eartha Kitt. A powerhouse rhythm section ensures that the all-important groove remains the focal point of the arrangements, while production techniques borrowed from '90s DJ culture pop up throughout. Lyrically, Gray moves from the lustiness of the unambiguously titled ""Sex-O-Matic Venus Freak"" to the film noir scenario of ""I've Committed Murder,"" all the while singing with enough verve and soul to ensure that her unique voice insinuates itself into the listener's heart.Rolling Stone (8/19/99, p.112) - 3 stars out of 5 - ""...shadowy, classic and shimmering with contemporary nostalgia....Gray glides through the aural cinema like a destined star..."" Entertainment Weekly (8/6/99, p.64) - ""...bounding from gritty urban funk to polished R&B and tumescent Princely come-ons...[MACY] shows how to use her versatile voice to project the albums ever-changing moods..."" - Rating: B Q (5/00, p.135) - Included in Q Magazine's ""Best Soul Albums Of All Time"" Q (1/00, p.85) - Included in Q Magazine's ""50 Best Albums of 1999."" Q (8/99, p.105) - 4 stars (out of 5) - ""...her influences [are] Sly Stone, Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye....[MACY GRAY] bears the marks of all three, but with a decidedly modern feel....all 10 tracks are viable, both musically and lyrically..."" Muzik (1/00, p.69) - Ranked #11 in Muzik's ""Albums Of The Year '99"" Muzik (8/99, p.82) - 4 stars (out of 5) - ""...accessible modern ...soul ....free-spirited productions with warmth and timeless appeal in abundance."" Mojo (Publisher) (1/00, p.30) - Ranked #4 in Mojo Magazine's ""Best of 1999"""  (less)

Photographer: Dean Dixon. Coming from a guy who released an album called MORNING WOOD, a song called ""Rhymes with Truck"", and has appeared naked as a jaybird on an album cover, one might think MAKE IT CHRISTMAS is a ""put the kids to bed affair"" with all the breast jokes and beer drinking that usually come with Rodney Carrington. It's anything but as having teenage kids has sent Carrington's moral compass in a completely different direction, one that points to tradition, family values, good will towards man, and comfy sweaters, especially come Christmastime. MAKE IT CHRISTMAS is the country comedian/television star turning Johnny Mathis with his surprisingly good and extremely comfortable voice delivering a mixed-bag of Christmas standards, new holiday music--including Carrington's own ""The Presents Under the Tree (Better Be For Me)""--plus a handful of well-chosen, lesser known numbers such as David Foster's ""Grown Up Christmas List."" While few will be knocked-out by his vocal stylings, what matters here most is his likability and warmth. There is plenty of both, front and center with support from either a lush orchestra or polished studio band lead by producer/arranger Steve Dorff. The bittersweet and poignant ""Camouflage and Christmas Lights"" is that rare holiday song that speaks directly to military families while the title track asks the age old question of why peace on earth isn't a year-round concern. Peace is the subtle theme of the album, and as Rodney successfully expresses its need and importance throughout."  (less)