May 25, 2007

New discs arrive for easy summer listening

By Paul Freeman / Entertainment Writer

ANAT COHEN - "POETICA" and "NOIR"
Israeli-born, New York-based multi-reedist Anat Cohen recently released two CDs, Poetica" and "Noir," on her own Anzic label. Joined by a superb assemblage of musicians, Cohen displays her virtuosity in sumptuous, fluid clarinet passages and urgent tenor sax bursts. She evokes a rainbow of emotions, drawing from such musical sources as Brazil, New Orleans, Eastern Europe and the cabarets of France. Cohen performs at Yoshi's June 6 and 7, her first West Coast headlining shows.

TILL BRONNER - "OCEANA"
German jazz trumpeter Till Bronner establishes soothing moods with impeccable, unusually subtle playing. Included on Bronner's new album, "Oceana," is a cover of "This Guy's in Love with You," popularized by trumpet great Herb Alpert. Even the gentle vocal matches the Tijuana Brass leader's, albeit with a slight accent. Songstress Madeleine Peyroux guests on a plaintive "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry."

RICK JAMES - "DEEPER STILL"
When he met an early demise in 2004, Rick James was in the midst of recording a double disc set. Though the effort was cut short, these tracks generally show a mellower side of everyone's favorite Super Freak. The title track on "Deeper Still" is an R&B declaration of love. There's even a cover of David Crosby's "Guinnevere"! James glides into a funkier realm on "Stroke." If you find the notorious singer's private life tantalizing, pick up a copy of the new softbound edition of "Memoirs of a Super Freak." He wrote most of it while incarcerated in Folsom prison. It's a guilty pleasure. Not to mention a cautionary tale. Ah, the excesses of fame.

THE PIPETTES - "YOUR KISSES ARE WASTED ON ME"
U.K. pop sensations The Pipettes release their debut U.S. EP on June 5. The Pipettes recapture the magic of the girl group sounds that sprang forth from music producer Phil Spector, the Brill Building and Motown in the early '60s. They add an '80s sheen and modern edge. It's irresistible, candy-coated fun. Catch the Pipettes' exuberant live performance at San Francisco's Rickshaw Stop on June 12.

ROBBIE FULKS - "REVENGE!"
This double-disc release of "Revenge" is a good way to immerse yourself in alt-country performer Robbie Fulks' well-crafted tunes, clever wordplay and sarcastic banter. One disc features an electric set, the other acoustic. Included are songs from previous albums, new material and covers, including (believe it or not) Cher's "Believe."

ROBIN WILLIAMSON - "THE IRON STONE"
Singer, storyteller, poet and multi-instrumentalist Robin Williamson, known for his creativity with the Incredible String Band, proves again to be a spellbinder with "The Iron Stone." Over an unusual combination of traditional instruments, Wiliamson fashions haunting dreamscapes. Each time you listen, you'll discover more nuances.

CHUCK BROWN - "WE'RE ABOUT THE BUSINESS"
The Godfather of the Go-Go beat, Chuck Brown, returns with another funky, portable party. With insistent bass lines, strong hooks and commanding rhythms, you won't be able to sit still as Brown serves up such tracks as "Chuck Baby" and "Block Party" (which borrows from the Drifters' "On Broadway" intro). The smokin' version of Memphis Slim's "Every Day I Have the Blues" changes gears. "Feelin' Good" is jazzy and soulful.

PINK MARTINI - HEY EUGENE!
The Oregon 12-piece ensemble Pink Martini returns with their third album, "Hey Eugene!" The ensemble again draws from yesteryear and ignores genre boundaries to create fresh musical excitement. Expressive vocalist China Forbes leads outstanding musicians through a dozen winning numbers, ranging from songs sung in Arabic, Russian and Japanese, to an extraordinarily potent "Tea for Two." You'll be enthralled by the array of moods and rhythms. Pink Martini performs at Davies Symphony Hall on July 6 and 7.

JEFFERSON AIRPLANE - "SWEEPING UP THE SPOTLIGHT"
Recorded live in 1969, the as of yet unreleased concert recording by Jefferson Airplane, "Sweeping Up the Spotlight," broke Fillmore East's sound barrier. Grace Slick carved out a place among the most dynamic female rock vocalists. On the searingly subversive "Volunteers" album, the band soared to dizzying heights. Several of the songs can't be found on any previous release. This is part of a trio of CDs marking the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love. Also worthy of attention are "Listen My Friends! The Best of Moby Grape," a 20-song collection of another of San Francisco's best-loved groups, and "The Remains," which places the Boston cult band into a much-deserved spotlight.

LEONARD COHEN - "SONGS OF LEONARD COHEN"
Columbia/Legacy celebrates another 40th anniversary - the number of years Leonard Cohen has been releasing poetically woven gems through the label. They've rereleased his first three albums from 1967 to 1970: "Songs of Leonard Cohen," "Songs from a Room" and "Songs of Love and Hate." Each contains previously unissued material. Devotees will thrill to the discovery of two songs from "Room," which were produced by David Crosby. One is "Like a Bird," an early version of "Bird on a Wire."

NEW MORNING - "NEW MORNING: 25TH ANNIVERSARY 1981-2006" DVD
The 25th anniversary 2-DVD-Digipack for the New Morning jazz club offers a compelling overview of this New York institution. With Dolby Digital 5.1/DTS sound, you get performances by a dazzling array of jazz, blues and world music artists, including Ray Brown, Clark Terry, Billy Cobham and John Hammond. DVD hosts Alvin Queen and Manu DiBango (in French with subtitles), provide insightful commentary.

DINOSAUR JR. - "LIVE IN THE MIDDLE EAST" DVD
On May 29, Dinosaur Jr., which played a couple of nights at Slim's in San Francisco recently, releases "Live in the Middle East," a documentary of their 2005 reunion. It was filmed primarily at Boston's Middle East club, but includes additional tour footage. "Middle East" captures all the tour's excitement and weirdness. In addition to performances of 18 songs from their first three albums, the DVD offers interviews with band members, as well as Sonic Youth, Mike Watt and Matt Dillon.

BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS - "SPINNING WHEEL" DVD
Horn-based band Blood Sweat & Tears was launched in the '60s. "Spinning Wheel" is a 1980 U.K. performance by vocalist David Clayton-Thomas, who had formed a new version of the group. The band displays top-notch musicianship and Clayton-Thomas is at his bluesy best. The disc, which runs an hour, features such classics as "God Bless the Child" and "Hi De Ho," as well as a medley of other hits and a sampling from their '80 album "Nuclear Blues."

TIM BUCKLEY - "MY FLEETING HOUSE" DVD
This long overdue tribute to Tim Buckley includes full-song performances from British, American and Dutch television, from 1967 to 1974. Among them are his timeless "Song to the Siren" and "The Dolphin." Enlightening interviews with Buckley, collaborators and his biographer add layers. Buckley, who explored folk, jazz, rock and R&B textures, captivated listeners with his heavenly vocals. Like his son Jeff, also a sensitive, poetic singer-songwriter, Buckley died tragically early. This excellent DVD rekindles his magic.