Kasey Chambers - The Captain
Kasey Chambers is Americana music at its best. That's pretty ironic, considering Chambers is from Australia. Her twangy melodies, distinctive voice and well written lyrics stand out from the pack. She's not quite country, not quite folk, and not quite pop. Instead, The Captain is a wonderful combination of all those forms of music, plus a couple more. Kasey Chambers is a bright new star on the music scene, and her debut release is one of the best of the year.
Web Link: http://www.kaseychambers.com/
Collective Soul - Blender
When you think of duets, Elton John and Collective Soul don't spring immediately to mind. But that’s exactly what you’ll find on Blender. Elton John and Ed Roland sing “Perfect Day”, which sounds very retro, but still hip. Collective Soul has also incorporated a little electronica into their latest release. You’ll still hear plenty of the band’s straight ahead rock and roll and trademark hooks. Blender is an appropriate title, because Collective Soul blends old and new into a very listenable musical concoction.
Web Link: http://www.csoul.com/
Green Day – Warning
Green Day has grown up. The band is moving away from their punk rock roots and more toward the mainstream. The group’s lyrics are deeper and more substantive, and their musicianship continues to improve. It’s nice to see a band evolve and change and grow for the better, which is what Green Day has done. Make no mistake, Warning still rocks, and there is enough punk rock to satisfy hard core fans. But there are also more songs like “Time of Your Life” from their last CD, which are more mellow and melodic. It will be interesting to hear what the next step in the evolution of Green Day will be.
Web Link: http://www.greenday.com/
Guru’s Jazzmatazz – Streetsoul
This is the third installment in Gang Starr member Guru’s quest to fuse jazz and hip-hop. It is also the best of the Jazzmatazz series so far. It’s been five years since the last Jazzmatazz CD, and Guru has spent that time well. He has rounded up some big name guests on Streetsoul, like Macy Gray, Erykah Badu, Kelis, Isaac Hayes, Les Nubians, The Roots, Angie Stone and Herbie Hancock. Streetsoul is a wonderful fusion of old school and new school, of hip-hop, rap, jazz, soul and reggae.
