Ricky Martin is known for his romantic ballads and uptempo, tropical dance fare, and during the recent taping of his first “MTV Unplugged” set in Miami, he offered both.
After the taping, an excited Martin announced he would go on tour in February, beginning in Puerto Rico, but had no further details.
What stood out during the […]
You may have seen the recent photos of Bob Dylan looking uncannily like Charlie Chaplin, and his 44th album shares a title with Chaplin’s 1936 classic about automation, big business and the overreaching intrusion of the state into private lives. Sort of like today. Dylan sings like he has been traveling by boxcar since […]
The soundtrack to Toby Keith’s film debut is a diverse collection with plenty of surprises. The title cut (with Lindsey Haun) is a bit of a sappy affair, but it’s more than redeemed by Fred Eaglesmith’s smoldering “Thinkin’ ‘Bout You,” Matraca Berg’s soaring “Along for the Ride” and Sonya Isaac’s goose-bump turn on “The Battlefield.” […]
Duets come naturally to Moore, half of the ’60s’ greatest soul duo Sam & Dave. But it’s still surprising how much better this album is than the standard celebrity stampede. Maybe it’s because no one can steal the spotlight from Moore: not Bruce Springsteen on “Better to Have and Not Need,” not Jon Bon […]
Guitarist Bill Frisell is a master of reflective, quiet but subtly quirky lines that flow from the lyrical to the angular. He can also sling arrows into the mix, but here in the company of two of jazz’s greatest rhythm players, Frisell steers away from sudden blasts and settles into the fluidity of cliche-free […]
Mana has always had a distinctive sound, anchored by lead singer Fher Olvera’s raspy vocals, rich guitars and an infusion of rock/tropical/reggae beats amid highly melodic songs. “Amar Es Combatir,” Mana’s first studio album in four years, doesn’t deviate from this formula, and that’s the good and the bad of it. “Labios Compartidos” is […]
When Yorn burst on the scene with “Musicforthemorningafter,” his husky growl and catchy hooks embodied the missing link between Eddie Vedder and Bruce Springsteen. Five years later, he still sounds like he just rolled out of bed and is looking for some Advil while trying to find his voice. “Nightcrawler” begins with a dark, […]
Breathtakingly simple and heartfelt, “The Bridge” is Elton John’s most affecting single in years. The first release from upcoming “The Captain and the Kid” (a concept album that bookends 1975’s “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy”) is just John and piano with a touch of haunting vocal echo and a well-placed background layer. The […]
Like many of India.Arie’s mind-stimulating songs, “Heart of the Matter” — from third album “Testimony: Life & Relationship” — is all about taking the high road. Her remake of Don Henley’s 1991 top 25 hit intricately explores the benefits of forgiveness while embracing the uncertainty that accompanies it and the serenity that results. Arie perfectly […]
R&B freshman Cassie follows her pandemic club-groove debut, “Me & U,” with the cutesy midtempo “Long Way 2 Go,” a nonsinger’s effort with a juvenile lyric that warns prospective pursuers to work it with the right attitude. Perhaps in an attempt to tap into current pop trends, she mimics the playful rhyming style of Gwen […]
With happy-go-lucky piano tinklings, courtesy of Elton John, that recall Andrea True Connection’s “More, More, More” and the 4 Seasons’ “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night), “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin”‘ is wickedly retro. But like the Killers and other acts that mine sounds and rhythms that came before them, Scissor Sisters keep their feet […]
New Jive male quartet Deep Side (which released an indie CD in 2002) may be reminiscent of the days when boy bands ruled the charts with potent vocal meshing, but these Floridians are no kids. Witness panting first single “Let’s Make Love,” which offers to “release your tension” “til the sweat starts pouring,” along with […]
Single “Concrete Jungle” pre-empts Black Label Society’s new record, “Shot to Hell,” arriving September 12 on Roadrunner. Bandleader Zakk Wylde conjures images of a smoke-filled concert stage as he revs the track with a squalling diesel whine and murky undertones. He steps out of the smog with the typically gritty BLS sound of metal-braised guitar, […]
Hip-hopper Akil Dasan doesn’t need an outrageous grill to show his musical worth. When he unleashes one of his tongue-twisting raps, you hear the gold in his mouth. And forget about rudimentary, overproduced loops and samples. The Philadelphia native eschews them for lounge-smooth soul that’s rife with funky beats and — praise God — melody. […]
