DJ Play, The Premiere CD Review Column

By Daniel E. Klatt

These days, people appreciate more varieties of music, rather than staying exlusively into one style. This column features a unique combination.

Even in the classification of rock music there are many different sounds, as evidenced by the second album I review: a diverse mixture of instrumentals and vocal tracks. Then another album is hard to classify but I call it a mixture of electronic and funk music. A fourth is interesting jazz.

If that's true what they say about variety, then this music is awfully spicey. I hope some of that taste will carry over into your life. That's all I have to write, hang tight.

AMBIANT

Jeff Johnson & Brian Dunning, Songs from Albion II, (R.E.X. Music)

Based on Silver Hand, Book Two of the Song of Albion, by Stephen Lawhead, the colorful instrumentals on this disc fill the listener's mind with vivid images, as though he or she were watching a dramatic movie, set in a time gone by.

Except this music is so full of rich detail, one doesn't need any video to create an interesting fantasy. Instead, listeners can simply close their eyes and watch the images flow from the music to their mind's eye.

Flutes dominate the selections, with keyboards and percussions adding background information to complete the scenery.

The music is more vivid than almost any song can be during all but "Sea Caves," part of the program designed to promote self-reflection. That track, however, and to some extent "Time Between Times," borders on dull. Maybe these songs are simply good and seem boring in comparison to the other great songs on this release.

"Swift Sure Hand" features great lead vocals and lyrics from Johnson. The contrast of singing works to make it stand out among the instrumentals.

One doesn't need an appreciation for new age or ambiant music to like this fine work, only a love for life.

OOO1/2

ROCK

Firefall, Messenger, (Redstone Records)

Music lovers remember this band for songs such as "You Are the Woman" but many songs on their comeback disc surpass their biggest songs from the early 1980s.

"Love Find a Way" and "Say It's Over" would make good singles. "No Means No" is an important

message song that may prevent a sexual assault.

Hopefully FM radio hasn't forgotten about Firefall, because listeners and the band deserve this great second chance for commercial success.

OOO1/2

CHILDREN'S MUSIC

Rick Charette, A Little Peace & Quiet, (Pine Point Record Co.)

Charette's voice is unique but sounds slightly similar to Al Stewart's. His music, though, sounds more like a children's television show.

"I'm Not Afraid of the Dark" tells the story of looking at shadows on the walls at night and knowing "they won't bother me."

The best song is "Sharing a Hug and a Squeeze," with one great lyric, "I like to hug my dog and my cat, I try not to squeeze too tight, but if I tried to hug my wiggly goldfish, it would quickly swim out of sight."

The music should entertain children, and their parents.

With each song, Charette also lists suggests books to read. Children sing on a few tracks, otherwise it's mainly just him and piano accompaniment.

OOO1/2

ADULT CONTEMPORARY

Ron Banks & L.J. Reynolds, 2 of a Kind (Bellmark Records)

Reynolds sounds like the type of singer with the rich and full voice to be a repeat winner at "It's Showtime at the Apollo."

His voice sounds good. Banks' tenor voice complements the barritones of Reynolds.

Especially listen to "For Realities Sake," an excellent ballad.

One of the two versions of "Maddy" is a gospel rendition. The duo also performs a decent version of "Lady in Red," made famous by Chris DeBurgh.

OOO

GOSPEL

Dottie Jones, On My Own ... But Not Alone (Belmark Records)

Jones' voice sounds about halfway between Aretha Franklin's and Anita Bakers,' although without as much passion.

"Touch Me" is good gospel; "He's Waiting" sounds good, too.

"I'm So Happy," however, isn't the first reaction that comes from listening to that track - in fact it's almost the opposite.

"I'm Serious" is another among the tedious selections on the disc, also.

OO

Ratings are based on a scale of up to four discs, with one meaning the music is a waste of listeners’ money and four denoting an excellent disc that belongs on everyone’s shelf.

(C) 1995 Daniel E. Klatt Enterprises.

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