I have been getting requests to review discs that appeal more to younger listeners, so I have chosen some selections from rock and youth-oriented artists today. That doesn't mean I will neglect any styles in future columns, and I invite you to e-mail me with requests.
Here I am featuring more popular artists, although I still want to expose readers to some of the best undiscovered talent that’s out there. That’s why I review Hapa and Vision. Have a nice time playing.
Rush, Signals (Ultradisc II)
The great album from Canadian rock superstars Rush is nothing new, but the Ultradisc II reissue of the 1982 Mercury release sounds better than ever.
Technicians at Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab use first generation master tapes and advanced technology to capture the best possible sound, down to the smallest detail.
The 24-karat gold-coated disc also will last forever, according to the company, in contrast to the aluminum coating found on regular discs, which oxidizes when exposed to air or humidity. Some people have estimated average discs will last only 10 years.
Anyway, to rush back into the music, the disc already sounded great, even without Mobile Fidelity’s treatment. Now, however, each subtle sound becomes clear, making the music full of rich detail. It never sounded better.
Ultradisc II even improves the packaging. When opening the jewel box, the disc is raised on an incline, allowing listeners to easily grab it. When returning it, they simply place the disc back on the raised 'arm' and it drops back to rest. The process is fun, if not more convenient.
Before listeners decide to melt the gold off the CDs, they should note they’ll have to pay a few more silver ounces to purchase the high-end CD product. It’s probably worth the extra cost for most people, especially when upgrading one’s favorite album to disc and, even better, for releases with lots of complex instrumentation.
Follow this link to the Rush Home Page.
Hapa, Hapa (Coconut Grove Recording Co.)
Wow, this is without a doubt one of the best recordings of the 20th century!
That’s the first impression of this disc. "Buy it, play it, play it again and again until you can sing the Hawaiian lyrics and share it with your friends" is the next.
The duo’s name translates to "half" because singer-guitarist-songwriter Barry Flanagan comes from New York and singer-guitarist Keli'i Kaneali'i is a native Hawaiian. Half of the disc features beautiful harmonies and great accompaniment. Listeners could campare the sound to Lennon and McCartney’s or Simon and Garfunkel’s best ballads, although Kaneali'i's voice sounds similar to (better than) Billy Ray Cyrus'.
He sings one song, "Ku'u Lei, Ku'uipo" in English. The sound of each song with vocals surpasses virtually everything else in circulation today.
About half of the songs, however, are instrumentals. They stand out as very good when compared with other instrumental recordings, but fall short of the quality reached on the vocal tracks. Stephen Stills and Kenny Loggins join Hapa on one track apeace.
This is the band's first recording. They deserve to find large audiences and radio play for decades to come. Music fans throughout the world deserve that, too.
America, Hourglass (American Gramaphone)
The duo famous for harmony in the past records a pretty good release as its 18th album.
Only "Everyone I Meet Is from California" and "You Can Do Magic" sound as though they could succeed on radio, although both already were popular and appear here again to give listeners a reminder of the band's glory days.
"Young Moon," "Sleeper Train" and "Green House" sound good, but won't make any comprehensive greatest hits album.
Follow this link to the America Home Page.
Mike Post, Inventions from the Blue Line (American Gramaphone)
Post seems to have a sign hanging from him that reads "Wanted: Cop show to write for."
The famed composer for "Hill Street Blues" now writes music for "NYPD Blue," which this disc features prominently.
The instrumentals conjure up images from an action drama, although many express heavy emotions or even humor rather than intense action.
Almost all music used to set the tone for a scene can stand without the visuals, and these songs do sound great. Post also includes music he wrote from "Law & Order," "Silk Stockings" and "Cops."
Beck, One Foot in the Grave (K Records)
This disc may sound like a departure for the singer of the popular song "Loser," but Beck's roots stem from folk and blues.
This disc was recorded before "Loser" spoke to today's youth, but released after Beck found stardom.
Because of his newfound popularity, listeners who know the artist may have mixed reactions to him performing something probably unfamiliar to them. However, this music has the same modern-sounding rebelion of "Loser" and stands on its own as good music.
Especially listen to "He's a Good Leader" and "I Get so Lonesome."
One song title contains an obscenity, but the song itself, other than the use of that word, isn't offensive.
Follow this link to an extensive Beck Home Page.
Richard Souther, Vision, The Music of Hildegard von Bingen (Angel)
Now available without a prescription, Vision features vocals and arrangements so pure, that listeners' consciences are lifted away from their worries and ordinary life.
Souther's compositions, arrangements and interpretations combine brilliantly with the vocals of soprano Emily Van Evera and Sister Germaine Fritz.
A casual CD shopper may see the cover and mistake Vision for a version of Chant performed by nuns instead of the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos. Vision is similar, yet very different. Its two singers are more vibrant and the vocals more powerful. Souther also includes pop and world beats with the vocals and two instrumental tracks are included.
The beat may offend classical music aficionados, but probably will attract more young listeners. The combination of contemporary music and Latin vocals works well together.
(C) 1995 Daniel E. Klatt Enterprises.