Music

Welcome to our monthly column where we share impressions and uniquely evocative (meaning that hopefully it will touch you in a special way) recordings worth seeking out and sampling. As we head into autumn and record labels scramble to get their albums out before the end of the year, the volume of releases mounts. Here's three more titles deserving of your attention.

For months we've been talking about a coming renaissance of new electronic dub music on the American scene. It's steeped in roots but with a fresh, electronic approach. Now with the release of this compilation from the UK's DubHead folks and London's Shiver Records, we have more evidence of the growing trend and another taste of some of the up-and-coming artists in the genre. Perhaps most refreshing is that unlike all the current hype around the abrasive, faddy electronic music, reggae and dub over the decades have built a respectable, solid following, while exhibiting a proven staying power. Therefore this renaissance is built on a sound, respected musical base. A New Breed of Dub contains a generous sixteen tracks and well over 70 minutes of music. If there is one criticism to be leveled with this album, it's that too many tracks appear to have been faded out early, perhaps because of time and space limitations. For our needs, we would have preferred to hear the complete songs even if it meant fewer tracks. However, the upside is that we get lots more to sample and choose from, and to be fair, the album is billed as a sampler. Stand-out tracks include works from the Bush Chemists, Dubplate Vibe Crew, Hi Tech Roots Dynamics, King General, the Dub Specialists and All Nation Rockers who close the album with a killer nine-minute track called "Talking Dubheadz." To get a real taste of the future of dub, this is some good stuff.

Imagine a really clean sounding, completely improvisational work that mixes flute, percussion and electronics. We're happy to report that such an album exists and is now available, at least in Belgium. From that European country comes a trio of musicians that includes Ludwig Lapauw on flutes, Phillpe Ryckman on keyboards and electronics and Piet Rommelaere on keyboards. They take their name, Tonic Solfa, from the system of musical notation that uses singing syllables (do, re mi, etc.) based on the relationship between the tones of a key, instead of the usual staff symbols. The overall mood of Spiral Craft is free-flowing and smooth. No new musical ground is covered here, but imagine throwing open a window just after a rainstorm has passed through your neighborhood. The overall effect is a non-intrusive breath of fresh air. For our needs, too much flute music today is syrupy sweet, something Tonic Solfa for the most part avoids. A great album for creating a cleansing environment in your listening space. Highly recommended.

Now that the Triloka folks have hooked up with Mercury, can relocation back to Los Angeles be far behind? Even if their Santa Fe offices close down, expect label head Mitchell Marcus, with roots in New Mexico, to continue to find additional musical gems from the southwest. Case in point: Walela. "Walela" is the Cherokee word for hummingbird and the album is a self-titled debut work between sister team Rita and Priscilla Coolidge and her songtress daughter, Laura Satterfield. The music is decidedly Native American, equally entertaining whether sung in English or in its ethereal-tinged Celtic and Cherokee harmonies. Touching, heartfelt vocal collaborations from a family of three well established talents. Walela was produced by Jim Wilson who has worked extensively with Robbie Robertson and the Little Wolf Band. The inspirational new woman trio is joined by Mike Utley (Jimmy Buffet Band) on keyboards, James Harah on guitar, percussionist Geoffrey Gorden (Jai Uttal) and the Native American flute of Andy Vasquez. Especially enjoyable is the Priscilla Coolidge penned "Wounded Knee." A promising debut effort.

Please always remember that ultimately what constitutes good music involves the personal taste of each of us. If we direct you to an album that you didn't know existed and you end up enjoying it, then we both feel a sense of accomplishment. As always, your input is welcome. Feel free to write.

FOREST is the producer and host of the nationally syndicated weekly radio program, MUSICAL STARSTREAMS, heard in Chicago every Sunday night from 10 pm to midnight on WNUA, 95.5fm and worldwide on the internet. He can be reached at P.O. Box 1409, Mill Valley, CA 94942. E-mail: forest@starstreams.com, listen on the web at: http://www.starstreams.com Musicians or labels wishing to send material for review or airplay are advised that because of the huge volume already received, only compact disc releases will be considered.

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