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Christian John WikanePopMatters Contributing EditorAbout Christian John Wikane Christian John Wikane is a NYC-based writer whose passion for music stems from age two when he heard “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Diana Ross on a scratchy 45 rpm. He holds a B.S. in Media, Culture & Society from Northeastern University. After his arrival in Hell’s Kitchen (NYC), he became a voting member of the Dance Music Hall of Fame and volunteered with LIFEbeat. Wikane produces an annual benefit concert in NYC (Three of Hearts) and heads A&R/Production for HopeStock: Music to Bailout Your Soul. In addition to penning artist bios, his writing has appeared in Rock & Rap Confidential, SoulTracks, and David Nathan’s Soulmusic.com. Wikane is currently a Contributing Editor for PopMatters. Features
Reuben Butchart [New York]The former pianist for Antony & the Johnsons "awakens" with his most elaborate solo work yet.... and it features a plastic bag! Here's the story behind Reuben Butchart's boundless creativity. [19 November 2009] Part Five: Defining the LegacyThe sale to PolyGram, the death of Neil Bogart -- the dawn of the 1980s signaled the end of an era for Casablanca. Three decades since the label's fearless leader last stood inside the Casbah, artists and executives explain his genius and define the legacy of the label. [21 August 2009] Casablanca Records: Play It AgainThirty-five years ago, KISS and Parliament debuted on Casablanca, a label that influenced generations of music listeners and defined an era in popular music. Join PopMatters and more than 50 artists and executives for our exclusive, five-part oral history of Casablanca. Curatorial CasablancaYou know KISS and Donna Summer but what about Platypus and Gloria Scott? Herewith, a guide to underappreciated gems from the Casablanca catalog. [20 August 2009] Part Four: Dancing on the Pinnacle: 1978-1979Between 1978 and 1979, Casablanca could do no wrong.Trailing just behind CBS Records, Casablanca was the most successful record company in the U.S. Its artists gathered Oscar wins, number one albums, Grammy Awards, and even more platinum and gold discs. Part Three: Pushing the Envelope, 1977-1978PolyGram, a group of "macho men", and Star Wars bolstered Casablanca at retail, on radio, and in the clubs. While expanding the roster and its partnerships, the label also landed its first number one single. [19 August 2009] Part Two: Painting the Building, 1975-1977KISS came "Alive" in 1975. So did Parliament and Donna Summer. In a dramatic reversal of its uncertain beginnings, Casablanca cultivated a colony of successful acts and expanded its reach with boutique labels and partnerships in the film industry. [18 August 2009] Part One: Leading the Camel to Water, 1974-1975Casablanca was not an instant success but Neil Bogart, a dreamer and a doer, was undeterred. Part I examines how the sheik of Casablanca led his camel out of the desert. [17 August 2009] Crayton RobeyThe Boys in the Band defined a moment in LGBT history. Crayton Robey explores that history in Making the Boys, which debuted at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival. [15 June 2009] Nona HendryxIn 1962, Nona Hendryx shared a bill with everyone from Bo Diddley to the Marvelettes. She took some time with PopMatters to talk about Buster Crabbe and her knack for fixing TVs. [7 June 2009] Monotrematous Funk: An Interview with PlatypusHow did a progressive rock-funk band from Dayton, Ohio become label mates with KISS and Donna Summer? 30 years later, the members of Platypus tell the story. [16 April 2009] Grandmaster FlashHow do you control time? Ask Grandmaster Flash. PopMatters has the answer in this latest edition of 20 Questions, which highlights the legendary hip-hop innovator's first high profile studio effort in more than two decades, The Bridge. [8 March 2009] Still So Excited: An Interview with Ruth PointerFrom Continental Baths to Car Wash, from the Grand Ole Opry to the Grammys, the Pointer Sisters have blazed many trails in their 35-year career. In a candid interview, Ruth Pointer reveals the story behind one of the most successful female groups of all time. [6 March 2009] Diana Ross Climbs Over the Mountain and Beyond the ValleyWhat happened when Diana Ross left the Supremes? The answer might surprise you. Two recently unearthed solo albums tell the story. [26 February 2009] Maya Azucena [Brooklyn, NY]Maya Azucena is among the most original independent artists to hatch from the New York scene and conquer the world stage. Here's how this warrior built her career from the ground up. [11 February 2009] Season of the Wild Flower: An Interview with Dionne Farris"Whatever happened to Dionne Farris?" Just ask Dionne Farris herself. After more than a decade out of the spotlight, the seeds Dionne Farris planted on her 1994 debut are finally in bloom on her long-awaited follow-up, Signs of Life. [23 January 2009] Michael FrantiKnown for his social activism as much as his fusion of musical styles, it’s clear in PopMatters' latest edition of 20 Questions that Michael Franti is always just being himself, as he will on President Obama's inauguration on Tuesday 20 January 2009. [18 January 2009] James MorrisonFatherhood agrees with UK-based soul artist James Morrison and, as we discover in this edition of 20 Questions, so does a pair of Diesel jeans. [6 January 2009] The Best R&B of 2008From true legends to notable newcomers to acts in mid-career stride, the year's best R&B is much more than what your local Top 40 radio station would have you believe. [19 December 2008] A Study in Contrasts: An Interview with MaiyshaToo black for some and not black enough for others, Maiysha defies racial and musical conventions. With the launch of her debut album underway, she chats about race, celebrity, and a typical day in the United States of Hysteria. [7 November 2008] Mandi Perkins [Los Angeles, CA]After meeting more than a share of mad hatters in the music industry, Mandi Perkins survived the rabbit hole and is gearing up for her first major label release, Alice in No Man's Land. [17 September 2008] Janelle Monáe Is Not in Kansas AnymoreWith violet stars leading the way, Janelle Monáe is poised to save the future. [13 August 2008] Rahsaan PattersonThe purveyor of 21st century soul chats with PopMatters 20 Questions about chocolate, Chaka Khan, and the significance of Snoopy. [7 July 2008] Dispatches From the Battlefield: An Interview With Van HuntVan Hunt recorded one of the best albums of 2008: Popular. The only problem is you're not going to hear it. [30 June 2008] The Queen and Her Crayons: An Interview With Donna SummerDonna Summer colors outside the lines on Crayons, drawing the arch of an iridescent rainbow. Guess what her favorite color is. [20 May 2008] She’s a Rainbow: A Tribute to Donna SummerWynonna, Ziggy Marley, Liza Minnelli, and more than 20 other artists, songwriters, and producers explain who they "love to love" as PopMatters studies the remarkable four-decade career of Donna Summer. [19 May 2008] Discovering Margie Joseph: The Sound of Sweet, Soulful VindicationLong lost albums by Margie Joseph surface after three decades and beg the question, "Was there more than one soul queen at Atlantic?" [15 May 2008] Saudade: A Conversation with Carly SimonTall and tan and still very lovely, Carly Simon takes a cue from Antonio Carlos Jobim on her new album. So why does All About Eve make a cameo? [5 May 2008] Now Hear This: Kevin Grivois [Tahoe, California]A superstar in Europe, an unknown in America. Kevin Grivois (aka Ké) remembers the "strange world" of his major label ascent and why an election year is bringing him back to the spotlight. [10 April 2008] Inside the Fabulous Funk of the Brand New HeaviesAndrew Levy tells PopMatters how there's no blues in the Brand New Heavies' rhythm since N'Dea Davenport returned. [6 March 2008] Angela Johnson [New York]Part-time house diva and full time soul music icon, Angela Johnson has already achieved acclaim as a performer, but now she's ready to challenge the gender assumptions about R&B producers with a collaborative album that might be one of the year's early bests. [31 January 2008] The Best R&B 2007On this year's "Best R&B Albums" list, you will find albums that merit attention for the unique artistry each possesses, not because they sold half a million out of the gate. [13 December 2007] 3rd Day Syndrome [London]3rd Day Syndrome has infected London audiences with their singular style of funk, rock, and soul, all while adhering to a contemporary independent, DIY ethos. Could the U.S. be close behind? [29 November 2007] Standing Under Stars: An Interview with Rahsaan PattersonThe innovative soul stylist tested the concept of God and what did he find? Patterson talks to PopMatters. [16 November 2007] Rise Like a Phoenix: An Interview with Annie LennoxAnnie Lennox speaks to PopMatters about how to navigate through life's "juggernauts" and the fine art of living. [26 October 2007] “Acufunkture” Revisited: An Interview with Nile RodgersRecord Mirror called Debbie Harry's KooKoo "riveting". Smash Hits called it "dull". PopMatters speaks with the man behind a notoriously misunderstood album and why listeners didn't even remove the shrink-wrap. [16 October 2007] Get Ready for Her Sexy Battle: An Interview with Deborah HarryThe doyenne of New York's downtown scene gets "dirty and deep" with her fifth solo album. Harry talks to PopMatters and we offer a guide to her solo years. [15 October 2007] She’s Here Again: An Interview With Thelma HoustonNearly two decades after her last album, Thelma Houston answers the inevitable question: "Where has she been?" [25 September 2007] Journey to the Core of Chaka Khan: The InterviewOn the eve of Funk This, Chaka Khan raps with PopMatters on Joni, Jimi, and her "super life" journey. [10 September 2007] Margie Joseph Reclaims Her Soul: The InterviewAtlantic Records matched one of the most soulful female vocalists of the '70s with one of the all-time greatest producers. Three decades later, why is Margie Joseph not singing all the way to the bank? [20 August 2007] Blondie: Eat to the BeatAlmost half a million YouTube views later, Blondie's Eat to the Beat video receives a long awaited release on DVD with (yet another) remastered CD. [29 June 2007] Reflections of a Renaissance Man: An Interview with Paul McCartneyFrom Astaire to T-Pain, from Little Richard to de Kooning, McCartney talks to PopMatters and covers it all, including his uncertainty about what kind of send-off he'd like. [25 June 2007] Stevie Nicks: Dreams UnwoundAlternately revered and ridiculed, Stevie Nicks has impacted an entire generation of artists with her bewitching tales and stirring stage theatrics. Crystal Visions traces the tangled web of her solo career. [16 May 2007] A Long Way from WonderlandIn 1980, Donna Summer walked away from disco's strobe-lit boogie wonderland on The Wanderer. Critics embraced her bold statement; audiences less so. Where exactly was Summer going? [11 April 2007] The Redemption of Daphne Rubin-VegaOn her new album, Redemption Songs, Broadway star Daphne Rubin-Vega provides the antidote to the 24-hour cycle of bad news that framed our worldview in 2006, a collection of songs that stirs the soul and feeds the spirit. [19 February 2007] How Solomon Burke Got to NashvilleFew artists can attest to recording an album in eight days but Solomon Burke is unlike other artists. He's not just the "King of Rock and Soul", he's also a singer who's still learning how to perfect his craft, with a passion that fuels boundless creativity. [20 November 2006] Anti-DivasWhere's the black female presence in rock music? Cast aside music industry preconceptions and you'll find it. [30 October 2006] P-1’s Box of SurprisesChicago/NYC's P-1 would rather let their songs define them than any one style, which is probably necessary considering the cross-pollination of influences and sound incorporated in their mix. And his refusal to be pigeonholed might just be the thing that expands their audiences even further as they release their second album. [18 October 2006] Reviews
Anjulie: AnjulieFor all its misfires and blemishes, Anjulie is by no means a bad album. It's just that the limitations of Anjulie's vocal range wear you out early on. [9 November 2009] 
Gloria Jones: Share My LoveWith generous remastering by Reel Music, the luster of Share My Love is ever-glistening. A rare gem from the Motown catalog finally gets its due. [6 November 2009] 
Gordon Staples and The String Thing: Strung OutStrung Out serves up a potent potion of soul and symphony. [28 October 2009] 
Various Artists: ZE30: ZE Records Story 1979-2009If only there was a second disc to extend this birthday celebration. [14 October 2009] 
Mika: The Boy Who Knew Too MuchWith 21st century pop defined by the committee-made melodies of American Idol-winner debut albums, The Boy Who Knew Too Much arrives as a thrilling antidote. [23 September 2009] 
Bill Champlin: No Place Left to Fall40 years on, Bill Champlin makes a confident statement with No Place Left to Fall. [3 September 2009] 
Van Hunt: Use in Case of EmergencyUse in Case of Emergency maintains that Van Hunt brings a quality to modern music that is not contrived. Just have a fire extinguisher nearby if things get too hot. [4 August 2009] 
Stevie Nicks: The Soundstage SessionsThis may not be the long overdue studio album listeners are awaiting, but it attests, with potent conviction, to the powerful, enduring presence of Stevie Nicks. [31 July 2009] 
Maxwell: BLACKsummers’ nightOnly Maxwell can explain the gap between Now (2001) and, well, now, but all you need to know is that BLACKsummers'night is truly one of this year's best albums. [24 July 2009] 
Vanessa Williams: The Real ThingOn her Concord debut, Vanessa Williams emerges as queen of the Café Carlyle set. [19 July 2009] 
Annie Lennox: The Annie Lennox CollectionThe Annie Lennox Collection is not merely a collection of singles, but an outstanding introduction to this artist's exceptional oeuvre. [20 March 2009] 
The Jacksons: Destiny / TriumphHere's a reason to dance, shout, and shake your body: the two crowning achievements of the Jacksons' run on Epic are dusted off three decades later on newly remastered and expanded editions. [30 January 2009] 
Various Artists: Verve Remixed ChristmasVerve Remixed Christmas adds a dash of soul, if not sophistication, to the ever-growing holiday music spread. [11 December 2008] 
SugaRush Beat Company: SugaRush Beat CompanyThe three members of SugaRush Beat Company churn out sweet, delicious beats for the feet. This is one sugar rush that doesn't dip! [8 December 2008] 
Rahsaan Patterson: The Ultimate GiftRahsaan Patterson explores all facets about the Christmas holiday on The Ultimate Gift. [30 November 2008] 
Rod Stewart: The Definitive Rod StewartDespite its bounty of hits, The Definitive Rod Stewart falls shy of delivering in full. [14 November 2008] 
Seal: SoulIt might be cruel to suggest that Soul feels a little soulless. Cruel, but not entirely incorrect. [11 November 2008] 
Bette Midler: JackpotFor the already converted, Jackpot confirms Midler's greatness, but for those who only know the Bette Midler of feature films and adult contemporary radio, Jackpot is something of a revelation. [7 November 2008] 
Maysa: MetamorphosisA smooth concoction of jazz and R&B, Metamorphosis is a soothing tonic that cleanses, caresses, and gently grips the soul. [31 October 2008] 
George Tisdale: Liberation Phase 1George Tisdale wants to be your hero. Dark shades and an omnipresent guitar is his garb, freedom is his cause, and blistering funk-rock is his weapon. [28 October 2008] 
Raphael Saadiq: The Way I See ItRaphael Saadiq serves up twelve songs that recall the magic of the Motor City, among other geographic centers of soul music. Does the album hold up on the strength of Saadiq's reverence? [18 September 2008] 
Heston: StorytellerIn the overpopulated world of male R&B singers, Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Heston is a notable presence. [3 September 2008] 
Mutlu: Livin’ ItMutlu is among the most genuine, original talents to emerge in 2008. [27 August 2008] 
Brothertunes: A Million Things to SayGet to know Brothertunes. Swiss radio already has, and declared the duo a top act and promising newcomer to the music scene in Switzerland. [14 August 2008] 
Richie Havens: Nobody Left to CrownSome of Richie Havens' best material has arrived in the latter part of his career. The superb Nobody Left to Crown marks his return home to the label that introduced him to the world 40 years ago. [13 August 2008] 
Donna Summer: CrayonsThe core theme of Crayons is variety. It brazenly flaunts a collage of sounds, while showcasing the multiplicity of Donna Summer's musical selves. [15 July 2008] 
Blondie: Parallel LinesMake no mistake, Parallel Lines is a classic album, but Capitol has sunk to new lows on this seriously flawed Deluxe Collector's Edition. [3 July 2008] 
Incognito: Tales from the BeachLife is a whole lot groovier on Tales from the Beach, where Incognito fuses together jazz, soul, and dance to create a rapturous sound that feeds the mind and body. [26 June 2008] 
Solomon Burke: Like a FireEven with its cool embers, Like a Fire shows that the flame is well alit in Solomon Burke's soul. [11 June 2008] 
Bobby Womack: The Best of Bobby WomackA generous compendium of Bobby Womack's classic catalog, The Soul Years provides a compelling portrait of one of the great, unsung figures of soul music. [6 June 2008] 
Cyndi Lauper: Bring Ya to the BrinkThe heart of Bring Ya to the Brink is music that simply and irresistibly invites listeners to dance one's problems away. Cyndi Lauper dons dishwashing gloves for the occasion. [5 June 2008] 
Carole King: TapestryTapestry: Legacy Edition is the definitive genuflection to Carole King's 1971 masterpiece. Nearly 40 years later, it's still a thrill to feel the earth move. [25 April 2008] 
Paddy Casey: Addicted to CompanyArmed with clean, tight rock and soul rhythms, Paddy Casey coasts on the waves of pleasant, studio-perfect pop. [23 April 2008] 
Ashford & Simpson: The Warner Bros. YearsFor nighttime dwellers, Ashford & Simpson's music was a sanctified libation. This set showcases why they held court on the steamiest of nights. [4 April 2008] 
Gnarls Barkley: The Odd CoupleGnarls Barkley toils ever so soulfully in a complex confluence of emotions on The Odd Couple. Call it therapy-a-go-go. [25 March 2008] 
Missy Higgins: On a Clear NightAfter winning over crowds in her native Australia, Missy Higgins makes her U.S. debut with the mightily tuneful On a Clear Night. [26 February 2008] 
k.d. lang: Watershedk.d. lang's voice is the dominant hue in a kaleidoscope of sounds on Watershed, a welcome return by one of music's most beloved stylists. [5 February 2008] 
RAMP: Come Into KnowledgeThirty years later, Verve unearthed the album that had only been sought out by the most die-hard devotees of rare grooves. [20 December 2007] 
Bob Sinclar: Bob Sinclar Live at the Playboy MansionThe intention of DJ Bob Sinclar's Live at the Playboy Mansion is to transport the listener poolside at Hugh Hefner's pleasure palace. [17 December 2007] 
The Pointer Sisters: Special ThingsSpecial Things marked the Pointer Sisters' third album with producer Richard Perry, who re-vamped the act after sister Bonnie left to pursue a solo career at Motown in 1978. 
Darlene Love: Its Christmas, Of CourseThere's an authentic, joyful soul emanating from each one of these songs making It's Christmas, Of Course an indispensable addition to anyone's holiday music collection. [30 November 2007] Deborah HarryNowhere will you find a more voracious audience for Deborah Harry than in the East Village. But what happens when the ticket doesn't read "Blondie?" [21 November 2007] 
Ike & Tina Turner: The Ike & Tina Turner StoryDefinitive in nearly every possible way, The Ike and Tina Turner Story is the exclamation point on an act that bridged together rock and soul. [12 October 2007] 
Bee Gees: Bee Gees GreatestThree decades later, "greatest" seems far too modest an adjective to describe this music. [8 October 2007] 
Janelle Monae: MetropolisJanelle Monáe is bringing back the art of the album listening experience with Metropolis, a genre-bending conceptual piece that will be unveiled over the course of four separate suites with deluxe packaging and illustrations. [2 October 2007] 
Bettye LaVette: The Scene of the CrimeWith ferocity and fire, Bettye LaVette returns to Muscle Shoals 35 years later on The Scene of the Crime. [27 September 2007] 
Arthur Alexander: Lonely Just Like MeThe expanded release of Lonely Just Like Me avails a complete depiction of a man who made listeners feel a little less lonely. [24 August 2007] 
Thelma Houston: A Womans TouchThelma Houston out-sings the majority of singers who were born during her 17-year respite from recording but A Woman's Touch doesn't completely "satisfy the need" of Houston's return. [20 August 2007] 
Rahbi: Yes Sir Productions Presents Rahbi: The E.P.Rahbi's effortless ability to emote and write songs indicates that this E.P. is only the beginning. [6 August 2007] 
Maya Azucena: Junkyard JewelFree of self-help bromides, Junkyard Jewel is a stunning, spirited, and soulful release by Maya Azucena. 
Dimitri From Paris: Dimitri From Paris Presents Cocktail DiscoCocktail Disco is overloaded with tunes that fall short of inducing a memorable buzz. [26 July 2007] 
Donnie: The Daily NewsDonnie's remarkable follow-up to The Colored Section expands your consciousness and sets your body in motion. [24 July 2007] 
Grand National: A Drink and a Quick DecisionPositions Grand National as an important artistic force that is far from exhausting its seemingly bottomless wellspring of inspiration. [11 July 2007] 
Paula Cole: CourageThis 'singer's album' proves Cole’s long overdue return has been well worth the eight-year absence. [3 July 2007] 
Beth Arentsen: SapThough there is no shortage of singer-songwriters populating the indie scene of NYC, the melodies of Beth Arentsen do, indeed, stick like "sap on wood." [27 June 2007] 
The Dynamics: First LandingAs "found" albums go, First Landing is a rare treasure whose luster will bewitch fans of soul music. [13 June 2007] 
Various Artists: Motown RemixedThis release unequivocally illustrates how the concept of remixing soul classics has hit a new low. [12 June 2007] 
Various Artists: Monterey International Pop FestivalIt's easy to speak cynically about the "Summer of Love", but the music of the Monterey International Pop Festival remains a vital footprint in time. [5 June 2007] 
Three5Human: A Swig from the Acid BottleAnyone who cares about music, especially as a force of change, is strongly encouraged to take a "swig" from Three5Human's choleric cocktail. [4 May 2007] 
Joan Armatrading: Into the BluesWhile it's reassuring that Armatrading continues to write and record, it's doubtful that she'll earn any new fans strictly on the merits of this release. [3 May 2007] 
Feist: The ReminderWhether listeners take the plunge with Feist into her emotional depths is almost immaterial: The Reminder is an exceptional album that should be experienced solely on the merits its stunning musicality. [1 May 2007] 
Various Artists: A Tribute to Joni MitchellBjörk, Elvis Costello, Sufjan Stevens, Prince and more pay tribute to Joni Mitchell. [27 April 2007] 
Bebel Gilberto: MomentoElectronica, samba, pop, and bossa nova, not to mention the diverse sensibilities of Rio, London, and New York, all unite in one seamless whole on Momento. [26 April 2007] 
Mika: Life in Cartoon MotionMika's natural affinity for pop songwriting and his impressive vocal talent ensures that he will be noticed even without the obvious influences that populate Life in Cartoon Motion. [26 March 2007] 
Various Artists: Forever Changing: The Golden Age of Elektra 1963-1973"Creating a compelling alternative music catalog for curious and open ears", to quote Jac Holzman, marks the legacy of Elektra Records and the main selling point for this collection. [16 March 2007] 
Amy Winehouse: Back to BlackBack to Black finds a fearless artist saying whatever she damn well pleases. And we best listen up. [12 March 2007] 
Lewis Taylor: The Lost AlbumLewis Taylor's admirable perseverance begets a modern day masterpiece. [1 March 2007] 
Madonna: The Confessions TourThe oversaturation of recent Madonna product is ultimately what precludes The Confessions Tour from being wholly satisfying to anyone but the die-hard Madonna fan. [14 February 2007] 
Various Artists: Queer Noises 1961-1978It must be said that Queer Noises brims with good intentions but most of these songs should have remained in the closet. [8 February 2007] 
Jamiroquai: High Times: Singles 1992-2006Any listener who recognizes that iconic figure with the horns and out-turned feet can attest to Jamiroquai's intoxicating fusion of grooves for the body and mind. This is a must in the discriminating music listener's collection. [18 January 2007] 
Carly Simon: Into WhiteInto White serves the legacy of Carly Simon very well... it is a gift for the soul that holds up well beyond waking up from that afternoon nap. [9 January 2007] 
Incognito: Bees+Things+FlowersBees+Things+Flowers evokes the invincible summer in listeners, irrespective of equatorial vantage point. [3 January 2007] 
George Michael: Twenty FiveGeorge Michael has come full circle in making peace with his sexuality. If album charts are any indication, he hasn't lost many listeners in the process. [20 December 2006] 
Boz Scaggs: Hits!Some of these hits have retained their platinum sheen, while others are trapped in a '70s rust-colored amber. [5 December 2006] 
Diana Ross: I Love YouThough Ross sounds better than ever, I Love You continues a tired trend -- the "covers" album. [28 November 2006] 
Diana Ross: The Definitive CollectionBillboard named Diana Ross 'Entertainer of the Century' in 1976. Thirty years later, The Definitive Collection is a dazzling testament to that still prestigious honor. [9 November 2006] 
Lindsey Buckingham: Under the SkinUnder the Skin marks the first step along Buckingham's artistic regeneration since the most recent Fleetwood Mac reunion in 2003 and, while not completely accessible, the album is nevertheless intriguing. [7 November 2006] 
Tim Buckley: The Best of Tim BuckleyHow does Rhino's The Best of Tim Buckley play for someone just discovering Buckley's work? It affords a well-compiled introduction to an artist who created art fearlessly, on his own terms, restlessly swimming against the tide. [5 November 2006] 
Nina Simone: Remixed and ReimaginedA whole album of remixes is an unwieldy proposition, but Remixed and Reimagined is an effective exercise in establishing a new context for the work of Nina Simone. [26 October 2006] 
Chic: Definitive GrooveFor fans and newcomers, and even those who might have dismissed Chic's work in the past, Definitive Groove is nothing short of revelatory. [20 October 2006] 
Solomon Burke: NashvilleCall the music on Nashville roots, Americana, country, blues or any combination thereof; the album is a transcendental listening experience irrespective of genre. [12 October 2006] 
Amos Lee: Supply and DemandSupply and Demand is a well-paced effort that improves on the elements that made Lee’s debut a noteworthy release among (primarily) the Starbucks set. [11 October 2006] 
Scissor Sisters: Ta-DahTa-Dah unveils the Scissor Sisters jumping in fits and spurts to maintain the high quality of their latest single. [3 October 2006] 
Don Byron: Do the Boomerang: The Music of Junior WalkerByron's spark on this Junior Walker tribute is cooled by the work of the featured vocalists, ultimately directing listeners to the just go to the source. 
Lionel Richie: Coming HomeComing Home is an album that even Lionel Richie fans might dismiss. Though there are glimmers of substance, an album cannot stand on just two or three pretty good tracks [18 September 2006] 
Shawn Colvin: These Four WallsA glut of singer-songwriters are vying for attention in 2006, but it would be a shame to forget an artist whose two-decade career has likely inspired a flock of imitators. [13 September 2006] 
Sam Moore: Overnight SensationalSentimentality is weighed down by dubious conceptualization on Overnight Sensational. [12 September 2006] 
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians: Stranger ThingsStranger Things will not gather dust on your CD shelf or be consigned to the trash bin on your desktop. [18 August 2006] 
Aretha Franklin: Live at Fillmore WestLive at Fillmore West puts the exclamation point in "Queen of Soul!" [17 August 2006] 
Grace Jones: The Grace Jones StoryWhat exactly is Grace Jones’ legacy? A hedonistic disco queen? An androgynous new-wave android? A snarling feline captured in photographs by Jean-Paul Goude? [11 August 2006] 
Linda Ronstadt and Ann Savoy: Adieu False HeartRonstadt and Savoy team on bayou-based set of songs. Highly recommended with a box of tissues by your side. [27 July 2006] 
The Brand New Heavies: Get Used to ItAfter a 12-year hiatus, acid jazz pioneers reunite with funk feast. [12 July 2006] 
Jefferson Airplane: The Worst of Jefferson AirplaneRemastered collection of vintage Airplane feeds more than your head. [11 July 2006] 
Corinne Bailey Rae: Corinne Bailey RaeCorinne Bailey Rae has the right ingredients but the wrong recipe on debut. [28 June 2006] 
Diana Ross: blueIn an age where every other veteran artist seems to tackle the "Great American Songbook", Blue illustrates that Diana Ross met that challenge long before... and won. [20 June 2006] BlogsMixed Media: The History of Casablanca Records (video) [20 August 2009]Mixed Media: Beth Arentsen - “He Knows (My Heart)” (video) [22 July 2009]Sound Affects: Brooklyn Dreams 2.0: A Conversation with Bruce Sudano and Joe “Bean” Esposito [7 May 2009]Mixed Media: Van Hunt - “Attention!” (Stream) [23 April 2009]Mixed Media: Giuseppe Spoletini: “Didn’t It Rain Children” (stream / video) [30 March 2009]Mixed Media: Felipe Rose - “From the East to the West” (stream) [25 March 2009]Sound Affects: Her Best Is Yet to Come: The Return of Gloria Scott [18 March 2009]Sound Affects: Taj Mahal Hearts The Pointer Sisters [6 March 2009]Notes from the Road: The Pointer Sisters - 14 February 2009: Bronx, NY [4 March 2009]Sound Affects: Jean Millington: An Interview with a Rock and Roll Survivor [26 February 2009]Sound Affects: 20 Questions: Cyndi Lauper [19 February 2009]Notes from the Road: Billy Porter - 7-8 December 2008: Joe’s Pub, New York [10 December 2008]Notes from the Road: Maiysha - 1 November 2008: New York [4 November 2008]Notes from the Road: Donna Summer - 3 June 2008, New York [9 June 2008]Consuming Consumables: Ike & Tina Turner - The Ike & Tina Turner Story (1960-1975) [$39.98] [13 December 2007]Consuming Consumables: Darlene Love - It’s Christmas, of Course [$15.98] [10 December 2007] |
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