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From: etan@tellab1.UUCP (Nate Stelton)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: mini reviews
Message-ID: <373@tellab1.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 13-Aug-84 11:07:11 EDT
Article-I.D.: tellab1.373
Posted: Mon Aug 13 11:07:11 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 14-Aug-84 01:55:09 EDT
Organization: Tellabs, Inc., Lisle, Ill.
Lines: 58



I know some of these albums are kind of old, so if you don't like it...
                                                      tough toenails!

Steve Morse Band -- Introduction

If you are a Dregs fan, there are no surprizes here.  Good writin' -- good
pickin'.  Steve just keeps on developing.  This album provides a diverse
collection of material that covers rock, classical, C&W, and blues
styles.  The album is tight and has some of the best guitar, bass, and
drum playing you've ever heard.

Missing Persons -- Rhyme and Reason

This album has good catchy songs with great arrangments. There are new
wave and '60's teeny bopper flavors, but the sound actually very sophisticated
and up to date.  Drummer Terry Bozzio's polyrhythmic texturing is utterly
fascinating (especially in headsets).  I like this better than "Spring
Session M".

Weather Report -- Domino Theory

I don't know how many times I've played this, but I never seem to grow
tired of it.  The first few times, I wasn't too excited, but I gave it a
few more chances and now I'm just blown away.  Listening to Domino Theory
is like listening to a good classical piece; it requires time to appreciate its
true value.  There is really very little repetition; every measure brings
in something new.  A lot of music for your money.

Steve Smith/Vital Information -- Orion

Not the greatest album, but worth hearing.  Side 1 is the "electric rock"
side and side 2 is the "jazzy" side.  I find this all-instrumental record
to be somewhat lacking in originality.  Also, I've never been that
impressed with Smith as a drummer.  He does, however, have the right idea.

Thomas Dolby -- The Flat Earth

The Flat Earth is an explosion of creativity.  It is somewhat simplistic,
but I keep wondering where he comes up with his melodic and lyrical
ideas.  Once in a while he sounds like mellower Police.  Dolby uses an
advanced concept for integrating sound effects, rhythm and subtlety.
Note: If anyone has his first album, please write me and tell me how it is.

Steps Ahead -- Modern Times

An impressive jazz recording that lives up to its roster (Michael
Brecker, Mike Maineri, Peter Erskine, Eddie Gomez, and Warren Bernhardt).
The compositions are very good and the soloing decent.  The addition of
Bernhardt on keyboards adds a full, electric, and slightly more commercial
sound to what they had on their first LP.  They experiment with latin and
primitive flavors quite a bit, but also add some classical-jazz
feelings.

As you can see, I've been happy with my recent trips to the record store!

                          -etan