Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 beta 3/9/83; site tellab1.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!mgnetp!ihnp4!tellab1!etan 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