Live in New York
(Sony Music)
This double-live CD recorded at Madison Square Garden over two nights last summer is the soundtrack for a broadcast of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on HBO. Two new songs are premiered here (“Land of Hope and Dreams” and “American Skin”) which show why Bruce is considered one of America’s foremost contemporary commentators. A “necessary” Springsteen CD.
Mechanical Wonder
(Island/Universal)
One of the best kept secrets on this side of the pond is 12-year-old U.K. outfit Ocean Colour Scene, but hopefully this, their fifth album, will change all that. Formed in Birmingham in 1989, OCS have finally delivered the gem North America has been waiting for. Outstanding, well-crafted songs and a tight band make this a keeper from beginning to end. If you like Coldplay, you'll like this.
(SPG)
Eighteen solid reggae tracks featuring, among others, Beanie Man ("Girls Dem Sugar"), Rita Marley ("One Draw"), Shaggy ("Boombastic"), Foxy Brown ("Sorry") and Barrington Levy ("Under Mi Sensi"). A great party record for the summer that
concludes with the original
version of "Sun Is Shining" by "the master," Bob Marley.
Lost Songs 95-98
(BMG Music)
Prior to his recent breakthrough album, White Ladder, which won the Brit Awards Album of the Year, David Gray struggled through three albums and almost quit the music business. This is a compilation of those three records and invokes memories of Bob Dylan at his best before he went electric. "Flame Turns Blue," "Red Moon" and "Tidal Wave" point to the success he is now realizing.
(RPH/Navarre)
This compilation benefit CD for the Wildlife Waystation features film stars in a musical mode, including tracks by Russell Crowe, Bijou Phillips, Brad Pitt, Iggy Pop with Johnny Depp, Billy Bob Thornton, Bruce Willis, and Keanu Reeves with his band, Dogstar. Cuts that rise above the oddity level are Phillips’ “Polite” and Thornton doing his best Springsteen imitation with “Island Avenue”.
(Universal)
If you're into hip hop, this is a CD worth investigating. Nineteen of the latest dance hits, including "Money Jane" by Baby Blue, featuring Kardinal Offishall, Ja Rules' "Between Me And You," DMX with "Party Up," and more by Choclair, De La Soul and Ice Cube. Somewhat out of place, but welcome additions, are the dance remix of U2's "Beautiful Day" and soulDecision with "Faded."
- Gerry Young