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Editor's Note:
In Sound Advice, the first Saturday of every month, veteran NEWS
entertainment writer Dale McGarrigle, former British music-press
writer Adam Corrigan, NEWS sportswriter and rock buff Andrew Neff
and a revolving stable of NEWS writers review new albums from across
the musical spectrum.
"Time to Share" (Sony Urban Music/Epic) - Toshi
Many of today's smooth urban singers grew up grooving to such
Motown staples as Stevie Wonder and the more-obscure Stylistics.
But it's a safe bet that only one of them comes from Japan.
With his latest album, Toshi (ne Toshinobu Kubota) proves
that soul is a universal sound, not one that is limited to the
United States. With listeners' eyes closed and ears open, it would
be easy to mistake his rich, velvety tones for D'Angelo or Maxwell.
The multitalented singer also wrote all 11 songs on the
well-crafted "Time to Share," his second U.S. release. He shares the
writing credits on all tunes, but that's not a bad thing, especially
when his collaborator on five of those is neo-soul goddess Angie
Stone. Stone, who guests on the album along with Mos Def, has said
of him, "Toshi has a lot more soul than a lot of people I grew up
with."
Toshi is already challenging people's conceptions of what a
soul singer is. The trick now is not to become a novelty, but
instead a presence. With friends such as Stone, Raphael Saddiq and
the Roots' Ahmir Thompson, the latter is more likely to be the case.
"Time to Share" shows that Toshi is here to stay.
- Dale McGarrigle
"Shangri-La" (Warner Bros.) - Mark Knopfler
It's been nearly 20 years since "Brothers in Arms" became
pretty much Britain's first CD, and a vital yuppie accessory. And
immediately Dire Straits were unthinkingly shifted to the uncool
territories - somewhere near where Sting has a fabulous mansion
today. At best, it was music for grown-ups.
All of which is a shame, as Mark Knopfler's music has always
been beautifully crafted rather than simply easy listening. If a
great ear for a tune is a crime, I indict Kurt Cobain alongside
Lennon, Bowie and a remarkable number of others who the musical
cognoscenti routinely worship.
Knopfler's elegant glissando is, as so often, well to the
front here, tracing lazy swathes of space. Yet despite this hinting
at the infinity of bleached prairie skies, his muse wanders a
distinctly British and vaguely Celtic path, the measured vocals
often calling to mind the melancholy amblings of Christy Moore.
Lyrically, Knopfler remains primarily a storyteller with a poetic
lilt, artfully casting his tales of bad men, lovers with distant
eyes, hamburger moguls and skiffle legend Lonnie Donegan.
As the singer-songwriter has undergone a renaissance in
recent years, it's good to see an old hand like Knopfler still
having something to say, and still shining.
- Adam Corrigan
"Spider-Man 2: Music from and Inspired By" (Columbia) -
Various Artists
The movie was even better than its predecessor and the CD
fares no worse in comparison. This soundtrack features several solid
songs by breakout new artists such as Maroon 5, Smile Empty Soul,
The Ataris, Yellowcard and Lostprophets, as well as accomplished
acts including Train, Dashboard Confessional and Hoobastank.
This is clearly a rock-based album, but the inclusion of two
instrumental offerings by Danny Elfman - although scored
specifically for this movie - seem out of place.
That is the only criticism here, however, as this soundtrack
is further proof that the movie industry recognizes the importance
of the music industry and strives to include quantity as well as
quality on its movie-based soundtracks.
- Andrew Neff
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