Sounding Off. - Review - sound recording review

Ebony, August, 2000 by Lynn Norment

The Best In Recorded Music

THE soundtrack from John Singleton's Shaft (LaFace/ Arista) rivals the 1971 original's Grammy- and Oscar-winning music from Isaac Hayes. In fact, Hayes returns with "Theme From Shaft 2000," but the CD also boasts a number of other talented artists, including R. Kelly on "Bad Man" and "Up and Outta Here," and Angie Stone on "My Lovin' Will Give You Something." Also featured are Donell Jones on "Do What I Gotta Do," Alicia Keys on a cooled down "Rock Wit U," OutKast on "Tough Guy," and Carl Thomas on the easy flowing "Summer Rain." This is great music to rock you through summer 2000. Talking 'bout Shaft.

On Riding with the King (Reprise), blues giants B.B. King and Eric Clapton have created a powerful testament to their music and their musical bond. The friendship that started when the two first met and played together in 1967 has prospered over the years and climaxes with this collection of blues and R&B classics that features two of music's most inspired guitars. The duo kicks off the set with "Riding with the King," followed by B.B.'s classic "Ten Long Years" and Bill Broonzy's "Key to the Highway." Also featured are B.B. favorites--"Three O'Clock Blues," "Help the Poor," "Days of Old," and "When My Heart Beats Like a Hammer." Music for kings by kings.

Talented flutist, composer and writer Sherry Winston provides the perfect music to float on through the summer with her fourth recording, Life is Love and Love is You (Flying Flute/Orpheus). The acclaimed flutist also wrote many of the songs and produced the recording, which features vocalists Jon Lucien on the title song, and Janice Dempsey and Porter Carroll on "To Be with You." The late saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. is featured on "Love & Marriage," keyboardist Bobby Lyle on "Symphonic Rock Suite #3," and guitarist Norman Brown on Stevie Wonder's "Pastime Paradise," on which Winston delivers a superb electronic flute performance.

With Mirror Mirror (Island Def Jam), Kelly Price demonstrates that she is not a one-hit wonder. With tremendous vocals and poignant lyrics that she penned, Price returns with a second set of great songs that speak to the heart from the heart. Among the standouts are the soulful "She Wants You" (which features R. Kelly in the interlude), "3 Strikes," and the powerful "Mirror Mirror." Gerald Levert and K-Ci Harley are featured on "All I Want Is You," and Method Man raps on "Like You Do." Other guest artists include Teddy Riley, who produced "Love Sets You Free."

ALSO NOTED: Wynton Marsalis Septet, The Marciac Suite (Columbia); Dianne Reeves, In the Moment--Live in Concert (Blue Note); James Carter, Chasin' the Gypsy (Atlantic); Rene Marie, How Can I Keep From Singing? (MaxJazz); Freddy Cole, Merry-Go-Round (Telarc); Dr. Michael White, A Song for George Lewis (Basin Street); Crusaders' Finest Hour reissue (Verve); Joe McBride, Texas Rhythm Club (Heads Up); Russell Malone, Look Who's Here (Verve); Wes Montgomery's Finest Hour (verve); David S. Ware, Surrendered (Columbia); Kevin Maynor, The Black Art Song (Fleur De Son Classics); Otha Turner and the Afrosippi Allstars (Birdman); Eric Bibb, Home to Me (EarthBeat); Phat Cat Players (Pharlane); Nutty Professor II soundtrack (Def Jam); Big Momma's House soundtrack (So So Def); LV, How Long (Loud); DJ Magic Mike, Magic's Kingdom (Restless); Spooks, S.I.O.S.O.S. (Artemis); Tribute to Roger Troutman (Thump); Busta Rhymes, Anarchy (Elektra); and Adrian Smith/Agee, You Are the Reason (Real Deal).