THIS WEEK’S ELITE:
Ray Charles & Count Basie Orchestra, Ray Sings, Basie Swings, (Concord)
soul
I can’t believe Ray Charles is still making albums from the grave, how remarkable! To me, he’s up there with Elvis in terms of musical genious. Interesting album facts:
- This GROUND BREAKING CD marks the FIRST-TIME an entire album has been created using a pre-existing vocal track and a new instrumental backdrop.
- The FIRST AND ONLY RECORDING in which Charles is backed by the legendary bandleader’s orchestra, helping to fulfill one of Charles’ life-long musical dreams. [Concord Music Group]
Beck, The Information (Interscope)
indie, rock
While it may seem that Beck has run the gamut of his musical experimentation, he still never ceases to amaze. Its not quite Sea Change, nonetheless another great release.
WORTH MENTION:
Jet, Shine On (Atlantic)
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES (high anticipation, no apparent album stream):
Amos Lee, Supply and Demand (Blue Note)
Apparently the demand is high and the supply is low. No luck finding an album stream but the Philly-based folk rocker has a few songs for sample on web site and MySpace profile.
See our Release Calendar for more.
[all full album streams courtesy of AOL Music unless otherwise noted]
About the author: Washington, D.C. area creative by day. Music is my muse. I host Twangville’s weekly Readers‘ Pick.