JET JOHNSON - Micropolitan

After the summer hit that never was, "Donnie", Jet Johnson return with a CD release that is quite gorgeous in its simplicity. That single featured the formal vocals of singer and bassist Caroline Nesbø whose Norwegian take on the English language adds an intriguing twist to her delivery.

Harking back to a time when we weren't lost in our oh so ironic post modern wasteland, these songs are warm and evocative, with just a hint of a darkened twist. For no apparent reason, Robert Smith continually springs to mind, despite the frailty of the backing. Quirky, poptastic and frisky, you owe it to yourself to speend some time with "Beautiful" and "What's With Your Heart", songs of the highest order.

http://www.seriouslygroovy.com/jet_johnson.htm

MAHAVISHNU PROJECT - At Night Town in Cleveland Hts. Ohio 9/25/03

One word, "phenomenal"! These are musicians of the highest calibur. Highlights of the evening were, 'Miles Beyond', with Greg Bendian doing the impossible on the drums, at times he looked like Carl Palmer sped up to 78 r.p.m.'s and he actually started to become invisible, his movements were so fast you could see right through him. 'Dance Of The Maya' with Rob Thomas on violin and Pete McCann on guitar showing the small but mighty crowd at the intimate Night Town how many notes they can flawlessly put into one millisecond. 'Meeting Of The Spirits' had Steve Hunt on keys making his hand disappear through inhuman speed while never missing a note. Bassist Lindsey Horner held down some very complex low end melodies that kept this band from leaving the dimension of reality, giving the audience something solid to hang on to while the rest of the band launched their musical ICBM's. This excellent band ended with one of my all time favorite songs, off of 'Birds Of Fire', with this project doing it's own arrangement, 'One Word'.

REVIEW BY Rick Ray

NORMAN CRISTOFOLI - Pass The Mustard:

Poet and Labour of Love founder Norma Cristofoli has released a CD of spoken word musings over a musical backdrop telling tales and selling stories in a throwback to the days of Beat poetry and Kerouacian ramblings.

Which is cool if you like that sort of thing, hard work if your notion of music involved Good Charlotteans shouting about hard it is being a trust fund orphan.

In these days of instant gratification its only the deviants and no-maters who have time to sit and listen to words of interest, which is a shame, because not only does Mr Cristofoli have interesting things to say, but has an arresting way of saying it. Even I could relate to "Then And Now" (but without the receding hairline), and "Glass Blizzard" has a rolling
rhythm that draws you in relentlessly. The last 3 tracks are pure poetry and "Letter To Annie" hits high on the awkometer, but it's well worth $15. After all, you're not going out partying!

http://www.coffeehouse.ca


BERT SWITZER - 1977 - 2002

Bert Switzer has compiled a pile of music from his early bands from his first band Monster Island through underground heroes The Destroyed with some solo material including the worst ever version Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train." Ever.

Of course, this CD is not aimed at me, it's firmly aimed at the punk is dead brigade, who will foam (even more) at the mouth when they hear the raw brutality of one of Boston's earliest and wildest punk bands, The Destroyed. And that material is the real selling point of this ceedee. For there is an inherent nihilistic feel to the lofi recordings that almost make me want to erase the dead punk tattoo from my arm.

Tracks like "Outside Reality", "Animal Disease" and "The Killing" will have the mohawk brigade blowing their wad (of money). With some anecdotal sleeve notes and archival photos, it's a cool package for those who remember what punk was supposed to be.

And anyone who rights press along the lines of "Women burst into his dressing room, begging for autographs and a bit of the nasty. You can scarcely walk down Rodeo Drive without seeing studio executives imitating his carefully maintained coiffure. He's showered with praise by the national sporting press. Bert-mania has swept the nation, and I scarcely
think we'll ever be the same."

Go for it!

www.bertswitzer.com


STEPHANIE KIRKHAM - That Girl

Preston born singer songwriter Stephanie Kirkham releases her debut album, That Girl, on 29 September.

Frankly, she is too perfect for her own good, gorgeous, sings like an angel, writes all her own material. Damn you to hell. But, tragically, I fell compelled to laud her endlessly.

There's a freshness about the ingenue approach of a girl singing songs from the heart without the endless of intrusion of stuffy production or inappropriate beats (Hi Sharleen). And when the voice is rich, perfection and the songs are sweet, as they are here, you just feel the sins of the day wash away.

There's already been one single ('Inappropriate') and another due later, 'Garden Of Dreams' (out 13th October) but virtually every song here could and should be a hit. For me, the two moments of pure pleasure arrive with "Stay Here Close To Me" and "When You Were Here". 10 songs, 40 minutes, bliss. The way it's supposed to be. Positively divine.