AltWeeklies Wire
Terence Blanchard Returns to a Classic Soundnew
In this wrenching album, the jazz trumpeter emerges from a long electric phase that followed his late-'80s collaborations with Donald Harrison and informed the soundtracks he wrote for Spike Lee.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
09-19-2007 |
Reviews
Percussionist John Santos Debuts New Quintetnew
Roughly six months since the dissolution of his ten-piece Machete Ensemble, the apparently indefatigable bandleader returns with what has to be one of the most exciting local jazz albums of the year.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
09-13-2007 |
Reviews
There Isn't One San Francisco Soundnew
On this four-CD set, you get all the expected hits, from Jefferson Airplane's "It's No Secret" to the Count Five's "Psychotic Reaction" to Santana's "Evil Ways." You also get the minor hits and obscure gems from dozens of bands long forgotten.
East Bay Express |
J. Poet |
09-05-2007 |
Reviews
Is La Plebe the Spanish-Speaking Operation Ivy?new
The San Francisco-based ska band distinguishes itself from its more pop-oriented forebears with a heavily politicized tone.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
09-05-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: Hasta la Muerte!, La Plebe
The Clientele's Melancholy Sentimentsnew
God Save the Clientele borrows the highly literate and deeply sad sensibility of 2005's Strange Geometry and kicks it up a notch, particularly with Louis Philippe's classical-sounding string sections, and the addition of multi-instrumentalist Mel Draisey.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
05-30-2007 |
Reviews
More Classic than Datednew
On Over Time, Hieroglyphics open their vaults for some rare B-sides, remixes, and obscure album cuts, giving the average consumer a chance to peep what their cultlike following has long been gurping over.
East Bay Express |
Eric K. Arnold |
05-09-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: Hieroglyphics, Over Time
A Soundtrack to a Nonexistent Filmnew
Gutterfly is easily the Lifesavas' best album to date.
East Bay Express |
Eric K. Arnold |
04-11-2007 |
Reviews
An All-star Collab on Different Levelsnew
While trainspotters anxiously anticipate upcoming major label releases by Mistah F.A.B. and the Federation, Da Bidness coolly slides in the back door, swaggers up to the bar, and orders a double shot of Patron.
East Bay Express |
Eric K. Arnold |
04-11-2007 |
Reviews
Not Just a Grumbling OGnew
Set up as a suite, but placing as much emphasis on hard-hitting lyrics as on musical depth, Marsalis' new album dissects and eviscerates the archcapitalist "pimp" mentality he cites as a core value of hip-hop.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
03-28-2007 |
Reviews
'Something About God'new
Who would want to pass on the first competent female rapper to blow up without dropping her pants?
East Bay Express |
David Downs |
11-30-2006 |
Reviews
Yo La Tengo's Mother Lodenew
The Hoboken trio's latest album showcases a record-store-sized record collection.
East Bay Express |
David Downs |
10-20-2006 |
Reviews
Taking 'Outsider' Outdoorsnew
A campfire focus group of Joe Sixpacks balks at DJ Shadow's latest release.
East Bay Express |
David Downs |
09-11-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: DJ Shadow, The Outsider
Murderous Flownew
In a world of Vitamin-Water-ed-down gangsta rappers with suburb-dwelling fan bases, C-Bo is a tall can of Steel Reserve -- far worse for your health, but more potent and intoxicating.
East Bay Express |
Eric K. Arnold |
08-21-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: C-Bo, Money to Burn
Deliciously Nostalgicnew
Listening to The Unusual is like waking up before dawn, drinking a cold cup of coffee and skimming yesterday's paper -- you get the sense of being suspended in time.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
02-27-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: El Da Sensei, The Unusual
Light Party Farenew
The group's final effort perfectly fits into the template laid out on four previous albums, erring on the side of old-school shtick.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
01-30-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: Firewater, Tha Alkaholiks
