Reviews & Previews ARTISTS & MUSIC S P O T L I G H T SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT SARA LEE THE OFFSPRING Make It Beautiful Conspiracy Of One PRODUCERS: Peter Scherer, Harvey Jones PRODUCER: Brendan O'Brien Righteous Babe RBRO21 Columbia CK 61419 British bassist Sara Lee has been ply- On the winning follow -up to its 1995 ing her feisty musical wares since the smash "Americana," the Offspring late '70s. As an in- demand session play- doesn't stray far from the brand of er, Lee has toured and recorded with adrenaline- fueled punk/pop it first numerous high -profile acts, including helped popularize with Green Day Fiona Apple, the B -52's, Indigo Girls, back in the mid -'90s. But "Conspiracy Thompson Twins, Gang Of Four, and Of One" proves the SoCal rock act to Ryuichi Sakamoto. Four years ago, she still be among the top practitioners of accompanied singer/songwriter Ani the genre, which has most recently AI J LA DiFranco on tours of Europe and been owned by another group of 1 North America. With "Make It Beauti- smart-ass punk revivalists, Blink -182. EDITED BY MICHAEL PAOLETTA ful," the ultra- photogenic Lee finally The band roars out of the gates on the PRU delivers her greatly anticipated solo MUSIO SOULCHILD aptly titled track "Come Out Swing- Pru debut. Throughout the set's 10 tracks, Aijuswannasing ing" and blisters through the first 10 PRODUCERS: various funky beats seamlessly collide with PRODUCERS: various songs without looking back. But as P P Capitol 7243 5 23120 0 9 Def Soul/Def Jam 8289 O decidedly pop mannerisms, and new- opposed to Blink, which powers Webster's defines the word "prudent" With a moniker like Musiq Soulchild, * SHAWN LEE as "capable of exercising sound judg- expectations are high for this soul - Monkey Boy ment." Capitol artist Pru (nee Ren- ster's debut. The Philadelphia native PRODUCER: Shawn Lee fro) definitely fits the bill with this does not disappoint throughout the We Love You/Wall of Sound AMOUR 2C0 noteworthy debut. Picking up the album's 15 melodic tracks. Taking Raised in Wichita, Kan., the London - lyrical gauntlet thrown down by such musical cues from legends like Stevie residing Shawn Lee has created a fine, neo-soul sistahs as Angie Stone, Jill Wonder and Marvin Gaye, Musiq genre -bending debut. Musically alive, Scott, and musical influence/label- places his hot -buttered soul against "Monkey Boy" finds Lee -who wrote, mate Rachelle Ferrell, this Houston - lush musical backdrops courtesy of arranged, and produced the set -cavort- bred singer /songwriter sparkles with James Poyser and A Touch of Jazz's ing with a veritable potpourri of musical colorfully imaged songs about love Carvin Haggins. "Just Friends elements, including blues, folk, funk, hip - won, lost, and anticipated -laid (Sunny)," with its head -nodding back - hop, and bossa nova. Influences include against an R &B backdrop rhythmi- beat and sliding keys, caught the Prince ( "I Can't Save You "), P.M. Dawn cally punctuated with hip-hop, Latin, attention of R &B radio ears last sum- ( "Floating"), Seal ( "Hangin' By A pop, jazz, rock, and country. The cre- mer. On the hypnotizing "Girl Next Thread "), Beck ( "Kill Somebody "), Lou ative interpolation of Smokey Robin - Door," Musiq flips the familiar tale of Reed ( "A &R Man Of Love "), and Astrud son's "Tracks Of My Tears" on lead not seeing what's in front of you till ( single "Candles" gives way to it's too late, with a laid -back swagger. Gilberto "Happiness "). Throughout the other wave aesthetics joyously embrace disco straight ahead with scatological juve- 11 -with -you standouts like the sen- The singer also knows how to take -track set (don't miss the additional stay rhythms. is in the heart, nility, the Offspring bridges punk with Groove the two quirky hidden tracks), such influ- suous "Aroma Of A Man," the coun- indeed. Dig a little deeper, though, and things down a notch; witness change -ups of metal and traditional flecked hip-hop love "183 melancholic "Mary Go Round." Else - ences never stand taller than Lee's deft try- story discover a rich harvest of stimulating rock and brings a more sarcastic wit "Got High," where, the keyboard-drenched foun- skills as a singer/multi- instrumentalist. In Miles," the euphoric Me tales, dealing more often than not with to its observations of male teen angst. and ballad "Hazy Shades." dation of "143" slightly recalls Won- the end, though, a few questions remain: tender love gone wrong. On tracks like "Hood The set is highlighted by "Original Latin der's "I Called To Say I Love Will "Monkey Boy" prove to be too soul- Confident enough to put a spin Over Hood," "Grace," and "Gone," Lee Just Prankster," a Latin -tinged track remi- on signature "Smooth Opera- You," while at the same time forging ful for the indie scene and too indie for Sade's receives sisterly assistance from niscent of the hit "Pretty Fly (For A tor," Pru is an up- and -comer who its own identity with its uptempo the pop/R &B community? Or will it cre- DiFranco, Indigo Girl Emily Saliers, White Guy) "; "Special Delivery," a its hoping deserves to be heard. bridge. Other noteworthy tracks ate a niche all own? Here's to and Gail Ann Dorsey, respectively. In stalker anthem that juxtaposes its include message -driven "Seven- for the latter. Distributed by Caroline. the end, Lee couldn't have named this the heavy -handed subject with a smirking teen" and "L' Gone," a Roots -influ- album anything else. Is "ooga -shaka" sample from Blue 19 -track set. The emotional "I Wish" enced jam session. * GASPAR BRÖTZMANN serves as the leadoff from "TP- 2.com." Swede's "Hooked On A Feeling"; and Mute Massaker "One Fine Day," a stomping testimo- Set against a rich guitar track, Kelly the Pharcyde), and a special bonus: the PRODUCER: Caspar Brbtzmann remembers friends and family that he's ny to the drunken exploits of tall-boy Thirsty Ear 57093 aptly titled brand -new cut "Finish What COUNTRY lost. The gospel- influenced, and poten- drinking Neanderthals. German avant-axeman Caspar Brötz- You Started," featuring the inimitable 10. ALAN JACKSON tial crossover hit, "The Storm Is Over mann leans far more to hard rock than to Davenport. When Somebody Loves You Now" is reminiscent of "I Believe I Can the free jazz of his father, lauded veteran PRODUCER: Keith Stegall Fly" with its dramatic musical back- saxist Peter Brötzmann. But the heavy- D A N C E Arista 07863 great, alternating between driving, per- drop and inspirational lyrics. Although For more than 10 years, Alan Jackson cussive romps like "Love Caught Up To metal instrumental extravaganza "Mute * ANANDA PROJECT Massaker" burns with a textured im- grandparents and kids love this R. has stayed completely true to his coun- Me," "Free To Go," and "Dreams Of Clay" Kelly, there is most certainly another Release music vision, winds and moments of sheer country perfection provisational fire rare among rockers. PRODUCER: Chris Brann try prevailing be Fronting his power trio live in the studio side to the artist: the uptempo "R &B damned. On his 11th release, Jackson in "Time Spent Missing You," "A Promise Thug" and the sensual "The Greatest Nite Grooves/King Street Sounds 217 You Can't Keep," and the wonderfully (and eschewing vocals this time out, Project mastermind retains his skill in writing and choosing Sex." On the Latin -tinged, radio- Ananda /producer hangdog Hank Williams knockoff "The thankfully), Brötzmann channels the Chris Brann is no stranger to clubland. great songs but also surprises with a ghosts ofJimi Hendrix and Sonny Shar- ready "Fiesta," Kelly's lothario per- keen sense of humor. It's all good here, Heartaches Are Free." Yoakam has qui- sona is coupled with a staccato step. Since the early '90s, the Atlanta resi- etly become one of country's most consis- rock on a half-dozen gems of spiritualized dent has maintained a heavy presence from the laid -back country excellence of "TP- 2.com " -a nod to Kelly's classic "Meat And Potato Man" to the self- tent songwriters, and his knack for a skronk; the rhythm section - bassist on dancefloors, as well as in rhythm - Ottmar Seum and drummer Robert "12 Play " -seamlessly highlights his penned title cut, an instant slow -burn unique turn of phrase and sense of mel- two faces. infused lounges /restaurants- thanks to ody are in great form here. Yoakam also Dämmig-pounds with invention, but the his many recording aliases (P'Taah, classic. And while the heartfelt stuff is main attraction are Brötzmann's six top- drawer, Jackson also exhibits com- continues to wear his influences on his BRAND NEW HEAVIES Santal, and the Wamdue Project). Origi- sleeve, as a collaboration with Buck shredding strings. The title track sets a Trunk Funk Classics (1991 -2000) nally intended as a one -off side deal, the edic skill worthy of the late Roger Miller grand, spacious tone, while "Cheyenne" in the driving "Where I Come From" Owens in "The Sad Side Of Town" works PRODUCERS: various joyously soulful Ananda Project has wonders. Two other "bonus Bucks" duets whips up a storm of distorted, distressed Rhino/Delicious Vinyl 79992 and the goofball "It's Alright To Be A evolved into a colorful collective of tal- with Owens close out the record in joyous poetry on the pervasive Native Ameri- Whatever you want to call it musicians, vocalists, and song- Redneck." But Jackson saves his most -rare ented fashion, but even at 14 generous tracks, can theme. The mostly solo "Rain" cours- groove or acid jazz no denying biting humor for the biz, with "Three -there's writers.