LBUM REVIEWS Fania JM-650 POP that march to the beat of a different The good old guys really excel on this SPOTLIGHT drummer. SPOTLIGHT remarkable album, showing the versatility of the Stars; Celia Cruz, WITNESS Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe, and Pete PRODUCERS: Bill Drescher, Kevin Elson "El KING DIAMOND Arista AL-8491 Conde" Rodriguez sing. All tunes are solid, including a juicy version of "Them" Don't be fooled: Cover conveys "Smooth Operator," something nice PRODUCERS: King Diamond, Roberto Falca° generic metal, but sound is melodic Roadracer /MCA RR -9550 called "Siento," and Celia's pop. First-rate debut offers strong "Bamboleo." Watch out for string Last year's independently distributed vocals, subliminal R&B influence. "Abigail" reportedly topped the Planned ensemble and the guitar playing of tour with similarly styled Francisco Navarro. 100,000 -sales mark; second horror/ bands should heat up sales in the fall. concept album from former Mercyful Fate member, complete with color LUIS ENRIQUE "souvenir brochure," should pull even Amor Y Alegria PRODUCERS: Carlos "Cuto" Soto, Luis Enrique bigger numbers thanks to distribution CBS 10546 linkup with MCA. BLACK CBS' first serious incursion into salsa, an attempt to cash in on the Puerto Rican sensual wave. The weight of CINDERELLA PAT BENATAR the album is on singer /percussionist Long Cold Winter PUBLIC ENEMY Wide Awake In Dreamland Luis Enrique, who gives a good PRODUCERS: Andy Johns, Tom Keifer. Eric PRODUCERS: Peter Coleman, JOHNNY MATHIS It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back Neil Geraldo, others performance. With a bit of luck album Brittingham PRODUCERS: Hank Shocklee, Carl Ryder Chrysalis OV -41628 Once In A While Mercury 834 612 may catch on, but there is nothing DO Jam BSW 44303 Benatar and hubby Geraldo, known PRODUCERS: Peter Bunetta & Rick Chudacoff, Ballsy, blues -tinged hard rock from dramatically new on this carefully Preston Glass, Robert Kraft This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, for some of the most intelligent, crafted album. Columbia OC 44156 prime purveyors of the genre. Follow- this is badass, up- to-the- minute inventive album rock of the decade, Velvet -voiced crooner unleashes his up to double-platinum debut dishes up rock'n'roll sure to singe tender ears. A return with soup -to-nuts bag of hits finest, most with-it effort in some time; definitive proof that initial success junkyard -dog attitude; def, deft guaranteed to move in large numbers. best among carefully selected tunes are was no fluke; if anything, anthemic rhymes; and a black hole of noise give From raw rockers like "All Fired Up" Todd Rundgren's "It Wouldn't Have "Gypsy Road," "Coming Home," and rise to an intoxicating hour of to Temptations -style funk of "Let's CLASSICAL Made Any Difference" and, for the "The Last Mile" will help this pull consciousness-raising. Critics and street Stay Together" and warm ballads, more traditional, "I'm On The Outside even bigger numbers. AC /DC denizens have formed a united front of this one's got it all. Looking In." "Two Strong Hearts" is a influences abound, but on title track praise and support believe the hype. dynamite duet with Dionne Warwick. belter Keifer sounds like no one as BEETHOVEN: SYMPHONY NO. 9; SYMPHONY NO. 5 much as Janis Joplin. RICK JAMES Soloists, London Symphony Orchestra, Monteux; IGGY POP Wonderful Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London, Instinct PRODUCER: Rick James Rodzinski PRODUCER: Bill Laswell Reprise 25659 MCA MCAD- 9606a/9606b AMA SP 5198 lt) ti j i)41:1)l,r ar Funk's master blaster brings on a hot Veteran rocker's second for A &M and percolating brew here. Typically One of the label's Double Decker sets punches harder than his label debut lubricious material is thrown down (two CDs for the price of one midline), emphasis is on guitar -heavy rock'n'roll handsomely by James, who gets a big this offers the added attraction of a 25- not unlike that heard during Iggy's helping hand from Roxanne Shante on minute rehearsal segment of the 9th, with incisive comments by Monteux, "Lust For life" epoch. Ex-Sex Pistol air `!!101°' `11. "Loosey's Rap." Title cut and "So Steve Jones once again steps in as Tight" also groove mightily enough to including a couple of verbal slaps at the Pop's instrumental and songwriting II II ia1 * .' take a lick at the black charts. legendary Weingartner. The sidekick. Muscular concoctions like performance of the entire symphony is "Cold Metal" and "Easy Rider" may fly strong and the sound acceptable. on album rock circuit. Rodzinski's 5th is somewhat more faded. MARTI JONES COUNTRY CROWDED HOUSE Temple Low Used Guitars Of Men SHOSTAKOVICH: SYMPHONY NO 9; SUITE FROM PRODUCER: PRODUCER: Don Dixon Mitchell Froom KATERINA ISMAILOVA; FESTIVE OVERTURE Capitol 48763 A&M SP 5208 STRYPER Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Jarvi Strong third outing from nouveau In God We Trust Crowded House's "Sgt. Pepper" takes Chandos CHAN 8587 PRODUCERS: Stryper, Michael Lloyd RAY STEVENS the pleasing melodicism of the country rocker proves that her vocals Enigma D -73317 Both performance and sound seem I Never Made A Record I Didn't Like group's gold debut and bends it every ideally suited to these pieces. Jarvi can are as consistently tasteful as her Frequently dogmatic lyrics are PRODUCER: Ray Stevens choice of songwriters, here including MCA 42172 which way without quite breaking it; deliver the big statement when called shrouded in a sort of bubblegum psychedelic meanderings imbue John Hiatt, Janis Ian, Graham Parker, Russian surfers, old hippies in search for, with lyrical portions treated just as metal that skillfully combines the best ambitious project with an exciting, Jackie DeShannon, and producer of the ultimate smoke, stylish death knowingly. As a novelty encore, tendencies of the Rubinoos and experimental feel. Though album as a Dixon. Highlights of a lively mélange on Mulholland Drive, and a spastic program closes with a tart reading of Motley Crue; album has a greater whole is not as immediately accessible are "If I Can Love Somebody," "Back hick rendition of "Bad "Tea For Two" in Shostakovich's hip sense of melody than Christian "; just another or commercial as trio's debut, high Of The Line," and "I Don't Want Him day in the life of Ray Stevens. arrangement. outfit's previous efforts, thanks to quality assures that it will sell (Anymore)." veteran sound -polisher Lloyd. steadily for years to come. THE You" HOLLY DUNN VIRTUOSO RECORDER "Always There For and "Keep Michels Petri PAUL KELLY & THE MESSENGERS Across The Rio Grande The Fire Burning" are the prime radio RCA Victor 7749 -RC Under The Sun picks. PRODUCERS: H. Dunn, Warren Peterson, Chris Waters talents in a variety of low-key fusion PRODUCERS: Alan Thome, Paul Kelly MTM D-71070 settings. Sidemen are many and The brilliant recorder player is AMA SP 5207 Dunn's voice is not an instrument of diverse: Players include Wayne showcased here in a canny program Intelligent and gritty Australian great variation, but the imaginative Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, and even designed to gratify and amaze. She rocker who won critics' nods for his production and thoughtful selection of Gregory Hines, who provides tap shines musically and positively glitters first U.S. set ups the ante on second songs here overcome that fact. Best dance accompaniment on two merry, technically. Works are by Telemann, stateside release, which runs through among the uniformly fine cuts are unusual tracks. A solid achievement. Heberle, Bach, Frederick the Great, a wide range of styles and emotional "Just Across The Rio Grande," "If and Kraehmer. temperatures. Kelly is still a long shot Nobody Knew My Name," "(It's for mass acceptance via album rock Always Gonna Be) Someday." play, but this album should cement his growing rep among cognoscenti. NEW AGE THE BIBLE PICKS Eureka JAZZ PRODUCER: Steve Earle Ensign /Chrysalis BFV41613 ANDY SUMMERS Debut disk from U.K. outfit is lyrical, 11111111111111111m.+xs,..:. Mysterious Barricades PRODUCERS: Andy Summers, David Hentschel guitar-based pop. Leadoff single, Private Music 2039 "Crystal Palace," has the goods for BENNIE WALLACE AMY GRANT Bordertown Police -man Summers has more name album rock outlets and possibly top Lead Me On PRODUCER: Mac "Dr. John Rebennack value than most new agers. Guitarist SPOTLIGHT: Predicted to hit top 10 on Bill- 40; likely follow -ups include PRODUCER: Brown Bannister Blue Note 48014 follows same trail he walked on prior board's Top Pop Albums chart or to earn plati- ASM SP -5199 num "Skywriting" and "The Wishing Wallace and Rebennack scored albums with Robert Fripp. This date certification. Game." Crisp production from Radio and mainstream consumers NEW & NOTEWORTHY: Highlights new and aesthetic success on the tenor man's offers 13 sonic mantras, both fast and developing acts worthy of attention and other country rocker Earle is a big plus. should be drawn in droves to this previous album; radio play and sales thoroughly enjoyable contemporary slow, which give Wave -type stations releases of special interest. indicate the team has forged a plenty to work with. PICKS: Releases predicted to hit the top half RHYTHM CORPS pop album, which, though more commercial success this time. Wallace's of the chart in the format listed. Common Ground overtly religious than breakthrough hard-edged horn is a treat for real jazz RECOMMENDED: Other releases predicted PRODUCERS: Randy Bishop, Spencer Proffer to chart in the respective format; also, other al- "Unguarded" set, is no more so than stations; Rebennack's guest vocal Pasha BFZ 44159 Steve Winwood's chart-topping bums of superior quality. American band has clearly been might fetch other formats, too.