Pat Donohue 2011 Nobody's Fault

Secret Story is among the more provocative recordings in Pat Metheny's oeuvre. Combining the relaxed groove of the early Pat Metheny Group recordings, it is full of odd sounds, exotic instrumentation, and the participation of members of the London Orchestra conducted by Jeremy Lubbock. Along with regular group members – bassist Steve Rodby, drummer Paul Wertico, percussionist Naná Vasconcelos, pianist-keyboardist Lyle Mays – numerous guests adorn these tracks as well: bassists Charlie Haden and Will Lee, percussionist Armando Marcal, vocalist Mark Ledford, jazz harmonica legend Toots Thielmans, Gil Goldstein, and Pat's brother Mike Metheny. But what's most notable is that none of these players are constants, as this is most certainly a Metheny solo effort: Secret Story is his own song, so to speak. His acoustic and electric guitars are augmented by synthesizers and samplers, and no matter how lush these proceedings get, they are never overwhelmed by production.

Anyone who likes the B-3 Hammond organ soul-jazz style and doesn't mind a bit of pop-lounge spice occasionally stirred into the sauce should check out this compilation. It combines Pitts' first two LPs, Introducing the Fabulous Trudy Pitts and These Blues of Mine (both from 1967) on one CD. Introducing is a strong debut, divided between covers of pretty mainstream standards ("The Spanish Flea," "It Was a Very Good Year," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker") and gutsier straight soul-jazz, including four originals by Bill Carney, whose "Organology" is a highlight for its nervous, bopping edge. The languorous swells of the opening number "Steppin' in Minor" make you think you're in for a set of swank lounge-jazz, but the pace quickly picks up, and Pitts really catches fire on "Take Five," jamming a lot of notes into her improvisation without sounding self-indulgent…

This is a great reminder of what the best 1980s pop/rock sounded like. It includes most of Pat Benatar's hits, with the unfortunate omission of I Need A Lover, the passionate melodic churner from 1979. It also includes her best album tracks like the poignant Hell Is For Children but her excellent version of Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights is missing. Benatar specialised in powerful rock numbers with strong power chords and catchy hooks, delivered to full effect in her belting voice, like Heartbreaker, Hit Me With Your Best Shot and Love Is A Battlefield. In this sense Benatar was something like a female Meat Loaf and in fact not too far from Bonnie Tyler. But there were also the quiter songs in a more tender voice, like the synth-driven We Live For Love, a pop classic. With 18 tracks, this is a better compilation than Best Shots with its 15 tracks.

Just because Pat Benatar's longtime guitarist and husband Neil Giraldo gets top-level billing here doesn't mean anything has really changed. Giraldo has backed her since her heyday and while he may have changed his brand of instrument - it looks like a custom Tele copy, judging by the cover - they still turn out music that is essentially the same as the arena rockers of the early '80s, and Benatar sings it the same fashion as before. Which means that Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo Live is part of that celebrated tradition, the "greatest hits live" album, and that may not be a surprise since it is subtitled the "Summer Vacation Tour Soundtrack" which kind of implies that it taken from an oldies tour.

Legendary guitar slinger Pat Travers blasts off with a brand new album featuring Travers’ trademark smoking hot licks, powerful vocal performances, and just plain kick ass, foot stomping rock & roll! Retro Rocket, as its name suggests, finds Travers digging deep into the early years of his outstanding career, finding inspiration in the fiery grooves of 1978’s Heat In The Street and, of course, his monumental 1979 live album Go For What You Know! Pat and the boys have an incredibly busy year ahead of them with a 25-date U.S. tour beginning in late January and going clear through the end of April!

Pat Metheny’s new album MoonDial features solo recordings in line with the beloved One Quiet Night (2003) and What’s It All About (2011). It is a purely solo guitar record with no overdubs, using a custom nylon string baritone guitar. He experimented with this new guitar while on tour last fall. Excited by the results he was able to achieve more each night, he decided to immediately record a new album with the guitar – MoonDial.

Uno de los nombres destacados de la nueva generación de guitarristas flamencos, Santiago Lara, jerezano de 32 años, tiene ya prestigiosos premios como el de la Bienal de Sevilla y el 2º Premio Nacional de Arte Flamenco de Córdoba (2013). Productor, compositor y director musical, Santiago ha participado en las grabaciones del maestro Manolo Sanlúcar, así como en sus giras con orquesta. También es responsable de la música de la bailaora Mercedes Ruiz, a quien acompaña en sus giras mundiales. Como productor, además de sus primeros dos álbumes, Santiago ha realizado tres discos para cantaores de la nueva generación como son José Lara, Londro y David Lagos. Desde la vibrante versión de 'Minuano', que abre el álbum con la participación de Jorge Pardo o la vertiginosa 'James' con Antonio Serrano, emociona redescubrir un repertorio que ya abarca casi 40 años con un respeto y una creatividad que hacen honor al título.

Double CD documenting the magic meeting of one of the all-time great rhythm sections in jazz: percussionist Hamid Drake and bassist William Parker, with London’s brilliant Black Top (Orphy Robinson and Pat Thomas) and Elaine Mitchener. Across two sets the quintet are infectiously energetic and inspired, striding from synchronised heavy groove to star bright solos, whilst incorporating dub effects, guimbri and sumptuous blues piano playing.