Picture Perfect Morning

Unless you’re in deep the music way, the name Adrian Belew might not ring a bell. Truth of the matter is that Adrian Belew was the secret weapon to the biggest names in music for the better part of nearly 5 decades; Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, and Trent Reznor are just a handful of artists Mr. Belew lent his skills to on some of the biggest albums of the last 50 years. And that’s not even the most amazing thing about this man. He was the singer/guitarist for the 80s return of King Crimson as well as having a prolific solo career, spending time equally in the experimental and power pop side of things. At 70-years old Adrian Belew shows no signs of stopping. His new album Elevator is a beautiful and clanging ode to his work as both a mad scientist behind the six string, as well as his ability to write gorgeous pop songs in the vein of Lennon/McCartney.

This is a great collection of rare and hard to find tunes compiled by Jeffrey Glenn. Hundreds of odds & ends by little known groups, famous singers, and famous singers before they became famous.

The first five chronologically sequenced tracks of this compilation mirror the rise of the smooth-jazz radio phenomenon. "So Amazing," "Bermuda Nights," "In the Mood," "My, My, My," and "Anniversary" are all still staples of the format. Released between 1987 and 1990, all (except the second one) are covers of popular R&B tunes, and they still sound fresh. These songs alone make this an excellent collection for smooth-jazz fans. Starting with his fifth album, Live at Birdland West, the exciting tenor saxophonist became a little more adventurous, often completely crossing that broad line that separates smooth jazz from contemporary electric jazz. Two duets–one with Lee Ritenour, "G & Lee," and "Boss of Nova," with Joe Sample–are two examples of his playing that sets Albright apart from most saxophonists who are tagged with the smooth-jazz label. Serious Albright fans may not appreciate the absence of his popular duets with his frequent partner, vocalist Will Downing, but that aside, this is a worthy summation of Albright's successful tenure at Atlantic Records.

Funky soul backbeats, irresistible grooves, timeless electronic elements, angelic harmonies and that perfect voice delivering emotional lyrics with absolute sincerity: it can only be Beady Belle. 'Nothing But the Truth' is not only an album consolidating Beady's work, from 'Home' to the present, but a clear indicator that her restless musical spirit is only intensifying its searches and an exciting future is already arriving. The album marks the 20th anniversary of a career that has been defined by quality, reinvention, and innovation, filled with memorable songs of diverse moods, styles and motivations, all unified by one of the most cherished voices to come out of the seemingly infinite Norwegian music scene.