Skyline.2010

Shawn Colvin is a contemporary folk/pop artist best known for her 1997 hit 'Sunny Came Home' from the album 'A Few Small Repairs'. She released her debut album in 1989 and was one of the leading lights of the 'new folk' movement (her peers include the likes of Sarah McLachlan, Toni Childs, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Lisa Loeb & Sheryl Crow). She continues to tour and release albums regularly with much critical acclaim.

Skyline from the Bielefeld area emerged out of the well-known band Virus; they had, however, hardly anything in common with their predecessor’s music. What they now played was jazz-rock with slight funky influences and English lyrics; altogether much smoother than the music by Virus. Their only LP, “Louise for one night”, was recorded in fall of 1975 and released as a private pressing in an edition of 500 copies in 1976.

While not quite as strong as the band's debut, Scoundrel Days is still a-ha succeeding as a marketed "pretty boy" band which can connect musically and lyrically as much as any musical sacred cow. The opening two songs alone make for one of the best one-two opening punches around: the tense edge of the title track, featuring one of Morten Harket's soaring vocals during the chorus and a crisp, pristine punch in the music, and "The Swing of Things," a moody, elegant number with a beautiful synth/guitar arrangement (plus some fine drumming courtesy of studio pro Michael Sturgis) and utterly lovelorn lyrical sentiments that balance on the edge of being overheated without quite going over. Although the rest of the disc never quite hits as high as the opening, it comes close more often than not…

Bobby Hutcherson - Skyline (1999) {Verve 314 559 616-2 rec 1998}
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© 1999 Verve / PolyGram | 314 559 616-2
Jazz / Post Bop / Vibes

Legendary vibist Bobby Hutcherson delivers an attractive collection on this, his first recording for the Verve label. Accompanied by an all-star lineup, it's Hutcherson himself who raises Skyline to a level above the average straight-ahead jazz jam, but he is obviously inspired by his young bandmates. Alto saxman Kenny Garrett is especially impressive here. Highlights include a "Delilah" played in a relaxed, slow groove; a beautiful reading of Herbie Hancock's "Chan's Song"; and a lovely piano/vibes duet on the Hutcherson original "Candle." In addition, the opening "Who's Got You" features fine interplay between Hutcherson and Garrett, and smokin' solos from the whole crew, while the arrangement of "I Only Have Eyes for You" takes that warhorse far beyond the mundane place where it usually resides.

Huminoita is a music collective from Oulu, Finland. Basically they are playing psychedelic/space rock with a shot of post, stoner and jazz, the latter due to some saxophone attendance.
Hard, booming vintage era guitar riffs is a key and prominent feature in most compositions, as are delicate echoing guitar details, gnarly but brittle riffs and psychedelic tinged and soaked guitar solo runs. A nervous electric piano finds it’s way into the proceedings here and there, as do careful organ textures and nonverbal, layered backing vocals either soft or with a more chant-like expression. The saxophone makes some occasional visits too, and in one instance the flute is brought in to add an earthy, folky vibe to the proceedings.