Amigos

By the release of Amigos, the Santana band's seventh album, only Carlos Santana and David Brown remained from the band that conquered Woodstock, and only Carlos had been in the band continuously since. Meanwhile, the group had made some effort to arrest its commercial slide, hiring an outside producer, David Rubinson, and taking a tighter, more up-tempo, and more vocal approach to its music. The overt jazz influences were replaced by strains of R&B/funk and Mexican folk music. The result was an album more dynamic than any since Santana III in 1971. "Let It Shine" (number 77), an R&B-tinged tune, became the group's first chart single in four years, and the album returned Santana to Top Ten status.

What a perfectly titled release, as Valentin and Mann's camaraderie on their five duets here is all at once playful and poignant, with healthy doses of improvisation thrown in for good measure. Bill O'Connell's standout solo piano sparkles throughout the sweet grooves of "Jesse's Samba" and the rousing eight minute closer "Obsession," but it is Valentin's perky way with the airy textures of his instrument which powers this flavorful collection. "Old Hill" begins as an improv laden duet with O'Connell and shows that Valentin is equally comfortable on moodier lines. Also enjoyable is the brassy "Savanna," on which Mann and Valentin trade of sweet eight bar solos. Two Amigos should appeal to lovers of Latin music and jazz flute, as well as anyone in the mood for a refreshing departure from the same old pop-jazz.

Twenty-five years after his opening album Manera, Fru-Fru, Manera, Fagner commemorates his highly successful career interpreting old hits sided by important or successful artists as guest stars: the fundamental samba singer Ângela Maria; the decisive composer Chico Buarque; the selling phenomenon Zezé di Camargo e Luciano; the important composers/performers Djavan, Luís Melodia, and Milton Nascimento; the great interpreter Emílio Santiago; and several others.

Acclaimed pianist Javier Negrin returns to Odradek with a recital album particularly close to his heart: the complete piano music of Spanish composer Armando Alfonso, his teacher and collaborator for many years, including world-premiere recordings.

Sarah Brightman (born 14 August 1960) is an English classical crossover soprano, actress, musician, songwriter, conductor, and dancer. Brightman has sung in many languages including English, Spanish, French, Latin, German, Turkish, Italian, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Catalan.Brightman began her career as a member of the dance troupe Hot Gossip and released several disco singles as a solo performer. In 1981, she made her West End musical theatre debut in Cats and met composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, whom she later married. She went on to star in several West End and Broadway musicals, including The Phantom of the Opera, where she originated the role of Christine Daaé.

The marriage of jazz and electronica has, too often, produced bland and lackadaisical offspring. But the United Future Organization manages to bring together elements of both, along with traces of club music and "rare groove," and create something that is both elegant and rhythmically propulsive, not to mention structurally interesting. Their latest album is an excellent example of what they can do at their best. On "Tres Amigos" Cuban percussion, horns, and piano are goosed along by a thick, bouncy bassline; "Flying Saucer" blends disco rhythm guitar with jazzy horns and a gorgeous vocal courtesy of Dee Dee Bridgewater; "Dans Ce Desert" is a surprisingly funky 6/8 workout with flamenco castanets, electric piano, and French vocals.