Metro 5

Metro's 3 CD releases feature hot Guitarist ~ Producer Chuck Loeb & Keyboardist Mitchel Forman as the bands main soloists. The 4-piece band is a side project of both members, getting their start together with Stan Getz in the late 70's. As opposed to Chuck and Mitchel's individual solo CD's, they seem to enjoy playing their early fusion influences, and surprising alter ego chops. It's as if Chuck & Mitchel said "No matter what happens with our solo careers, let's still have a band to experiment, and have some fun doing it!".

In a day and age when so much of what is considered jazz is merely fluffy pop instrumental music designed for the safety of radio play, Lipstick Records is a godsend for fans of high-caliber, adventurous ensemble playing. The label's latest project joins two old pals - both veterans who have played everything from light pop-jazz to classical and powerhouse fusion - and places them in a free-flowing studio setting where anything is possible and the unexpected is bound to occur. The multi-faceted, multi-keyboardist Mitch Forman first met guitarist Chuck Loeb in the early '80s when the two toured for several years with Stan Getz. As the liner notes explain, "At our first rehearsal, we resolved to start our own band.

An entry within Metro Doubles series, One, Two, Three & BJ4: The Legendary Albums is a two-CD set containing Bob James' first four albums, presented in chronological order. The set is a good way to pick up these four James' discs – not only is it a convenient, concise way to get the records, but they're presented well with good liner notes, including track-by-track commentary by Chris Ingham.

Smoking Popes - At Metro (2006) {CD + DVD5 NTSC, Victory Records VR295}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 466 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 144 Mb
DVD5 -> 4.08 Gb | All Regions | NTSC 4:3 | Dolby AC3, 2 ch | ~ 79 min | ISO Image
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 48 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2006 Victory Records | VR295
Rock / Pop Punk / Alternative Rock / Indie

After a seven year hiatus, the Smoking Popes have at last resurfaced. The band initially reunited near the end of 2005 for a one-off show as part of the Chicago music festival, Flower15, put on by Flower Booking to raise money for local charities. Miss the concert? For fans overcome with frustration at not being able to get to Chicago, or who couldn't secure a ticket to the show, the nice folks at Victory Records have documented the night on the CD/DVD At Metro to appease the pain somewhat . (The Popes have since embarked on a reunion headlining tour, but alas, no one knew this in November).