Peace

The line dividing black gospel and so-called secular music has always been a thin one, and musicians have rarely been afraid to step over it. In the 1920s, the blind singer “Arizona” Juanita Dranes wed ragtime and boogie—rhythms associated with saloons and barrelhouses—to Holiness movement hymns. Later, Mahalia Jackson, who refused to record secular records, nonetheless achieved massive popularity outside the sanctified confines of the gospel scene. A true pioneer, Sister Rosetta Tharpe scandalized the church by performing in nightclubs, practically inventing rock & roll in the process. By the early 1970s, blockbuster Stax singles by the Staple Singers proved artists could exist comfortably in both worlds, or suggested that perhaps these distinct spheres actually overlapped.

In 2000, his first, self penned and written, solo album entitled 'Peace And Love', was released. The album was recorded utilising real instrumentation, for melodies penned over a 15 year period. On 'Which Way,' (a Jim Croce song his aunt introduced him to when he was eight), Tommy played the song with just his guitar and harmonica. One song, highly popular in the U.K., entitled, 'A New Jam' was written as a mark of respect to the music of Marvin Gaye and Bobby Womack. Another song, 'Summer' features Stevie Wonder. 'It Don't Matter to the Sun', was featured on the soundtrack of the television drama Grey's Anatomy.

Although Charnett Moffett has considerable potential as a musician and a composer, he hasn't always lived up to it. The acoustic/electric bassist has recorded some excellent albums (including Planet Home and Still Life, both on Evidence), but he has come out with some weak, forgettable ones as well; Beauty Within is arguably the worst offender. Moffett can be great as a post-bop, fusion, or avant-garde player, although some of his contributions to smooth jazz in the late '80s and early '90s were downright embarrassing. For the Love of Peace, thankfully, is among his more noteworthy efforts. Most of this 2003 date falls into the acoustic post-bop category, and Moffett (who wrote all of the material himself) brings a highly spiritual outlook to this project.

Strange Peace is the third album from the Toronto noise-rock outfit METZ, and it's anything but peaceful. Starting with their self-titled debut for Sub Pop records, the trio of singer-guitarist Alex Edkins, bassist Chris Slorach, and drummer Hayden Menzies has raised a healthy if unholy racket, a sound that sits somewhere between the dissonant aggression of Shellac and the off-kilter hooks of Pixies. That hasn't changed on Strange Peace — but the world around it has.