by Mark E. Waterbury

Free Ride - Rick Derringer
Big3 Records - 378 578 284-2
One of rock's most respected guitarists has entered the realm of smooth jazz and he does a killer job with it. Sultry grooves with a vibe that is both mellow and lively make you think a bit of Chuck Mangione, George Benson and Ben Sidran, but Rick puts his own indelible stamp on it with his delicious guitar licks. Tasty takes on the classics "Rock and Roll Hoochie Coo" (called "Jazzy Koo" here), the Edgar Winter penned title track and a funked-up version of "Frankenstein" are interspersed with the ballad "Big City Loneliness", where Rick provides sweet vocals, and the gutsy blues-tinged shuffle "Blue Velvet." Rockers will only be disappointed if they have a closed mind. Those who appreciate versatility as well as jazz fans and others in general will really enjoy this.
URL: www.rickderringer.com

Bryan Beadle - Taming of Creation
This Philly born pianist/songwriter who currently resides in Portland, Oregon arrives on the music scene with a dramatically eye-opening and thought-provoking first effort. The vocals are closer to spoken word than singing, but it fits the intense subject matter dealing with a multitude of life's issues, and even without really singing, Bryan's powerful voice adds poignant textures of emotions and moods. The overall feelings are further enhanced by Bryan's prowess on the piano, which seems to tilt in the new age direction stylistically but could rival many of the top players in that genre. He also has the knack of using the piano to compliment his words, with both elements ebbing and flowing in near perfect symbiosis, neither detracting from the other. Definitely music that makes you think and reflect, and enjoyable in its overall musical content as well.
URL: www.bellaswork.com

Injected - Burn it Black
Island - 314-548-878-2
The debut by Atlanta quartet Injected could very well be a launching pad for rock's next hot act. A heavy guitar-fueled drive harkening more of Seattle is melded with sly college alt and even punk influences to make music that has solid hooks, but is also edgy and quite powerful. Just listen to the lead track "When She Comes" with its snarling guitars, vocal harmonies and pounding rhythms and you get a good idea. The burbling power of "Bullet," the rowdy punk feel to "Sherman" and the seething "Ms. Fortune" show other subtle sides of the songwriting. Killer production by Marvelous 3's Butch Walker is another plus. A great stylistic hybrid that should please the kids as well as metalheads.
URL: www.injected.net

Force of Habit - Self titled EP
With Sevendust, Injected, doubleDrive and others, Atlanta is trying to carve a niche as a new hotbed of metal. Force of Habit is adding their fuel to that fire, and if this three song debut EP is any indication, it is some serious nuclear fuel. Bits of funk, classic and southern fired rock sneak into the gritty hard drive of the songs; think King's X and B. O. C. with a splash of maybe Molly Hatchet, primarily in the gutsy but harmonic vocals of Tim Gregory. Explosive guitars from Cameron Hunter and the tight but intricate rhythm groove of drummer Tom Cardillo and bassist Mike Spidle flesh out the well-crafted songs which have serious power without blowing your head off with too much noise.
URL: www.ForceofHabit.iuma.com
E-mail: FOHROX@aol.com

Kenyata Sullivan & Majestic Twelve - Searching For the Elvis Knob
North Carolina songwriter Kenyata Sullivan shows obvious talent on this debut, with music ranging from unplugged alt to punk edged rock and bare bones folk. Lead track "Soylent Green" has a singer/songwriter feel that would be more East Village than Nashville, while "I Don't Have A Job" has a snappy drive with rap like vocals at a near auctioneer pace. "Busy Work" is an emotive alt-folk effort in which Kenyata's voice really shines and shows its own versatility. Throughout the CD, Kenyata steers the varying styles with an indelible vocal style that is a solid link and will really make you take notice of the well thought lyrics.
E-mail: kenyata@juno.com

David Fiorenza - Martinis, Stockings and William Holden
Blind Cat Music - BCM 11-01/2-02
Yes, the term singer/songwriter is getting a tad overused and too often people lump all purveyors of this music with the style performed at the Bluebird Cafe. Pennsylvania's David Fiorenza is a singer/songwriter who has played in Nashville, but only the occasionally subtleties of the "Nashville sound" ease into his music. The songs on this his second CD are quite unique with touches of folk, blues and muted world stylings along with a wonderful bizarreness that really gives them a lift. When you feel influences as diverse as U2, Violent Femmes, the Grateful Dead and Townes Van Zant, you know that this guy listens to a lot of music and helps channel it into creating his own delectable sound with both emotive and darkly witty lyrics, and tasteful musical accompaniments.
URL: www.cdbaby.com/davidfiorenza
e-mail: dfiorenza@radnor.org

Atlantis Music Conference 2002 - Music Sampler
In its fourth year Atlanta's Atlantis Music Conference is coming into its own as a showcase of up and coming musical talent. The music sampler CD from this year's event includes twenty-five tracks from a diverse collection of musicians and bands. There's lots of great music here, and some of the standouts include the edgy driving rock of Big Jim Shade on "You Better Shine," the lovely breathless vocals of Jennifer Marks on "Make it Right," the frenetic but hooky alt drive of "By Design" by Big Sky, the brash punkish power rock of The Veins' "Choose To Live," the piano fueled snappy rocking "Nothing So Ordinary" by Zoux, and the driving metal groove of PlankRoadChainGang's "Angelo." A great feast of bands that may include a few headed for stardom.
URL: www.atlantismusic.com

Greg Panfile with Talk & Roll - Inferno
INF001
This Massachusetts group with eight members put a big lusty sound into the lead track "I Can't Stand" with the Jim Morrison-like vocals and horn-fueled no-nonsense rock. The following track "Silver Chains Bars of Gold" has an R&B vibe with luscious female vocals and as you delve further you find other influences including country, psychedelia and Zappa-esque rock. But the star here tends to be the brash lyrics that have some subtle undertones leaning towards Christian ideals, while presenting them in a non-threatening way. They really make you listen and think while the emotive vocalists and talented musicians add robust flavors to the mix. Quite unique but very intense and thought provoking music.
URL: www.tiac.net/users/gpanfile
E-mail: gpanfile@tiac.net

Flibberty Gibbit - Self titled EP
Flibberty Gibbit is the brainchild of Baltimore singer/songwriter/musican William Christopher. The lead track "Your Fool" has a brash rock style with crunchy power chords, pounding rhythms and sly electronic embellishments that help fuel the ballsy lyrics. Think musically a cross of Circle of Power and the B-52's. "Trailer Trash" goes a bit more electronic than rock, but the lyrics once again are blackly tongue-in-cheek. If people are still looking for a signature sound for the music of the future, William may have found it, with the modern sounds and classic riffing melding with words that don't pull punches, instead they nail you right in the face.

David Neil Cline - Thorough Scrutiny
Gazochtahagen Records - 19512
The psychedelic lead in to "Take It or Leave It" on the third CD by Detroit area guitarist David Neil Cline makes you wonder what's in store for you if you haven't heard of him yet. Those who are familiar with David's music know what comes next; hard-driving rock and roll with harmonic vocals and blistering guitar solos. You can call him a guitar virtuoso and there is validity in that as you can hear a bit if Yngwie styling in his playing occasionally. But you also hear a bit of Blackmore, Buck Dharma and Van Halen as well along with his own signature style. He also is more concerned with the song as a whole rather than ego massaging, and that works to wonderful effect. The music has that late 80's/early 90's rock vibe without being overly pretentious - the soaring melodies and hooky chorus' fueled by gritty guitar power and thundering rhythms. URL: www.davidneilcline.com
E-mail: gazochtahagen@home.com