by Mark E. Waterbury

T.M. Stevens - Shocka Zooloo
United One Records - 402 4569 6003-2

Bass master T.M. Stevens who has a great rep for his work with numerous top musicians further proves his own abilities with his full throttle fourth solo release. Interesting ethnic embellishments add flavor to the devastating stew of funk, metal, straight forward rock and R&B. You can think of blending the likes of 24-7 Spyz, James Brown and Parliament, but T.M.'s own personality quirks and the way he flat out tears the bass up light a serious fire under the tunes. From the reggae tinged "Maximum Respect" to the hip-hoppy "Stand On Up" and the funked up cyber rock of "Got Nothing To Say", you will be enthralled by this music that makes you bang your head and dance all at the same time. T.M. is a serious talent with great musical vision who hopeful will continue to grace us with solo work. URL: www.tmstevens.com E-mail: tmstevens@united-one.com

Webslinger - self titled
Amen-Ra Records

New York's Webslinger shows great promise and solid songwriting on its first effort. The brainchild of Toni Hendrix, the music features passionate lyrics conveying spiritual and often Christian messages in an intense but non-pretentious method. The perfect foil is the music that weaves elements of alt rock, ambient metal and R&B subtleties. The U2 meets Lenny Kravitz "American Women" and psychedelic funk of "Trailer Park Barbie" show a couple different slants on songwriting while the fiery "Venom" with its gritty vocals, wild guitar solo and thrashy chorus is the strongest song on the album. A nice glimpse at a group that takes familiar styles and adds a serious 21st century jolt to them, while still allowing you to experience the messages. URL: www.sergeentertainmentgroup.com/webslinger

Glenn Erickson - Mick Barton sings Glenn Erickson's songs - Still Making Love to your Memory

Glenn Erickson is a very adept songwriter who by his own admission is not the proper vocalist for his creations. He has found the perfect match with Mick Barton, who's soothing but emotive country voice lends incredible life to the songs on "Still Makin' Love to your Memory." The title track makes you think of the old guard like Roy Acuff and early George Jones while "Slim and Lefty" has a subtle pep with a vocal take to the nod of Johnny Cash. "Little Bitty Hillbilly Band" has a robust Smokey Mountain flavor and "Cadillac Cowboy" reminds you of the great storytellers like Tex Ritter. This may be labeled nostalgic by some, but the combo of Glenn's music and Mick's voice works so well that those who are getting back to their roots in country are bound to love this. URL: www.sergeentertainmentgroup.com/glenn_erickson

The Moon Gypsies - Slip
Big World Records - BW2003-1

"Slip" is the second release by this Madison, Wisconsin outfit composed of award winning songwriter Robert J., and veteran musicians Chris Wagoner, Mary Gaines and Tom Ellis. With the cred this quartet brings to the table, they don't disappoint. In fact the weaving of Americana and folk with just the right doses of rock and blues is damn impressive. "Let it Rain" has a sort of Steve Earle feel to it, and "All the King's Men" proves that Midwesterners can crank out some Dixie-fried, swampy blues. The rollicking boogie "Love is All you Need" is pure enjoyment. The Moon Gypsies have a firm grasp on their roots, with solid lyrics, emotive vocals and instrumental chops that don't have to be flashy but still come from a foursome with a lot of talent and heart. URL: www.moongypsies.com E-mail: info@moongypsies.com

Poets Of Another Breed - Hip Replacement
PAB68562

Akron, Ohio's Poets of Another Breed make you think of what Kid Rock would sound like if he leaned more towards house music with the lead track "Sabbatical." As you delve further, you hear influences more from classic rappers such as Flavor Flav and Easy E, with an atmospheric touch to the pulsating sampled beats. The lyrics are poignant but with less vulgarity and violence then average, and they are driven into you with a kind of laid back vocal intensity that has a sly R&B vibe. An example that rap still has some talented newcomers out there. URL: www.poetsofanotherbreed.com E-mail: poets@poetsofanotherdream.com

Slitheryn - 4 song EP

This youthful metal outfit from Chi-town can shatter your windows with this intense preview of their second effort. A bit like early Pantera with driving power cords, fiery solos and a rhythm tandem like a moshing tyrannosaur. The vocals ranging from guttural growl to snarling lilt have surprising harmonies in the choruses, especially on "Get Up," which also has a bit of a pop punk backdrop at times. "Come + Go" turns the heavy groove up a notch and "The Same" has a more alt metal/grunge feel. There's some promise here because they have a solid base but do a few different things with the songwriting. URL: www.slitheryn.com E-mail: info@slitherym.com

Toe Head - New Disaster
Wesnafu Records

The wildly brash opening track "Cardy June" on this CD by SoCal's Toe Head hits you like Oasis on Life Sex and Death, with an ear opening chorus that has an interesting hooky vibe. And the party is just starting with the wicked, snarling vocals of Westoe thrown in a blender with the guitar crunch of Shakey, and the gutsy rhythm drive of drummer Fischtix and bassist J-Boy. In spite of all the slightly demented weirdness, you catch a lot of examples of musical talent, sardonic lyrics and a no holds barred songwriting attitude. Music that is truly unique but also manages to rock you hard. URL: www.toehead.net E-mail: toehead@toehead.net

Memphis Radio Kings - No Band in the Happy Place
Hot Stack Records - MRK002

The rockabilly vibe that kicks off "Waiting On a Train" has an interesting foil with the more alt-pop vocal slant. Then comes the hooky rock drive of "Windsong" and you get the idea of where this trio who in spite of their name are actually from Seattle are all about. Combining various connotations of roots country and modern pop rock, this band sometimes sounds like the Eagles with Billy Bragg in the band, while on songs like "Easy Chair" they just go pretty much for the cow-punk juggler without getting heavy-handed with the riffs. The result is a more subtle version of let's say, Bare Jr., with enough originality in the songwriting to set themselves apart from other purveyors of alt country. URL: www.memphisradiokings.com E-mail: info@memphisradiokings.com

Kevin Lee - Loaded

Chicago's Kevin Lee drives a solid rock machine that is both hook driven and edgy at the same time. "Where Do We Go From Here" gets things started with a radio friendly heartland sound like a souped up Jayhawks with that same folk vibe but a heavier guitar fueled backdrop. "Find A Way" is a bit more of an uptempo ballad that really showcases Kevin's wonderfully emotive voice which seems to have a more alt rock inflection to it. Kevin is obviously adept at balancing various guitar passages, weaving them into music that rocks hard but not too heavy, and can also be poppy without being generic or boring. URL: www.kevinleeonline.com E-mail: kevinlee@musician.org

Brian Gladstone - Psychedelic Pholk Psongs
Silverwolf - SWC 1032

This acoustic CD by Toronto singer/songwriter Brian Gladstone shows talents in several directions of folk, country and lyrical prowess. "Asphalt Cowboy" kicks things off with a bluegrass feel and tongue-in-cheek lyrics, while "Save The Wolverine" is more of a passionate plea with a traditional folk edge. The snappy "I Like Me" is a hand-clapping hoot that is followed by the new-age kissed folk of "Do You Think" that showcases Brian's guitar picking abilities. With lyrics you will love to listen to and try to quote and so many wonderful ways to convey them, the music of Brian Gladstone is some of the best modern folk in a long time. URL: www.backtothedirt.com E-mail: brian@backtothedirt.com