Reviews by Mark E. Waterbury

Petina Cole - Works For Flute By People I Know
Crazy Street Records - TR1214
New York flutist Petina Cole creates stunningly beautiful interpretations of music written by noted composers including Daryl Kojak, Katherine Hoover and Walter Skolnik, with Petina co-writing a couple of the songs with Kojak. Augmented primarily by piano and other woodwinds her flute work commands your attention throughout the disc. From the emotive jazz ballad "I'm Ready To Try" to the earthy solo "Kokopeli" and lively classical tinged "Pavane," Petina proves on this debut that she has the talent to become a modern day master. URL: http://www.handlewithcare.com E-mail: gparenteau@aol.com

Big Pimp Jones - Dollar Major, Neighborhood Player
Akhenation Music
Philly foursome Big Pimp Jones turns hip-hop on its ear by melding retro funk with tastes of reggae, ska and electronica, adding fresh vocalizing of sardonic street smart rants. Avoiding sampling, relying instead on frenetic musicians kicking out tight but raw funk to the shade of a stripped down Parliment or Bill Withers, BPJ brings a welcome new voice to a genre slipping deeper into the generic commercial morass. Entertaining musically and straight to the gut with its messages. URL: http://www.krofunk.com E-mail: krofunk@hotmail.com

Klear - Makin' Noise
Good Charamel Records - GC003
Klear kicks out a sort of modern rock with bluesy flavorings, like taking what the Jayhawks did and injecting steroids into the guitar power. Hook driven rockers like "It's All Of Me" are interspersed with edgier efforts such as "Never Said" and the title track. Vocals that have a throaty but harmonic quality are driven by a perfect blend of fat chords and acoustic melodies, anchored by stoic rhythms. Great rock that seems to come from yesteryear but is very rooted in today. URL: http://www.klearband.com E-mail: brian@bsgpr.com

Last Conservative - self titled
Good Charamel Records - GC003
Youthful Buffalo songwriter T.J. Zindle's project takes unique approaches to various elements of retro and modern alt rock. With scorching vocals, intelligent lyrics, powerful but not overbearing guitars and brash rhythms, T.J's idiosyncrasies inject the songs with an extra level of intrigue. From the subtly dramatic Brit pop of "Over My Head" to the Hammond fueled "Anything But Good bye" and the bruising rocker "Irish" this kid can rock out in some welcomely different ways. URL: http://www.lastconservative.com E-mail: brian@bsgpr.com

The Juliet Dagger - Turn Up the Death
Good Charamel Records - GC004
If Good Charlotte had been fronted by Belinda Carlisle of the Go-Go's it could have sounded like The Juliet Dagger. Hooky punk power cords, driving beats and "little girl who's not so innocent" vocals will wake you up like a nuclear alarm clock. While "Waiting" has a sort of radio ready pop feel, the wild and unpredictable "Star" shows a fresh perspective on songwriting. Their cover of "Our Lips Our Sealed" will blow your roof off. URL: http://www.thejulietdagger.com E-mail: brian@bsgpr.com

Phillip Martin - Four Point O
Carzino - ENM4009
Alto sax master Phillip Martin's latest effort is pure enjoyment for any fans of smooth jazz. Combining the grace of Kenny G with a touch of retro funk ala Ben Webster, Phillips presents mostly his own compositions like the revved up boogie on "What A Day" and the soothing but attention grabbing "Daydream." He also treats us you to a couple tasty covers, including "Feel Like Making Love" and the aptly titled "Dirty Funk." Top back up players add extra zest. URL: http://www.phillipmartin.net E-mail: tlevitt@astound.net

Quecia - Quecia II

Deep End Records - 501-196-6
This folk/rock act from England adds modern and pop slants to a Stones-like vibe, gracing it with the luscious and potent vocals of sisters Kirsty and Hayley McCarrick. "Bird In A Cage" has a pop punk crunch, while the classic rock tinged ballad "You Know The Time" creates a sort of subtle intensity. "The Difference" showcases a dimension of power to Kirsty's voice that shames most "divas" across the pond. This is truly captivating music. URL: http://www.quecia.com E-mail: info@deependrecords.co.uk

Factor 11 - It's In the Blood
Scheer Energy Records
Secular rockers from Northern California weave early U2 alt, brief touches of electronic, harmonic vocals and driving hard rock into a powerful vehicle to carry their passionate message. The words are tilted towards Christian ideals in a non threatening way, with more musical innovation than bands of that genre normally use. From the gutsy blues of " Eight Day" to the modern throb of "Inject The Truth," this is feel good music in several aspects. URL: http://www.factor11.org E-mail: sox1967@aol.com

Nuffsed - 3 Song Demo
Seattle and reggae are two words that don't seem comfortable together, that is until Nuffsed created their rootsy Caribbean sound in the Jet City. Harkening to Cliff, Tosh and Burning Spear, this seven piece outfit still brings a fresh perspective to the table with intricate guitar work and hip hop subtleties. "Birds" is perhaps the strongest song, with a stellar vocal display and bluesy vibe. If this demo is an indicator of what is to come, Nuffsed could be the hottest new reggae act in years. URL: http://www.nuffsed.com E-mail: deeznates@hotmail.com

Abattor 3000 - Road Trip to Oblivion
Kommy Elektra Productions
This soundtrack to the controversial post cold war novel by Ken Aaron Messer uses raw, punkish hard rock as to augment the often ambiguously political charged words from the book. While the lyrics gain your attention, the music which is a bizarre but entertaining stylistic mix of Dead Kennedys, New York Dolls and Rocky Horror Picture Show lends a tongue in cheek feel. A poignant look into Messer's creation with some pretty inventive tunes to boot. URL: http://www.roadtriptooblivion.com E-mail: kent@roadtriptooblivion.com