Krall delivers another modern classic

Diana Krall
“Glad Rag Doll”
(Verve)
With her sexy, deep velvety voice, Diana Krall hits the right notes once again on her newly released album “Glad Rag Doll.” There’s something almost ragtime about this album which oozes a sort of sitting-in-a-blues-club-with-a-smoke-and-a-bourbon ambience that we don’t always expect from Krall.

Even the album cover, featuring her classy, burlesque-like image, is like taking a step back in history to the America of the roaring ’20s. The tranquil melodies of songs like “Just Like a Butterfly that’s Caught in the Rain” and “As Long as I Love” provide a refreshing new spin on the idea of blissful melancholy.

“Glad Rag Doll,” in collaboration with former Bob Dylan band mate and record producer T-Bone Burnett, is a much needed change of pace from the modern day frantic electronic music scene. It’s elegant. It’s mellow. It’s smart.

By Julie Jackson
(juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)


Miguel propels R&B on ‘Kaleidoscope Dream’

Miguel
``Kaleidoscope Dream‘’
(ByStorm/RCA Records) 
“Kaleidoscope Dream“” oozes sex with a bit of rock `n’ roll and funk, further elevating and pushing the elasticity of R&B like other acts including Frank Ocean, the Weeknd and Jhene Aiko.

The Grammy-nominated singer had mild success with hits ``Quickie‘’ and ``Sure Thing‘’ from his 2010 debut ``All I Want Is You.‘’ He‘s also recognized for his feature on rapper Wale’s ``Lotus Flower Bomb‘’ in 2011 and his stellar three-volume EP ``Art Dealer Chic‘’ released earlier this year.

The new album‘s first single ``Adorn,’‘ which is No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart, is a sensual, addictive jam.

The 11-track set is packed with bedroom grooves including the 808-booming ``Arch & Point‘’ and the melodious, erotic ``Use Me.‘’

Miguel proves he‘s a master of wordplay on ``Do You ...,’‘ a mellow, hippie love ode produced by Jerry Wonda, where he croons ``I’m gonna do you like drugs tonight.‘’ He also flexes his alternative edge on ``Don‘t Look Back,’‘ which samples the Zombies’ ``Time of the Season.‘’

He leaves the bedroom for the more conscious, stirring tracks like ``Candles in the Sun‘’ and the top-notch ``Where‘s the Fun in Forever.’‘ On the track, co-written by Alicia Keys, Miguel sings, ``Tomorrow’s just a day away, tomorrow isn‘t promised/Where’s the fun in forever. Celebrate.‘’

The album‘s title track is aptly named with a mesmerizing blend of funky bass line, electric guitar, strings and layered vocals.

(AP)


Lupe Fiasco raps masterfully on new album

Lupe Fiasco
``Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1’‘
(Atlantic Records)

Lupe Fiasco blacked out his album cover, except for the explicit content parental advisory. But he has plenty to say on his strong fourth offering, ``Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1.’‘

The 17-track album is filled with complex rhymes from Fiasco, who raps masterfully on several scenarios regarding American urban culture.

The Chicago-bred rapper tackles the misuse of an explicit word used toward females on the single, ``Bitch Bad.’‘ On ``Hood Now (Outro),’‘ he raps about several scenarios of how the world has been cultivated by the urban lifestyle, from sagging pants to diamond chains.

``Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free)‘’ is a good listen. But the song, which is a sample of Pete Rock & CL Smooth‘s 1992 release ``They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.),’‘ doesn’t do the original much justice.

Fiasco also raps about love and attempting to overcome heartbreak on ``Battle Scars,‘’ featuring Australian pop singer Guy Sebastian, and ``Heart Donor‘’ with Poo Bear. Other good listens include ``Lamborghini Angels,‘’ ``Brave Heart‘’ with Poo Bear, ``Cold War,‘’ featuring Jane $$$ and ``ITAL (Roses).‘’

In all, ``Food & Liquor II‘’ is not as entertaining as Fiasco‘s first two albums _ ``Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor‘’ and ``Lupe Fiasco‘s The Cool.’‘ But the rapper’s ability to rhyme with substance about the shape of today‘s urban society makes his new album a compelling piece of work.

(AP)