Rory Block: The Lady and Mr. Johnson
Rykodisc RCD 10872
Format: CD

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Ask blues fans who the father of the blues was, and nine times out of ten the answer will come back Robert Johnson. While Johnson never made it out of his 20s, and his life ran concurrent with the dawning of the modern recording era, he still casts a large shadow today. Since she first heard his music at age 14, Rory Block has been basking in Johnson’s blues. On The Lady and Mr. Johnson, Block pays tribute to her hero in as basic a manner possible -- she play his songs just as he wrote and performed them himself. The sound is spookily real, and Block has been so purely recorded that, were it not for her clearly female voice, you could be excused for thinking that old Robert had been resurrected in a modern recording studio. Pure, honest, personal, and authentic, this album is a fitting tribute to the father of the blues. As Johnson’s grandson Steven says, "Rory Block should have a doctorate in my grandfather’s music." Nuff said….John Crossett

Tori Amos: American Doll Posse
Epic 88697099572
Format: CD

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For her ninth studio album, American Doll Posse, Tori Amos calls on her schizophrenic muses -- four alter egos who have inspired her latest creative endeavor -- to help with singing, songwriting, and artistic direction. Amos credits the fully realized Pip, Santa, Isabel, and Clyde for their "individual" contributions, with Tori herself adding a few. Given the posse’s varied personalities, Amos opens the doors wide to unlimited influence, delivering songs more amped-up and electrified than her usual piano plinking. Pip leans a little to the dark side, Santa seduces young boys and attends society functions, Isabel has a bone to pick, and Clyde just wants us all to get along, but it’s Tori who brings this circus to town. Part freak show, part awe-inspiring, and part big-cat cuddly, American Doll Posse isn’t an easy ticket to buy, but it isn’t lacking in entertainment. Amos tosses originality around as nonchalantly as if scattering peanuts, and once again captivates her audience with all the skill of a righteous ringleader….Shannon Holliday

The Greyboy Allstars: What Happened to Television?
Sci Fidelity B000O590C0
Format: CD

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After a decade-long detour into solo projects, West Coast funk mavericks The Greyboy Allstars regrouped long enough to write and record 11 new songs for their fourth CD, What Happened to Television? The beauty of this band is that they truly are all-stars. With Karl Denson on horns and flute, Elgin Park on guitar, B-3 genius Robert Walter on keys, Chris Stillwell holding down the bass, and Zak Najor behind the drums, the live instruments lay a thick jazz-funk foundation for DJ Greyboy to sample and spin the mix. Inspired by 1970s soul and reminiscent of the soundtracks of such blaxploitation films as Shaft and Superfly, The Greyboy Allstars were major players in the acid-jazz scene of the late 1990s. This CD shows the boys still got it: "Pigeons Under Water" unleashes junk-in-the-trunk funk; "Deck Shoes" blends Denson’s sax with sustained guitar for a laid-back groove; "Back in the Game" is Headhunter-esque; while "Old School Cylons" best showcases the percussive collaboration of DJ, bass, and drums. Through and through, this is one slick summer soundtrack….Shannon Holliday

Norah Jones: Not Too Late: Deluxe Edition
Blue Note 3 74625 2
Format: CD, DVD

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Norah Jones has never been musically deeper than the foam atop the lattes of the Starbucks crowd who vaulted her into musical superstardom. On Not Too Late she tries to change that by giving us a better glimpse into just what makes her tick. Self-written songs such as "Wish I Could," "My Dear Country," and "Wake Me Up" demonstrate that Jones’s thoughts run to deeper waters than we’ve previously suspected; and that she does have her own voice and is not shy about expressing it, even if it will satisfy few. You’ll find no "hits" here. Mayhap Jones is using her fame to allow herself more self-expression. As on previous Jones recordings, the sound is a cut above the norm, with good tonality, transparency, nice instrumental delineation, and three-dimensional vocals. You also get the choice of the plain-Jane CD or this Deluxe Edition, which includes a short DVD of videos and rehearsals. Go for the latter, it’s more fun….John Crossett

Steve Khan: Borrowed Time
Tone Center TC 4056 2
Format: CD

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Guitarist Steve Khan is best remembered for his solo fusion albums of the late 1970s and early ’80s. In this latest venture, Borrowed Time, he doesn’t stray far from what he knows best. The disc is a collection of compositions that range in genre from smooth jazz to Latin, but Khan’s hand is evident in all of them. The sound of his electric guitar is an underlying force throughout, though Khan’s all-star supporting cast easily pulls its own weight. Bass clarinetist Bob Mintzer stands out, especially on "El Faquir," while bassist John Patitucci and drummer Jack DeJohnette firmly hold down the rhythm section from start to finish. All tracks are performed well, and the sound is solid. But while the musicians’ talent is evident, I was a bit disappointed. So many of these tunes are never brought to their full potential, and don’t inspire the listener to become emotionally invested. While Borrowed Time is an enjoyable and worthwhile listen, the technical precision evident throughout seems to have come at the expense of passion….Katherine Silkaitis