Walter Becker: Circus Money
5 Over 12 Records MBD 4505
Format: CD

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Walter Becker can’t be accused of rushing into things. Circus Money is his first solo record in 14 years, and only his second in a career that spans nearly four decades. His partner in Steely Dan, Donald Fagen, records at a similarly glacial pace. Circus Money is as smoothly played and crisply recorded as any Steely Dan lover could hope for, but Becker has his own sly observations to make. The feel of Circus Money is, overall, a bit more humane than Steely Dan’s, and Becker has added a hint of reggae to his jazz-flavored pop. Stuttering guitars and an emphasis on the downbeat mark "Downtown Canon" and "Bob Is Not Your Uncle Anymore." Perhaps the biggest surprise on the new disc is how supple and less mannered Becker’s singing has become since his last album, 11 Tracks of Whack (1994). The usual suspects are present: guitarist Jon Herington and drummer Keith Carlock, from the current touring version of Steely Dan, join guitarist Dean Parks and saxophonist Chris Potter to ensure that Becker gets the kind of solid musicianship his songs demand. Producer Larry Klein, fresh from his Grammy triumph for Herbie Hancock’s River: The Joni Letters, cowrote all but the title track. The sound is what you’d expect from Becker: clean and attentive to detail. . . . Joseph Taylor

Angel Band: With Roots & Wings
Appleseed APR CD 1108
Format: CD

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This first label recording by Angel Band has both roots and wings. Blues and other traditions give the trio’s powerful lyrical and vocal wings solid ground for liftoffs and landings. "Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep," cowritten by Nancy Josephson, the main songwriter and lead singer, has a melody and chord progression reminiscent of a Childe ballad. The catchiest, "I’ll Sing This Song for You," comes at the listener like a hymn on amphetamines. Josephson is joined by singers Jen Schonwald and Kathleen Weber, backup band Chum, and an additional heavenly host of experienced instrumental angels. The great David Bromberg plays guitar and dobro and is a force behind the trio’s existence, being Josephson’s spouse and having Angel Band open for his recent tours. From quiet tracks of mostly guitar and vocals to louder romps, the recording is clear. If you value the great American singer-songwriter tradition linking heart, mind, and soul with the joy of music, this disc is a must. . . . David Cantor

Joe Moss: Maricela’s Smile
212 Records 657 575 007 2
Format: CD

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Because Joe Moss injects some jazz and soul into his blues, purists might balk at his new disc, Maricela’s Smile. They shouldn’t. Moss is an honest singer and an imaginative guitarist whose songs grow from strong blues roots, but there’s as much Bobby Bland and Little Milton in him as there is Muddy Waters. Moss can kick out straight-ahead blues like "You Made Me So Happy," which features a great horn arrangement and a cutting guitar solo, but it’s on songs like the title track and "I Am Feeling You" that he shows his true songwriter mettle. He keeps the integrity and deep feeling of the blues, but throws in unexpected chord changes that expand the form. One big reason Maricela’s Smile is so effective is keyboardist Greg Sefner, whose Hammond organ gives the arrangements tremendous depth and texture. He’s also a powerful soloist, and Moss is smart enough to share the spotlight with him. A spirited cover of Free’s "Fire and Water" helps vary the pace of this disc, and Moss’s solo on "Big Leg Woman" is reason enough to own it. Moss is the brother of Nick Moss, whose discs I’ve favorably reviewed. There must have been a lot of good music around the house when the Moss boys were growing up. . . . Joseph Taylor

Barrington Levy: Teach the Youth: Barrington Levy & Friends at Joe Gibbs 1980-1985
17 North Parade VP4121
Format: CD

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In the early 1980s, when America was mired in big hair, bad fashion, and arguably awful pop radio, the island of Jamaica was blessed with a reggae scene still going strong and in full ire force. One of the legends to emerge then, who reigned supreme, was dancehall singer Barrington Levy. Levy’s signature falsetto and dub-laden beats made him a cultural icon of a rank that no Boy George or Flock of Seagulls could attain. 17 North Parade Records has compiled all of the recordings Levy made with reggae producers Joe Gibbs and Errol Thompson from 1980 to 1985 and released them as Teach the Youth: Barrington Levy & Friends at Joe Gibbs. The collection includes rare 12" versions that have been out of print for more than 25 years, as well as extended mixes from DJs such as Lui Lepkie, Ranking Trevor, and Kojak & Liza. "Do Good" and "Give You Everything" drip with thick reggae bass lines, while the title track gives Levy’s distinct vocal talents a chance to shine. Four additional tracks by Joe Gibbs & the Professionals close out the disc, showing that Levy’s "Friends" were just as skilled as he. Skillful remastering and editing have restored these originals to a level worthy of new adulation. . . . Shannon Holliday

Putumayo Presents: Québec
Putumayo World Music PUT 279-2
Format: CD

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The music and culture of one of Canada’s most alluring provinces shines in the spotlight thrown by the latest Putumayo World Music release, Québec, and with the World Heritage Site of Québec City celebrating its 400th anniversary this year, the timing couldn’t be better. This compilation draws from diverse influences, including traditional folk, native tribal, contemporary singer-songwriter, and francophone pop, yet despite the range of styles, the result is a fluidly comprehensive overview of music that deserves to be celebrated. From the swinging, clarinet-infused opener, "Cette Ville," by Mathieu Mathieu, to the folk closer, "Vive l’amour," by the traditional quartet Le Vent du Nord, the music lilts along dreamily, painting a pretty portrait of this seemingly untapped mother lode of northern music. Martin Léon’s "Je m’demande" is cowboy rock complete with a rhythmic lope and O.K. Corral whistling. The elaborate liner notes reveal fascinating information about not only the musicians, but also the art, history, and food of Québec, and even include a recipe for the traditional dish of Cider and Rosemary Lamb Shanks. Each of these Québécois artists invites a closer look, but this is a good place to start. . . . Shannon Holliday