Reeves Gabrels - Ulysses (Della Notte)

3 stars

If you have had the pleasure of hearing David Bowie's recent solo ventures or his side project, Tin Machine, you would know Bowie has a real find in guitar virtuoso Reeves Gabrels. Now Gabrels steps up to the mic and gets a chance to shine on his own with the release of his solo album, Ulysses (Della Notte). As might be expected, the music on this disc suffers from not being the product of Bowie's infallible vision. Thankfully, Gabrels offers up a plethora of trickery and wizardry that will maintain your interest throughout the forty-five minute running time. Your futuristic goth metal pop music needs will be thoroughly met. And hey, any disc that features a David Bowie-Frank Black duet guest spot belongs in your collection.

Nas and Ill Will Records Presents: QB's Finest(Ill Will)

4 stars

This first release from Nas’s Ill Will Records is one of the phattest records out right now. The album features a number of unknown rappers who Nas has signed to his label and a number of known rappers from Queensbridge like his boys in Mobb Deep and CNN. This album offers none of that cristal poppin’, club hoppin’ bullshit rap that’s all over the place these days. This is straight rugged street rap.

What makes this joint so tight is that even the unknown artists come with a lot of skill. There are many tracks on this album that mix and match members of different groups, like Prodigy (Mobb Deep) and Nas, or Cormega and one of the Bravehearts. None of those labels exist, they’re just a bunch of rappers reppin’ their neighborhood.

Nas appears on about half of the tracks, and his influence is felt everywhere on the album. It’s clear that this is his project and he doesn’t disappoint. In fact, Nas drops some of the tightest verses that we’ve heard from him in a while, especially on tracks like “Real Niggas” and the album’s best cut, “Kids In Da PJ’s.”

The production is also very tight. Most of the album is done by Nas’s producer of choice, L.E.S., who was also responsible for Nas’s last two solo albums. A few of the tracks were produced by Mobb Deep’s Havoc, and as usual, they’re pretty solid. If you like straight, no gimmick Hip Hop, then you should definitely pick this joint up.

Nourallah Brothers- Nourallah Brothers

(Western Vinyl)

4 Stars

The Nourallah Brothers are a duo of singing-songwriting brothers (hence the name) who specialize in extremely melodic country. Despite the genre, this collection of songs has some really fabulous pop sensibilities. In fact, "Heaven in a Day" is an upbeat gem straight out of the Elephant Six Record Collective hit factory. Since a few of the songs verge on

minimilistic composition and rely on sparse vocals, detractors might dismiss it as

plodding. Let's just call it slower than most. There are a lot of interesting touches on the

album: twinkling piano sounds, hand claps, trumpets, quasi Beatle-esque harmonies,

lots of banjo, organs, and even some xylophone. The intricate layering of sonics are

slightly reminiscent of Olivia Tremor Control, while there are traces of Elliot Smith's

delivery in the vocals. This is a really solid album all the way through, and manages to

get better with each listen.

A Great Long While

Strange Folk

* * * 1/2

Once again, I've investigated yet another genre of music in a futile attempt to knock, kick, and poke fun at one of an increasing number of American subcultures. Obviously, I have a problem,

but the more music I listen too, the weaker that problem gets. Honestly, this "jam band" is not, by

any means, another little dancing daisy, hippy trippy, cous cous-craving, sandy experimentalist, boy scout meeting product. Darlings, this is absolutely lovely. The whole

album stems from an innate energetic ambition to express, logically, the basic trials and

tribulations of every aspect of life. Sincere and whole-hearted, the lyrics are a vibrant

cross-cultural illustration of working class life from NY to LA. I passionately nominate

"Sinner" as well as "Invisible" for the most emotionally-driving award, and following suit, "Pawn" for most powerful and direct four minute anthology of a regular joe. Sternly put, point blank, this CD is a must-have. It articulates everything you can't and sets your spirit in motion. You're not alone in this silly, psycho world, and Strange Folk craftily reassures that notion. For living proof, for the skeptics among you, absorb their vitality on Feb. 21st at the Tralf. You'll see that I'm rarely wrong.