New CDs offer variety of music for today’s listenersby by Michael Kraft, reporter

  
Field Mob: 6:13 Ashy to Classy
    The debut release of Georgia rap group Field Mob, 6:13 Ashy to Classy, is just another in a long line of mediocre albums in an already saturated market.

   The two rappers, Kalage and Boondox Blax, flow well and have good lyrical exchanges, but the real problem is the lyrics themselves.
The lyrics are good and well written, but rapping about doing drugs, slapping ho’s and being a gangster is a bit old by now, and Field Mob can’t seem to set themselves apart from a huge, well, mob.

   The music is par for the course with the same TR-808 breakbeats and loops, the same TB-303 basslines and the glossy production found all over hip-hop records.

   In short, 6:13 Ashy to Classy is just another me-too record made by capable performers and slick producers, but it fails to rise above the crowd and set itself apart.

A*Teens: The ABBA Generation
   In the ’70s, ABBA was one of the most commercially successful pop bands everywhere, except in the United States.

   This may or may not be an omen for the A*Teens.

   Comprised of four singing/dancing teens from Sweden, the A*Teens are a newly manufactured pop band that covers ABBA songs.

   The A*Teens’ debut album, The ABBA Generation, has taken old ABBA songs and put a modern twist on them.

   This particular pre-fab formula is only unique in the fact that the material is not new. The songs are all at least 18 years old, two years older than the most senior band members.

   The group can sing and harmonize well. The music is catchy and dancy, but, on the other hand, all the music sounds like it was written on the same synthesizers and computer programs so the songs all begin to sound alike.

   Basically, the A*Teens are another instantly disposable pop-band whose sound may get ABBA back in American dance clubs.

Sting: The Emperor’s New Groove (single)
   Sting’s newest release is the title track for the new Disney film, The Emperor’s New Groove.

   The single contains the original as well as a radio edit, but with only 11 seconds difference between them, they’re pretty much the same song.

   The song is a pleasant ballad that has good arrangement, good vocal harmonies and sounds a bit like the modern “smooth” jazz prevalent on the upper end of the radio dial. Expect it to get decent Top 40 airplay.

Chante Moore: Exposed
   Chante Moore’s fourth album, Exposed, is a good release coming fast after her previous album, This Moment is Mine.

   The songs are well written, and Moore’s versatile voice goes from breathy, sultry lows up to sweeping, vibrato-filled highs with ease.

   This girl can sing.

   The music is typical R&B fare, nothing new here.

   But, occasionally, Latin-inspired acoustic guitars can be heard on the album and dabs of rap appear, particularly in the song, Take Care of Me, which features rap artist Da Brat.

   This is a well-written and produced album that should please old fans and make new ones.

The Artful Dodger: Re-Rewind: Back by Public Demand
   The new remix album by the British dance-hall group, The Artful Dodger, Re-Rewind: Back by Public Demand, is definitely not easily categorized.

   Featuring remixes and bonus tracks by artists such as Robbie Craig, Lenny Fontana, Deetah and All Saints, it offers a very eclectic collection of music.

   The beats are not the relentless clockwork pounding typical of dance music; instead, they are more bizarre and seemingly arrhythmic. The music and arrangement are more esoteric than most American tastes, and while it is creative, it’s not easy to grasp.

Patti LaBelle: When a Woman Loves
   If ever there was a woman who deserved the title “Diva,” it’s Patti LaBelle.

   Her newest album, When a Woman Loves, showcases her incredible talent.

   One listen to this disc is all one needs to realize this woman’s talent. The way her voice can reach high head tones with shimmering vibratos and then turn around and belt out deep, resonant notes is awing.

   The songs range from those for slow dancing to those for romantic evening mood music and even to some upbeat numbers.

This is a good disc with excellent production and great vocals.

The Great Divide: Afterglow, The Will Rogers Sessions
   The Great Divide has built up a strong following in the Southwest and is ready to break out all over the United States.

   Refusing to bow to pressure to put together a traditional country ensemble with large string and horn sections, The Great Divide is a tight four-piece band.

   The songs are full of passion and soul, due in no small part to the band’s dedication to its craft and the sacrifices made to achieve its goals. The sound and feel of the band is so diametrically opposed to the overexposed glossy pop that it is a breath of fresh air to hear such musicians.