"Seastones" is the only album that has been released from electronic music composer Ned Lagin. The original version of the piece was released in 1975 on The Grateful Dead's sub-label Round Records. While the majority of the music is performed by Ned himself, Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh (an electronic composer himself) also paid a substantial role in "Seastones". Also, there are notable appearances from Dead members Jerry Garcia and Mickey Hart, Jefferson Airplane's Grace Slick, Spencer Dryden and David Freiberg and David Crosby from Crosby, Stills and Nash.
The "Seastones" piece is very much in the same vein of electronic composers such as Karlheinz Stockhausen and Morton Subotnick. There is also a faint hint of early Tangerine Dream in this music (ie: "Zeit" or "Atem"). This the type of music to be played on a clear night with the windows open, the lights out and the headphones on.
The CD reissue on Rykodisc includes an unreleased version of the piece (without Crosby or the Dead and Airplane members) alongside the original (which has two minutes missing from it in the middle). The overall remastered sound quality brings more audibilty to the quiet portions of the piece while the louder sections have a sharper prestiness to them.
While the CD is definitely not everyone's cup of tea, it is definitely a must for Deadheads as well as experimental music enthusiasts. Lagin has not released anything before or since "Seastones" but his only work is without a doubt his finest.

The Rhino/Warner Brothers compilation "The Very Best of The Grateful Dead" is the first to span the band's entire career in a single disc. It is also the first Dead compilation to encompass material from different record labels. So not only is the Dead's formative years with Warner Bros. covered, material from Arista and United Artists labels are also included.
This CD includes the Grateful Dead's most commercial material and its best known hits such as the signature classics "Truckin'", "Uncle John's Band", "Box Of Rain" and "Ripple" as well as their only top 40 smash "Touch Of Grey" from 1986.
Elsewhere are Deadhead favorites such as "Estimated Prophet", "Franklin's Tower", "Fire On The Mountain" and "U.S. Blues".
This is only one side of The Grateful Dead. The bands other side is what they are better known for - extended jams. Unfortunately "The Very Best Of" does not capture the bands improvisational and experimental side. It does however display the Dead's diverse range and their ability to craft radio-friendly material flawlessly and effortlessly.
This compilation is highly recommended for beginning Deadheads who'd like to hear the more commercial side of the band. For their improvisational side, "Live/Dead" is an excellent place to start. For their more experimental work, check out "Anthem Of The Sun", "Aoxomoxoa" or "Blues For Allah". These albums as well as this compilation provide a well-rounded textbook for those starting their collection of Dead recordings.

Guitarist Pat Metheny's compilation for ECM Records "Rarum: Selected Recordings" series is an exquisite collection of his first ten years as a solo artist (1975-1985). All nine tracks on this CD were selected by Pat himself and he also provides informative details behind each track in the CD booklet.
During his time with ECM records (as well as now), Pat was constantly experimenting with new sounds and styles showcasing his versitility. That versilility comes through in every track in this compilation. Many of the tracks such as "Bright Size Life", "New Chautauqua", "Phase Dance" and "Are You Going With Me?" have since become Metheny classics while others such as "Every Day I Thank You" and "Airstream" are up there as some of his best works.
While a few key tracks from this period are missing, this is an outstanding overview of Pat Metheny's years with the ECM label. Pat did an excellent job with the track selection and liner notes. This music sounds as fresh and new as when it was originally released and is an essential addition from an essential guitar pioneer.

"Anthem Of The Sun" is The Grateful Dead's second album originally released in 1968. Even at this stage, the band was already turning new corners and had reinvented itself both in the studio and onstage. The original five-piece Dead line-up had expanded with the addition of second drummer/percussionist Mickey Hart and additional keyboardist Tom Constanten giving a fuller muscular sound to the entire band.
"Anthem Of The Sun" captures the psychedelic Dead in its prime and is a mindblower to listen to with headphones. The album itself is a carefully constructed mix of studio and live recordings along with a tedious but rewarding editing and mixing job and wild studio effects.
Tracks such as "The Other One", "Aligator" and "Caution" have since become Grateful Dead classics and are among many a Deadheads favorites.
The bonus material on the Rhino remaster is a complete unedited live recording of "Alligator", "Caution" and "Feedback" captured at the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles in August 1968. This is worth the price of the reissue alone as it features the band fully jamming with the ignition turned up to full - a prime example of when the band members were all on the same wavelength, they truly gave it their all.
As a hidden bonus track, an alternate mix of "Born Cross-Eyed" is featured which includes an additional 30-seconds of feedback sound collage in its fadeout.
As mentioned above, The Grateful Dead had already turned a corner with "Anthem Of The Sun" and this was ONLY their second album. It all depends on which Deadhead you talk to when asking what the bands greatest album is. However, in my opinion, "Anthem" ranks up there with "Live/Dead" as the Dead's all-time greatest album. The Beatles have "Sgt. Pepper". The Beach Boys have "Pet Sounds". Pink Floyd has "The Dark Side Of The Moon". The Grateful Dead has "Anthem Of The Sun".

The self-titled 1981 debut from the dynamic jazz-fusion band The Yellowjackets has finally been remastered and reissued with superior sound quality and bonus tracks!!
The debut disc from the band captures the its original line-up (keyboardist Russell Ferrante, bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Ricky Lawson along with guitarist Robben Ford) with a fresh musical sound that fuses the sound of fusion pioneers such as Weather Report and Return To Forever with a more laid-back approach similar to bands like Spyro Gyra.
Unlike the more acoustic approach that the band would adopt years later, this album combines an electrifying mix of funk, rock and R&B along with outstanding musicianship from all four band members (or three as Ford is only credited as a guest on this album).
Standout tracks include the hard-hitting funk of "Matinee Idol" and "Sittin' In It", the rock-fusion of "Imperial Strut" which includes some great guitar and piano work from Ford and Ferrante repsectively and the melodic "Priscilla" which in much in the same vein as the Jaco Pastorius-era Weather Report.
The newly remastered version includes four additional tracks which stem from the band's original demo tape recorded in late 1979. The demo tracks include an early take of "Imperial Strut" along with three tracks that have never been released on any Yellowjackets album in any form. Despite the musicianship being slighty rough around the edges, these four demo tracks are of superb quality and are a must for the die-hard Jackets fan.
This reissue of the Yellowjackets first album is long since overdue (and it even states that on the CDs sticker attached to the outer shrinkwrap). It's great to finally have it out in its best light imaginable. One can only hope that the Yellowjackets second album "Mirage a Trois" will receive the same treatment in the near future.

Jack Johnson's sophomore release "On And On" picks up where his debut "Brushfire Fairytales" left off. In all fairness, this could very well be considered the sequel to that album.
Johnson utilizes the same group of musicians as the previous disc and continues to flourish with his soulful, playful and hook-layered songwriting.
Musically, Jack Johnson's style is smooth and laid-back but never boring while his lyrics are pure inoffensive poetry.
All 16 tracks on this album are standouts and are breaths of fresh air in the light of the teeny-bopper and 'image-saturated' music which unfortunately is all the rage these days.
Hats off to Jack Johnson for another solid collection of great songs.

On a personal note: Hats also go off to my friend Allison for introducing me to Jack Johnson's music. Thanks Alli.

1970 marked the debut of one of the first progressive rock supergroups Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Keyboardist Keith Emerson was the central figure and founding member of the theatrical rock band The Nice. Vocalist/guitarist/bassist Greg Lake was an original member of King Crimson providing lead vocals on that band's first two albums, the landmark "In The Court Of The Crimson King" and its follow-up "In The Wake Of Poseidon". Drummer Carl Palmer was originally part of one-hit-wonder Arthur Brown's band playing on his hit "Fire". Surely, when these three virtuosos joined forces, the world was in for something spectacular.
The musical power of the band is heard from the very beginning of its debut album to the end without much filler inbetween. The opening instrumental "The Barbarian" as well as "Knife Edge" are solid organ-driven tracks full of Emerson's classical chops and Lake's melodic hooks. The 12-minute tour-de-force "Take A Pebble" fuses King Crimson's fantasy-tinged lyrics a la Peter Sinfield with dynamic musical climaxes comparable to The Moody Blues. In between lays some Brubeck-inspired piano work from Emerson as well as an acoustic hoedown-styled guitar interlude from Lake.
The three-part keyboard piece "The Three Fates" displays Emerson's classical leanings at their fullest beginning with a Bach-inspired cathedral organ which leads into a very Debussy-influenced piano piece. The track ends with a raving piano trio accompanied by some wild percussion work from Palmer.
"Tank" is also divided into three parts although it's not mentioned on the album cover. The first section is a fast-paced electric harpsichord-led workout which features some heavy musical exchanges between Emerson and Palmer. The second part is a flawlessly executed drum solo from Palmer which leads into the piece's grand finale, a marching shuffle which features Emerson performing some dexterious work on the Moog synthesizer. Considering that this was 1970 and that synthesizers were still more-or-less in their infancy, Emerson's work on the closing section of "Tank" is pioneering stuff.
Emerson also provides Moog work on the album's closing track and best known song, the Greg Lake-penned "Lucky Man". This track is mostly acoustic and features some pleasant vocal and guitar work from Lake. It's during the song's fade-out when more musical history is made. Emerson's Moog solo which closes the song was recorded as an afterthought but has since become one of the most famous and often discussed synthesizer solos in the history of rock music. Not bad for a happy accident.
Emerson, Lake and Palmer continued to improve and refine their sound with each album they made. Many of their subsequent albums such as "Tarkus", "Trilogy" and "Brain Salad Surgery" would also become classics alongside this self-titled debut. This is where it all began for ELP. Rock music would never be the same afterwards.
An essential album.

San Diego's own P.O.D. has made a triumphant return with their semi-self-titled titled album "Payable On Death". The album marks some significant changes for the band. Original guitarist Marcos Curiel has been replaced by Jason Truby, former guitarist for the pioneering speed metal band Living Sacrifice. Truby brings a more refined and technical approach to the band which is more polished than Marcos' raw and edgy guitar work. Throughout the album, Truby's playing shines with brilliance.

The other change comes with singer Sonny Sandoval's vocal approach. On this album, Sonny actually sings on most of the tracks as opposed to screaming, rapping or talking. He also provides a definite reggae influence with his faux-Jamaican accent on several tracks.
The band as a whole has definitely tightened up its musical arrangements and provides some solid, hard-hitting and downright impossible-to-dislike tracks including the lead single "Will You" as well as "Change The World", "Execute The Sounds", "Freedom Fighters", "Revolution" and the closing instrumental "Eternal" - the latter two tracks feature a special guest appearance from guitar legend Phil Keaggy whose performance is effortless especially on "Eternal".
"Payable On Death" is P.O.D.'s most polished and mature effort yet. The band has definitely shown considerable growth musically and lyrically and has taken a big step forward.
Although none of the tracks on this album mention God or Jesus Christ by name (an element which has garnered some harsh criticism from some people), it isn't difficult to hear where the band is coming from with their music. The band's hearts are definitely still in the right place and this album continues to show that while P.O.D. is a band that is surely in this world, they are not of it.

Progressive rock pioneers Yes commemorate their 35th anniversary with a full-length documentary film "Yesspeak" as well as a definitive 3-CD retrospective "The Ultimate Yes".
The first two discs cover nearly every important piece of Yes music throughout their long and proliffic career including the timeless classics "Time and A Word", "Starship Trooper", "I've Seen All Good People", "Roundabout" and "Wonderous Stories". Also included are the '80s smashes "Owner Of A Lonely Heart", "Leave It" and "Rhythm Of Love".
Some of the bands more obscure but well-worthy tracks are featured as well such as "Tempus Fugit", "The Calling", "Open Your Eyes", "Homeworld" and the title track to the band's underrated 2001 orchestral masterwork "Magnification".
Disc three, despite it being only 20-minutes long, is worth the price of this anthology alone as it includes 5 brand new recordings from the current and classic Yes line-up of Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman and Alan White. Here, the band tackles some stellar acoustic versions of their 1972 classics "Roundabout" and "South Side of The Sky". The former is rearranged as a joyful swinging shuffle while the latter features some great piano work from Wakeman. Also featured on disc three is a beautiful new piece from Jon Anderson entitled "Show Me", a solo acoustic guitar piece from Steve Howe entitled "Australia" which harkens back to his solo piece "Mood For A Day" included on the classic "Fragile" album, and an electric bass solo rendition of the largo from Dvorak's "New World Symphony" performed entirely by Chris Squire. This piece, as well as his rendition of the hymn "Amazing Grace" (included on the expanded edition of 1977's "Going For The One") and "The Fish" (from "Fragile") provides further evidence that Squire was and still is one of Rock music's greatest bass players.
So there you have it, "The Ultimate Yes", 26 classic tracks from a classic band plus five new soon-to-be-classics. If this collection isn't "Ultimate" enough for you, pick up the five-disc boxed set "Yes-In A Word" which dives even further into the band's music and history.
Congratulations to the members of Yes, past and present, for 35 years of great music. This music will still be alive long after we've all passed away.
A definite must for any Yes fan and a great overview for one's who are just discovering the band.

Phil Keaggy's collection in the "History Makers" series covers his years with Sparrow Records spanning from 1980-1983 as well as 1994-1997. Many of Phil's classic hits are included in this collection such as his McCartney-esque "A Child in Everyone's Heart" and "Morning Light", the hard-rocking "Just A Moment Away" and "Full Circle", the Steely Dan-inspired "Play Thru Me" and the tender ballads "Spend My Life With You", "I Belong To You" and "Let Everything Else Go".
For good measure, four tracks from Phil's later years close the compilation including the Celtic-rock stomp of "Highland" and the Beatles-influenced "River Of Life" which was recorded in collaboration with Wes King and Out of The Grey's Scott Dente.
The CD booklet includes insightful reflections on each track from Phil Keaggy himself and the music itself is remastered with excellent sound quality.
While the "History Makers" CD is not a definitive collection of Phil Keaggy's music, it is definitely an enjoyable and solid selection of tracks from one of Christian music's all-time greatest singer/songwriter/guitar players.
An essential addition to your music collection.