Meryn Cadell
Angel Food For Thought
Sire
Mere words cannot begin to describe this. It must be heard. Accapella vocals mixed with sparse instrumentation and monologues dealing with several REAL subjects. Some of them are kinda touchy and so is the language. WARNING: Don't play this for your grandmother or in front of the kids. Otherwise, enjoy. (SC)

The Cages
Hometown
Capitol
Well, "Cheese Louise," if this ain't some good. Sometimes they sound like Poco, (the acoustic instruments and harmonies), other times, Jonathan Edwards,(with an added touch of humor.) Either way, this is a very enjoyable album. One that will easily stay on the top of your permanent, "listening pile." (SC)

Captain Sensible
The Universe Of Geoffery Brown
The Collector's Pipeline
Former guitarist and songwriter for The Damned returns with his fourth solo album since leaving the group. A concept album, it's harder edged and more psychedelic than his last three releases. Damned fans should enjoy it. If you're at all curious write: The Collectors Pipeline 119 Engineer's Drive Hicksville, N.Y. 11801. (SC)

Carnival Art
Holy Smokes
Beggars Banquet

It's hard to put a finger on this one. An EP from a self proclaimed,"Rubber Metal" band swarming with funk, punk and the ever popular "alternative" sounds we've grown to love. Put 'em all in a blender, watch the chunks blow the cover off, then hit the repeat button. (SC)

Jim Carroll
Praying Mantis
Giant
An evening of monologues and poems from the N.Y. street poet best known for his '80s anthem," People Who Died." Absolutely wonderful despite the parental warning sticker that's printed on the booklet cover. Yeah, he uses words that you shouldn't say in church,but who cares? He's great. (SC)

Felix Cavaliere
Dreams In Motion
MCA
He hasn't recorded anything since 1979 (probably for good reason.) So why he crawled out from under a rock to record this dreck is beyond me. I'm known for my open mind, but I couldn't get all the way through any of the tunes here. Buy an old Rascals album instead. (SC)

The Cave Dogs
Soul Martini
Capitol
I've been told that this new disc isn't as good as the first one, but at this point who's keeping score. After a listen or two it's easy to appreciate the combination of raw guitars, vocal harmonies and multi-textured songwriting that muckles onto you like a new pair of "vise-grips." (SC)

Tom Chapin
So Nice To Come Home
Sundance Music
You may remember him from the Emmy Award winning mid '70s children's show, Make A Wish. He's been a busy guy since then, earning awards for his many children's albums. This, his fourth solo album for adults, features twelve original songs that'll put a smile on your face and make you think. (CS)

The Charlatans
Up To Our Hips
Beggars Banquet
If you enjoyed the last effort from this Manchester, England quintet, you'll love this. Psychedelic, mind-expanding grooves and sing-a-long melodies that are similar to their last album. (A little more adventurous than before.) You'll either love 'em or hate 'em. Produced by avant-garde Steve Hillage (formerly with Gong) and it shows. (BB)

The Charlatans
Between 10th And 11th
Beggars Banquet
The second album from those Manchester, England darlings wears many musical influences on it's sleeve without sounding contrived or conceived. Look for the premier video clip of "Weirdo" on MTV's 120 minutes then be prepared to enter a love or hate relationship depending on your musical tastes. Pretty good stuff. (SC)

Charles & Eddie
Duophonic
Capitol
Hey. This isn't too bad. Thankfully,"House is not a home," will probably be the one and only single. Don't get me wrong, these guys aren't too bad, but I draw the line when they copy a riff from The Buffalo Springfield, call it their own and try to make it a hit. (SC)

Ingrid Chavez
May 19 1992
Paisley Park/WB
A "beat" poet for the 90's nestled under the wing of the almighty PRINCE. Flowing 'readings' rest on a sensual music bed created by the "House of the Paisley Prince." Each song begs the next to follow without interruption. Do so and judge for yourself. An aphrodisiac embedded in plastic. (SC)

Toni Childs
The Woman's Boat
DGC
Let's face it, vocally she sounds like Phoebe Snow with balls and there's nothing wrong with that. Lyrically she tackles serious subjects (from a woman's point of view) and does it very well. The pomegranate pictured on the album cover only hints at what's inside. Be prepared to have your doors blown off. (CS)

The Chills
Soft Bomb
Reprise
Very few groups from south of,"Down Under" ever get this far across the Pacific. We should be glad they made it. Leader Martin Phillipps has been with them since the beginning, twelve years ago. Environmentally conscious and delightfully "pop" in voice and vision, they've had critics raving for years. (SC)

CircleC
CircleC
CDGC
The newest Canadian band signed to a major label is quoted as saying, "A record is just that, a document of a certain moment in time...". And these guys mean business. Inexplicably, there's more interesting music flowing over the border than sometimes found here, even if you look under rocks.(SC)

Stanley Clarke & Friends
Live At The Greek
Epic
Aside from the cover of the Doobie Brothers hit, "Minute By Minute," this is a solid album. Actually, the Doobies cover is pretty cool, but what really makes me wet is the 20 minute version of, "School Days." Check this out, then chase down his studio stuff. Return To Forever it ain't. (SC)

Willian Clarke
Serious Intentions
Alligator
Bluesman Charlie Musselwhite has called him his "favorite living harp player" and after one listen to this it's no wonder why. Clarke commands your attention from the first note and never lets go. He wails the blues like he's lived every minute of it. Don't miss out on this one. (SC)

Colcannon
Some Foreign Land
Colcannon
Imagine if you will, an Irish band replete with authentic instrumentation and dialects that hails from of all places, Colorado. Hard to perceive you may say? Well, if there were no liner notes accompanying this disc you'd never know the difference. Forget what I said and just listen. (SC)

Lloyd Cole
Don't Get Weird On Me, Babe
Capitol
Yeah, he's the guy that had a band called the Commotions a few years back. And yeah, he still writes tunes with neat lyrics and hummable melodies. His second solo effort is a departure of sorts. One side is simple pop, the other, pop/rock bathed lush orchestrations. Nice.(SC)

Collective Soul
Hints, Allegations, And Things Left Unsaid
Atlantic
Yet another band from Georgia carrying the torch that was first fired up by the Allman Brothers.(What's up with that? It must be the peaches.) These guys are the real thing folks. Soulful, tastefully performed songs that hit close to home and feel as comfortable as an old pair of shoes. (SC)

Tyler Collins
Tyler
Rca
A strong sophomore effort from an L.A. songstress who already has one Top 10 single under her belt. If you like quality, funky, R&B, then you'll love this. Paula Abdul should watch her back, 'cause Tyler has much more talent, a better voice and legs that just won't quit. (SC)

The Commitments
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
MCA
A hot soundtrack is usually the sign of a decent movie. This one is no exception. The music is thoroughly convincing, accurate and downright enjoyable. The brimming tale of a struggling Irish Rhythm and Blues/Soul band striving to make their mark in a burgoning music scene. Don't miss it. (SC)

The Commitments Vol. 2
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
MCA
The first album sold so well that MCA decided to release the rest of the music from the film along with 7 newly recorded tunes. If you liked the movie or the last soundtrack disc you'll certainly want this second collection of R&B standards from Dublin's "Hardest Working Band." (SC)

Crash Test Dummies
God Shuffled His Feet
Arista
Produced by Jerry Harrison and the band, this, their second album is a departure from their debut. Gone are the organic elements, country flavorings and old-timey sound. This time the rhythm section drives a densely textured collection of songs written by vocalist/songwriter Brad Roberts to another plateau. This one'll grow on you. (BB)

Hank Crawford
Portrait
Milestone
Take Brooker T. and the MG's, add a great horn section and this is what you get. Blues based, soulful jazz instrumentals with lots of organ and horn solos played from the heart. Grab yo' mama and dance close or boogie down. Guest "star", David "Fathead" Newman only enhances the package. (SC)

Cruel Shoes
Cruel Shoes
Rendezvous
John Palumbo, formerly of Crack The Sky is back with a new band, ripe with the flavor of Steely Dan-esque Jazz/R&B. Add a tasty lead guitarist, a couple of women who shine on vocals and some slick production and what have you got? Something well worth listening to. (SC)

Crush
Crush
Eastwest
Debut from a new band featuring ex-Killing Joke drummer Paul Ferguson and guitarist John Valentine Carruthers, formerly with Siouxsie and the Banshees. Rounding out the quartet are bassist John Micco and vocalist Fred Schreck. Together they create a thick, persistent brouhaha that's hard to ignore and very easy to enjoy. (BB)

Cubic Feet
Passenger In Time
Meteor Records
Call it power-pop or melodic-alternative. Either way, it's not too bad. I can't quite put a finger on it, but I've heard a similar style before. Since they're on a small label, you'll never see it in your local record shop. Try writing to: Meteor Records P.O. Box 387, Brooklandville, Maryland 21022 (SC)

(SC) Stephen Curtis

(BB) Stephen Curtis AKA Ben Bland

(CS) Stephen Curtis AKA Clive Sweeney

Index

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