Brace yourself. It’s been 31 years since the release of “Maxinquaye,” the acclaimed and groundbreaking debut album by trip-hop innovator Tricky.
It’s also been six years between Tricky’s prior studio album and his new one, “Different When It’s Silent” (False Idols). For many of those who first came in contact with Tricky, it was his distinctive growl that caught their attention, along with the singular production values. On the new album, Tricky’s voice has been relegated to the background, sometimes merely a whisper, while Mitch Sanders takes (or shares) the lead on 12 of the album’s 14 cuts. That’s not to say that collaboration hasn’t been a part of Tricky’s history as anyone who’s been listening to him since his early days with Massive Attack and on his early solo projects can attest. What remains on the new album is a captivating blend of straightforward alt-rock (“I’m Yours,” “Cannon Fodder,” “Paris Maybe”), rap (“Be Still In The Pain,” “Radana”), modern soul (“Because I Don’t Know”), spoken word (“Marinade”), and exquisite pop (“Piano”).
Tricky performs in Miami on October 16 at the III Points Festival.
In addition to being a first-rate harpist, Mikaela Davis could be the Sheryl Crow of her generation. You can hear it on “Nothin’s On The Radio,” the second track on her suitably named new album “Graceland Way” (Kill Rock Stars), available on vivid “golden poppy” vinyl. The catchy song, which sounds like a lost Crow tune, has hit written all over it, even as it slams the current state of radio. Davis’ harp is an audible presence on “11:11,” the plucky “Wild Flower” (where it pairs nicely with Kurt G. Johnson’s pedal steel), the shimmery “Starlite Tonight,” and the slinky synth-beat-driven “Junk Love.”
“South Park” co-creator Trey Parker teamed up with gay musical theater composer Marc Shaiman to create one of the best (and raunchiest) animated movie musicals to ever grace the big screen, 1999’s “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut.” With a script co-written by “South Park” co-creator Matt Stone, the movie features songs that sound like classic musical theater but with graphic language. So, it’s not all that surprising that Parker and Stone would collaborate with another musical theater creator, in this case Robert Lopez of “Avenue Q” fame, for an actual Broadway musical, 2011’s Tony Award-winning “The Book of Mormon.” To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the musical, which continues to play on Broadway and has multiple national tours running, “The Book of Mormon: Original Broadway Cast Recording” (Ghostlight) has been reissued on vinyl in a double LP set. The 16 brilliantly irreverent songs from the show, including “Hello!,” “Turn It Off,” “Sal Tlay Ka Siti,” “I Believe,” and “Tomorrow Is A Latter Day,” sound fantastic in this format. The commemorative edition also includes a colorful booklet containing photographs, Frank Rich’s original review, song lyrics, and song commentary by Parker, Stone, and Lopez.
Originally released in 1997, “Buena Vista Social Club” (World Circuit/BMG), pressed on gorgeous pearl vinyl for the new double LP 30th anniversary edition, launched a phenomenon, including a 1999 Oscar-nominated documentary directed by Wim Wenders and a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that continues running to this day. An ensemble of Cuban musicians, gathered by co-producers Ry Cooder and Nick Gold, performing the son genre, make music that is timeless and enchanting. Even if you don’t speak a word of Spanish, it’s impossible not to be drawn in by the charms of each number. And don’t expect to experience this album while seated. Many of the songs, including “El Cuarto de Tula,” “Candela,” “El Carretero,” and “De Camino a La Vereda,” insist that dancing be involved. The vinyl reissue includes a fourth side comprised of four bonus tracks, including an alternate trio take on “Orgullecida,” as well as a 20-page booklet with lyrics, liner and song notes, and photos.
The Broadway musical version of “The Buena Vista Social Club” is at the Arsht in Miami 9/29-10/4 and at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale 10/13-18.
