20th Century American Classics

Advantages: cool, sophisticated, unique...
Disadvantages: none

...Startlingly original pianist, blending Japanese folk music with early 20th century French impressionism, and oblique yet infectious jazz sensibility echoing Thelonius Monk. She develops her classical composing skills within a jazz context. The music is a rich mixture of classical/traditional Japanese folk and European jazz influences Delicate, beautiful, diverse and inspirational music. This highly talented Japanese pianist is currently promoting original music. An eclectic mix of jazz world music and Japanese folk music.She's at the vanguard of the army of new jazz talent which is adding exciting new sounds to the jazz genre…truly an original and inspired artist who is destined for bigger things. Taeko's band delivers a distinctive sounds, some wonderful backing tracks on this album "space to be" and some great support playing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Seminal, stirring and seductive
Disadvantages: Has DJ Shadow set the bar too high too early?!

...buildups and thundering climaxes all of which feed skillfully into one another. Though I alluded to the albums almost classical qualities it is nonetheless well and truly located in the time from which it was born in the late 20th century. It is not too far fetched to assert that the darkness and brooding tone that pervades this record is reflective of Fin De Siecle Western society with all its uncertainties and anxieties, which ironically undermine the sense of it as progressive and technologically advanced' domain. Indeed this sense of unease on 'Entroducing' has proved to have been a foreshadower of DJ Shadow's more recent, and more overtly political, critiques of the state of global affairs: particularly with reference to certain American figures of authority! This album is certainly a classic. I guarantee its longevity and even... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Goodbye: A great timeless ballad
Disadvantages: Some of the titles are truly weak

...Yes, Def Leppard are still alive and well and in fact this is their latest LP, released in 1999 with some of the band touching fourty. After the experimental vibe of '95 album 'Slang, 'Euphoria' saw the Leps return to their stadium-charged, rock roots and in places is a strong album - ballad 'Goodbye' is an instant Leppard classic, and 'Paper Sun' and 'Demolition Man' showcase some of the Sheffield band's finest lead guitar work ever, ably assisted on the latter by Damon Hill. It's not a great album - titles like '20th Century Sha La La Girl' suggest a small air of desparation - but at least they aren't going down withou a fight. More on the way guys?... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful