Cyndi Lauper presents
True Colors
www.Tommyboy.com
If you missed the recent True Colors Tour that toured this summer in over a dozen major cities you can still take part in the magic that gay icon Cyndi Lauper has put together to honor queer folks and raise money for the Human Rights Campaign, P-FLAG and the Matthew Shepherd Foundation with both the tour and sales of the music. Pulling off an impressive line-up of fresh out-of-the-gate stars like The Cliks and Jeffree Star as well as heroes Rufus Wainwright and The Indigo Girls it’s hard to go wrong and they didn’t. In fact, the only track I wasn’t looking forward to was the great-for-the-first-decade “True Colors” namesake until I realized it was a remix, and a great one at that. So win twice by raising moola for the HRC which is fighting for all our rights and you get the music as well. My picks: Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors (Morel’s Pink Noise Mix), “The Cliks’ “Oh Yeah,” Indigo Girls’ “Rock & Roll Heaven’s Gate,” Rufus Wainwright’s “Gay Messiah,” Debbie Harry’s “What Is Love,” Erasure’s “Early Bird (DJ Manolo’s True Colors Mix)” featuring Cyndi Lauper, Jeffree Star’s “Plastic Surgery Slumber Party,” The Gossip’s “(Take Back) The Revolution” and Cazwell’s “Watch My Mouth.”

Gaudi + Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Dub Qawwali
www.SixDegreesRecords.com
With ultra-cool dubby love, London-based producer and composer Gaudi takes legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s vocals and dovetails them with trippy down-tempo beats and dreamy music. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is probably the world’s most famous and one of the best Qawwali singers. Qawwali is the devotional music of the Sufis (a mystical offshoot of Islam) and is enrapturing to listen to with the vocals simply soaring - you’ll feel a bit mystical just listening to them. Dub is a form of Jamaican music which evolved out of reggae and the cool trippy sounds together with Nusrat’s vocals is simply wonderfully cosmic. My picks: “Bethe Bethe Kese Kese,” “Jab Teri Dhun Main Raha Karte They,” “Dil Da Rog Muka Ja Mahi,” “Ghamgar Bare Ne,” “Abhi APna Abhi Paraya Hai,” “Ena Akhiyan Noo” and “Kahin Mot Se Bhi Na Jao.”

Thelma Houston
A Woman’s Touch
www.ThelmaHouston.com
“Don’t Leave Me This Way” remains a disco and dance classic covered by someone almost every year since the divalicious Thelma Houston first won the Grammy in 1977. The Mississippi RnB singer has since toured like a pro and now launches a new album of classic love songs and drag-queen friendly torches she wished she had recorded including covers of Luther Vandross’s “Never Too Much” and Slyvester’s “Mighty Real.” Her velvety smooth delivery and sage pacing keeps the songs grounded and fresh - the big band feel transports her RnB roots to a full-frontal experience. My picks: “Never Too Much,” “Brand New Day,” “Ain’t That Peculiar,” “By the Time I Get To Phoenix,” “Love And Happiness,” “That’s the Way Of the World” and “Please Send Me Someone To Love.”

Junior Senior
Hey Hey My My Yo Yo
Say Hello, Wave GoodBye EP
www.JuniorSenior.com
I first heard of Danish pop duo Junior Senior several years ago probably because they are their own gay-strait alliance but I’m not sure which is which. Their infectious upbeat poppy songs sound a bit like the B-52’s and that’s no surprise as the gals, Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson, contribute vocals for several of the songs. The synth 80s pop love of the Human League, the GoGo’s and Thomas Dolby also come to mind with quirky, fun songs and mostly cheery lyrics and chirpy choruses. This two CD set includes the EP Say Hello, Wave GoodBye and both CDs are full of dance popsters that you’ll also hear on the TV show Ugly Betty and in the upcoming movie Rush Hour 3 as well as the interactive game Dance Dance Revolution. My picks from Hey Hey My My Yo Yo: “Hip Hopallula,” “Can I Get Get Get,” “Itch You Can’t Skratch,” “We R the Handclaps,” “I Like Music (W.O.S.B.)” and “Ur a Girl.” My top picks from Say Hello, Wave GoodBye EP: “Together For One Last Dance,” “I Can’t Rap, I Can’t Sing But I Would Do Anything” and “Simple Minds Do Simple Things Part 2.” Gig alert! Junior Senior poprocks the roof Aug 16 @ San Francisco’s Popscene.

Valeria
Girl I Told Ya
www.ValeriaMusic.com
Diva alert! A new name and face for most of us is Valeria Andrews known simply as Valeria, a young singer and actress who rose from Disney-esque after-school special-ish background (her one-legged Dad is an Australian hairdresser) to land at the Syndey Opera House, in musicals then onto Hollywood in the film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit where she co-wrote (with Whoopi Goldberg) and performed “Pay Attention.” Her music was also a part of Moulin Rouge (“Rhythm of the Night”) and Legally Blonde (“Ooh La La”). As if that weren’t a great start she has a recurring role as herself in the PBS series, “American Family” and guest starred on “Freddie” and “The George Lopez Show.” Her new album isn’t due for a few months but the lead single “Girl I Told Ya” is already perking up the dancefloor as an ode to girlfriends sticking together. Featuring French label-mate Aria the bumping video will soon be haunting the airwaves as well. You read it here.

Sheryl Bailey
Sheryl Bailey 3: Live @ The Fat Cat
TimesSquareRecords.net
Jazz “bopbased” guitarist Sheryl Bailey flows from fluid lines to dropped edged abandons all worked with funkied keyboards and whisper smooth drums caressing musical dances for the heart and soul of jazz lovers needing to cool off while heating up. Perhaps it’s her feminine ways that bring a lightened collaborative approach to showcasing contemporary and interpretive jazzsters but regardless the delicious tracks on her latest CD Sheryl Bailey 3: Live @ The Fat Cat will instantly transport you to the feel-good back room of easy times in a jazz club of your own. My picks: “Cedar’s Mood,” “A Soft Green Light,” “Starbrite,” “Dance of the Dream Maker,” “The Wishing Well (for David)” and “Swamp Thang.” Gig alerts! Sheryl Bailey serves up cool jazz for hep cats Aug 16 @ San Francisco’s Jazz at Pearls, Aug 17 @ Sonoma’s Lodge at Sonoma, Aug 18 @ Garberville’s The Benbow Inn’s Jazz Series and Aug 19 @ Sebastapol’s Ernie Shelton’s.

No Reservations, Music From
Motion Picture Soundtrack
www.DeccaLabelGroup.net
Music meets food on the yummy and classically-fixated soundtrack for the movie No Reservations with loads of operatic legends, jazz quirksters and a Phillip Glass original composition. This summer film centers on a master chef who is forced to face her own self by way of her “inherited”niece and newly hired sous-chef who set her off-kilter from her perfectionists ways. If you enjoy cooking or even the many variations on cooking shows then this delightful collection will perk up your kitchen habits and may introduce you to some wonderful jazz and operatic treats you might otherwise overlook. My picks: Conrad Pope’s “Truffles And Quail,” Renata Tebaldi’s “O Mio Babbino Caro,” Joan Sutherland’s “Libiamo Libiamo,” Paolo Conte’s “Via Con Me,” Joseph Calleja’s “La Donna E ‘Mobile,” Phillip Glass’ “Zoe Goes To the Restaurant” and Luciano Pavarotti’s “Celeste Aida,” “Cielo E Mar” and “Nessun Dorma.”

Mandy Moore
Wild Hope
www.MandyMoore.com
Speaking of diva’s, Mandy Moore just wasn’t up to the pop princess competition when faced with Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, and Christina Aguillera who could either out-shock, out-blond or out-sing the talented but material-needy singer. She was too old and too good for the material girl life and has found better success as a song-writer and actress. Her new album now brings the Florida sunshine girl back out with lovely and heartfelt songs you could easily hear in any number of movies. With mature love songs or the yearning and post-adolescent wisdom she’s earned she delivers a fine CD that finally matches her age and passion for singing and song-writing. She didn’t need rehab or a reality-show about her relationship either. My picks: “Extraordinary,” “All Good Things,” “Most Of Me,” “Few Days Down,” “Wild Hope,” “Nothing That You Are,” “Ladies’ Choice” and “Gardenia.” Gig alert! Mandy Moore woos the jaded and rocks the rest Aug 16 @ San Jose’s Radio Show and Aug 22 @ San Francisco’s Fillmore.

Bang Lime
Best Friends in Love
www.BangLime.com
Bang Lime is an indie-rock break-out duo from the still active Toronto, Ontario-based new wave indie quartet Metric. Joules Scott-Key (drums) and Josh Winstead (vocals, guitar) are still the rhythm section for Metric but maybe White Stripes-envy convinced them to co-write the songs for their debut Best Friends in Love while on tour and they recorded the gritty and angsty tracks over a two-week period in Oakland. With distortion-filled walls of sound and driving rock beats they seep lyrics and big ideas about war, relationships, race and the human condition into a post-modern punked-rock suitcoat. Their debut should see them getting plenty of well-deserved attention and praise. My picks: “Kings & Queens,” “The Death of Death,” “Free White & 21,” “Iris,” “Fly Paper,” “Blood Orange” and “Sailing.” Gig alert! Bang Lime rock out Aug 11 @ San Francisco’s Rock-It Room.

Putumayo Presents
Latin Jazz
www.Putumayo.com
World-class and world-music label Putumayo delivers another signature compilation of collected treats this time themed on the Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazzed interpretations of Latin influences heard around the world. With contributors from Iceland to Puerto Rico, the Latin Jazz mix easily moves from one cultural touchstone to the next with masters of the genre including Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto and Tito Puente. The first jazz-focused compilation from Putumayo within it’s exploration of the Latin diaspora comes with lush liner notes complete with photos and bios exploring the contributions of each artist or band. In the Bay Area we are truly blessed to have a rich tradition of Latin cultures that regularly imports and shares their cultures from the Mission district in San Francisco to the many festivals held throughout the region. If you’re looking for some of the experts in the field of Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms then look no further and warm up your dancing shoes. My favorites: Machito’s “Congo Mulence,” Poncho Sanchez’s “El Sabroson,” Tito Puente’s “Cha Cha Cha,” Ray Barretto’s “Summertime,” Hilton Ruiz’s “Steppin’ With T.P.” and Chocolate Armenteros’ “Trompeta En Montuno.”

L Tunes
Music From and Inspired by The L Word
www.MusicWithATwist.com
Card-carrying lesbians and anyone who likes a good compilation with a decidedly feminine perspective will appreciate the multi-faceted collection on L Tunes: Music From and Inspired by The L Word. Inspired by Showtime’s cable drama that dramatically (and often humorously) portrays a group of lesbian and bisexual dykes and divas, their friends, family and lovers in Los Angeles capitalizing on the West Hollywood’s love of fame, fashion and fortune. Premiering in January of 2004 the show airs internationally from Australia to South Korea including Ireland, Finland, the Philippines, Israel, Italy and the Netherlands and now has it’s own official soundtrack with a hot-list of stellar women musicians ranging genres from folk to electro to blues to hip-hop. As a DJ who prides on diversity and loves soundtracks and compilations I can easily recommend this based solely on the artists alone from classic Nina Simone to newcomers The Cliks. My top picks: Kirsten Price’s “Magic Tree,” Goldfrapp’s “Ride a White Horse,” Fiona Apple’s “Sleep to Dream,” Da Brat’s “In Luv Wit Chu” featuring Cherish, PJ Harvey’s “Down By The Water,” Nina Simone’s “Do I Move You,” Tori Amos’ “A Sorta Fairytale,” Peaches’ “Boys Wanna Be Her” and Betty’s “Barnyard.”

The Bourne Ultimatum
Original motion Picture Soundtrack
www.DeccaLabelGroup.com
“The Bourne Identity”is a spy fiction thriller novel from 1980 by Robert Ludlum that begat a series of novels, then TV mini-series and now feature movies with the hunky actor Matt Damon as an uber counter-intelligence spy and amnesia-suffering assassin specializing in the Far East. If you like the James Bond and Nikita characters you’ll love action-thriller spy Jason Bourne, the lead character played by Damon who has to unravel the top secret and government-funded project that now try to kill him while denying his and their existence. The music score by British composer John Powell is as suspenseful, action-filled and spine-tingling as the movies blending traditional orchestral drama and modern swoops of electronica melodrama for a full and satisfying journey of angst, love and redemption. Powell scored the first two films of the movie series and now delivers again turning the soundtrack into a modern epic with a cameo by electronic music wizzard (and vegan poster-boy) Moby’s “Extreme Ways (Bourne’s Ultimatum)” that Moby composed and performs. My picks: “Tangiers,” “Thinking Of Marie,” “Assets And Targets,” “Waterloo,” “Man Verses Man” and “Jason Is Reborn.”

Friday Night Lights
Original Television Soundtrack
www.ArtistsAddiction.com/Soundtracks.htm
Another entry into the “if the show is as good as the soundtrack it should be great” category is music from the year-old NBC series Friday Night Lights that was based on the movie and book of the same name showcasing the fictional small, economically-depressed Texas oil town and it’s codependent relationship with its high school football team. Each week the supportive and obsessed town’s every waking moment ebbs and flows with the upcoming game and aftermath thereof centering on the coach and player’s drama. Midwest (read fly-over states) social issues are spoonfed and are far less racy and exciting than I would want. How about biracial gender-benders being elected homecoming queen or lesbian sex-scandals rocking the PTA or the star quarterback getting caught as a male gigalo in a fourgy with a Republican Senator and a closet-case preacher? Now that would be “must-see TV.” Instead they fodder on racism, alcoholism and abandonment issues - which are important, just kind of old news in the Bay Area. But back to the music, the soundtrack is stellar and is directly pulled from the show and, if they are smart enough, could be a series of releases on it’s own. My top picks: Tony Lucca’s “Devil Town,” Outcast’s “Idlewild Blues,” Stereophonics’ “Rewind,” Starsailor’s “Keep Us Together,” Jibbs’ “So Divided,” Drive By Truckers’ “Good Bye,” Spoon’s “I Turn My Camera On,” ...And You Will No Us By The Trail Of The Dead’s “So Divided,” Iron and Wine/Calexico’s “Dead Man’s Will and Jose Gonzalez’s “Storm.”

Dubfire
Taipei - GU31
www.GobalUnderground.co.uk
Underground UK label Global Underground breaks new ground again with the debut solo-mix release of Iranian-American Ali “Dubfire” Shirazinia, half of Washington, DC-based electronica DJ and house music producing duo Deep Dish. You may know them for their many compilations or dance remixes of a range of pop stars from Cher to Justin Timberlake to Dido to Madonna as well as their live DJing sets. On Taipei - GU31, the double disc mix set features songs and exclusive remixes done in a deep sexy vibe to echo an ultra modern city that also serves as the gateway to the Far East in a delicious array of genres including house, electro, techno, and even industrial. Dreamy, sexy, surreal and soulful tracks slip from one into the next with sultry vocals and a nurturing launch of each track. “I’ve always been about pushing the envelope musically and anytime there’s a new sound, I’m paying attention” states Dubfire. Indeed the lovely and progressive mix includes remixes of classic songs as well as some quirky but delightful music treats. My picks: Myself’s “Barbeque,” And If’s “Finest Dream (Silicone Soul Remix),” Lula’s “The DJ, The Music & Me (Peace Division Remix),” Yoshimoto’s “Do What U Do (Markus Schulz Remix),” Dubfire’s “I Feel Speed (Club Mix),” X-Press 2’s “ ‘Kill 100 (Carl Craig Remix)” featuring Rob Harvey, Nitzer Ebb’s “Control I’m Here (Dubfire’s Jamrock Remix),” Robbie Rivera’s “Float Away (Dubfire’s Casaplex Remix),” Depeche Mode’s “Everything Counts (Oliver Huntemann & Stephan Bodzin Dub),” Samuel L Session’s “Can You Relate?,” Emanuel Heinstein’s “Tuff Tribal,” Alexander Kowalski & Barca Baxant’s “Start Chasing (Extrawelt Remix)” and Ellen Alien & Apparat’s “Jet (Paul Kalkbrenner Remix).” Gig alert! Dubfire enchants and blesses beats Sept 1 @ San Jose’s Vertigo.

Hugh Masekela
Live at the Market Theatre
www.TimesSquareRecords.net
Hugh Masekela, South Africa’s ambassador of jazz and joy is given proper respect and venue on this juicy 2CD set of live concert recorded at Johannesburg’s legendary Market Theatre where South Africa’s struggle against apartheid was aided with subversive theater and art including music and Masekela’s own brilliant musical “Sarafina!” In honor of the theater’s 30th anniversary the hall was filled with the joyous South African trumpet, flugelhorn and cornet player Masekela’s music and his gravelly sage singing voice delivering classic songs of his career spanning over five decades. Rather than edited versions you get full front-row treatment to his inspired jazz interpretations pulling on his cross-cultural and genre-hopping experiences with extended solos and sing-a-longs. Known for his love of street, church, migrant labour work and political protest songs as well as embracing the many subcultures of South Africa and musical influences from the Mahotella Queens and Mahlathini, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Miriam Makeba as well as American jazz heroes he is inspiring and worthy of the many accolades heaped in his general direction. Masekela weaves a entrancing quilt of exciting jazz history touching on the sorrows and joyous affirmation of an artist who was a child of apartheid and grew up to throw off its shakles using his gifts of music and song. My picks: “Ibala Lam,” “The Boy’s Doin’ It,” “Ha Le Se,” “Lady,” “Grazing In the Grass,” “Thuma Mina,” “Happy Mama,” “District Six” and “Thanayi.” Gig alert! Hugh Masekela raises the saints and sinners alike Aug 5 @ San Francisco’s Stern Grove Festival.