Doug Taylor

ShakiraOral Fixation Volume 2(Epic)Perhaps the most classically beautiful woman to sing this well since Lena Horne, the Colombian siren Shakira presents the Anglo sequel to Fijacion Oral, with just a couple of songs in common. Latin flourishes are held in check to the extent that it’s a relief when they are embraced on “Animal World.” […]

The PersuadersThe Persuaders (independent)A band used to pleasing local barflies for years offers up a somewhat unrefined debut album, much like a live show. Eager guitars riff around every phrase in songs of early-Doobies simplicity, though strangely devoid of funk. The lone cover, The Fortunes’ “Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again,” benefits from extra […]

Ndidi OnukwuluNo, I Never(Jericho Beach)The young Nigerian-Canadian confounds expectations by embracing the blues with every ounce of her frame. A somewhat ethereal vocal presence benefits from the muscular guitar work of veteran Madagascar Slim. All the songs are her own, inspired by the likes of John Lee Hooker and the travails of a person of […]

Jars of ClayGood Monsters(SonyBMG)When is a Christian band so good that religiophobes can no longer dismiss it? When the devil might bob his head to it, not necessarily writhing in agony. Aside from the lyric “the light on Jesus’ face,” still a shock to hear over screaming guitar, in “All My Tears,” there’s not much […]

Paul ReddickRevue(Northern Blues)The Ontario veteran Reddick’s star has risen nationally in recent years, and in the US when “I’m a Criminal” was used in a Coke ad. This best-of collection gives new exposure to 15 years of work. A revelation is the Rhythm & Truth Brass Band, whose romps border on jams to break up […]

J-LiveThe Hear After Penalty/RykoWith impeccable timing, the respected Brooklyn rapper makes a record with enough in the grooves to help one ignore the antics of the game’s feuding millionaires. On The Hear After, the music boasts a bounce likely to linger long after you’ve gleaned what the fellow is on about. Like he says: “I […]

Bluegrass interpretations of the Moody Blues? Pickers tackling the pretentious Brit cloud-gazers is conceivable, it just wasn’t begging to be done. Mandolin player/producer David Harvey persuaded an impressive number of colleagues to touch their inner hippies. “Your Wildest Dreams,” as sung by Harley Allen and Jan Harvey, is the one song brilliantly reborn. On the […]

Terence Trent D’ArbyWild Card (Sananda/Universal)The man who would have been the grittier Prince or the nastier Lenny Kravitz re-emerges after a move to Italy. There’s less sneer and more bliss in the voice, but this is not as disastrous for his music as one might think. He can still shift from growl to falsetto with […]

The RakesCapture/Release(V2)Those who know that a rake can be defined as a dissolute person as well as a garden tool are more likely to have the right idea about the Rakes. This rock defies you not to dance. “We are all love machines carrying various genes” from “We are All Animals” is a sample of […]

i see rowboatsHide & Seek Behind the ThroneIndependentWhile songs and conventional rhythms have their place for Halifax’s i see rowboats, it is spirited instrumental interplay that enlivens the listening. Luke Fisher’s violin gets into a scrap with drums and group vocals on “Mine and Strike,” giving as good as it gets. On “Ci Ci,” guitar, […]

VariousSearching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus OST (V2)Herein lies the ambience for the film where the Southern states get a freak show treatment, not entirely undeserved. Florida singer Jim White, central in the film, is on three tracks, with the remainder stoking the exotic angle. Johnny Dowd will make you think kindly on gun control with […]