Music

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews “Stankonia,” the new C-D from the band Outkast.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews pianist Uri Caine’s new 2 C-D set, “The Goldberg Variations” (Winter & Winter).

Singer Jerry Butler, aka The Iceman. His 1969 hit, “Only the Strong Survive,” is a rhythm and blues classic, and also the title of his new autobiography: “Only the Strong Survive: Memoirs of a Soul Survivor” (Indiana University Press) Butler founded the vocal group The Impressions as well as having a successful solo career. His awareness of civil rights led him to politics, and he is serving his fourth term on the Cook County Board of Commissioners in Chicago. The book was written with Earl Smith, Butler’s brother-in-law and a journalist.

Jazz clarinetist Andy Biskin. His latest CD is “Dogmental,” (GM Recordings) by the Andy Biskin Quintet. Biskin is also a composer. He grew up in San Antonio, Texas and is now based in Manhattan.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviewed PJ Harvey’s new CD: “Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea.”

World music critic Milo Miles reviews Senegalese Youssou N’Dour’s new CD, “Joko.” (Nonesuch Records)

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews “4x4” (WATT/ECM) the latest CD by pianist and composer Carla Bley.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews original cast albums of Broadway musicals that have just been reissued. They include “Finian’s Rainbow,” “The Pajama Game,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” and “Kismit” (all on Sony) and “Guys and Dolls” (on Decca).

Singer Songwriter Dion. He’s just released a new record of doo-wop tunes “Deja Nu” (Collectables 2000). In the late 1950s, Dion and his band the Belmonts topped the chart with several pop hits, earning him the status of “teen idol”. Dion split amicably with the band in 1960 and continued to write Top 10 hits until the British Invasion changed the pop preference. Now, in his 50s, he continues to produce, write and sing new material. He lives in Boca Raton, Florida.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews “Warning” the new CD by the contemporary punk band Green Day.

Church leader and gospel singer Reverend Al Green. He’s just published a new biography called “Down by the River” (Harper Entertainment) detailing the trip from R&B stardom to Reverend. Presiding over his own Pentecostal church in Memphis for the last 20 years, Green recently returned to the recording studio to record a set of gospel songs. A popular culture icon, he’s had cameo roles in movies and TV shows. He lives in Memphis, Tenn.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews “Kid A” the new CD by the band Radiohead.

Jazz guitarist Russell Malone. The 35-year-old self-taught guitarist is widely acknowledged as one of the most versatile and complete jazz guitarists of his generation. Malone has played with a diverse group of artists including vocalist/pianist Diana Krall, Harry Connick Jr., Clarence Carter, Little Anthony and Bucky Pizzarelli. He also fronts his own band. His new CD is called Look Who’s Here (Verve).

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews “The Music of Samuel Barber”

Music critic Milo Miles reviews a collection of early Muddy Waters material for Chess Records: “Rollin’ Stone: A Golden Anniversary Collection” (MCA)

Hip Hop Artists De La Soul. Formed in 1985, De La Soul released their latest record “Art Official Intelligence” (Tommy Boy) this August. Dubbed “the hippies of hip hop”, De La Soul continue to pen songs without gangsta rap influence, focusing instead on the use of samples, jazz vamps, and wordplay. Consisting of Posdnuos, Trugouy the Dove, and Pasemaster Mace, the male trio began recording at the same time as Queen Latifah, Monie Love, and A Tribe Called Quest. De La Soul hails from Long Island, New York.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Contemporary Jazz, a new CD from saxophonist Branford Marsalis (Columbia Records).

Rock Historian Ed Ward introduces us to jug band music, popular in the 1920s and 30s.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Dogmental (GM label), the new CD by the Andy Biskin Quintet.

Rock critic Ken Tuckers reviews a new CD by Queens of the Stone Age. It’s called “R, ” as in the movie ratings code for “Restricted.” The band is currently on tour as part of OZZfest.