greats such as Donald Byrd, Pharoah Sand- ers, and Ron Carter and hip hop notables like Digable Planets, Me’Shell NdEgEOcello, and Guru, has as its centre of focus the spectre that is AIDS. Least we should, somehow, let our guards down or become stupid in think- ing that this issue doesn’t affect, then here is a reminder that don’t and it does. There are some brilliant combinations on this CD, in particular Donald Byrd and Guru with Ronny Jordan on Time is Moving On. This one is a definite must. Oh, and just as an added bonus, there is a bonus CD witha bril- liant rendition of Coltrane’s A Love Su- preme. Red Hot on Impulse (MCA) The Impulse label had some of the most in- novative and brilliant jazz artists under con- tract: John Coltrane, Max Roach, Charles Mingus, Alice Coltrane, to name a few. It gave them creative control over their music, which enabled theni to explore their visions and ideas. This CD gives us a sample of the gen- ius of these artists, and, in addition; serves as an excellent accompaniment to the Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool project. It includes Coltrane’s A Love Supreme (Part I: Ac- knowledgement) BLue NIle by Alice Coltrane (featuring Pharoah Sanders and Joe Henderson). Even if you just buy it for these two alone, then it'll be worth it. The Original Decca Recordings: Black Leg- ends of Jazz (MCA) This is history; the history of jazz; what was, what did, and what it will do. It is definitive and it is instructional, and if you want to know who shaped and influenced jazz, then you got to listen to this double CD. You'll hear Louis Armstrong “the greatest single figure jazz had ever known,” Sidney Bechet, Coleman Hawkins, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and many more. If you haven't listened to jazz before, or were thinking you would like to, then start with this CD, be- cause it is jazz, it is history, it is simply in- credible. Marcus Roberts: Gershwin for Lovers (Sony) Gershwin. The man. The genius. Marcus Roberts makes you want to fall in love, or more in love if you already are. There is beauty within those notes, and he manages to extract them without any difficulty. Our Love is Here to Stay, Someone to Watch Over Me, But Not for Me simply make you surrender to the soul and lets your heart soar on the highest stream. If you need music to love by, then love to the sensual on this CD. Fishing in the Dead Sea by Shane Walker Went to see The Pearl Fishers (by Bizet) last Saturday, which will be a few Satur- days ago by the time you read this. Any- way, went to see it. Just in case you’re wondering what it is, it’s an opera (by the same composer who gave us Carmen). What was it about, you ask? Well, I’ll tell you anyway. Basically, happily ever af- it’s a love ter). story set in ancient Okay, the review. Ceylon, Did I enjoy this op- involv- era? Unfortu- ing, yes - nately, no. Two you got reasons: first, Paul it, pearl Groves, who fishers. played Nadir, was, Actually, shall we say, not it specifi- up to the part. Ac- cally fo- tually, I could cuses on hardly hear him two. of singing. Next time . the pearl I suggest he use a fishers: megaphone. And Zurga what was with (Chisiopher that suit??? Sec- Robertson), ond, the opera it- newly self. Let’s say it elected could use a good king and rewrite. What Nadir Bizet was thinking ( Peace when he wrote Groves), this, I have no returning idea. It is a very, wan - very weak story, derer; and while I do re- and, of course, there is the beautiful maiden/chaste priestess: Leila (Lyne Fortin). Both Zurga and Nadir were/are in love with Leila, and have sworn a vow to each other not to let their impossible love for Leila destroy their friendship. Well, as events in the operatic world are wont to unfold, everything unravels; and this opera is no different. Nadir and Leila ‘discover’ each other, rekindle their love, are caught, and are sentenced to death, artd, remarkably, gain their freedom in the end (presumably, to go off and live alize that the suspension of disbelief is necessary, I couldn’t quite reach the ex- treme state necessary for this one. While I do commend Vancouver Opera on its decision to produce opera which are not normally produced, I, however, can’t go so far as to say this was a good choice. Oh well. Oh, just to note: the car ride was. an in- credible and unforgettable journey, and the car (which belongs to my good friend (Jeff) did not stall this time. ‘greats such as Donald Byrd, Pharoah Sand- ers,and Ron Carter and hip hop notables like Digable Planets, Me’Shell NdEgEOcello, and Guru, has as its centre of focus the spectre that is AIDS. Least we should, somehow, let our guards down or become stupid in think- ing that this issue doesn’t affect, then here is a reminder that don’t and it does. There are some brilliant combinations on this CD, in particular Donald Byrd and Guru with Ronny Jordan on Time is Moving On. This one is a definite must. Oh, and just as an added bonus, there isa bonus CD with al liant rendition of Coltrane’s A Love Su- preme. Red Hot on Impulse (MCA) The Impulse label had some of the most in- novative and brilliant jazz artists under con- tract: John Coltrane, Max Roach, Charles Mingus, Alice Coltrane, tonamea few. It gave them creative control over their music, which enabled themi to explore their visions and ideas. This CD gives us a sample of the gen- ius of these artists, and, in addition, serves asan excellent accompaniment to the Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool project. Itincludes Coltrane's A Love Supreme (Part I: Ac- knowledgement) BLue Nile by Alice Coltrane (featuring Pharoah Sanders and Joe Henderson). Even if you just buy it for these two alone, then itll be worth it. ‘The Original Decca Recordings: Black Leg- ends of Jazz (MCA) This is history; the history of jazz; what was, what did, and what it will do. Itis definitive and it is instructional, and if you want to know who shaped and influenced jazz, then you gotto listen to this double CD. You'llhear Louis Armstrong “the greatest single figure jazz had ever known,” Sidney Bechet, Coleman Hawkins, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and many more. If you haven't listened to jazz before, or were thinking you would like to, then start with this CD, be- cause it is jazz, it is history, itis simply in- credible. Marcus Roberts: Gershwin for Lovers (Sony) Gershwin. The man. The genius. Marcus Roberts makes you want to fall in love, or more in love if you already are. There is beauty within those notes, and he manages to extract them without any difficulty. Our Love is Here to Stay, Someone to Watch Over Me, But Not for Me simply make you surrender to the soul and lets your heart soar on the highest stream. If you need music to love by, then love to the sensual on this CD. Fishing in the Dead Sea by Shane Walker Went to see The Pearl Fishers (by Bizet) last Saturday, which will be a few Satur- days ago by the time you read this. Any way, went to see it. Just in case you're wondering what itis, it’s an opera (by the same composer who gave us Carmen). What was it about, you ask? Well, I'll tell you anyway. Basically, happily ever af- it'salove ter). story set inancient Okay, the review. Ceylon, Did enjoy this op- involv- era? Unfortu- ing, yes - nately, no. Two you got reasons: first, Paul it, pearl Groves, who fishers. played Nadir, was, Actually, shall we say, not it specifi- up to the part. Ac- cally fo- tually, I could cuses on hardly hear him two of singing. Next time the pearl I suggest he use a fishers megaphone. And Zurga what was with (Cuisepher that suit??? Sec- Robertson), ond, the opera it- newly self. Let’s say it elected could use a good king and rewrite. What Nadir Bizet was thinking, (Paul when he wrote Groves), this, I have no returning idea. It is a very, wan- very weak story, derer; and while I do re- and, of course, there is the beautiful maiden/chaste priestess: Leila (Lyne Fortin). Both Zurga and Nadir were/are in love with Leila, and have sworna vow to each other not to let their impossible love for Leila destroy their friendship. ‘Well, as events in the operatic world are wont to unfold, everything unravels; and this opera isno different. Nadir and Leila ‘discover’ each other, rekindle their love, are caught, and are sentenced to death, and, remarkably, gain their freedom in the end (presumably, to go off and live alize that the suspension of disbelief is necessary, I couldn’t quite reach the ex- treme state necessary for this one. While Ido commend Vancouver Opera on its decision to produce opera which are not normally produced, I, however, can't go so far as to say this was a good choice. Oh well. Oh, just to note: the car ride was an in- credible and unforgettable journey, and the car (which belongs to my good friend (eff) did not stall this time.