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Featured Articles & Reviews
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Onkyo TX-SR805 AV Receiver Review
The Onkyo TX-SR805 represents the current pinnacle of value at its price point. It sounds good, decodes all the latest HD audio codecs, sports a large power supply, has an impressive feature set, THX Ultra2 certification, and Audyssey MultEQ at a price well below what the competition offers. This high level of value is not just limited to this particular model; Onkyo has spread value and features across their entire product line. Onkyo has resurged into the market as a serious player once again and clearly upped the ante with the TX-SR805. Highly recommended.
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EMP ECA-4 & ECA-44 Compact Satellite Speaker System Review
This is a must have solution for any application requiring a compact clutter free and inconspicuously mounted installation. For a limited time, EMP is extending more than 50% off their MSRP plus FREE shipping which makes this system even more attractive and a very uncommon value. So basically $729 gets you 5 high performance compact satellite speakers and their new high power compact e10S subwoofer. This is a “cubed speaker system” killer for well under $1k.
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Recent CD & SACD Reviews
Ravel’s Bolero is a composition that rose from the depths of nonchalant dismissal by Ravel’s contemporaries to being one of the few truly recognizable melodies in classical music. Sadly, you rarely seem to see it on the concert bill these days. Perhaps it’s too disciplined for today’s classical conductors who struggle to maintain their freedom of self-expression while they pander to a diminishing audience of aging donors.
Guitarist/composer Mike Stern has had a recent string of strong releases with Grammy nominations, and this one is no exception. In fact, Who Let The Cats Out? could finally land him a much deserved win in the category of "Best Contemporary Jazz Album" for 2006 as it's got some of the intangibles that voters often look for: unusual instrumentation, compositions just a bit on the "outside" (as they say), and a strong line-up of both new and established musicians.
As the first few notes float out of your speakers, you know you have found something special in Corinne Bailey Rae. This record will wash over you and take you to a better place, guaranteed. Could this actually be what an angel sounds like?
If you knew me, it wouldn't surprise you that I will occasionally mess around on Podcast.net trying to find the worst podcasts just so I can mock them. If they're really bad, I'll send them to all my friends. Well, one day I came across one that used a track from ytcracker as their opening music.
The Yellowjackets are what I call one of the jazz super-groups of my generation. Their success has been both critical and commercial (they've won multiple Grammy awards), and their longevity (over 20 releases in over 20 years) is nearly unparalleled.
Politics won the Yellowjackets a Grammy for "Best Jazz Fusion Performance". The "new" band had finally settled in featuring originals Russell Ferrante (keyboards) and Jimmy Haslip (bass) along with newcomers Marc Russo (sax) and William Kennedy (drums).
The Yellowjackets were into what I call their third "band" by the time of this release, having added the great Bob Mintzer on sax and woodwinds (replacing Marc Russo). The core rhythm section of Russell Ferrante on keyboards, Jimmy Haslip on bass and William Kennedy on drums, remained intact, and their musical virtuosity shows.
So you find yourself in your 1970's kitchen hankerin' for some classic rock. Let's say you start with some Zeppelin, then stir in some Rush and Styx, and for good measure, a sprinkle of Spinal Tap. Mix it all together, then let it bake for about 30 years. The result? WOLFMOTHER, circa 2006.
Tom Petty was recently quoted in USA Today as saying that he feels "relevant." And for a 55 year-old rock star to feel relevant in today's "flavor-of-the-month" music scene is really saying something. We should all be thankful that Petty's music continues to rise above the noise of a marketplace filled with TV show contest winners masquerading as recording artists.
Contrary to Don McLean's sentiments, it was on August 16, 1977 that the music died. It did not pass in a tragic plane crash with Richie Valens, the Big Bopper and Buddy Holly, but in a Memphis bathroom. The myth of Elvis may have superseded the man, but his startling musical accomplishments live on in the hearts of millions of music lovers.
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