Two CDs priced like one! Under the masterful leadership of Bill Elm, Friends of Dean Martinez pioneer a unique sound that embodies the vast spectrum of desert life through somber, undulating instrumentals. They transform the desert into cinematic soundscapes, their success akin to Mogwai and Godspeed You! Black Emperor's soundtrack sound. Bill Elm's dramatic steel guitar seems to have been forged in some deep cave complete with stalagmites, talking coyotes, and the Great White Buffalo.

2xCD $10.99

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It doesn't hurt to have friends like Wyclef Jean, Snoop Dogg, and Mary J. Blige. But Angie Martinez stands her ground when rapping alongside mega-rap stars like these on her debut album, Up Close and Personal (Elektra Records). The Hot 97 FM DJ is no stranger to the scene; she's been fraternizing with hip-hop and rap stars and establishing friendships with many of them, including the artists that appear on the album. Martinez shines on tracks like "Gutter to tha Fancy Ish,"...   [ read more ]

CD $8.51

A brilliant if little-known improviser, Tony Martinez on alto recalls Richie Cole's tone a bit, while on tenor he looks more toward Michael Brecker. His solos fall between advanced hard bop and Afro-Cuban jazz. On this release, he wrote all nine pieces, including tributes to Emiliano Salvador and John Coltrane ("Coltrane My Giant," which is a Latinized "Giant Steps"). Martinez' "Cuban Latin Jazz" group is a septet with both Julio Padron and Mathieu Michel on trumpe...   [ read more ]

CD $11.38