Saturday morning standouts:
The Chill Lounge
- Lounge Night-Brass (Fitting accompaniment for running down a dark alley in a suspenseful caper movie.)
Cocktail Lounge
- Just A Melody-Young-Holt Unlimited (A pleasant piano-anchored instrumental, somewhat similar to "Soulful Strut.")
Country Classics
- Beneath Still Waters-Emmylou Harris (Lyrically, this reminds me of "(Hey, Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" by B.J. Thomas.)
Folk Roots
- All Is Quiet-Susan Cattaneo (This February release features captivating lyrics and vocals that show how much a voice and an acoustic guitar can convey.)
Jazz Masters
- Time After Time-Milt Hinton (Welcoming piano and bass. Eddie Heywood's "Soft Summer Breeze" could segue with this.)
New Age
- Penguin Cafe Single-Penguin Cafe Orchestra (This instrumental has more of a rock feel than other PCO tracks. "Air a Danser" is still my favorite tune of theirs, but this is an intriguing blend of keyboard, guitar, and strings. At various times, this tune reminds me of Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells," Joni Mitchell, and Foo Fighters. Not just any ensemble can pull that off.)
- Nightsong-Sidsel Endresen (I'd be curious to hear Melissa Manchester sing this ballad.)
- Bamba-The Toure-Raichel Collective (A well-sustained, fun, skipping melody for guitar, piano, and bass; I can imagine Paul Simon singing along with this.)
