Sonorous sax and post-bop roar
By A.D. Amorosi, For The Inquirer
When saxophonist/composer Bobby Zankel left New York and its avant-garde loft scene for Philadelphia in 1975, he'd already plied his skills with masters of the free-jazz trade such as Cecil Taylor.
MUSIC: Our critics sound off about this week's shows
The best summer playlist
By Dan DeLuca, Inquirer Music Critic
Dan DeLuca: In this niche-targeted world, no single tune is the song of the summer of '09. And so far, nothing is so everywhere as, say, Rihanna's "Umbrella" was in '07. But if the season belongs to anyone other than Michael Jackson, it belongs to the Black Eyed Peas.
New Recordings
Pop While Stuart Murdoch was working on the last Belle & Sebastian album, 2007's The Life Pursuit, he hatched the idea for God Help the Girl, a musical narrative with female singers. The result: a set of chiming, chirpy, deeply orchestrated songs that looks backward to '60s Brit-pop (think Sandie Shaw or Petula Clark) and sideways to the last two B&S albums.
Concert and club listings
In Concert Anson B. Nixon Park N. Walnut St., Kennett Square; 610-444-1416. ansonbnixonpark.org. Blue Roots. *FREE* 7/8 7-9 pm.
Concert Previews
Jay Reatard Jay Reatard's new album, due in August, is entitled Watch Me Fall. But since leaving Memphis and finding his way (eventually) to alt-rock's biggest label (Matador) he's done nothing but rise. British post-punk fan, Wire enthusiast, and Al Gore
They're a duo on and off stage
Matt & Kim, two for the road and romance.
By Doug Wallen, For The Inquirer
Being both a romantic couple and a musical duo, it makes sense that the Brooklyn band Matt & Kim - Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino - can spend more time on the road than most. They recently played shows on four different continents in the space of a month, and not long after, Johnson suffered a back injury that led to the cancellation of a leg of their U.S. tour.
Casino shows and concerts
Casinos Atlantic City Hilton Boston at the Boardwalk, Atlantic City; 609-347-7111. www.hiltonac.com. The Monsters of Classic Rock. $15. 7/3 9 pm. Joe Cocker. $60. 7/4 8 pm.
Vibe magazine to cease publication
SOLVEJ SCHOU and ANDREW VANACORE , The Associated Press
Vibe, the popular hip-hop and urban culture magazine founded by legendary producer Quincy Jones, is shutting down.
Michael Jackson tops charts
By Dan Deluca
In the Mix: Of the Top Ten titles on the Billboard Top Pop Catalog album charts, eight are Michael Jackson solo sets, and a ninth is the Jackson 5 best-of The Ultimate Collection.