European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 31, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Entertainment jazz in �?T92 Golden feathers for those who flew High by Leonard Feather los Angeles times jazz flourished in 1992. The Impact of rap the hype about hip hop the refusal of Rock to move Over a All had no effect on the durability of an Art form that closes in on its first Century. The Media May continue to ignore or downplay it but the music prevails in concert Halls and clubs in videos and most notably on recordings. Roughly 1,250 jazz cd have been released since Jan. 1 a an unprecedented figure and one that will probably be surpassed in 1993. Reissues played a valuable role As the trend toward Multi disc anthology packages grew stronger. The modern jazz quartet s 40th anniversary was celebrated with mjg 40, on Atlantic records and . King had King of the blues on Mca records. Both Are four cd sets. On three cd apiece Are a Duke Ellington set on the Hindsight Label and dizzy s diamonds a Fine Gillespie Cross Section. Mosaic records continued its admirable policy of making Box sets out of gems leased from other companies among them an 18-cd set by the Nat King Cole Trio. Among those who distinguished themselves in person As Well As on records Are the following recipients of the 28th annual Golden Feather awards Man of the year Branford Marsalis. True his moments of prominence As band Leader on the tonight show have not edged out the guests plugging their books and movies still during his tenure and no doubt through his influence the likes of Joe Henderson Shirley Horn Walter Norris Marcus Roberts Toots thielemans Terence Blanchard Russell Malone and the entire Miles Davis reunion band All gained National exposure. Aside from which Marsalis was ubiquitous on other to or video shows on records As Leader and sideman exercising a powerful influence for Good in the dissemination of jazz. Woman of the year pianist Dorothy Donegan. An unlikely Choice but so was her sudden leap from obscurity that has led from jazz cruises to a belated revival on records and a forthcoming documentary film. As she Pul it during the year life began for her at 70. Jazz group of the year . Monk. The 42-year-old drummer son of the be Bop Pioneer surprised even himself by switching from a failed Romance with r amp b to a highly charged splendidly organized sextet heard on tour and in a Blue note album orchestra of the year the Lincoln Center jazz orchestra. Its concert at the Hollywood bowl with David Berger As conductor and Wynton Marsalis As musical director displayed an admirable sense of Unity. But to Progress from there it must do More than re create old Duke Ellington arrangements. To hear this band in person is a Joy to buy its recording is a waste of Money when the Ellington originals Are still available. Young Man of the year Wallace Roney. Just a year ago i predicted that this 32-year-old trumpeter would be the new Star to watch during 1992. He justified the prediction during a triumphant International tour for which he played the Miles Davis parts in a reunion of Davis 1960s combo. Comeback of the year Joe Henderson. The 55-year-old Tenor saxophonist whose career though not in Branford Marsalis limbo had virtually stalled in recent years. He suddenly leapt to the forefront with Lush life his album of compositions by Billy Strayhorn. Records of the year the following 10-Best list is alphabetical though by Chance the first is also arguably the Best Toshiko Akiyoshi Carnegie halt concert Columbia count Basie Complete Decca recordings Decca history of Art Blakey and the jazz messengers Blue note Stan Getz amp Kenny Barron people time verve Benny Green testifying Blue note Joe Henderson Lush life verve Shirley Horn Here s to life verve Helen Merrill Clear out of this world Marcy Arturo Sandoval i remember Clifford Gap Artie Shaw the last recordings music masters rockers rappers dominate freshman class acts by Robert Hilburn los Angeles times the creative health of pop music demands a constant flow of Strong new voices and challenging new attitudes a and in 1992 Rock and rap continued to produce the Best and brightest of those new voices and attitudes. On the Rock front babes in to land and pm Harvey represent another significant step for women. Women May still be having trouble breaking into the Hierarchy on the business Side of pop but they Are contributing greatly to the artistic Side. Along with Hole and l7, the Minneapolis based Trio babes in to land is at the forefront of a group of new bands whose music explores roles and relationships with a uniquely female perspective and a no holds barred gender bending vocal and instrumental assault. Pm Harvey is a British Trio two men and one woman that supports Polly Jean Harvey s intense tales of sexual politics with a blistering blues accented Power Rock sound. On the rap front arrested development base Hend and the disposable heroes of hiphop Risy Are adding a sense of musical Freedom and sophistication to the hardcore sound of 80s rap through the use of various pop Rock and jazz elements. The focus of the following list of newcomers is on creative potential and vision not sales a which is Why Billy Ray Cyrus the year s biggest Selling newcomer in t included. Some acts on the list released albums before 1992, but they stepped up to major labels this year a move that greatly increased their chances of reaching a wide audience and helping shape the music of the 90s. T Lere Are the members of the freshman class of 1992, with their breakthrough albums. Arrested development 3 years 5 months and 2 Days in the Lite of. Chrysalis. Even before Spike Lee picked this Georgia based group s revolution As one of the key numbers for Malcolm a arrested development was being hailed As one of the most important and original new voices in ramp a and rap described by group Leader speech As an alternative to gangsta rap and Quot silly pop rap Quot the group delivered one of the year s Best singles Tennessee and albums. Babes in to land Fontanelle reprise. Like a wrong turn onto a menacing Street late at night this band lurches at you in key moments of the album with such unsettling aggression that these tales of confrontation Are at once disorienting and alarming. Courtney love and Hole May still be the most vital of the 90s female led hard Rock attractions but bassist Maureen Herman Singer guitarist Kat Bjelland and drummer Lori Barbero confirm their place As formidable rivals in this Short 37 minutes but captivating major Label debut. Base head play with toys Imago. This album did t conf act commercially during 1992, but the Quirky sensual Outing is reminiscent of the playful Strong willed Independence of the Early Prince. Leader Michael Ivey raps in a droning Deadpan style about themes ranging from social commentary to such everyday matters As romantic heartache and enjoying a favorite brew Mary j. Blige what s the 411? Uptown motown. Talk about audacity who else would Start her debut album with almost three minutes of phone machine merges lauding her singing but Blige 21, demonstrates Over the next 50 minutes that she is Worth the Good words. The material sometimes falters but Blige s Sassy authoritative vocals remind you of the Early Chaka Khan a and Blige s version of Khan s Sweet thing shows you that she s not afraid of being measured against that Model. Cracker Cracker Virgin. Fresh from the ashes of cult favourites camper Van Beethoven Singer guitarist David Lowery indulges his pre Punk pop Rock influences without sacrificing his wry 90s sensibilities teen angst is a delightful expression of suburban teen insolence in which Lowery lampoons the idea of message conscious music Quot what the world needs now is another Folk Singer like i need a Hole in my head quo then slyly substitutes his own prescription for the Lovesick blues Quot what the world needs now is a new Frank Sinatra so i can get you in bed Quot Iris Dement infamous Angel Philo. Reminiscent of John Prine Dement writes songs that have such a warm Universal Edge they seem like Folk tunes that have been handed Dow n for Ages soaking up character at each step along the line. An Arkansas native who was raised in Southern California Dement often uses childhood memories As the backdrop for her sentimental tales of people and places. Disposable heroes of hiphop Risy hypocrisy is the greatest luxury 4th b Way Island. If rap truly is the can of the Hood As Public enemy s Chuck d. Maintains rapper Michael Franti and do Rono tse transmit enough provocative ideas in this debut to keep a half dozen Cable channels supplied with programming to the tradition of the last poets and Gil Scott Heron Franti delivers pointed commentaries on such topics As television television the drug of the nation homophobia language of violence and commercial Compromise famous and Dandy a like Amos n Andy. A powerful work. Pm Harvey dry indigo Island. Polly Jane Harvey the Leader of this tenacious British Power Rock Trio examines the sexual politics of troubled relationships with an anger longing and doubt that recalls the intimacy and insight of Patti Smith and Sinead o Connor. Instead of defining attitudes in her lyrics she usually infuses the songs with the conflicting impulses that can strengthen or immobilize one s resolve. Helmet meantime inter scope. On its major Label debut this forceful new York Metal Industrial quartet is focused and driven in the manner of Early Metallica. Led by guitar Whiz Page Hamilton helmet also benefits from a wry intelligence. The album title for instance both underscores the Way helmet s dark relentless music is a soundtrack for these Quot mean times Quot and serves As a mocking reminder of one of Hamilton s favorite themes the opportunities and time lost in the meantime As you dream your dreams but Haven t found the passion to act on them. Tic . On the tic tip Laface Arista. Despite Strong Competition from Kris Kross this personable Young female ramp a rap Trio from Atlanta delivered the freshest and most appealing teen pop of the year. Writer producer Dallas Austin played a crucial role in the album s Success by injecting the Centrepiece songs with Sharp provocative edges that give the music More depth than is usually found in ear Candy pop 12 stripes Magazine december 31, 1992