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Holiday CD Reviews!

      Hello everyone and welcome to the 1st annual Max P. Martini's CD Holiday Gift Guide. I know it has been awhile since you've heard from me, but just as your mailboxes are now overflowing with catalogs, ours has been filling up with lots of new CDs, so we've decided to pass along some advice on where to spend those hard-earned dollars for the music-lovers in your life (including yourself). Happy Holidays!
BTW: Max has recently been in contact with Donald Currie of Sex & Mayhem fame to see when we can expect the long-awaited and highly anticipated third CD in his series. It turns out that Donald decided to bring Sex & Mayhem (parts 1 & 2) to the stage instead and is getting rave reviews on the West Coast. We are hoping that Donald will bring his show to the East Coast and will keep you up to date on when to expect his next CD, as well as any plans to bring his show to Vermont.

Rating Scale - "No need - it's that good!" - "What the hell - just one!" - "Oh yeah - that's better!" - "You'll need 'em!" - "Wake me up when it's over!"

Various Artists Party Groove: GayCollegeParty www.centaurmusic.com

Various Artists Party Groove: Pride 04 www.centaurmusic.com www.grooveCD.com

     Their Take: Now in its seventh year, Centaur's Pride compilation brings out the newest offering to up the energy for Pride festivities around the world. The pre-eminent DJ/Producer Julian Marsh (who recently became a U.S. citizen; check out www.JulianMarsh.com), has come onboard again with his usual flair and amazing sensitivity, bringing the forefront of dance music, anthems, and high energy to the celebration of Pride. Julian says that "in this politically charged year, we have much to be proud of" and much for which to fight. "I hope the songs on this CD keep you 'Charged' enough to stand up and make a difference," says Marsh.
     Max’s Take: You cannot go wrong with Julian Marsh, as he never disappoints. Most "themed" CDs just don't seem to work for me, but Julian has skillfully pulled together some great mixes that celebrate love, individuality, spirit, and Pride. From "A Higher Place" (by Peyton), the CD's opening track, to the closing track "Alive & Kicking" (by Whites Spaces featuring Jim Kerr), this CD will definitely leave you energized and 'Charged.'
Max's personal Martini Rating =

Various Artists Global Groove: The Tour www.centaurmusic.com

     Their Take: Centaur celebrates the 5th anniversary of their Global Groove series with this CD release (featuring DJ DeMarko) along with the first-ever Global Groove North American tour. The tour kicked off at Soakin' Wet in NYC in August and is currently traveling around the country with upcoming stops in Providence (RI), Houston (TX), Chicago (IL), and Honolulu (HI). DeMarko - who's done gigs as a professional model and award-winning filmmaker - never thought he'd make a career out of DJing but now releases his first CD with Centaur Music on the 5th anniversary of his move to NYC. Centaur's Global Grove series aims to feature the best dance music from around the world, exposing the listener to new music, new DJs, and new sounds.
     Max's Take: By employing a technique that DeMarko calls "braiding", this CD weaves a seamless tapestry of sound using records from various dance music genres. The tribal drumbeat driven "Ritmo" (by Lowpass) and melodic "Oasis" (by DJ Tuareg, featuring Mandolin Man) are a few of the tracks that really give this a CD its global flavor, but "Personal Jesus" (by OBA' Frank Lord's) is a favorite.
Max’s personal Martini Rating =

Shannon Let the Music Play: the Best of Shannon www.shoutfactory.com

     Their Take: Shout! Factory (music, movies, and video for the discerning pop culture geek) steps onto the dance floor with this release. This legendary dance floor diva’s biggest hits - from her '80s heyday and her successful '90s comeback - are finally available on a single disc. This album is a boon to collectors, since much of her material as been out of print for years, and completely unavailable in the CD era.
     Max's Take: You'll likely pick this up because of Shannon's signature song "Let The Music Play" but Shannon was no one-hit wonder. The CD contains 14 tracks including the European-only single "It's Got To Be Love" and the Afrika Bambaataa single featuring Shannon, "Do The Wrong Thang." Go ahead and pick up a copy or two today and let the music play.
Max’s personal Martini Rating =

Various Artists Underground Dance Artists United For Life: Keep Hope Alive www.kingstreesounds.com

     Their Take: Those who like their dance music equal parts mind, body, and soul will surely embrace this unique concept album. The album, a solid set of future deep house classics, brings together some of the most respected contemporary dance music artists (Blaze – Kevin Hedge and Josh Milan - Kenny Bobien, Barbara Tucker, Ultra Nate, Arnold Jarvis, Byron Stingily, and Joi Cardwell, to name a few) in the business to benefit LIFEbeat (The Music Industry Fights AIDS). LIFEbeat is a national non-profit organization dedicated to reaching America's youth with the message of HIV/AIDS prevention. Blaze and all the artists donated their time, recording fees, and publishing royalties so that this album could fully benefit LIFEbeat.
     Max's Take: Many of you probably don't know that I have a love of gospel music as well as a spiritual side. This CD is spiritual in its message, uplifting in its music, and giving in its support of a great cause. With all the recent current events this is a CD that will encourage you to keep hope alive.
Max's personal Martini Rating =

Illegal Cargo Slow Train Soul www.slowtrainsoul.com

     Their Take: Illegal Cargo makes their US debut CD through Tommy Boy Entertainment (www.tommyboy.com). This eclectic European twosome, made up of Lady Z and Morten Varano, are already a sensation in London, Paris, Milan, and Copenhagen. Lady Z is a London-based, multi-ethnic jazz chanteuse with an ear for rhythm and a resonant vibrato that breathes life into the urban electro-pop mixes of celebrated Danish uber-producer Morten Varano. The combination is a wholly unique blend of old school jazz and cutting edge electronica.
     Max's Take: A unique listening experience - hip, urban, jazzy. The blend of jazz and electro-pop makes for some unobtrusive music (read, you can talk to someone without shouting) and is perfect for an upscale cocktail lounge/restaurant or playing at home with you and your special someone snuggling in front of a crackling fire.
Max's personal Martini Rating =

Screamin' Rachael Extacy www.traxhouse.com

     Their Take: Screamin' Rachael Cain, The Queen of House, president of Trax Records, and the House Nation's #1 cheerleader has released her debut US album. In this musical autobiography, she takes listeners on an insider's musical tour of the wild international House scene with its over-the-top, pumping parties that have made Rachael and her Trax posse House music royalty. Screamin' Rachael is a Chicago girl to the bone and though she had a lively few years in NYC in the late 80's, early 90's, remains in Chicago where she is busy championing the city's sound. Check her out at www.screaminrachael.com
     Max’s Take: If you are unfamiliar with House music this is probably the best place to start. The CD contains 13 tracks including a 15 minute mega mix by Chicago's hottest new mixer, Billy the Kid from B96 which features Screamin' Rachael classics like "Dance All Night," "Fun With Bad Boys," and "Extacy."
Max's personal Martini Rating =

Josh Zuckerman A Totally New Sensation www.joshzuckerman.com

     Their Take: Raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Josh developed his first love for music. At the age of eight he was introduced to violin, which he studied for the next five years. About this time, Josh's interest in music drifted to rock 'n' roll. After unsatisfying gigs in several cover bands, Josh decided to write his own music. Inspired by the sounds of the east coast, Josh relocated to New Jersey where he continued to compose his melodies and lyrics. Now with a debut of his CD, Josh has integrated his world life experiences to a fresh music style. The debut CD has ranked #1 on the Outvoice charts and Josh won 3rd place in the International Songwriting Competition for his song "When Love Comes Back Again”.
     Max's Take: Josh Zuckerman is young, handsome, and talented. Not only a singer/songwriter/producer, he plays the acoustic guitar and often violin on many of the tracks on his debut CD. The title track, "A Totally New Sensation," is also part of a compilation CD called Hot and Sweet and his song "Spiritual" is featured in the independent short film All About Steve. I encourage you to give Josh a listen.
Max's personal Martini Rating =

Athens Boys Choir Rhapsody in T www.daemonrecords.com

     Their Take: The Athens Boys Choir is a queer, political, poetry-spittin' duo that jointly and individually creates spoken-word. The pieces are personal, societal, and political, designed to make you rattle your cage, pound your chest and stand up and roar. The Athens Boys Choir is comprised of the gender queer Rocket and Katz, who became friends while attending the University of Georgia. They treat their performances as a forum for activism while raising awareness about transgender issues, the nation's current and historical racial prejudice, and the "bummer" of our current government.
     Max's Take: Rhapsody In T is a poetry slam on CD. Part serious, part fun, this debut CD is an honest from-the-heart-and-gut account of how two young people from the South view the world of today. Congratulations to the Athens Boys Choir and Daemon Records for producing this CD, but this is really something that I would rather see live and in person.
Max's personal Martini Rating =

Max is willing to try anything once, does enjoy an occasional martini or two, but prefers Tab ®!