GrooveOut
by Chris Sill

From Sade to Cher, from Bette to Bassey, a roundup of pre-holiday releases

Like the leaves falling from trees, so are the CDs flying off store shelves. No, it's not a new daytime soap, but rather the hope of music retailers as they greedily anticipate the oncoming holiday season. And one thing's for sure, they're betting on a piece of the gay dollar. So just what music is the gay consumer going to spend their disposable income on this season? Below is a savvy list of current and yet-to-be-released material by new and old, queer and not-so-queer musicians and vocalists.

By far the most anticipated release this autumn is from the voice that breaks your heart into a thousand pieces, yet manages to put it back together with the slightest of breath. Sade. It's been eight long years since her last studio album, but the silky smooth chanteuse returns with Lovers' Rock due out Nov. 14 on Epic Records. "By My Side," the first single, is already heating up certain Houston airwaves.

Also due out Nov. 14 on Epic Records is the re-release (with three additional live cuts) of She's So Unusual, from the girl who just wants to have fun. Cyndi Lauper's Grammy-winning album sounds as vibrant and vital as it did some 17 years ago when it sold over five million copies in the U.S.

From glorious returns to haunting debuts. Ghost Stories from London's Amanda Ghost shivers with brilliant modern alternative pop. Adored by gay icons Boy George and Elton John, Ghost's vocals hint of early Stevie Nicks and Natalie Merchant, but prove stronger as she confidently recounts dark tales from her own past with an eclectic mix of beats and electronic effects. Now on Warner Brothers, Ghost Stories shows off one of this year's most promising new artists.

Also out on WB-call it uncanny timing (puh-leeze), or a slick marketing tool (that's more like it), but whatever you call it, it's undeniably Bette. The Divine Miss M is back with a new CD just in time to help promote her first television sitcom. Fortunately Bette delivers the goods the way only she can serving up classics like the Temptations' "Just My Imagination."

Speaking of divas, the legendary voice of disco Loleatta Holloway ("Love Sensation") steps back onto the dance floor this winter with Queen of the Night, a collection of her greatest hits remixed for the new millennium. Another legend receiving the remix treatment is original James Bond diva Shirley Bassey, whose Diamond Remix Collection is full of classic jewels. Jellybean Recordings also gives us Divine Divas: With cuts from Veronica, Sandy B, and Jennifer Holliday to name a few, this set screams of energy and will kick any party into high gear. For deeper dance-floor grooves, search out gay superstar DJ Danny Tenaglia on Global Underground 017/London, a double disc beatmixed with his trademark hard-and-soul sound.

From the dance-floor circuit to the dinner-party circuit: Gorgeous solo piano pieces provide romantic moods on Welcome Home from gay musician Esteban Ramirez. Perfect for quiet evenings at home or for entertaining, out now on Descanso Music. While you're loading your disc changer, consider adding the import-only Loveboat from Erasure. The boys return in a mellow mood this time, so keep this one for home use. The incomparable Bjork supplies her vocal talents and more on Selmasongs. She co-produced this eerie soundtrack to the film Dancer in the Dark, in which she also stars. Queer filmgoers should also check into The Broken Hearts Club soundtrack, a feisty assembly of club cuts that should ease the pain of any jilted suitor. Out now on Engine Recordings.

For some fierce bump and grind, get reacquainted with '80s pop idols Tom Tom Club. Reappearing this winter with The Good, The Bad, and The Funky, the band is sure to keep temperatures toasty with their steamy remake of Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby." British female breakthrough artist Dido hands the musical reigns over to her brother Rollo (Faithless), and his band Dusted. Their mesmerizing release, "When We Were Young," is similar in feel to fellow countrymen Massive Attack, and available only on import. Last but certainly not least, on November 8 Cher releases Not Commercial, available only online. The new CD is a collection of emotional poetry set to music. Cher penned the material herself, and it marks the first time the diva has written and recorded her own material. In another first, Cher is putting a warning label on the CD because the subject matter and language are darker and more graphic than her previous work. Not Commercial is available exclusively at http://www.cher.com and http://www.cherdirect.com.

Chris Sill spins tunes at Rich's and can be reached at csill@infohwy.com or www.djchrissill.com.