GrooveOut Shorts

Tracy Chapman

Let It Rain

Tracy Chapman emerged in 1988 as an unlikely star. Making no concessions to fashion or femininity, this dreadlocked folk-based singer-songwriter has always had a striking originality. She hardly says a word about herself in any direction, but she has made no effort to hide her relationships with women. Chapman's rich vocals and simple instrument backing may not match the common perception of black music, but her fans will welcome the collection of calming folk sounds and subtle lyrics on this new CD. This brand-new effort exemplifies her gentle, passionate voice and simple lyrics. The music is lilting. From Elektra Records (www.elektra.com). -Andrea Rodricks

India.arie

Little Things

Soul singer-songwriter India.arie has a natural talent, one that is apparent in her amazingly expressive vocals. Her music is a unique combination of folk, modern pop, and soul. Her second release, aptly named Voyage to India, follows the platinum success of her first CD by speaking across all genres. The warmth and strength in India.arie's vocals and songwriting is undeniable. She also recognizes the importance of inner strength and determination, especially for those living with HIV/AIDS-this year, she headed up the annual AIDS Walk in New Jersey. From Motown Records (www.motown.com). More info: www.flylifemusic.com or www.indiaarie.com. -AR

Original Broadway Cast Recording

Movin' Out

Through the choreography and direction of Twyla Tharp and the songs and piano pieces of Billy Joel, the new musical Movin' Out tells the story of best friends whose lives are forever changed, along with the world, in two turbulent decades of the 20th century. The score draws heavily on such milestone Joel albums as The Stranger and An Innocent Man. The hits "Just the Way You Are," "We Didn't Start the Fire," "Big Shot," and "Uptown Girl" are just a few of the songs woven into the story. Joel's songs also inspired characters in Movin' Out. From Sony Classical Music (www.sonyclassical.com). At press time, Movin' Out was to be featured on www.movinoutcastmusic.com on Sony Classical's website. -Troy Carrington

Keely Smith

Keely Smith Swings Basie-Style . . . With Strings

Amid rumors that the swing revival is dead, buried, and forgotten, swing icon Keely Smith continues her own resurgence with Keely Smith Swings Basie-Style . . . With Strings. This 16-song tribute serves as an homage to the legendary bandleader Count Basie-which must be why Smith chose to include swing versions of, uh, Marvin Gaye's "How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You)" and Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." Seriously, Smith, blessed with one of the most distinctive vocal styles of all time, could probably swing The Tibetan Book of the Dead if she chose. On her new set, she mostly sticks to traditional standards like "April in Paris," "Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe," and "How High the Moon." If your brain cells haven't been fried by all the Celines and Mariahs running amuck through recent "pop" music, you'll welcome this collection of jazzy swing. One listen and you will understand why Keely Smith and former husband Louis Prima were once considered the undisputed king and queen of Las Vegas. From Concord Records (www.concordrecords.com). -Jack Varsi

Christine Andreas

Here's to the Ladies

PS Classics, the label that celebrates the heritage of Broadway and American popular song, has released Here's to the Ladies, the new solo CD from two-time Tony Award-nominee Christine Andreas. Here's to the Ladies is the star's deeply personal tribute to the famed leading dames of Broadway. From Mary Martin ("I'm Flying," " My Heart Belongs to Daddy") to Ethel Merman ("Some People," "They Say It's Wonderful") and from Gertrude Lawrence ("My Ship," "Shall We Dance?") to Barbara Cook ("Will He Like Me?"), Here's to the Ladies celebrates the legends of the stage and the songs they introduced. PS Classics is distributed by Image Entertainment. More info: www.psclassics.com. -TC

Ricky Ian Gordon

Only Heaven

Only Heaven blends the worlds of literature, musical theater, opera, and art song into a lyrical work that is at once joyous, poignant, and spiritual. This show joins the music of Ricky Ian Gordon and the poetry of Harlem Renaissance legend Langston Hughes. Only Heaven has been performed at Saint Ann's Church in Brooklyn and at the Connelly Theatre in Manhattan, but this world premiere recording draws on live performances recently staged by the Muse Machine in a new edition prepared by the composer featuring performers from Broadway and opera. From PS Classics (www.psclassics.com). -TC

Supreme Beings of Leisure

Divine Operating System

The Supreme Beings of Leisure (SBL) created a new sound. Even after the departure of two band members, Geri Soriano-Lightwood and Ramin Sakurai kept the SBL moniker and remain hardcore, high-tech music-makers. The band's sultry, trippy rhythm with cutting-edge computer electronics and distinctive vocals creates a unique sound. The music incorporates a diverse array of influences with dramatically varying styles. Divine Operating System highlights Soriano-Lightwood's smooth, soulful vocals, a lush sound that is an SBL trademark. The self-produced album features contributions from a myriad of outside sources. From Palm Pictures (www.palmpictures.com). More info: www.sbleisure.com. -AR

INXS

The Best of INXS

In this tribute, INXS is back with their greatest music ever, along with newly re-mastered audios, detailed liner notes featuring archival photos, and previously unreleased bonus tracks. The music is a mixture of hard rock, dance, new wave, and pop grooves that capture the sheer vitality of the band's live performances. The album also includes "Original Sin," a song about interracial love that was banned by many radio stations. INXS infiltrated dance floors from coast to coast with three other reissued danceable rock albums, Kick, X, and Welcome to Wherever You Are, all legends in their own time. Jon Stevens fills in for former lead singer Michael Hutchence, found dead of an apparent suicide in November 1997. From Rhino Records (www.rhino.com) -AR

DJ Dan

Round Trip

Round Trip underlines DJ Dan's position as a trailblazer in the West Coast house scene (in May 2002, the Los Angeles Times named him number-one DJ). On this double-disc set, he takes it to the next level into the realm of sophisticated sound design by incorporating detailed sound effects into his mix. The theme of these effects is travel, thus the title. Round Trip takes a modern turn with dark and funky cuts like Jay-J and Chris Lum's "Freaks Like Us," and includes a slew of unreleased treasures such as Banji Boy's "Drama," John H and Rascal's "Afro Revenge," Full Tilt's "High Drama," and Angel Alanis' "Bitches and Drum Machines." From Kinetic Records (www.kineticrecords.com). -TC