Dec 15, 2006

Tunes to ease holiday tension

By Paul Freeman / Entertainment Writer

There's still a panorama of musical gifts to be enjoyed as the year winds down to its final days.

BELLA SORELLA - "POPERA"

The San Carlos-based trio, exuding glorious vocal sounds, is comprised of Nova Dague Jimenez and her sister-in-law Susanna Uher Jimenez (both sopranos) and pianist Shinobu Kameyama, a close friend who's become like a third sister. Thus the name Bella Sorella, which is Italian for beautiful sister. Singing in six languages, they utilize both operatic and pop elements, creating divine harmonies. This CD is classical at its core. They also have a new Christmas CD, "Sing of Noel." They'll be presenting a holiday concert at the Little Fox Theatre in Redwood City this Sunday night at 7 p.m. You can find out more about their music at www.bellesorella.net.

10 WEST - "10 WEST"

Renowned keyboardist and producer Ronnie King has co-founded a new company, Blue Label Records. The label is launching with 10 West, an appealing band from Orange County. They come across a bit like Dave Matthews Lite. Under King's skilled production guidance, the promising group serves up engaging material, along with pleasing leading vocals from songwriter Jon Ogden.

SONY HOLLAND - "OUT OF THIS WORLD"

Recorded at San Jose's Open Path Studio, the album is aptly titled, as it flies us past the old devil moon to starry skies. Standards take on new vibrancy with Sony Holland's impeccably smooth technique, marvelous phrasing and sincere emotion. A velvety sensuality drips from her voice. The lovely, lilting "The Nearness Of You" and bluesy, softly swinging "The Thrill is Gone" are among the many highlights. Her original composition "By The Sea" holds its own with the pop classics. A Minnesota native who moved to San Francisco in 2003, Holland has played the Bay Area's top jazz venues. There will be a CD release celebration at Yoshi's in Oakland's Jack London Square on Jan. 29. The CD is now available at CDBaby.com and iTunes. For an autographed copy, visit sonyholland.com.

TONY LUCCA - "CANYON SONGS"

Indie artist Tony Lucca rises above the masses of singer-songwriters. Memorable melodies and compelling lyrics make "Canyon Songs" a winner from start to finish. "Sarah Jane," one of the more upbeat numbers, is endlessly engaging. "Feels Like Love" is emotionally grabbing, as is the wistfully optimistic "Around the Bend."

JOHNNY ACTION FIGURE - "ASKS THE ROOM TO PLEASE STOP SPINNING"

The Pennsylvania rock-pop band delivers amazingly appealing music on this EP. The moment the song "Your Fortune's Gonna Leave You" ends, you will want to play it again. "Francis" benefits from an urgent, jazzy feel. Sweet, three-part harmonies help send the record's sound soaring.

EMILIE SIMON - "THE FLOWER BOOK"

This CD lifts 15 tracks from the French singer's two European releases. Simon sings in both French and English. Her beguilingly girlish, often whispery vocals penetrate the throbbing electronic backdrop. Ambient pleasures abound. An air of mystery makes the music even more intriguing. A cover of the Stooges' "I Wanna Be Your Dog" is one of the stranger tracks. Emilie could be one of the rare French performers who actually makes an impact in this country.

RALPH COVERT - "WELCOME TO RALPH'S WORLD"

Joyous sights and sounds for kids of all ages. This CD/DVD is an ideal introduction to Ralph Convert's wonderful, energetically entertaining style. Even adults won't be able to keep their feet still when he rocks on "Dance Around." Musically, some of the songs wouldn't seem out of place on mainstream rock stations. And the fun videos on the bonus DVD offer such kid-pleasers as "The Mighty Worm" and "Surfin' in My Imagination." They cleverly combine animation with live show footage.

RBD - "REBELS"

Tweens will be enchanted by the easygoing, R&B-inflected pop of these young Latin superstars. RBD (three males, three females, all photogenic, of course) is Mexico's hottest sensation. Already TV hits, they will soon be seen on the big screen. Their Spanish-language pop CDs have gone multi-platinum. They sell out arenas, as they did at San Jose's HP Pavilion last March. Now they have released their first English-language CD, "Rebels." Rhythmically infectious and cannily produced, it's sure to widen the group's already massive appeal.

KT TUNSTALL - "ACOUSTIC EXTRAVAGANZA"

The Grammy nominee from Scotland, one of the year's most brilliant breakthroughs, presents a delightful collection that stands on its own. KT Tunstall bucks the trend of presenting a slick package of unplugged versions of her hits, preferring to introduce listeners to some of her lesser known, but equally winning material. The accompanying DVD includes plenty of fun and insight for fans.

W. ROBERT PEEK - "ADVENTURES IN SCIENCE FICTION"

The concept album lives! San Francisco's W. Robert Peek's truly alternative rock CD invites you to boldly go where few have gone before. He creates a weirdly compelling universe through atmospherics and colorful imagery. Both wryly amusing and effectively unnerving, Peek paints a future "paradise," where conformity reigns. Relax in the shade of a helium tree and surrender yourself to the all-too-plausible paranoia. You can purchase the disc on CDBaby.com.

ROBERT PLANT & THE STRANGE SENSATION DVD

Broadcasted on PBS's "Soundstage," this concert was shot in hi-def and mixed in 5.1 surround sound. So you get the full impact of Robert Plant's dynamic, hour-plus set. It includes material from his solo career and Led Zeppelin powerhouses like "Black Dog" and "Whole Lotta Love," as well as "Four Sticks," which Plant dedicates to the late Zep drumming wizard John Bonham. The bonus tracks are strong covers of "Hey Joe" and Dylan's "Girl From The North Country."