HAL
I'm not going to pretend they have a career outside of "Extremis," and even that song wasn't a big hit in the US. But the project is noteworthy even if the AA BB rhyming scheme is a little trite. After all, it's such a huge guilty pleasure on the basis of Gillian Anderson being a breathy techno vamp; worth every penny of the $3.50 I spent on it. (For an additional six or so, you get the cleavage-heavy video too. Yum.)
HANSON
One of these years... "Mmmbop" is going to leave my brain.
HAPPY2BHARDCORE
Fast food techno-- You know it's bad, but you gotta have it anyway despite the nasty after-taste. Check out Chapter 2... The first track is killer. Avoid the first volume, that one's just annoying.
HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR MASTERS
Curious about the exotic strings of Hawaiian slack key guitar? This is one of the last good releases from Dancing Cat Records before George Winston took stake in the company and produced its albums to all sound like vacant New Age sh**. This is an excellent springboard into this musical genre.
HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR CLASSICS: 1927-1938
A slightly trippy collection of Hawaiian steel guitar. Because of the era it was produced, you can hear a strong ragtime influence in the music-- which makes it perfect fodder for Ultra-Lounge lovers; and for Hawaiian music fans looking for something a little more off the beaten path. The recording quality is as good as you would expect from a grammophone, but the album is as entertaining-- if not more so-- than anything Beiderbecke ever made. One track features a falsetto so perfect is sounds more mezzo-soprano. Whether that's a vocal skill or a massive hormonal imbalance, I'm not sure
COLEMAN HAWKINS
In search of sensual sax? Then look no further. Hawkins is one of the smoothest sax players to ever come around, and among his greatest accomplishments is pulling off an amazing solo performance in "Picasso" for the whole song! One breath of his sax has more soul than most songs today-- Hear him and appreciate his artistry.
OFRA HAZA
With the exception of Asian or Latin music, pop generally sounds better in foreign languages, and Ofra Haza is case in point. Her debut album is comprised of traditional Yemenite folk songs, though her follow-ups-- highly controversial in her native Middle East-- dared to explore the pop domain! Oft sampled in rap and techno, you may find yourself a new guilty pleasure with one of her recordings.
JIMI HENDRIX
Dude, Hendrix, dude! Much as rap would never have been anything without James Brown or Parliment, rock would never have been the same without Hendrix. If you're not acquainted with his work, either buy some or get the hell of my web page! For those of us who are fans, this is a quick link to Hendrix's remastered works, which seem to be being released in mild overkill.
HESPERION XX
My current two musical obessions are techno and early classical music-- and Hesperion XX is one of the top performers of the latter. Conducted by Jordi Savall (who scored "Tout Le Matins Du Monde"), they perform pieces of classical music from the 14th to 17th centuries, a period in which music had evolved from folk tradition, but had not yet become what most think of as classical music; such as Mozart or Beethoven. The melodies are exotic and ancient, romantic and playful, running a gamut of cultural sounds. In a matter of years, I have collected quite a few of their albums, and the group has become a personal favorite of mine. To listen to "O Magnum Mysterium" as you watch the sunrise is something magical that can only be experienced and not described. Plus you can sound smarter than you really are when you talk to your friends about music and site composers they've never even heard of!
HOLE
It's amazing how a famous dead husband can jumpstart the career of a meager rock band whose lead singer's voice often sounds a wounded animal that needs to be put out of its misery .
BILLIE HOLIDAY
I have a certain weakness for unconventional beauty, perhaps the best description for Billie's voice. Who but her could pull off "Strange Fruit"? And what diva greater croons "Loverman" so as to make our hearts melt?
HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH
Lest I never hear another goddamn Hootie song, it will not be good enough. If this band's success doesn't show how totally f***ed up the kids of today are, I don't know what does; and I feel sorry for people who like him. Surely, this is one of history's weakest musical entries-- which is a lot to say considering the amount of work Kenny G. has produced.
HOWLIN' WOLF
Even among the legendaries of his genre, Howlin' Wolf is easily my bluesman of choice-- His smoky, whailing voice so filled with energy it's hard to not love. Who could resist his classics "Moanin' At Midnight" or "Smokestack Lightnin'"? Surely no one who is a fan of true music, for the Wolf is a paragon of bluesy licks and voice; Someone who should be owned by all.
