The latest reviews from Kevin Bryan.

 

Cosmo Jarvis, "Think Bigger" (25th Frame)-The talented Mr.Jarvis has already crammed a great deal of highly impressive creative activity into his relatively brief career,and this  prolific musician and film-maker has now released his third album via his own self-financed record label 25th Frame. Banjo,mandolin and string quartet provide the instrumental backdrop as Cosmo serves up his distinctive brand of acerbic  country-rock for your delectation, delivering  an affectionate cover of the Grateful Dead's "Friend of the Devil" alongside an easy on the ear assortment of self-penned tunes led by "Love This," "Tell Me Who To Be" and the infectious "Whatever."

              The Jim Jones Revue,"The Savage Heart" (Play It Again Sam Records)- The third album from garage rock revivalists The Jim Jones Revue finds this ferocious  British band  still mining  the rich vein of raucous rock'n'roll which has made them such a potent force on the live circuit in recent years. Their mildly demented approach to music-making has prompted comparisons with everyone from Jerry Lee Lewis to The Stooges and Motorhead,and the boys are in typically rabble-rousing form  here as they launch into exhilarating  creations  such as "Where Da Money Go?" and "Midnight Oceans & The Savage Heart."

             The Move,"Move" (Salvo SALVODCD207)- The Birmingham rockers' eponymous debut album first saw the light of day in 1968, showcasing some fine Roy Wood originals alongside covers of Eddie Cochran's "Weekend" and Moby Grape's "Hey Grandma." Salvo have now transformed  this memorable package into a  deluxe 2 CD set by  including some  rare b sides and hitherto unreleased material, including newly created stereo mixes of classic hits such as "Fire Brigade," "Night of Fear" and "Flowers in the Rain."

             Musica Alta Ripa,"Leclair:Recreations de musique 1 & 2" (MDG 309 1762 2)- The latest offering from German chamber music specialists Musica Alta Ripa explores the work of the renowned   Baroque violinist and composer Jean-Marie Leclair.  Leclair's  finest creations charmed  listeners with their  attractive blend  of   Italian virtuosity and French elegance, and this splendid CD  showcases two of  the Lyon born musician's  "Sonatas for 2 violins," expertly performed here by Anne Roehrig and Ulla Bundies.

             "Sam Apple Pie" (Angel Air SJPCD 401)-The 1969 debut album from London based blues rockers Sam Apple Pie has become a highly sought after collectors' item in recent years, and this relatively obscure vinyl offering has now been released in CD form by re-issue specialists Angel Air. The six piece band penned the bulk of "Sam Apple Pie" themselves, and the finished product provided an ideal vehicle for their distinctive blend of blues,boogie and bonhomie. The influence of early Fleetwood Mac looms large on many of the stand-out tracks, with"Stranger," "Sometime Girl" and  the reflective  "Annabelle" emerging as the best of the bunch.