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“JUST ME’ – ISREAL HAGAN’S NEW CD SAYS IT ALL.(CNY)(Column)

The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY) December 4, 2001 Byline: MARK BIALCZAK MUSIC CRITIC Throw Isreal Hagan into a studio with just his voice and an acoustic guitar.

The veteran Syracuse rhythm & blues singer used that simple formula for his new disc “Just Me.” And producer, mixer and engineer Mick Walker put together some beautiful music at the Patterson and Concord studios for Hagan’s new 11-song collection.

Central New York fans have become accustomed to Hagan’s club work leading his longtime R&B band Stroke.

His songs here are definitely Stroke-worthy, built to withstand the rolling beauty and tasty layers of the R&B approach.

Yet they also drive home the beauty of Hagan’s vocals and guitar work in this stripped-down, simple form.

The eight songs written by Hagan fit comfortably sitting alongside a trio of his favorites: Ike Turner’s spicy “Rocket 88,” Eddie Floyd’s “Got to Make a Comeback” and Ben E. King’s classic “Stand by Me.” Hagan’s “Too Much Pressure” lets Hagan display some grit in his sweet approach. “These Things” swings with hip. And when Hagan sings, “My Best Ain’t Good Enough,” that’s simply not true.

“Just Me”***has 11 songs and runs 29 minutes, 8 seconds.

Put it on when: You want to hear one of Syracuse’s great voices in simple splendor. Hagan, Hagan and more Hagan goes down smoothly in an atmosphere reminiscent of a classic acoustic blues album.

Color this jazz in CNY tones Syracuse contemporary jazz group ESP makes a statement with its new disc.

And it’s a message that goes beyond the cheeky title, “Well … We’re Huge in Europe.” It’s time for the talents of keyboardist Stein Rimehaug, guitarist John Magnante, bassist Matt Vacanti and drummer Tristan Marzeski to be appreciated a little more around their hometown, too.

Rimehaug, Magnante and Vacanti all composed for this combo, and all three bring unique vision to the collection.

Magnante’s “Double Standard” is fresh for his guitar and keys. Rimehaug’s “Restored” allows for some silky work by all. Vacanti’s “Just One Moment” conjures a rosy image of a lazy sunrise, full of potential for big things. website test flash player

That’s followed by Rimehaug’s “Java Sun,” where the day is awake and full of buzz and tingle.

The four musicians – well, five really, because original drummer Steve Palumbo and talented young newcomer Marzeski shared drum work for the project – know their way around standards, too. On Charlie Parker’s “Segment,” they take the smooth road, with Vacanti’s bass work adding some jump and thump.

“Well … We’re Huge in Europe”***has nine songs and runs 52:20.

Put it on when: You want talented jazz work to help you paint sharp mental pictures. As composers and players, Rimehaug, Magnante and Vacanti are all serious artists with a vast palette of color and feeling.

Pop with power by Lenin Syracuse music veteran Arty Lenin’s lifetime affair with the power-pop sound has led him to “A Life of Ease.” On the 10-song collection, Lenin’s guitar and vocals show that his passion has not gone unfulfilled. website test flash player

Lenin wrote or co-wrote all 10 tunes, attaching a modern lyrical look at life to a wonderful rock sound that brings to mind radio-friendly 1970s sounds, particularly British band Badfinger.

With able bass help from Sam Patterelli and drumming by Gil Castle, Andy Walton and Tony Carbone, Lenin winds his way through interesting tales of life.

In “Cherry’s World,” he sings of the perfect real girl next door. But he wonders whether he really wants greatness that seems close enough to touch.

With “A Life of Ease,” Lenin proves that his talent stands tall alone. He’s done great work in various bands – Screen Test, Flash Cubes, Neverly Brothers – alongside longtime Syracuse friend Gary Frenay for decades, and his solo effort shines just as brightly.

“A Life of Ease”***has 10 songs and runs 34:36.

Put it on when: The urge hits for power pop that reminds you of some of the great bands of the 1970s. On this trip through his memories, Lenin affirms his talent with voice and guitar.

Party time with FlatFace Oswego’s FlatFace and the Shemp-Dells have to be one of the most versatile bands around.

Their new 17-song disc, “Clambake Style,” allows them all – Tim “Gweemer” Allen, Bob Beattie, Danny J. Cromp, Dave Eldridge, Michael T. Farrar, Rick Jewette and Lisa Romano – to strut around with their favorite style of music.

There’s hardy party rock and heady R&B and smoky blues and even yee-hah country.

There’s also studio work and songs recorded live at the Red Door North.

The sum of these parts is a disc that’s worthy of any bash.

“Clambake Style”***has 17 songs and runs 71:01.

Put it on when: You’re in the mood for a good time – with blues, with rock, with R&B, with country.

Oldies party with Dunes Dunes & The Del-Tunes have provided a happy oldies track for Central New York’s live parties for 25 years.

The 18 well-selected favorites on “Keeping the Memories Alive” allow singer Gary Dunes and his time-machine roster of Tom Witkowski, Mark Hayduke, Rick Laxton, Marty Klueber and Jimmy Watts to bring that’50s and’60s feel to a CD player near you.

Fast-moving favorites such as Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be the Day” and slow-dancing standards such as Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me” induce nostalgic smiles.

“Keeping the Memories Alive”***has 18 songs and runs 46:06.

Put it on when: You feel like rolling up the rug and dancing to the music that made you and your sweetie fall in love back at the sock hop.

Reflect with Sawyer Jeff Sawyer composed and arranged everything on his disc “The Wellspring Within.” He also performs the ample piano and guitar parts on the pretty New Age instrumental collection. The tad of help he receives by Matt Vacanti on bass, Dan Duggan on hammered dulcimer and Thomas Scott III are exclamation points on Sawyer’s interesting essay.

Sawyer is part George Winston, part Bruce Hornsby, part John Tesh. Sawyer can put his spell on with keyboards and guitar.

“The Wellspring Within”***has 10 songs and runs 45:08.

Put it on when Your nerves are on edge, and you’re not happy about it. Sawyer’s soothing piano and guitar work are sure to leave the jangled ends behind you.

On NewsLine To hear a song on NewsLine: Call 472-2111. Once connected, punch in the corresponding four-digit number.

Isreal Hagan – 2120.

ESP – 2121.

Arty Lenin – 2122.

FlatFace & the Shemp-Dells – 2123.

Dunes & The Del-Tunes – 2124.

Jeff Sawyer – 2125.

CAPTION(S):

File photo/Dennis Nett, 1999 ISREAL HAGAN has a new solo album, “Just Me,” featuring just his voice and a guitar.

Courtesy of Arty Lenin ARTY LENIN’Slatest power-pop album, “A Life of Ease,” features 10 songs, all of which he wrote or co-wrote