DATE: Thursday, February 27, 1997           TAG: 9702270069

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E5   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: ALBUM REVIEW 

                                            LENGTH:   61 lines

``MUSIC MAKIN' MAMA'' LIFTS UP BLUES

Ann Rabson, ``Music Makin' Mama'' (Alligator Records)

If there is such a thing as uplifting blues, then it is Ann Rabson's solo. The pianist, a founding member of Saffire, The Uppity Blues Women, is sure to satisfy her fans with this fantastic slice of the American musical pie. There are four new compositions added to the dozen other shades of personally meaningful blue, making ``Music Makin' Mama'' a must-have. Jeff Maisey, The Pilot

Cibo Matto

Super Relax (Warner Bros.)

The label sticker for Cibo Matto - Japanese pop darlings Miho Hatori and Yuka Honda - reads, ``Super new songs, super remixes, super low price, super relax.'' Add, super boring. Their electro-pop tunes resemble background music for some innocuous MTV animated show and they're about as satisfying as the ``Crumbs'' and ``Sugar Water'' about which they sing. Eric Feber, The Pilot

Doyle Dykes, ``H.E.A.T.'' (Step One)

This hot guitar player has won acclaim from the likes of Chet Atkins, who obviously influenced Dykes. You'll also hear echoes of Leo Kottke, Earl Klugh and Earl Scruggs among theses solo acoustic instrumentals. Dykes is at his best when tackling material with a Southern or Western edge, like ``Hurricanes, Earthquakes and Tomatoes'' and ``Celtic Cowboy.'' Alas, the album peters out in a string of brittle ``inspirational'' numbers. David Simpson, The Pilot

Odds, ``Nest'' (Elektra)

These Vancouver, British Columbians were victimized by bad timing. Their first album of classic pop came out at the same time on the same label as Matthew Sweet's ``Girlfriend,'' and never got the push it deserved. They've pressed on, crafting songs that are always catchy and clever. Ditto for album No. 4. Maybe someone will notice. Craig Shapiro, The Pilot

Bruce Cockburn, ``The Charity of the Night'' (Rykodisc)

Another Canadian whose at-large notice is long overdue. Cockburn's 23rd album - and Rykodisc debut - is true to form: thought-provoking tapestries that are as intimate as they are universal. There is something spiritual to be read between the lines, too. Accompanying him are bassist Rob Wasserman, Gary Burton on vibes and drummer Gary Craig. Exceptional. C.S.

Varttina, ``Kokko'' (Nonesuch Records)

Fuse the multi-harmonies of traditional Finnish folk singing onto modern pop rhythms and you've got the wonderful, unique work of Varttina. The four female vocalists sound like a cross between the Bulgarian Women's Choir and ABBA. Backed by a modern band also adept at traditional styles, their original songs are full of life. Who cares if you can't understand the lyrics? E.F.

Guy Davis, ``Call Down the Thunder'' (Red House)

Davis, son of actors Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, plays country blues in the pre-electric tradition, his likable, gravelly voice blending with fingerpicked six- and 12-string and slide guitar work. Some of his lyrics fail to rise above cliche, but the Gullah-flavored ``New Shoes'' and the rural talking blues ``Gee the Mule'' are winners. Promising. D.S.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu