DATE: Thursday, April 17, 1997              TAG: 9704160029

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E3   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Album reviews

                                            LENGTH:  120 lines

EXOTIC SOUNDS OF ``ANCIENT DREAMS'' BEST FOR THOSE WITH ADVENTUROUS SPIRITS

Contemporary

F. Gerard Errante, ``Shadows of Ancient Dreams'' (Capstone)

Anyone who has attended one of the Norfolk Chamber Consort's evenings devoted to new music will know what to expect from Consort co-director F. Gerard Errante's new CD. The clarinetist is an advocate for music that often expands and redefines what most concertgoers would consider ``art music.''

Those with rigid preconceptions as to what constitutes music should probably steer clear of this CD. Listeners with a more adventurous spirit will find many unusual sounds, textures and effects, all highly evocative and at times quite beautiful.

The CD takes its title from a work by Errante himself, in which a haunting collage of sounds is produced by the clarinet and a collection of exotic instruments, including the didjeridu from Australia and the shakuhachi from Japan.

The other pieces were all written for Errante and range from the humorous ``Milk Teeth,'' by Michael Lowenstern, in which the clarinet, live and digitally processed, is combined with bits of commercials, to the multi-movement ``Yasashii Kaze,'' by Douglas Quin. The latter uses birdsong as its point of departure, blending the solo clarinet with synthesized sounds and wildlife recordings.

Paul Sayegh, The Pilot

Appearance: F. Gerard Errante will discuss his new disc and preview his recital at the Virginia Waterfront International Arts Festival Saturday at 2 p.m. at Planet Music, 4485 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach. Free. 499-6000.

Pop/Rock

Veruca Salt, ``Eight Arms to Hold You'' (Outpost Records)

While salt may be a staple, Veruca Salt would do well to add a few ingredients to their recipe for ``alternative'' entree.

``Eight Arms to Hold You'' is too bland. The parallel singing of Louise Post and Nina Gordon is too nice. It begins to sound like that awful chewing-gum commercial, with the identically dressed twins. Yuck! Similar vocal disappointments can be found within similar melodies on nearly every tune.

To be fair, there are a few good qualities. ``Volcano Girls'' has enough hooks to make it an explosive hit. The art-rock approach taken on ``Benjamin'' is a nice departure, as is the backward recorded guitar solo on the new wave ``Sound of the Bell.''

Take it, or leave it.

Jeff Maisey, The Pilot

Jazz/R&B

The Essence All Stars, ``Jackies Blues Bag: A Tribute to Jackie McLean,'' (Hip Bop Essence)

Earthy melodies. Infectious grooves. A tight backup trio. Eight sax maniacs. Put them all together and you've got one terrific tribute.

Six of the seven tunes were written by the great alto saxophonist Jackie McLean, who made his name playing hard bop and free jazz in the 1950s and '60s. This overdue salute leans heavily toward the former.

``Bluesnik'' finds Branford Marsalis playing lean, blues-drenched tenor lines, followed by Justin Robinson's angular alto. On ``Blues Inn,'' muscular tenor Joe Lovano flexes over a 12-bar pattern, accompanied only by hard-swinging drummer Idris Muhammad. ``Midtown Blues'' is the most satisfying cut, with Vince Herring (alto) and Javon Jackson (tenor) soaring to exhilarating heights.

``Blues Bag'' belongs in your shopping bag.

David Simpson, The Pilot

Rahsaan Patterson, ``Rahsaan Patterson'' (MCA)

Listen to the the thumpin', humpin' rhythms of ``Stop By,'' the first single off Rahsaan Patterson's debut, and you're likely tog2revs17 Patterson

tag him as a funkmaster.

You'd only be partly right.

Patterson, whose tunes have been performed by Brandy and Tevin Campbell, is a chameleon. This 14-song set has the songwriter/ singer metamorphosing from a Sly Stone clone on ``So Fine'' to love crooner on ``Can't We Wait a Minute.'' The inspirational ``Joy'' is augmented by Take 6.

Patterson brings to the project considerable talents: his rich, expressive voice, which can glide from bass to tenor to falsetto on the same track; and his skillful blending of jazz, gospel, R&B and pop.

Marvin Lake, The Pilot

World music

Zap Mama, ``Seven'' (Luaka Bop/ Warner Bros.)

On Zap Mama's third album, Marie Daulne steps forward as lead singer, chief composer and executive producer. But that hasn't changed the sound of the Belgium-based group.

The unique harmonies are based on traditional African styles, Afro-pop, hip-hop rhythms and Western girl-group pop vocals. Daulne and stalwarts Sabine Kabongo, Anita Daulne and Angelique Willkie are joined by newcomer Wathanga Rema, a male singer from Cameroon whose high harmonies fit seamlessly into the mix.

Led by Marie Daulne's strong and versatile voice, the group can elicit any number of styles, often on one song. Standouts include Daulne's version of Phoebe Snow's ``Poetry Man,'' ``African Sunset'' and ``Damn Your Eyes.''

Zap Mama continues to push the pop envelope, creating compelling music that delights and inspires.

Eric Feber, The Pilot

Spoken word

Various artists, ``Kerouac - Kicks Joy Darkness'' (Rykodisc)

How ironic to hear beat poet Allen Ginsberg, who died this month, recite the choruses of ``The Brooklyn Bridge Blues'' on this tribute to beat poet Jack Kerouac. But their friendship and works live on: The black-and-whites of Kerouac in the CD booklet were taken by Ginsberg in the 1950s.

Of all spoken-word recordings, ``Kicks Joy Darkness'' may be one of the finest. The 24 works are performed by some of our most influential artists; most are accompanied by a musical ``soundtrack,'' an emerging style these days.

The avant-garde sounds provided by Eddie Vedder, Campbell 2000 and Sadie 7 make ``Hymn'' the most adventurous on the list. ``Old Western Movies' '' blue-sky desert image, sonically illustrated by tomandandy, is perfect for the frail, weathered voice of William Burroughs. Lydia Lunch crackles on ``Bowery Blues.''

Also contributing are Patti Smith, Jim Carroll, John Cale, Michael Stipe and Steven Tyler. Now, snap your fingers and pay homage.

Jeff Maisey, The Pilot ILLUSTRATION: FILE photo

Clarinetist F. Gerard Errante's new CD, ``Shadows of Ancient

Dreams,'' is filled with evocative and beautiful ``art music.''

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