DATE: Thursday, May 8, 1997                 TAG: 9705080039

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E3   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: MUSIC REVIEW

                                            LENGTH:   96 lines

INTI-ILLIMANI'S MUSIC PASSIONATE, ECLECTIC

World Beat

Inti-Illimani, ``Arriesgare' la Piel (I Will Risk My Skin)'' (Xenophile)

Inti-Illimani's new recording must be like a performance by the Chilean octet: passionate and emotional, incorporating the music of their homeland, the rest of South America, Africa, Europe and the United States.

Founded in 1967, Inti-Illimani (``sun'' and Illimani, a mountain near La Paz, Bolivia) is regarded as one of Chile's foremost nuevo cancioneros ensembles - musicians who, aware of their political/social legacies, champion the country's indigenous peoples and the human rights of all Latin Americans.

The music was not favored by the right-wing government of Generalissimo Augosto Pinochet, which overthrew the elected Marxist regime of Salvador Allende. Inti-Illimani was forced into exile, living in Italy until 1988.

Today, the group performs in Europe, North America, Japan, Australia and Central and South America. A tour of Brazil follows tonight's concert at the Norfolk Botanical Garden.

While the ensemble's political stridency is somewhat toned down, its passion burns bright, as evidenced on ``Arriesgare la Piel.''

Playing some 30 instruments between them - including those native to Chile and South America, plus clarinet, guitar, saxophone and violin - the musicians subtly blend Latin American rhythms, European chamber-music textures and jazzy excursions. The vocals are full of yearning, melancholy and triumph; the songs address political, social and emotional exile.

The styles run the gamut from hymns and torch ballads to danceable instrumentals full of nervous energy - klezmer, Dixieland and South American rolled into one. Emotions run high, the performances are first-rate.

For any music lover, ``I Will Risk My Skin'' is risk-free.

- Eric Feber, The Pilot

In concert: Inti-Illimani, 8 tonight, Norfolk Botanical Garden. $8 and $12. Call 664-6492. Part of the Virginia Waterfront International Arts Festival.

R&B

Mary J. Blige, ``Share My World,'' (MCA)

At first, I passed on this. Mary J. Blige? No thanks.

But after a few tracks, it was apparent that the ``Queen of Hip-Hop Soul'' has traded her combat boots and bad-ass attitude for a softer image - one with pricey designer threads - and a retro-R&B focus.

``Musically, I'm everywhere right now,'' says Blige, who ditched longtime mentor Puffy Combs in favor of crossover producers Babyface, R. Kelly and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

Don't worry, the hip-hop sensibility is still there. In some cases, it's been cleaned up and dressed up. Take ``I Can Love You,'' which includes a rap by Lil' Kim. Kim's tasteless ``Queen Bitch'' is the melodic impetus, but Blige's wholesome lyrics turn it into a love song. The upbeat first single, ``Love Is All We Need,'' is performed with Nas.

``Not Gon' Cry,'' featured on the ``Waiting to Exhale'' soundtrack, and ``Seven Days'' have Blige embracing pop. Clearly, her world is multi-hued.

- Marvin Lake, The Pilot

Folk

Nanci Griffith, ``Blue Roses From the Moon'' (Elektra)

Griffith is reputed to be a good songwriter, but there's little evidence of it here.

Lyrically, she suffers from pomposity on ``Everything's Comin' Up Roses'' (``Oh, I cannot help but ponder what relevance that lends''), cutesiness on ``Two for the Road'' (``We're two of a kind . . . heart'') and puzzling imagery on ``Wouldn't That Be Fine'' (``If you could stand behind my eyes for just one day, could you see my heart beside you?'').

She snaps out of it with the simple directness of ``Not My Way Home'' and ``Maybe Tomorrow.'' If you want to count it, she includes a retooled version of one of her better songs, ``Gulf Coast Highway.''

Griffith does recognize quality in the works of others. Her rollicking duet with Sonny Curtis on his old hit, ``I Fought the Law,'' is the highlight. Also worthwhile are the Nick Lowe/Paul Carrack number ``Battlefield'' and Guy Clark's ``She Ain't Goin' Nowhere.''

Maybe drawing attention to other writers is Griffith's real strength.

- David Simpson, The Pilot

Soundtrack

Various artists, ``The Saint'' (Virgin)

Every good high-tech spy flick deserves a compatible soundtrack, and this one fills the bill.

David Bowie contributes ``Dead Man Walking.'' Including pop music's master of disguise is a perfect touch: Just like Val Kilmer in the movie, Bowie has been known to steal an idea or two.

This international collage offers some of Europe's hottest, most innovative groups. Orbital incorporates similar ideas from ``Mission: Impossible'' into ``The Saint Theme.'' Electronica giants The Chemical Brothers and Underworld are admirably represented, as are Moby and France's Daft Punk. Duran Duran's ``Out of My Mind'' leaves you with a smile.

Like those old K-Tel records, ``The Saint'' soundtrack is a freeze-frame of this celluloid moment in time's best music.

- Jeff Maisey, The Pilot ILLUSTRATION: STEPHEN HOMER

The Chilean octet Inti-Illimani performs tonight at the Norfolk

Botanical Garden. The group belnds rhythms and styles with emotion

and passion.

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