Exposé and L tunes.______
The commercials for Johnson's Nourishing Products immediately caught my attention. Believe it or not, it was not the woman soaking in the tub or the goods' rejuvenating effects that sparked my double take. The ad's simple guitar plucks made me realize that this is the instrumentation to one of my favorite songs—Take Me Higher by Mellow. The original version features breathy vocals, reminiscent of Vanessa Daou had she teamed with Goldfrapp. Higher was used initially in Roman Coppola's Barbarella-esque debut film, CQ. Often compared to fellow French chillout masterminds Air, Mellow followed up the CQ soundtrack with the more psychedelic influenced album Perfect Colors in 2004.
Ever since Avalon played during a party scene on an episode of NBC's hit primetime show Heroes, I could not get this Roxy Music classic or the band out of my head. The original members are reuniting for a new album due out in 2007. Yes, Brian Eno and Bryan Ferry are working together again, but Eno will not be partaking in the forthcoming reunion tour. If you can't get enough Roxy Music, check out M People's drum-and-bass take on Avalon. This gem should have been a single or at least remixed for clubland but, alas, it only lives on the UK dance act's import, Fresco. Sister Bliss and Rollo of Faithless completely reworked Roxy Music's hit Love is the Drug, allowing it to chart overseas once again in 1996.
Also reuniting is the freestyle girl group Exposé. The trio had dance floor-ready pop hits like Let Me Be the One, Point of No Return and Come Go With Me, as well as smash ballads such as Seasons Change and I'll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me. Always remaining a threesome, Exposé has seen a turnover of singers during its run, but not to the same extreme as Menudo. The current line-up consists of vocalists Gioia Bruno, Jeanette Jurado and Ann Curless. During an interview on Q Television's show Brunch, Bruno revealed nonchalantly that she has dated both men and women. A reunion tour for 2007 is in the works.
It is no wonder that L tunes: The Music From and Inspired by the L word pulls an elite assortment of female talent. Greats like Tori Amos, PJ Harvey, Nina Simone, BETTY, Kirsten Price, Pink and Da Brat featuring Cherish contribute new material as well as classics on this pioneering show's soundtrack. The set will be available Jan. 2 via Music with a Twist/Columbia Records. The label should ring a bell; it is the first to promote music from the GLBT community in conjunction with Sony Music/ Columbia Records and Logo's founder Matt Farber's Wilderness Media & Entertainment.
In January, PBS will begin airing Rock 'N' Roll Safari, an Internet show detailing the music scene in Detroit. This program will not be limited to showcasing just artists from the Motor City. Indie favorites Melissa Ferrick and Bob Schneider will be spotlighted as well as Detroit-based acts The Hard Lessons, The Muggs, Hotness and The Grande Nationals. There will be accompanying DVDs for each band from the live concert footage, which will include bonus footage and extras. Rock 'N' Roll Safari can be viewed via canyouhearme.tv . Want more Ferrick? The out singer-songwriter is scheduled to come to Chicago's Double Door on Jan. 27.
Folk duo SONiA and disappear fear appear at Red Line Tap, 7006 N. Glenwood, on Jan. 6. In between live dates and promoting the message of healing through music, these 'gangsters of love' also are working on the soundtrack to the documentary Autumn Harvest, plus two new albums. The first is a blues-inspired project and the other is a collection of songs in Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic.
Batten down the hatches. The KC Punks Invade! Tour is coming to town for an all-ages show at Stage 83 in Lemont on Dec. 29. Headlining are Kansas City bands Bent Left and Outlaw. Also sharing the bill are Edwards Eruption, Split My Lip and Zombie Reagan. Outlaw released its debut EP Comfortable with Chaos this summer and partook in the Vans Warped Tour. This being Bent Left's fifth U.S. tour, these guys earned its wings doing live shows, including ones in Japan.
Regular readers of this column know that nothing gets me into the groove like '80s music. With a high-energy live show loaded with totally rad Reagan-era hits, local cover band 16 Candles is scheduled to take the stage at the video bar Mix, 2843 N. Halsted, on Jan. 3. Animated lead singer Adam LeBlanc rocks out favorites by the likes of Prince, INXS and the Cars. For an up-to-date listing of the outfit's gigs in the Chicago area, visit sixteencandlesband.com .