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MIMI FOX Perpetually Hip (Favored Nations Cool) Contemporary jazz, especially jazz guitar, is plagued by an emphasis on technical expertise. But a few hepcats, transcending the danger of sounding like Berklee-graduated metronomes, use their prowess to rip instrumental music into new emotional territory. On Perpetually Hip, Mimi Fox's seventh release as a leader, the San Francisco virtuoso plays a healthy, often breathtaking dose of originals and updated standards, from the melodically daring title track to gorgeous, constantly shape-shifting versions of the classics "But Beautiful" and "The Song Is You." Even the most harmonically complex tunes here are groovy and earthy. On past releases this devotion to bebop that grooves has held Fox back, occasionally producing a feeling of restraint. Luckily, Favored Nations is run by Steve Vai, not only a musician but also a badass guitarist, and he was willing to release a double album that showcases Fox's precise skills as a leader and also presents her solo work. On Perpetually Hip every moment is bright and sharp. The solo disc illuminates her more adventurous side — few musicians can keep up with her experimental take on "Caravan." This will be Fox's definitive album because it captures a live sensibility that keeps you listening to the last drop. (Ari Messer) MIMI FOX Sun/2, 7 p.m. Little Fox Theatre 2209 Broadway, Redwood City $14–$16 (650) 369-4119 Also performing and signing CDs April 13, 6 p.m. Tower Records 2525 Jones, SF Free (415) 885-0500 BLANK TAPES Landfair (self-released) On the Blank Tapes' second album, Matt Adams graces us with a whopping 23 tracks, which span from the most minimal lo-fi basement recordings to layered '60s pop. Made with an eight-track cassette recorder and a handful of random friends, the album is a generous dose of summer to tide us over until June. (Jenny Miyasaki) BLANK TAPES April 6, 8:30 p.m. Hotel Utah Saloon, 500 Fourth St., SF $6, (415) 546-6300 |
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