Busta Rhymes
When Disaster Strikes
WEA/Elektra

Right now, hip-hop is in trouble. Rappers are being murdered, and the music being made by rappers who are still alive, is, with few exceptions, some of the most unoriginal, just plain bad music to come out in a long time. Busta Rhymes may be here to save us all.

From the moment he became a stand out member of Leaders Of The New School, to his own debut, The Coming, Busta Rhymes has managed to be successful and follow no one elseās path at the same time.

When Disaster Strikes is Busta Rhymesā sophomore effort. The first single, ćPut Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See,ä is a free-flowing, laid-back track. There is very little of that on When Disaster Strikes.

While he has always been about two steps away from a straight jacket and padded cell, his new album manages to show the many different sides of Busta Rhymes. Bustaās signature charisma and energy are ever present on the album, as is his crew, the Flipmode Squad.

Other contributors include a duet with Erykah Badu thatās a match made in heaven, a love song that also stresses the ćWe Are The World,ä theme. Jamal shows up on ćThereās Not A Problem My Squad Canāt Fix,ä which has a dance floor appeal and the obligatory appearance by Sean Puffy Combs, who is joined by Rampage and Mase for ćThe Body Rock,ä is a good enough song to overlook the over-use of Combs.

While When Disaster Strikes is not the answer to hip-hopās current problems, it does provide an alternative, and manages to be, at times, a breath of fresh air.

-by Sarah Heiman

The Dave Corbus Trio
Trios Time
Synergy

While there is no shortage of talent on this disc, the luster is lacking.
Trios Time is Dave Corbusā debut disc, and his choice of tunes canāt be faulted.

Some of the greatest composers in jazz history are featured here ÷ John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Charlie Mingus, Bill Evans, and yes, even the Bird. As far as a collection of great art, you couldnāt ask for better artists.
 

Corbus, a local, is a stunningly talented, technically superb guitarist. He is backed up by two of Denverās greatest sidemen: Mark Simon on the bass and Mike Whited on the traps. With such a combination of deep talent and beautiful charts, thereās no way this disc should miss.

And yet it does.

Nowhere is it bad. If you want good background dinner music, then this is a far sight better to pick up than, say, Kenny G or some trash like that. But itās still too patently unoffensive. Corbusā
improvistions are not inspired or riveting, and the tunesā arrangements are simply standard.

Corbus spends the entire disc refusing to go out on a limb or take a chance. He seems content demonstrating his ability, rather than demonstrating his creativity.

Simon lends some color with his harmonic variations ÷ he seems very fond of center tones, allowing the soloist to frame the chords÷ but thereās only so much a bass player can do. Whited lines it up in the pocket neatly and precisely, and accents fluidly.

This disc would go well with grape juice. It tastes all right, but doesnāt pack a punch.

-by Dave Flomberg

Uncle Sam
Uncle Sam
Stonecreek/Sony

No, singer Uncle Sam is not the fifth member of Boyz II Men. He is, however, the first act to be signed to the groupās label, Stonecreek. With the members of Boyz II Men lending a hand with the writing and background singing of this Detroit nativeās debut CD, the groupās influence is deeply felt.

The first cut, ćCan You Feel It,ä barely does Uncle Samās talents any justice.

But the second, ćI Donāt Ever Wanna See You Again,ä lets his voice soar. Itās an emotional ballad about the ultimate pain: your woman and best friend finding love ÷ with each other.

ćLeave Well Enough Aloneä explores the other side of infidelity, in which Sam lusts for anotherās woman. His remake of the Force M.D. classic ćTender Love,ä is so good it may make you forget all about the original version. ćStop Foolinā Aroundä is a plea to out a secret love affair.

Sam describes this album as ćlove on wax.ä ćThe women will like it because itās something that will make them feel sexy,ä he says. The brothers, they needs something to play for the women when they want to romance them.ä

Indeed, Uncle Samās debut is one filled with the kind of songs that make you want to get closer to that special someone or hate the world because you donāt have one. Itās also proof that the members of Boyz II Men know talent when they see it.

-by Sarah Heiman