As we head into Graduation Season, the beginning of Summer Vacation, and at least some places, HOT weather, we have some cool tunes that would make great gifts or just start your summer off right. We're also getting the summer tour schedules almost daily, so make sure to check back often, either with your favorite artist covered in this issue, or in Late Breaking News.
This month's Feature Artist, Keiko Matsui, is not only an important artist with several albums to her credit, but also has embarked on her "Gift of Hope Tour" to fight breast cancer. Her tour dates are available at the end of the article. She's playing at the House of Blues, among other venues, which become Houses of Pink for the evening, to represent the fight against breast cancer. Besides her most recent album, "Dream Walk," she has also released a special Mini-CD, "Make A Difference," to support the cause.
This month's Debut albums are from two very talented groups - "Naked" and "Star 69." They both would make great gifts or just a fine addition to your music collection. They are both surprisingly well done and interesting debuts.
We're also introducing two NEW columns in this month's issue - R&B/Soul/Urban music reviews (which we're very excited about, since it took a while to crack this market), and Short Takes, our mini-reviews of several of the new releases we've received. Things like EPs, re-mixes and compilations will find their way to this column, along with albums that merit a mention but we don't have time to do an in depth review on.
The format of the magazine cover has also been changed this month, to let you, the reader, go directly to certain articles by clicking on the picture, instead of having to get there through the Table of Contents. Some features will still have to be accessed through the Table of Contents (New Releases, World Beat, etc.), but their is now a direct link to the Table of Contents on the cover. I hear there has been some confusion on how to get around in the magazine, because some people don't see the arrow at the bottom of the cover indicating that's how to open it.
There's a lot of material in this issue, and June will be even better. We're already working on more new releases, The Offspring will be our Feature Artist with live concert coverage and an interview with this very popular band. We'll also have live concert covereage of the Tooth & Nail tour, Featuring "MxPx," "Puller" and "Stavesacre," and tentatively concert coverage of "K's Choice," a Belgian band just breaking into the U.S. Market. We'll also have a review of the new album from "Faithless," along with an interview, and a report on Ozzy Osbourne's newly formed record label, "Ozz Records," which has released their first album from the label, "Ozz Fest - Live," recorded in Phoenix and Los Angeles at the end of the "Ozz Fest '96" tour last year. June looks like a busy month for more than Graduates, Brides and parents with the kids out of school!
As always, we'd love some reader feedback, so please send your comments, questions, or anything else you can think of to ACCESS to the MUSIC ZONE at marellg@doitnow.com
We hope the changes we've made will be more convenient for you, the reader, and with the addition of so many more albums we're reviewing, it may help you in your music purchases.
In the mean time,
See You In Cyber Space!
Mary Ellen Gustafson, Editor
