JAZZ/POP/ROCK
BANGLES ``Different Light.'' (Columbia Records. LP: BFC 40039; CD: CK40039) -- Classic pop with a contemporary sheen. The Bangles make deliciously tuneful music that's rooted in, but not limited by, the sound of the '60s. Their second LP features a bright paisley blend of songs of lost loves and found loves, of manic Mondays, and more. Prince kicked in the ``Manic Monday'' song -- the tune most carefully groomed for air play. It's fun but unremarkable. ``In a Different Light'' is more appealing, with its exuberance and driving tempo. A surprise gem is ``Following,'' whose acoustic guitar work and vocals are beautiful and quietly moving. -- David Hugh Smith GONZ ``Uranian Undertow.'' (Plug Records. LP: 5; not available on CD) -- This Boston-based group works with freestyle collective improvisation in this debut album, but within a nicely structured framework of ingenious original tunes by members of the band (mainly Jerry Bergonzi). Bergonzi plays tenor sax and piano, Bruce Gertz bass, and Bob Gullotti drums and slit drum (an elongated wooden box with holes in the top that sounds a little like a marimba). Bergonzi is coming straight out of Coltrane and Rollins -- nothing startlingly original -- but he and his cohorts are all excellent soloists. They work splendidly together. If you have trouble finding this one, contact Bob Gullotti, 23 Bright Street, Waltham, Mass. 02154. -- Amy Duncan BENNY GOODMAN ``Let's Dance'' (Musicmasters. LP: MM20112Z; CD: 60112) -- This is Goodman's first big-band recording in 25 years, and that alone is cause for celebration. It's a fine one, too -- the live sound track for a recent PBS telecast, ``Benny Goodman: Let's Dance -- A Musical Tribute. Benny has put together a band of top studio and session players, augmented by Dick Hyman on piano and Louis Bellson on drums, for a bright-sounding ensemble. There's also solid soloing from the King of Swing himself as well as the other band members. Best of all are are Fletcher Henderson's wonderful arrangements of such goodies as ``King Porter Stomp,'' ``Stealin' Apples,'' and ``You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me.'' -- A.D. KEITH JARRETT ``Standards Live'' (ECM. LP: 25041-1; not available on CD) -- Jarrett's trio, with Jack DeJohnette on drums and Gary Peacock on bass, has now established itself as a set group. This fourth album was made during a live concert at the Palais de Congres in Paris. It includes ``Stella By Starlight,'' ``Falling in Love with Love,'' and ``The Way You Look Tonight.'' In the jazz standard vein, Jarrett has added the haunting Curtis Lewis/Nat Adderley tune ``The Old Country.'' The feel is loose, but the musicianship is excellent. No special arrangements, just improvisational brilliance. -- A.D. MARC JOHNSON ``Bass Desires'' (ECM. LP: 25040-1; not available on CD) -- Johnson, best known for his work with the pianist Bill Evans, has put together his own group for a wonderfully promising first album. Joined by innovative guitarists John Scofield and Bill Frisell (Frisell also plays guitar synthesizer here), with Peter Erskine on drums, Johnson has created an unusual sound, matched by mostly original compositions. His subtle humor comes through in ``Samurai Hee Haw.'' The darker side of the music is heard in Frisell's menacing chordal underpinnings on Coltrane's ``Resolution.'' The overall tone is adventurous, edgy, and exciting. Definitely worth a listen. -- A.D.
