POP/ROCK/JAZZ
REGINA BELLE ``All by Myself'' (Columbia BFC 40537) - Regina Belle is the most compelling black female singer to appear since Anita Baker. This debut album is deftly produced, with smooth, texturally rich arrangements - the perfect backdrop for Ms. Belle's warm alto and expert phrasing. And the songs? There's not a dud on the album. Pay special attention to ``Take Your Love Away'' and the moody, minor ``So Many Tears.'' A promising first album. MICHAEL FEINSTEIN ``Remember - Michael Feinstein Sings Irving Berlin'' (Elektra 9 60744-1) - Pianist/singer/musical historian Feinstein continues here in much the same vein as his ``Pure Gershwin'' album - spirited cabaret versions of some of Berlin's best-known songs (``Always,'' ``Puttin' On the Ritz,'' ``How Deep Is the Ocean?''), and some lesser-known ones (``Better Luck Next Time,'' ``What Chance Have I With Love'').
THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE ``Live at Winterland'' (Rykodisc RCD 20038, CD only) - This CD-only release of Hendrix's 1968 performances in San Francisco is the next best thing to being there. He took time to stretch out - there's plenty of the famous raw and masterly guitar in this 71 minutes of Hendrix magic. Along with ``Purple Haze,'' ``Wild Thing,'' and other hits, the disc includes previously unreleased material: ``Manic Depression'' (never recorded live), Cream's ``Sunshine of Your Love,'' ``Spanish Castle Magic,'' and ``Tax Free.''
NEW CD REISSUES FROM ATLANTIC: ORNETTE COLEMAN ``The Shape of Jazz to Come'' (Atlantic CD 1317-2) - Atlantic has recently reissued some classic jazz on CD, and this groundbreaking 1959 Coleman release contains some of the iconoclastic alto saxophonist's best work with his early quartet, enhanced by the clear CD sound: Charlie Haden on bass, Don Cherry on trumpet, and Billy Higgins on drums. Includes ``Lonely Woman'' and ``Peace.''
PHINEAS NEWBORN, JR. ``The Piano Artistry of Phineas Newborn, Jr.'' (Atlantic CD 7 90534-2) - Newborn's name isn't exactly a household word; nevertheless he is one of jazz's finest pianists. This welcome reissue showcases Newborn's remarkable virtuosity - his two-fisted single-note improvisations and delicacy of touch on standards and jazz tunes, including his own ``Newport Blues.'' On this 1956 recording, Newborn is joined by Oscar Pettiford on bass, Kenny Clarke on drums, and Calvin Newborn on guitar in this crystal-clear CD remake.
THE CURE ``Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me'' (Elektra 60737-1) - This musically excellent double album from England's most eclectic rock band is a fine follow-up to ``On the Beach,'' its collection of hit singles. The Cure's own eccentric style is always identifiable here, despite the group's mixture of styles - new wave, punk, pop, and more. The lyrics are often poetic and humorously ironic, but sometimes downright vicious (``The Kiss,'' ``Shiver and Shake'').
