ROCK/JAZZ/POP
THE DOORS ``The Best of the Doors'' (Elektra 60345-1) - Here it is: all the Doors music you'd ever want, on a double album that shows why their identifiable sound has endured for two decades. The album, which commemorates their 20th anniversary, includes their hits ``Light My Fire,'' ``Hello, I Love You,'' ``Love Her Madly,'' and ``Riders on the Storm.'' DIONNE WARWICK ``Reservations For Two'' (Arista AL-8446) - Warwick teams up with composers Bacharach and Sager and others on this album of duets. She sings with Jeffrey Osborne, Smokey Robinson, Howard Hewett, Kashif, and June Pointer on a collection mostly of smooth ballads. Her voice sounds a bit hoarse, but otherwise it's enjoyable Warwick fare.
HANK WILLIAMS JR. ``Born to Boogie'' (Warner Bros. 25593-1) - Hank Jr. is making waves on both the country and pop charts with this one. Rowdy rockabilly and blues dominate most of the album, which includes ``Honky Tonk Woman,'' the comical ``Buck Naked,'' and a version of ``Keep Your Hands to Yourself'' that rivals the Georgia Satellites' for down-home funkiness.
DEBBIE GIBSON ``Out of the Blue'' (Atlantic 81780-1) - She's just 16 years old, with a strong voice and confident style, reminiscent of Madonna or Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles. Gibson writes all of her own songs, and this debut album is an impressive beginning for her, even though the bubble-gum pop sound may appeal only to younger listeners.
VARIOUS JAZZ ARTISTS ``Bluebird - The Sampler'' (RCA 6389-2-RB) - RCA has released a mixed bag of jazz artists from the old Bluebird label on CD. This sampler is an overview of those included in the series: Shorty Rogers; Bud Powell; Art Blakey; Charles Mingus; Paul Desmond; Sonny Rollins; Lambert Hendricks & Bavan; J.J. Johnson's Orchestra; Sextet of Orchestra U.S.A. with Eric Dolphy; Stan Getz with the Boston Pops; Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges, and others.
PATRICK WILLIAMS'S NEW YORK BAND ``10th Avenue'' (Soundwings SW-2103) - Composer/arranger Williams has put together a large ensemble that crosses over from the classic big band into a more modern concept. He combines synthesizers with acoustic instruments for a contemporary sound that escapes the trap of sounding trite or too commercial. The arrangements are reminiscent of Thad Jones's. Soloists include Randy and Michael Brecker.
PETER ERSKINE ``Transition'' (Passport PJ 88032) - Bands like Erskine's are pushing the boundaries of synthesized music, proving electronic instruments' intrinsic value - that they're not just half-baked acoustic copycats. And, like the aforementioned Patrick Williams, Erskine intelligently combines the synthesizer with acoustic instruments, with his own effective drumming as the central focus. His ensemble includes Marc Johnson on bass and John Abercrombie on guitars and synthesizers.