The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • 72

THE SUN, Sunday, November 13, 1983 Disc players getting cheaper, recordings more abundant -IJUr. Lompac Paul Terry Shea Videos on the move The best selling videocassettes and most popular rentals for the week ending November 12 compiled from retail sales, including releases in both Beta and VHS formats: TOP SELLERS 1. "Flashdance," Paramount Home Video (1454). 2. "Jane Fonda's Workout," Karl Video Corp.

(042). 3. "48 Hours," Paramount Home Video (1139). 4. "Gandhi," RCA-Columbia Pictures Home Video (10237).

,5. "Psycho II," MCA Distributing Corp. (80008). 6. "Dr.

Detroit," MCA Distributing Corp. (80001). 7. "An Officer and a Gentleman," Paramount Home Video (1467). 8.

"The Man With Two Brains," Warner Home Video (11319). 9. "Blue Thunder," RCA-Columbia Pictures Home Video (10026). 10. "Duran Duran," Thorn-EMI TVD (1646).

TOP RENTALS 1. "Flashdance," Paramount Home Video (1454). 2. "Gandhi," RCA-Columbia Pictures Home Video (10237). 3.

"Psycho II," MCA Distributing Corp. (80008). 4. "48 Hours," Paramount Home Video (1139). 5.

"Dr. Detroit," MCA Distributing Corp. (80001). 6. "Bad Boys," Thorn-EMI (1633).

7. "The Man With Two Brains," Warner Home Video (11319). 8. "The Man From Snowy River," CBS-Fox Video (1233). 9.

"The Outsiders," Warner Home Video (11310). 10. "Porky's," CBS-Fox Video (1149). its diminutive proportions, the WM-10 comes with Dolby noise reduction and a switch for two tape types. A radio? For an extra $30the WM-F10 otherwise identical to the WM-10 packs a built-in tuner.

Each unit is powered by a single AA battery and can accommodate one set of headphones. The new Sony lightweight headphone, which is supplied, has earpieces that rest inside the ear. Other features include a carrying clip for belt or waistband and a shoulder strap. With the battery, the WM-10 weighs a mere 6.4 ounces light enough to hang on your running shorts without pulling them down. Sony has also introduced two new add-on speaker systems for its Walkman line.

The SRS-10 ($49.95) is a folding, battery-powered microsized speaker system, while the SRS-F10 ($69.95) has an AM-FM stereo tuner. Finally, Sony has added a $49.95 stereo cassette player to its Walkman line, the lowest-priced Walkman ever. It's a playback machine with a switch to select from two tape types and a single headphone jack. Revox isn't known for bargain-basement prices, and the $1,500 price tag on its newest amplifier is true to the company's tradition. But if you've got the bucks and are turned on by impressive specs and unique features, the Revox B251 could be your best bet.

Rated at 140 watts per channel, the B251 sports the audio industry's most creative use of the magic microprocessor. Not only does Revox provide seven inputs for virtually any signal source, but each input sensitivity can also be varied for perfect matching between signal source and amplifier, and the setting can be stored in memory. Sensitivity settings for up to two different speaker pairs can also be tailored and stored, as can the input capacitance for the phono input. What's more, the information is; retained even if the power fails or the amp! is disconnected. Separate signal paths make it possible to record any source while listening to any other.

Finally, to assure cool operation even when cranking out a full 140 watts 'the amp is liquid-cooled. .1 The eood news on the Comnart TJisp frnnt IS that Snmp 20 hranHs nf nlairars or a nn IUJVIil HA HUlf VII rthe market, and many more CD titles will Jikely be available by the year's end. The bad news, for those who have already bought ma-Chines, is that CD players, which sold for $800 $1,000 only months ago, are now available less than $600. Dicital-disc nlavers are bv no means an jpdily available as, say, 19-inch color televi- ion sets, but most of the better stereo stores have on display at least one model from the i vNmultitude 0f brands on the market. And while Y'fthe capacity to manufacture them remains "pinched, most suppliers can at least deliver enough players to satisfy demand.

So far, de- Gearing up it JiJriand itself has not been a problem. The play- i are high-priced and there aren't many to piay on tne new machines, But all of that is changing fast. According to the Compact Disc Group, an association of iecord companies and player manufacturers organized to promote the CD format, some i.uuu ld recoramgs win De avanaDie in the 'United States by mid-1984. Most of these are Already in record or stereo stores, selling for $17 to $25. Unfortunately, only about one-2 Utiird of the releases are popular music titles.

JJ According to the group's second Compact Disc catalog (write Compact Disc Group In- formation Center, P.O. Box 2395, Rockefeller 1 'Center Station, New York, N.Y. 10185), about "10 record labels now offer rock titles in the CD format, including Atlantic, Capitol, CBS, Elektra, Polygram and Warner Bros. Artists available on CD include David Bowie, the Police, Bob Dylan, Def Leppard, Bryan Adams, Pink Floyd, Men at Work, Eric 2 Clapton, Eddie Rabbit, Dire Straits, the Cars, 2 the Doors, Stevie Nicks and Asia. That's a refreshing improvement over the situation just a few months ago, when the pickings were pretty slim.

But still, with only a half-dozen plants producing digital discs, 2 CD production quantities will remain limited, Most labels are offering fewer copies of a priced player so far to stores the $700 SL-P7. And the Sears, Roebuck Christmas catalog offers a CD player for just under $600. A package of three classical discs is available for another $10. While it's unlikely there will be any CD-player price wars in the foreseeable future, because of limited quantities, you can be sure that stripped-down models will be selling in Charlie Haden's 'Ballad of the Fallen' repeats success of the $500 range by early next year, i So it's come down to this: Sony has developed the smallest Walkman that it's possible to make. The new WM-10 Super Walkman ($99.95) is just a little bigger than an audio-cassette case and a lot tinier than any other stereo cassette player on the market.

Despite Sounds of success Billboard's best sellers for the week ending November 12: TOP SINGLES 1. "All Night Long (All Night)," Lionel Richie (MCA). 2. "Islands in the Stream," Kenny Rogers Duet with Dolly Parton RCA). 3.

"Uptown Girl," Billy Joel (Columbia). 4. "Say Say Say," Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson (Columbia). 5. "Total Eclipse of the Heart," Bonnie Tyler (Columbia).

6. "One Thing Leads to Another," the Fixx (MCA). 7. "Cum on Feel the Noize," Quiet Riot (CBS). 8.

"Delirious," Prince (Warner 9. "Making Love Out of Nothing at All," Air Supply (Arista). 10. "Suddenly Last Summer," the Motels (Capitol). TOP ALBUMS 1.

"Synchronicity," the Police 2. "Metal Health," Quiet Riot (Epic). 3. "Thriller," Michael Jackson (Epic). 4.

"An Innocent Man," Billy Joel (Columbia). 5. "Faster Than the Speed of Night," Bonnie Tyler (Columbia). 6. "Eyes That See in the Dark," Kenny Rogers (RCA).

7. "Pyromania," Def Leppard (Mercury). 8. "Greatest Hits," Air Supply (Arista). 9.

"Eliminator," 12 Top (Warner Bros-). 10. "What's New," Linda Ronstadt (Elektra). IRA SULLIVAN, Does It All!" (Muse) Jtfnlike some of Ira Sullivan's albums, which find the multi-instrumentalist striking out for more avant garde territory, Does It All!" sticks closer to the boppish style of his work with trumpeter Red Rodney (who, not coincidentally, appears on more than half the album). Some tracks, like "Prelude to a Kiss" or "Together," are a bit predictable, but when Mr.

Sullivan really stretches out, as he does to best effect on "Dolphin Dance," his performance offers reason enough to keep this album close to the turntable. STEVE SMITH, "Vital Information" larger number of titles, in hopes of building a broad appeal for the new format. Making matters worse, discs and players are generally only available in major markets, a situation that won't change until the industry can begin producing significantly more discs. Meanwhile, on the hardware front, player prices are coming down. At this writing, Technics should be delivering the lowest- Carla Bley Given the political nature of the material, it is hard to imagine a more fitting design.

As striking as the group performance is, it's the solo work that ultimately elevates the album. Don Cherry, his piercing pocket trumpet sounding more transcendently vocal than usual, makes a skittering, impassioned statement in "If You Want to Write Michael Mantler, by contrast, offers a trumpet solo in "Introduction to People" that is so chillingly melancholy that it's nearly impossible not to cheer when the ensemble enters with "The People United." Mr. Haden and Ms. Bley go head-to-head for "Too Late," a duet marked by Mr. Haden's lyricism and a heaping por-.

tion of Ms. Bley's pianistic irony. 2 By J.D. Considine CHARLIE HADEN, "The Ballad of the Bassist Charlie Haden's "Liberation Music Orchestra" album, released in 1970, was ev-2 that large group avant-garde jazz should have been in those days. It wasn't just that the playing was fiery and inventive, al-J though that helped; it was also the way that Carla Bley's arrangements corralled the all-J star ensemble, and that the material's focus the Spanish Civil War and other leftist causes gave the album both a conceptual base 2 'tand an emotional center.

"The Ballad of the Fallen" is Mr. Haden's bid to repeat that success, which to a large extent it does. But perhaps the album's strongest point is that it manages to do so Sounds advice ending up as a sort of 'Liberation --Music Orchestra Vol. the new album is as much a product of these times as its predecessor was of the late Sixties. Although only half of the dozen musicians on "The Ballad of the Fallen" were involved in the earlier project, the general contours of its sound are largely the same.

Carla Bley's arrangements and the fact that the Spanish Civil War once again provided a hefty chunk of the thematic material are two obvious rea-J sons why, but the most important factor is the i way in which this album retains the nal approach of "Liberation Music Orches-J. tra." In the album's centerpiece, a long suite that begins with the El Salvadoran protest i song, "Tht Ballad of the Fallen," and ends with "Tne People United Will Never Be De-! feated," the anthem of the Chilean resistance movement, is a perfect example. Rather than break the selections into typical segments of melodic statement and improvisation, Ms. Bley's arrangements emphasize the flow of the music; when the ensemble passages give way to a solo, the effect is not that of an in- strumental break, but rather of an individual rising from the crowd to speak his piece. 5 1 4," 5 and Charlie Haden.

Even when comparisons to the earlier project seem impossible to overcome, "The Ballad of the Fallen" acquits itself remarkably well. As much as trombonist Gary Va-lente's cracked-note theatrics and tailgate rave-ups would seem to cast him as a surrogate Roswell Rudd, his solo on "Grandola Vila Morena" is strikingly individual and wholly appropriate; and Steve Slagle and Jim Pepper, neither of whom quite match the instrumental fervor of the earlier album's Perry Robinson and Gato Barbieri, make the far more important contribution of remaining entirely in context with the newer group. Given its general excellence, that's quite a compliment. 3 What's Steve Smith, the drummer from the rock group Journey, doing in a jazz column? A fair-to-middling impression of Weather. Report, that's what.

Although Mr. Smith has the chops and background to make a good jazz drummer, his reliance upon texture instead of content and the general heavy-handedness of his group aren't likely to strike any listener as vital information. WYNTON KELLY, "Blues On Purpose" (Xanadu) These recordings, made at the Half Note in 1965, aren't long on fidelity at times you have to strain to make out Paul Chambers's bass solos but more than compensate in musicality. With drummer Jimmy Cobb rounding up the line-up, pianist Wynton Kelly's trio is as unbeatable on its own as it was behind the great Miles Davis bands of the mid-Sixties. Particularly impressive is the way they re-apply Mr.

Davis's thematic logic in a supple, elegant reading of "Milestones." Well worth seeking out. JOHN SURMAN, "Such Winters of Memory" (ECM) John Surman's eerie atmospherics ought to be oppressively familiar by now, but the ingenuity with which he deploys his baritone saxophone against droning synthesizers, or matches soprano sax against lean piano, certainly compensates. But not half so much as the inspired vocalizing of Karin Krog, who injects the album with sufficient humanity to give Mr. Surrnan's funny sounds much-needed context. JENNIFER HOLLIDAY, "Feel My Soul" (Geffen)'2 After her powerhouse debut in "Dreahi-girls," it seemed obvious that Jennifer Holli-day would be a star.

The only question was, how would her voice, which at full volume makes Aretha Franklin seem like Claudine Longet, translate? Very well, thanks to producer Maurice White. Mr. White manages to get Ms. Holldiay to hold back for most of the album while the backing tracks provide the bluster; when she finally does cut loose, the effect is thrilling. Too bad many of the sonigs aren't, though otherwise, this would have been a truly outstanding debut.

words on the screen. The player responds by typing commands or questions. Unlike typical videp games, which require only good hand-to-eye coordination, these tough games challenge the mind. 1 Even computers that cannot support color screens and vivid graphics, such as the KayPro and Epson QX-10, are being offered arcade-style games. For these systems there are such games as "Ladder," which imitates Donkey Kong; "Catch-'um," a Pac-Man clone, and "Aliens," a Space Invaders variation.

Although the graphics are nothing to write home about, the play is quite. challenging. And considering that many middle-age computer owners have never set foot in an arcade, they probably will never know the difference. Of course, some computer games require the use of joysticks or firing buttons, which usually do not come packaged with home computers. No problem.

Game-playing peripherals are available for nearly every computer on the market. There is no disputing the enormous popularity of computer games. That is why one of the leading criticisms of home computers these days is that they are good for only one thing: playing games. NCR brand names hold some surprises Video games evolve for home computer use: By Steve Stecklow Knight News Service processing programs available for expensive computers, the biggest-selling software items are games. As a result, nearly all of the major video-game companies, including Atari, Mattel, Activision and Parker have been scrambling to release their most popular titles in computer-compatible versions.

In many cases, because of the larger memory capacity of home computers, the floppy-disc versions are better than those available for video-game-only systems. The graphics usually are sharper, more game screens are offered, and the play better resembles that of the arcade machine. But arcade titles are not the only games being offered for computers. Hundreds of original adventure, fantasy and sports games never seen in any arcade are available. Some offer remarkable graphics.

One of these is "Flight Simulator," a game that requires a player to control a jet and fly between cities. The screen simulates actual flight paths. Other computer games, particularly Dungeons Dragons-type fantasies such as "Adventure" or "Zork," have no graphics. Instead, the computer describes situations in maker can counteract a shopper's tendency to buy reflexively out of brand-name loyalty, which advertisers spend millions to encourage. For another, it frees you to consider the cost of similar machines secure in the knowledge that price differences are not related to mechanical workmanship.

Now about those 30 brands lining the walls of video showrooms, it may surprise you to learn that all VHS-for-mat recorders are produced by six manufacturers, with one giant Japanese companv making the recorders for some of the most prominent names in consumer electronics. You may never have heard of Matsushita Electric, but its VCRs are in many homes under these labels: Panasonic, Quasar, Magnavox, General Electric (as of 1983), Sylvania, Philco, RCA, J.C. Penney and Curtis Mathes. Another biggie in VHS is Japanese Victor known as JVC. You can buy its product under its own name or from Jensen, Kenwood, Akai, Sansui or Tatung.

Hitachi markets its own and makes them for Minolta, Pentax and RCA (portable models). Rounding out the six manufacturers are Sharp, Fisher and Mitsubishi (alsq. known as MGA). Sharp is sold under the Montgomery Ward name, and Fisher provides machines for Sears. With the exception of Zenith, the name on a Beta-format VCR usually indicates its manufacturer.

This is true for Sony, Toshiba, NEC, Marantz and Sanyo. But both Sanyo and Toshiba recorders can be found bearing the Sears name, and Sanyo makes portable machines for NEC. And there's another wrinkle regarding Sanyo; it owns the video division of Fisher, maker of VHS units. Therefore, Sanyo has a manufacturing interest in both formats. These alliances are subject to change over time.

RCA, for years a Matsushita client, is getting its portable and convertible units from Hitachi. On the other hand, Hitachi no longer builds machines for GE, which this year has joined the Matsushita fold. This is not to say that recorders marketed under the various brand names are identical. Differences in cabinet design can be striking, and just as some car buyers make their selections based on little more than looks, a VCR's exterior may be a crucial part of its appeal. But is a discounted Sylvania to be passed over in favor of a full-price Panasonic or RCA? The only meaningful difference may; be in your pocketbook.

By Andy Wickstrom Knight News Service The video-recorder industry, like the auto industry, is dominated by a handful of manufacturers who offer their products to you under a host of brand names. But unlike the car buyer, who Rjiows full well that a Lincoln Continental is a species of Ford, the VCR customer is rarely advised of who makes what when trying to choose among the 100 or so recorder models available under about 30 labels in this country. (Worldwide, there are about 50 brand names of VCRs.) The competition for your video dollar this holiday shopping season will be keen, as those numbers suggest, but appearances can be deceiving because in many cases appearance is the only thing that separates one brand from another. It is sobering to discover, as you weigh the merits of a Sony and a Zenith, that Sony makes both brands. Certainly, there are important differences relating to the design and color of the machines' housing and the configuration of the control panel.

But knowing that the inner workings have been fashioned and assembled by the same maker could influence your decision. For js thing, entifying With all of the talk of losses and layoffs in the home video-game business, one might think that video games were no longer popular; that they were, in fact, just a fad. But don't write them off just yet. The truth is that there are more video games on the market than ever before and that they still are being purchased in vast quantities. The difference is that many of the games being bought now are for use with home computers instead of Ataris and other video-game-only systems, as before.

A visit to any well-stocked computer store will find scores of packages sporting familiar arcade titles, such as Pac-Man, Frogger and Burger Time. But instead of being sold in cartridge form for, say, In-tellivision or Colecovision, they are on floppy discs for Apples or IBMs. Indeed, if you thought that the only tasks for which business executives used their computers were to follow the stock market or to fill out electronic spread sheets, you would be quite wrong. Industry statistics show that despite -the thousands of sophisticated business fjd word-.