Daily News from New York, New York • 138

EKIQDEK3 rnf tb: not fain' bo sad abouff tHEY WEREN'T JUST A-WHISTLIN' DIXIE when they placed the word rhythm before blues back in the late '40s, creating the title for the popular musical style now known as "rhythm 'n' blues." It replaced the term "race music," which stemmed mostly from rural blues out of the Deep South whose theme was about sex, love and politics. The word rhythm was used, of course, to describe not only a fiery new style of music whose beat was performed at a faster tempo but also the masses of American blacks who were socially, politically and physically on the move. Many of them were for the first time projecting a more dynamic and intellectual demeanor, in both their music and aspirations. Traditional blues had been previously performed at a more inhibited pace. -PER STAIyPEB SULE! i I AIR SUPPLY I I KASHIF 1 GREATESTHITS AIRSIJPPLY KASHIF.

jT Greatest Hits 'CASSETTE Kashi' U5tljty THE KINKS 1 YOUB 3 S8SlsatTO PBW1 JPP Jfifit CASSETTE, osiosi mmw? llmmm kinks GRAHAM PARKER iniln il pj pa gl State Of Confusion The Real Macaw TL-i'M, HFADHUNTFR 12(1 Sls! mjzf YSA -mm feflfV-Sf Scrlj ER h3 IPOS teWzX--- The time was the end of World War II, when thousands of blacks, including a lot of Army veterans who had served in Europe, were migrating from Southern towns to Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Detroit and other large urban industrial centers of the North to avoid racial discrimination and seek economic opportunities. Many were from the Memphis area and the Mississippi Delta, early focal points of the blues. And while these cities subsequently spawned a number of unique 'n' styles in the '50s and '60s, such as the Stax, Philadelphia and the Motown sounds, it is difficult today to tell them apart because of the strong infusion of synthesizers. Of course, these machines serve their basic purpose of providing a steady beat, but they have failed to provide the human quality and variety of rhythmic complexities to justify the use of the word rhythm before blues. She seems to borrow unduly from people like Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin and Deniece Williams, and her A -ntE CASSETTE I TWO HIT AIMS 1 wflswOH Oil CASSETTE! approach sometimes borders on the superficial.

PHILIP BAILEY Continuation (Columbia) The first mistake singer Philip Bailey has made in his first solo album is in using many people associated with Earth, Wind and Fire, the band with whom he has performed as co-lead singer for the last 12 years. Thus, there isn't anything significantly new despite the fact that it's a top-notch recording. Bailey's voice remains one of the most spectacular instruments in contemporary rhythm 'n' blues. BRICKTOP Bricktop with James Haskins (Atheneum) This new autobiography of the legendary Bricktop, the entertainer' and global saloon proprietess, is hardly about rhythm 'n' blues. It is about a regal American black woman living in Europe and elsewhere who became a confidante and friend to such celebrities as T.S.

Eliot, Cole Porter, Josephine Baker, Jasha Heifetz and Frank Sinatra. Author James Haskins provides an exciting and highly effulgent account of what life was like among the rich and gifted during the '20s, '30s and '40s when the word "chic" meant something more than designer blue jeans. 774 DOOBIE BROS. Best of the Doobies Best of the Doobies Vol 2 RICKIE LEE JONES Rickie Lee Jones Pirates IN ONE til UJ 'l ASHFORD AND SIMPSON High Rise (Capitol-Emi) Composers-singers Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, key architects of the Motown sound, who brought the world such classics as "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and "Reach Out and Touch," manage on this latest vehicle to put back the word rhythm before blues through their powerful percussive and, at times, "sanctified" singing styles. They seem to be familiar with mechanical processes and make them work to their advantage.

There are moments, however, when the instrumental sounds can be mildly Muzak-like, but their highly passionate and earthy sound compensates for that shortcoming. I like "High Rise," a commercial yet enticing dance-oriented tune. It also has a memorable Latin-flavored solo by vibist Ray Chew. On "Still Such a Thing," a lovely ballad, the duo pleads convincingly about the need for old- fashioned love in a cynical world. And while the track "It's Much Deeper" may not be the hit song of the album, it is by far the most forceful piece.

And on the tune "Experience," Ashford reaches a vocal quality that is new and 2 refreshing. It is a sultry ballad poig-- nantly delivered in the lower register. FRANK SINATRA Greatest Hits I Greatest Hits II 'IN ONE ly Priced On One Cassette GEORGE BENSON Breezin' Give Me The Night DEV0 Are We Not Men? Duty Now For The Future FLEETWOOD MAC Then Play On Kiln House EMMYLOU HARRIS Pieces Of The Sky Elite Hotel AL JARREAU All Fly Home This Time MADNESS One Step Beyond Absolutely ZZT0P Deguello El Loco NEIL YOUNG Neil Young Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere ROD STEWART Atlantic Crossing A Night On The Town 5) TV0 ON ONE ly Priced -4 On One Cassette Specially Prcd Two Hit Albums On One Cassette mm 1 PRINCE Dirty Mind Controversy GRAM PARSONS Gram Parsons Grievous Angel RANDY NEWMAN Sail Away Good Old Boys EACH DOUBLE S2ED CASSETTE Q. a CO --fir iiiiri And there is fine singing as usual by Simpson. Together, they are cohesively superb.

This is one of Ashford and Simpson's more compelling works, and the credit lies with their deft understanding of the art as well as the business of rhythm 'n' blues. (They are performing tonight and tomorrow at Radio City Music Hall.) SMOKEY ROBINSON AND ASSORTED ARTISTS The Motown Story (Moiown) More than anything else, the Motown sound was important because the message of the music was upbeat, reflecting the spirit of urban black America before much of the current decline triggered- in part by the economic-social downturn set in. Fans will also appreciate the individual talent projected on this seven-record set covering the first 25 years, with narration provided by Smokey Robinson and Lionel Richie. Motown was not only an important musical style but a vital record label that gave direction to thousands of young Give the Gift of Music Join the 0 Crazy Eddie His prices are insane! Crazy Eddie will beat any price you can find on: vioeo oiuo NOW! Auto Equvment Vtieo EqupmeM 0r TVs 212 E. 57m Street (3rd Ave MANHATTAN: 465 Ave ol the Amercas (6rh St.) MANHATTAN: 1496 3rd Avenue (E.

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Y. CONNECTICUT: 426 Weapon Avenue. Norwalk PAAAMUS: 809 Route 17 EAST BRUNSWICK: 269 Route 18 UNION: 21S5 Route 22 West Stereos Home Computers PortaOfc TV's Pro Sound Equpment Home Security Systems the Latest TV Catuutors Computer Soltoare Games and Telephones 'telephone Systems Game Cartndges STEPHANIE MILLS Merciless (Casablanca-PolyGram) Although young Stephanie Mills has the spirit and the equipment to -make her one of our best singers of coatejnpor3ryrhithroil, 4Ius. tends unfortunately to be derivative. PRICE POtlCY DOES NOT APPLY TO USE0 0EM0.

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