Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 76

It. 03: 8 hi Rock Irr-TT" J3T Recordings The Artist Crystal Ball (NPG Records) At first blush, it would be easy to dismiss Crystal Ball as merely the latest in a series of self-sabotaging career moves by the Artist Formerly Known as Prince. It's a four-CD set that will set you back $40 or so. But, hey, let's cut the guy some slack. Any collection that's top-heavy with outtakes, B-sides and previously unreleased tracks is only going to attract his most fervent fans.

So why is this set three discs of from-the-vaults tracks (each labeled and a fourth disc of new material called The Truth such a frustrating mess? (For those who are gluttons for punishment, there's a five-disc version of the album available through the mail by calling (8oo)-NEWFUNK.) For years, Prince has boasted of his cache of literally hundreds of previously unreleased finished tracks and has long expressed a desire to get them into the marketplace. Judging by the desultory smattering presented on Crystal Ball, however, he may want to rethink that strategy. With a few exceptions, nearly all 30 tracks on the three "bootleg" discs are unstructured, uninspired studio jams that either cling to half-baked musical notions or wander aimlessly in Backbone Backbone (Grateful Dead Records) Bob Weir Rob Wasserman Live (Grateful Dead Records) Former Grateful Dead members Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir are alive and well, and these new discs prove it Backbone features Kreutzmann on drums debuting with his new band, a three-piece rhythm-and-blues combo he's been jamming with over the past year in Hawaii. Except for a cover of Jerry Garcia's "New Speedway Boogie," the u-track disc is all original, at times mirroring the likes of Rare Earth HereThinkin' and Jimi Hendrix Live, most of which was recorded in 1988 at San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre, is a graceful "unplugged" session featuring Weir's elegant, yowling baritone and poignant acoustic guitar, and Wasserman plucking an upright, electric six-string bass. Although their musical relationship has existed for a decade, Weir and Wasserman only recently got around to releasing Live, a candid collection of such Dead delights as "Throwing Stones" and "Looks Like Rain" and covers of Robert Johnson's "Walkin' Blues" and Willie Dixon's "Eternity." both Tony Bassett Toledo Blade March 7, 1998 The Detroit News 31D Ratings guide No stars: Horrid Substandard Acceptable Worthwhile Splendid Listen to the music You can hear excerpts of these recordings with the NewsNow telephone listening lines.

Using a touch-tone phone, call (313) 962-1020 and punch in the four-digit code for the music you want to hear. to be a soul harmony supergroup, having more vocal power than the average choir. So why does Levert Sweat Gill seem less than the sum of its parts? Blame the writing for some of it "Door 1" has a great lover-man groove, and "You Got Me" nicely balances smooth harmony singing with a thumping Puff Daddy pulse, but "My Body" and "Let a Playa Get His Freak On" have more in the way of attitude than hooks. Still, the biggest problem is that LSG seems more like three soloists than a group, and while that makes for exciting competition on the likes of "My Side of the Bed," it makes a muddle of other tracks. (Listening code: 3952) J.D.

Considine Baltimore Sun Savings to softest Mlll Saturday, search of a decent hook. Here's where the really frustrating part begins: The Truth may be the most cohesive and satisfying record he's made since 1991's Diamonds and Pearls, but the only way to get your hands on it is to shell out the big bucks for the entire Crystal Ball set Using little more than a vigorously strummed guitar and only the most discreet instrumental touches, the Artist has created a folk-funk gem whose attributes are endearingly modest. Marc Weingarten Los Angeles Times Levert Sweat Gill LSG (East West) With Johnny Gill, Keith Sweat and Gerald Levert in the lineup, LSG ought The subtle elegance of 1 1 8" Seamless Sheer Fabrics per yard value $29 CtlTM 43m F4 H. I moo Nib M. Mt-UM l(7M MI-V4MI I lit 1U.U Energy Efficient Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings Struttin Our Stuff Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman refused to be a part of the over-50 version of the World's Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band and quit before Voodoo Lounge got off the ground.

Now Wyman returns to CD bins with his band the Rhythm Kings and Struttin' Our Stuff, the first disc of what the bassist says will be a trilogy of albums running the gamut of and early rock 'n roll. Wyman has some high-profile help on the disc with guest guitarists Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton and Albert Lee. Throughout the album, Wyman is surrounded by a capable backing band with Terry Taylor on guitars, Graham Broad on drums and Dave Hartley or Max Middleton on piano. Starting with Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Green River" and ending with John D. Loudermilk's "Tobacco Road," Struttin' Our Stuff looks like it could be a tight collection of covers.

But those two gems are the bookends for a spotty collection of Wyman originals and selections penned by Willie Dixon in the and the bassist's old mates, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards Wyman can't resist his new starring role and handles vocals on four songs. However, he's at his best when he settles into the background as the rhythmic anchor and lets Clapton shine on "Melody" and Frampton and singer Paul Carrack carry "Tobacco Road." That's the direction he ought to take while completing the rest of the trilogy. (Listening code: 3951) Michael Mehle Scripps Howard News Service Earth, Wind Fir In the Name of Love (Pyramid) In the Name of Love is probably the finest and most consistent Earth, Wind Fire in many years, possibly since 1985's Raise. Group founder Maurice White who no longer tours with the group is back in control for an album that at its best captures the poppy soulfulness of the grouD at the Deak of its consider able powers. As usual, Philip Bailey eais the show with his vocal acrobatics.

Highlights include the classic- sounding title track, "Revolution" na Love is Life." David Wild Rolling Stone GALLERY Fine Leather Furniture Honestly Priced Free Delivery Over 60 Styles 75 Colors I HI 0 i DIRECT VhDuette OFF Honeycomb Shades Economical Fits any shape Window The Manufacturer's Retail Price of EVERY Sofa, Sectional, Love Seat, and Chair TO YOU 10 Sun. 11-5; Closed Tues. Wed. FiiiiiUM Mill StmUn HtihnTBrRKlntit WHO Vu Dyfci I M44 tfcnitt M. HUM OkM H.

() ltV4Sl (iB) iiw 29555 Northwestern Highway SOUTHFIELD (at La Mirage Mall) (248) 223-9877 Hours: Fri. 11-8; SaL.