Soundstage

CD's
Ray Charles/Count Basie Orchestra
Ray Sings, Basie Swings
Concord Records
This reminds me of an old secondhand record that's been one of my favorites for years: Django Reinhardt, Swing it Lightly. It combines Reinhardt's solos with new arrangements by Jazz Guitar Unlimited. Without technology we would never have been able to hear Reinhardt in a new way. Ray Sings, Basie Swings is no sentimental Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole studio reunion designed to tug at your heartstrings; rather, it is pop art conquering the binds of time and space, a creative collaboration that many might have dreamed of but could never make happen. Ray Charles is brilliant and all the more so with the backing of the Count Basie Orchestra. Thank goodness for these found tapes and the engineers for making a "mash-up" that's not just about mixing it up.-tired ant

Games
Ratchet & Clank Future:
Tools of Destruction
PS3
Who would've thunk it, that PS3 would get a boost from little ol' Ratchet & Clank. It says as much about the popularity of the series in the past as well as the high entertainment value and incredible graphics in the latest sequel. Ratchet & Clank has always been a draw for youth and adults alike and Tools of Destruction is no different. One of the biggest attractions of the game has always been the diverse collection of creative and sometimes whimsical weapons. Fans will find a plethora of new fangled tools for defeating Cragmites. Best of all, this new higher definition universe that Ratchet and pal inhabit has a hyper reality that makes game play that much more thrilling. -tired ant

LAGQ (Los Angeles Guitar Quartet)
Brazil
Telarc
I love classical guitar and Brazilian music. The combination is obvious but brilliant regardless. The quartet may have had misgivings about making this record initially, but even music fans who have a general appreciation of acoustic music and aren't familiar with LAGQ or classical guitar playing will love Brazil. The way LAGQ plays, the complexity of arranging a quartet of guitars is disguised by the perfect harmonies, overall musicality and of course the high level of musicianship. The range of material, given the "genre," is broad in terms of rhythm, texture and melodic style and features works by Marco Pereira, Hermeto Pascoal, Baden Powell, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Heitor Villa-Lobos. This is a great audition CD for your car audio system. -tired ant