Musically mining the `Shaft`

In the ultra-macho world of the movie "Shaft," women aren`t very powerful: They mainly exist for romantic purposes and usually require a large amount of male protection. Despite their low-status position in both the 1971 original and the current remake, women are the standouts on the Shaft soundtrack.

Alicia Keys and Angie Stone both contribute vibrant, creative singles for this uneven but enjoyable album. Admittedly, Keys` track, "Rock Wit U," was co-produced by none other than Isaac Hayes, who famously composed and performed the original Shaft soundtrack 29 years ago. And it`s true, the song shines, partially due to Hayes` pounding conga and flute compositions. However, it`s Keys` deliciously smooth voice that takes this funky song from mediocre to solid. Keys recalls Sly and the Family Stone`s `70s groovy sound but with a decidedly modern twist. The track certainly should create a buzz in anticipation of her debut album, due out later this year.

Angie Stone`s "My Lovin` Will Give You Something" also has a retro `70s feel (most tracks on this compilation do), but she goes further than most of the tracks on the album. Stone mixes hip-hop and bass in a cacophony of horns that make the song seem a bit larger than life. The music is highly danceable. Most of the other tracks on this album don`t pull off the modernized retro feel as well as these two do. For the most part, you should expect a large portion of smoothly produced rhythm-and-blues tracks, such as Donell Jones` "Do What I Gotta Do" and R. Kelley`s hit, "Bad Man."

The album is saved from R&B mediocrity by Mystikal`s jarring "Ain`t Gonna See Tomorrow," an eerie, unsyncopated rap song about death. And of course there`s "The Theme From Shaft," which was re-recorded for this soundtrack. Hayes` new version remains remarkably loyal to the original Grammy Award-winning song. Mess with what works? As the song famously says, "Shut you mouth."

"Double Wide"; Uncle Kracker; Lava/Atlantic.

"It doesn`t have Kid Rock written all over it," says Uncle Kracker in the press release for his debut album, "Double Wide." Kracker (as his friends call him) has been DJing for the infamous and well-known rock artist since 1992. It`s unlikely that Kracker is lying on purpose; perhaps the young artist is simply too close to Kid Rock to realize that this album is thoroughly steeped in his mentor`s sound.

"Double Wide" reeks of Kid Rock: Not only did he produce the album, but he co-wrote (along with Kracker) all 11 songs. In fact, the songs that work best on "Double Wide" are the ones that combine hip-hop with country rock and metal in Kid Rock`s trademark style. And it`s this creative mixing of genres that saves "Double Wide" from being a true yawn of an album.

"Better Days" and "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" are most reflective of Kracker`s own sound. They`re poppy, happy-go-lucky lifeless tunes in which Kracker rasps lyrics to the beat of stale-sounding drum machines. Both songs are off-key renderings of sugary sap. And Kracker`s lyrics are just a pale clone of Kid Rock`s - the famous artist is known for his boastful egotism. In comparison, Kracker`s bragging is mild and humble. When he sings "I write platinum tracks," it`s more wishful thinking than gross bombast. "Steaks n` Shrimp," a heavily synthesized hip-hop song, more accurately reflects Kracker`s personality. It`s a tune about hanging out with friends, staying out till 4 a.m., waking up at noon and good times. Sort of a lazy rock star`s anthem.

You can`t blame Kracker for exploiting Kid Rock`s fame to sell an album. It`s a method that`s been used in the TV world for some time now. And, some TV-show spin-offs certainly have been successful, as in the case of "Cheers" and its spin-off "Frasier" or "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons." However, there are countless examples of bad spin-offs: Does anyone remember "Flo"? Or how about Abe Vigoda in "Fish"? Ultimately, Kracker`s debut album is more Fish than Frasier.

(c) Copley News Service

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Author: Emily Friedlander