Dig These Discs :: Matthew Morrison, The Cars, Sade, Audiofly, Jack Beauregard, On Your Toes

"Two snaps up" or "Hated It!" seem to be the phrases "du jour" for this assortment of music. From ambient boredom to a show-stopping theatre classic, this mix of new material goes from glum to gleeful as we head into the summer months of 2011.

"Follow My Liebe" (AudioFly)

The feeling of an experimental "think tank" comes to mind with Audiofly. Their latest album titled, "Follow My Liebe," begins your musical journey with what sounds like a slowed-down Vincent Price elaborating on sound. Seriously... it's creepy. The meaning of ambient music is hardly personified. It seeps in and seldom comes to life. Worries of that "Thriller" narrator coming back escalate. Someone explain what this means? Is it art or a contemplation of it? Some may just like to enjoy music and not think about it. If you dig an after-hours party where you're bored out of your gourd or simply too sleepy or stoned to notice, follow the leader that is Audiofly to "Follow My Liebe." There is one perfect word for Audiofly's latest CD... "Raid!" Ahhh, I feel so much better now. (Available May 24)

"Move Like This" (The Cars)

Amazing as it may seem, the 2011 model is on the floor and ready for a test spin with a new CD from The Cars. It has been over twenty years since Ric Ocasek was in the driver's seat for the lead vocals. He returns with the entire original line-up... with the noted exception of bassist and vocalist Benjamin Orr, who died in 2000. The results of the odometer are in and anyone who got their new wave/synth pop groove on to "Candy-O," "Just What I Needed" or "Magic" will gladly perk up their ears with the new material. The guitar riffs, the hand claps and the clean elegance of their sound is clearly still evident on "Blue Tip" and "Sad Song." Put the top down and enjoy. As they say, "If it ain't broke...don't fix it" and there are a lot of us who are glad that The Cars are off the showroom floor. (Available now)

Matthew Morrison (Matthew Morrison)

Even though his first single, "Summer Rain," has a slight case of "the cutes," Matthew Morrison has got "It." He has a vibrant skill as a singer and songwriter. His style of "pop" songwriting hits a bull's eye with a quality that is cohesive, clean and passionate. There are several of his original songs on this CD and each one clicks because of his thoughtful delivery. This is where you not only say, "two snaps up" but it's with a terrific twist. Matthew is joined by Gwyneth Paltrow on "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"[an amazing rendition of the version originally sung by Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo?ole] hits it with Sting on "Let Your Soul be Your Guide" and with Sir Elton John presents a "Glee-esque" mash up of the duet "Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters/ Rocket Man." Mmm... must be star quality in the first degree. He didn't need "Glee" to get me. Matthew Morrison's debut is a triumph and a sensational collection of top-rate music. (Available now)

"The Magazines You Read" (Jack Beauregard)

Remember the song, "Eye in the Sky" by the Alan Parsons Project? There is a touch of that quality along with elegance of smooth and complex design to Jack Beauregard. Now, you don't know "Jack" if you thought this was a solo act. Jack Beauregard is the German duo of Par Lammers and Daniel Schaub. These two guys from Berlin conjure up an exciting vibe of intellectual musings on life and love with "The Magazines You Read." This recording is surely one for "settling in" with a good easy listening groove. There is also a lot of heart, love and romance here. The contemplation of love, the enticement of love and even the boredom of love are all explored here. Like a finely woven tapestry, the two artists create a lasting quality of musical enjoyment with reflection, optimism and hope on this sophomore release. Jack Beauregard knows quite well that love does make the world go round. (Available now)

"The Ultimate Collection" (Sade)

Sensuous, soulful and sensitive, Sade has created a career collection of her very best with "The Ultimate Collection." The two-disc set presents 29 songs with four of them making their debut here for the very first time. An amazingly intuitive artist, Sade Adu covers all spectrums of raw emotion. Whether it is a glamorous life gone wrong or the fight of one woman to survive, she sings with an Old World elegance and class while she communicates each intricate musical story. Starting in June, Sade sets out on her summer of 2011 tour. Beginning on the East Coast, then up through Canada and on to the Midwest to the West Coast... this excursion is the first time in ten years, where audiences will have the opportunity to discover her remarkable talents live at a concert venue in their neighborhood. However, the "Ultimate Collection" is the next best thing to enjoying her remarkable qualities as a vocalist of the first caliber. (Available now)

On Your Toes (Original 1952 Studio Cast Recording)

The Masterworks Broadway series continues to release rare studio cast recordings of classic Broadway musicals. "On Your Toes," originally presented in New York in 1936, gets the deserved recognition with this 1952 studio cast recording, initially from Columbia Records. With music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart and a fine vocal cast of Broadway talent of the time, including Jack Cassidy and Portia Nelson, this recording shines light on a brilliant musical creation. Standards such as "There's a Small Hotel," "It Never Entered My Mind" and "Glad to Be Unhappy" continue to prove how extremely fruitful the collaboration was for Rodgers and Hart. The crown gem of the score is the majestic and groundbreaking ballet music of "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue." This is one of Rodgers' phenomenal achievements and it is presented for this studio cast recording in the complete length as it was heard on Broadway in 1936. (Available now)