photo courtesy defjam.comListen to a clip ofBrutha's "I Can't Hear the Music"There's something about those silky smooth harmonies of acts like the Jackson 5, New Edition and Boyz II Men that just never grows old.

This time 'round the vocals come courtesy of five Los Angeles-based siblings. Brothers Anthony, Jared, Jacob, Cheyenne and Grady Harrell range in age from 19 to 25. They've been singing together since they were young kids and payoff time appears to have arrived. The latest signing of Jermaine Dupri, they've not only released this eponymous debut album, they've also got a strong first single, "I Can't Hear the Music," featuring guest star Fabolous and starred in their very own reality show, "Brothers to Brutha," on BET.

The sound is steeped in classic R&B and soul flavors, a shade on the sweet side but filled with sharp arrangements and solid writing and production courtesy of hit-makers such as Shae Taylor, Jazze Pha, the Corna Boyz and the Heavyweights.

Breaking a trend of a lot of other "breakthrough" artists, Brutha's only guest of note on the album is Fabolous. Otherwise it's the quintet locked into a steady diet of grooves, more than a few accompanied by lusty lyrics such as the very Jackson-flavored "Like This."

Brutha's got a knack for blending the easy-flowing R&B with a pronounced thump, which can be heard cutting through "What If," or the very high-harmony filled "Just Being Honest."

The album, which was mainly recorded in Atlanta, offers just one snapshot of the Harrell brothers' talent. Match that with the high-energy choreography of their stage show as well as their familial chemistry and it's a throwback that seems thoroughly contemporary in 2009.
And the five brothers aren't the end of the story when it comes to talent in their family, which includes 13 kids and a father and an uncle with extensive music business experience. So it's no coincidence that the brothers in Brutha sound like they've got R&B running through their veins.

Erin McCarley, "Love, Save the Empty" (Universal Republic). 2.5 stars.

photo courtesy ErinMcCarley.com/Listen to a clip ofErin McCarley's "Love, Save the Empty"Singer/songwriter Erin McCarley gained a lot of attention at Austin's SXSW music festival in 2008, showcases that eventually landed the ex-country cover band songstress a major label deal with Universal Republic.

Recorded in Nashville, "Love, Save the Empty," has next to nothing to do with country, but it does have echoes of various other female artists, ranging from Aimee Mann and Tori Amos to Amy Winehouse and others.

A relatively light pop feel permeates the disc, which is buoyed by the clarity of McCarley's slightly breathy voice and a writing style that's still developing but definitely filled with potential.
Too may songs, such as "Bobble Head," and "It's Not That Easy," are quickly forgettable, yet there's promise elsewhere, such as when she follows an intriguing piano line with a very clever lyric and a strong hook on the title track - which will be featured in a key scene of the upcoming film "He's Just Not That Into You."

Jeff Beck, "Performing This Week...Live at Ronnie Scott's" (Eagle). 3.5 stars.

There will forever be rock 'n' roll debates over who was the greatest of the trio of superstar guitarists who played with the Yardbirds: Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page or Jeff Beck.

Though Clapton gained the most fame, Beck is the one who typically leaves hardcore six-string aficionados with their jaws dropping and there's plenty of his fretboard wonder to be heard on "Performing This Week...Live at Ronnie Scott's."

Recorded over several nights in 2007 at the famed London jazz club, the 16-song disc finds Beck moving through several career highlights, from the crying guitar sounds that soon explode on "Beck's Bolero," through the rich romanticism of Stevie Wonder's "Cause We've Ended as Lovers," the cool reggae groove of "Behind the Veil," and the frenzied blend of "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" and "Brush With the Blues."

Several artists lately have revisited the Beatles' classic "A Day in the Life." Neil Young performed it on his recent tour, Paul McCartney played it in public for the first time in his life and Beck offers his ultra-tasty instrumental rendition of the song late in this set.
Expect for the filmed version of these performances by Beck to end up on DVD sometime in 2009.

Rick Berlin, "Old Stag" (Hi-N-Dry). 4 stars.

Like Roy Orbison, Rick Berlin sings songs for the lonely.

His characters are just a shade different from Orbison's however. On second thought, many shades different.

Berlin remains one of the best songwriters to ever come out of Boston, the frontman in great bands like Orchestra Luna and Berlin Airlift, a guy who should have been a star three decades ago - especially with the extraordinary second version of Orchestra Luna. But whether playing in bands or as a solo act, Berlin has always been on the unconventional side, delightfully so, but that defiant, non-traditional approach to his craft has arguably kept him from achieving the commercial rewards reaped by far lesser artists.

What remains is a guy who can rightfully be called a veteran, still making exceptional music as can be heard on this latest solo album.

From the intriguingly-titled opener "John Lennon's Nose," through "Happy Lesbians in the Snow," and the unforgettable, "Elle," Berlin pours his emotions out, and paints a series of colorful characters, including "Michiko," a roommate saga that only Berlin could write.
The 13-song outing gets a significant lift throughout by a string quartet and the arrangements of Brendan Cooney. "Old Stag," was recorded in Berlin's living room, with a microphone hanging out the singer's window to add to the street ambience.

For purchasing information as well as further insight into one wild mind, go to www.rickberlin.com.

Rarities and Reissues

Sam Cooke, "One Night Stand! Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club" - vinyl edition (RCA/Legacy). 5 stars.

Vinyl has been one of the few album formats to actually see a resurgence of late, and while it may be a modest comeback, vinyl connoisseurs will tell you it's still the best way to hear the warmth and depth of the sound.

When the needle hits the groove on this reissue of Sam Cooke's fabled 1963 performance at North Miami's Harlem Square Club, the soul just shakes, taking listeners back in an instant to the fire and fury of one of the greatest soul singers of all time.

In the studio and in many of his early stage shows, Cooke often played the part of the smooth crooner. But here, he is nothing short of electrifying, driven by a band that included the inimitable King Curtis on saxophone. Songs like "Chain Gang" and even "Cupid" have a decided edge to them, a muscular energy that flows through other classics like "Bring it on Home to Me," and "Having a Party."

This 180 gram audiophile pressing is just one in a series of 12 vinyl LPs recently reissued by Legacy, including classics ranging from Boston's 1976 debut to Willie Nelson's "Red Headed Stranger" and Charles Mingus' "Mingus Ah Um." Get into the groove and give them a spin that you won't regret.

DVD Spotlight

The Yardbirds, "The Story