Whats humming through the skulls of Orange County?

JOE CRISTINA

MANAGER OF COMPACT DISC WAREHOUSE, ORANGE;

TROMBONIST/COMPOSER; LEADER OF JAZZ GROUP

SIMPATICO; AMATEUR NAVAL HISTORIAN

> Michael Brecker, Time Is of the Essence (Verve). "The title says it all. Deep, swinging grooves throughout. Brecker revisits the organ-trio-plus-tenor combination. Organist Larry Goldings is on fire. I love the sound of a well-played Hammond B-3."

> "Saxophonist Grover Washington Jr.'s posthumous release, Aria (Sony Classics), practically brought me to tears. He covers some of opera's most heartfelt arias with orchestral accompaniment. Robert Freedman's arrangements are impeccable."

> Eliane Elias. "I've had a love affair with Brazilian music ever since age 9, when I decided I would marry Astrud Gilberto. Things didn't work out. My latest choice of sexy carioca is pianist/vocalist Eliane Elias. On her latest disc, Everything I Love (Blue Note), she still displays the best left hand in the business. The real moment for me is when she sings in that sultry Paulistana alto that never fails to smoke my soul."

> Robin Eubanks. "Since I'm a trombonist, it's hard to find inspiring players who don't resort to some lame, slippery bag of tricks. That's why slide man Robin Eubanks is so refreshing. I don't hear the limitations of the horn; I hear music. Check him out on the Dave Holland Quintet's release The Prime Directive (ECM)."

> Steely Dan. "The most innovative and craft-oriented pop group ever. Two Against Nature (Giant) does not disappoint. The tune 'Almost Gothic' is an art piece, a gem. Only Walter Becker and Donald Fagen can effectively use the word 'isotope' in a song."

> "Pat Metheny: virtuoso guitarist, luminous composer. Nothing but heart."