Black Tie Spy
Spy-Fi
Style Records

Trios
Roy King's Court
Self-Released

Winter is all about mood. For some Clevelanders, all that white stuff and cold gets 'em (you?) down. Might this reviewer recommend two discs to perk them/you up and move those corners of your mouth upwards? Black Tie Spy is the third long-player from Spy-Fi -- a NEO-based "spy-detective band" that lives for movie soundtrack dynamics. If you love rock, surf guitar, Bond-like spy intrigue, jazz, and latin, you need this disc with zaftig pinup Kay O'Hara on the cover. BTS is a natural extension of their first two efforts -- Music for Spies, Thighs and Private Eyes (Volumes 1 and 2), with original compositions peppering covers that include "The Perry Mason Theme" by Fred Steiner, "Rumble" by Link Wray and more. Press play and it's On Her Majesty's Secret Service in your Aston-Martin.

Drummer Roy King has played with everyone. Currently the full-time drummer for The Mike Petrone Trio and Hillbilly Idol, he also subs for Joe Hunter and Rock Wehrmann in a number of local jazz outfits. King's latest project is called Trios and it features King and four jazz colleagues -- Dan Maier, Leo Coach and Hunter (piano) and Martin Block (bass). Sporting a range of emotion, these jazz trios deliver grand sweeping gestures and delicate arrangements, phrasing and performances that will leave most listeners captivated. And apart from an oddly interjected cover of the Eagles "Hotel California" -- which by the way, is well-executed -- the original material here is exquisite. Calling it fireplace music is an understatement, but it's sure to warm you up in a similar fashion.

Check out Roy King's Court at Nighttown in Cleveland Heights this Saturday, December 13 and again Saturday December 20 at 8:30PM. No cover charge. http://www.nighttowncleveland.com. And ring in the new year with Spy-Fi at the Beachland Ballroom on Friday, January 9 at 8PM. http://www.beachlandballroom.com.

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com
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