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Beatmaster to the gods reveals his inner singer-songwriter, the Shreveport, La., drummer taking sonic cues from Daniel Lanois on their infrared “Mercy Angel” and hosting electric stringers Greg Leisz and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Blade vocalizing Milton Nascimento (“Brother”) neither offends nor defines, which isn’t true of “You’ll Always Be My Baby.” Rosa Parks tribute “Her Song” wrings Sly Stone.
This article appears in June 5 • 2009.
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San Francisco native Raoul Hernandez crossed the border into Texas on July 2, 1992, and began writing about music for the Chronicle that fall, debuting with an album review of Keith Richards’ Main Offender. By virtue of local show previews – first “Recommendeds,” now calendar picks – his writing’s appeared in almost every issue since 1993. More by Raoul Hernandez
