American Visions: Earworthy - African and African American sound recording of note

African Voices: Songs of Life (Narada ND-63930)--The voice, like the instrument, is used in many ceremonies in African countries. Five vocalists--Ayub Ogada of Kenya, Vieux Diop of Senegal, Samite of Uganda, Lucky Diop of Senegal and Kevin Nathaniel of the United States (Detroit)--blend the traditional with the sacred.

Bud Plays Bird Bud Powell (Roulette CDP 7243 8 37137 2 1)---To listen to this CD is to witness the collaboration of two larger-than-life giants. They were more than mythical in stature. Though Bud is playing the music of one of his contemporaries, he was also establishing a place in history for himself at the same time. Piano players of that generation, and even today, affectionately adopted Bud's style as a measure of respect to his genius. Badness, not madness!

Fire Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band (Milestones MCD-9258-2)--This is the jazz Latin band to revere. Playing with different bands and styles, continuing the connection between African music and Latin music, these artists are some of the most proficient at their craft. Fire burns and illuminates the consciousness.

Live at the Great American Music Hall, San Francisco: The Carmen McRae-Betty Carter Duets (Verve 314 529 579-2)--Dynamic divas. Double delight. A divine deuce of delectable deliveries. There is no match for the quality of this performance, where you have two of the best, most serious and most dedicated stylists in the business keeping you on the point, set by set. It's exciting listening to them trade barbs with such fury. No man would want to be caught in the middle of these two stalwart vocalists. Or maybe so.

Lush Life: Billy Strayhorn Songbook (Verve 314 529 908-2)--Pittsburgh's finest jewel. His song book is extensive, and his compositions were the bulwark of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. He made music for people to sing, dance or simply listen to. This recording presents performances by big and small bands, as well as piano solos.

Portrait of a Silk Thread: Newly Discovered Works of Billy Strayhorn Dutch Jazz Orchestra (Kokopelli 1310)--Billy Sweet Pea" Strayhorn's music was written for a global audience, and here it is performed by a fine Dutch orchestra. Included are compositions from 1940 to 1957. The solos are attentive to the feelings that Strayhorn had in mind, and much of the mood remains intact.

Two of a Kind John Hicks and Ray Drummond (Evidence ECD 22017-2)--It's their lyrical ballads that are most beautiful. Ray's bass and John's piano sound like two musicians playing solos at the same time, yet never getting in each other's way. You can listen to the tunes continuously and they do not lose their meditative quality.

Bill Hasson is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C.