Review: New compilation gives local bands a chance to shine

Tales of Lust and Longing is like a love letter to Tampa Bay, capturing the area's lush beauty and seedy charms through musicians who embody the folksy and forward-thinking sensibilities of Central Florida.

Produced by the Bay Area Arts and Music Organization, namely WMNF DJ Lee "Flee" Courtney and local music scene supporter Laura Keane, the CD remains within a very Florida rootsy-rustic comfort zone while branching out beyond the distinctly defined niches of the music scene.

The CD stars singer-songwriters considered living legends around these parts, such as the acerbic and inspirational Ronny Elliott, who sings solo and in a duet with Rebekah Pulley.

Guitar rock virtuosi Rich Whitely, Experimental Pilot (brothers Robert and Stephen Vessenmeyer) and Ted Lukas cozy up to wild-eyed young 'uns like Tampa's blues-poppy Roppongi's Ace and Bradenton's compelling ambient rockers Sons of Hippies. The duo is the most ear-grabbing act south of the Skyway since Have Gun, Will Travel took aim on Tampa Bay.

Speaking of Have Gun, Will Travel, the band's Land of the Living perks up the mix with one of its most vibrant and introspective tunes.

We also get some non-scene-dwelling artists who haven't attracted a huge buzz yet, such as the inspirational rock of Baluja.

All are solid, professional acts that perform folk, electro-pop, hard rock, power pop, indie pop and honky-tonks.

A couple of drawbacks: Tales of Lust and Longing lacks Latin rock, salsa and hip-hop, other staples of Tampa Bay's musical landscape.

There's a good reason, according to co-producer Flee. He says that he didn't want to throw in a rap or soul tune that was out of place, and in keeping with the lyrical requirements — artists submitted lyrics to prove their songs fell into the "lust and longing" theme — Flee didn't want to distract from the overall motif with abrupt changes of genre. He prefers coming up with more interesting concepts, such as tale telling.

"The next CD will be themed more musically than lyrically," he says of the next compilation, which will be geared toward more rhythmic styles like world beat, R&B and hip-hop.

Meticulous care went into the packaging, too. Local artist Robert Phelps (paintedpoetryhome.com) provides the richly layered artwork. On the cover, he depicts the lustful mythological satyr and a backdrop of distorted text from a romance novel. Phelps cleverly positions the figure to hide the juicy parts.

With all great love affairs, the element of enticement is at play throughout Tales of Lust and Longing, which draws us in and gives us a mere tease of the musical talent Tampa Bay has to offer.