Welcome to another installment of "OMC Recommends," a periodic look at cool things that we like and think you should know about.
Use the Talkback feature to let us know what you think of our picks. If you'd like to add some of your own, e-mail them to omcrecommends@staff.onmilwaukee.com.
Sonny Stitt -- "Stitt's Bits: The Bebop Recordings, 1949-1952 (Prestige) -- This three-CD set collects 76 tracks recorded by the soulful bebop tenorman, first as a member of trombonist Jay Jay Johnson's Boppers in 1949 and then in bands fronted by Stitt and his long-time partner Gene Ammons. Among the many others performing here are Art Blakey, Kenny Drew, Max Roach, Bud Powell and Jo Jones. Often dismissed as a Charlie Parker mimic, Stitt's bluesy, R&B-influenced style shines in these diverse recordings, suggesting that it's time for jazz fans to stop giving Stitt the short shrift. The set, which comes with a nice booklet of pictures, recording info and essays, retails for $29.98, which is a pretty good deal these days, too. -- Bobby Tanzilo
Watching Marquette point guard Dominic James as often as possible this year -- Hoops junkies can argue that Jerel McNeal’s defense and Lazar Hayward’s shooting are keys to the Golden Eagles’ success this season, but that’s primarily because James’ play is regarded as a given. As a freshman last year, James overpowered Big East opponents with his explosive quickness and leaping ability. If he continues to improve, the NBA scouts could come calling, which explains why the prevailing attitude on campus is simple: enjoy him while he’s here. -- Drew Olson
The Bloody Mary special during Packers games at Palomino -- If you're heading out to a bar to catch the Packers game, Palomino's game-time Bloody Mary bargain in Bay View is a no-brainer. They are $5 quarts (yes, a full quart of vodka and tomato juice) that come with all the usual bloody fixings and then some -- vegetarians beware of the mighty beef stick pronged between two cheese curds. Although you can get a Bloody Mary anytime at the Palomino ($6 in a pint glass), this meal-in-a-mason-jar mega-deal only lasts for the duration of the Packers game, which is usually enough time to finish one (and the mini beer chaser, of course.) -- Julie Lawrence
Burritos at Bean's and Barley - The battle for Milwaukee's best burrito, for this aficionado, isn't even close. Bean's and Barley makes the best. Fresh, filling and healthy, the simple basic burrito is classic: refried beans, Mexican white cheese, onion and tomato. Served with homemade salsa and El Rey chips, it's wonderful for dine in or carry out. -- Jeff Sherman
Postsecret.com -- This website is a voyeur's dream. A collection of deep dark secrets of anonymous people submitted in postcard form. Some fun, some a glance into pained souls. It is compelling in the fact that makes you think about your own existence and tempts you to confess a secret of your own. -- Kevin Brandt.
Sunrise Food Mart's beer selection -- Riverwest has lots of corner bodegas, but most of them offer little more than pricey food staples, candy and malt liquor. Sunrise, 2879 N. Weil St., is different. They have a great selection of domestic and imported beers at OK prices. No doubt about it, if a brave soul opened a liquor store in Riverwest they'd make a kind pile of pesos, but in the mean time, Sunrise's smart owners capitalize on the neighborhood's penchant for good beer -- and lots of it. -- Molly Snyder Edler
John Mayer's "Continuum" -- Mayer has moved past the pop / rock that got him noticed by the industry in the first place to a more mature sound that he discovered with the John Mayer Trio. The bluesy rock that "Continuum" supplies will help those that need to mellow out and be stress free. Best songs: "Vultures," "Gravity" and "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room." -- Heather Leszczewicz.
Slow-developing plots on TV dramas -- I'm not sure why I abuse myself by watching shows like "Lost" and "Jericho." I should probably blame these cheesy yet "compelling dramas" on the "24" phenomena, a show that I unfortunately missed out on by not watching it from the get-go. But while my other favorites, like "The Office" and "ER" can stand on their own (even though they follow a plot throughout a season), the new crop of TV dramas need to be watched sequentially and all the way through. Like a sucker, I get sucked in week in and week out, and my DVR fills to the brim with Jack, Kate, Locke and Jake -- and about 50 other characters. -- Andy Tarnoff.
The Killer Instinct -- I tend to read too many business and success books. I love them, but every now and then one needs an easy and fun read. "The Killer Instinct" by Joseph Finder is just that. A quick read, written in conversational, first-person prose, "Killer" is a business thriller so it quenches my thirst for a business read while adding just enough Hollywood to make it fun. Pick it up. - J.S.
Honey Mustard Pretzels from Harry and David -- OK, so the only Harry and David around here is at Prime Outlets in Pleasant Prairie, but these tasty pretzels are really worth a trip. Or you can order them from the gourmet food store's web site or catalog. The pretzels are a must snack. - H.L.
Secret alternative routes out of Downtown during the M-Change construction -- If you think we are going to share these with you, you're nuts. They are secret and they will stay that way. -- K.B.
Use the Talkback feature to let us know what you think of our picks. If you'd like to add some of your own, e-mail them to omcrecommends@staff.onmilwaukee.com.
Sonny Stitt -- "Stitt's Bits: The Bebop Recordings, 1949-1952 (Prestige) -- This three-CD set collects 76 tracks recorded by the soulful bebop tenorman, first as a member of trombonist Jay Jay Johnson's Boppers in 1949 and then in bands fronted by Stitt and his long-time partner Gene Ammons. Among the many others performing here are Art Blakey, Kenny Drew, Max Roach, Bud Powell and Jo Jones. Often dismissed as a Charlie Parker mimic, Stitt's bluesy, R&B-influenced style shines in these diverse recordings, suggesting that it's time for jazz fans to stop giving Stitt the short shrift. The set, which comes with a nice booklet of pictures, recording info and essays, retails for $29.98, which is a pretty good deal these days, too. -- Bobby Tanzilo
Watching Marquette point guard Dominic James as often as possible this year -- Hoops junkies can argue that Jerel McNeal’s defense and Lazar Hayward’s shooting are keys to the Golden Eagles’ success this season, but that’s primarily because James’ play is regarded as a given. As a freshman last year, James overpowered Big East opponents with his explosive quickness and leaping ability. If he continues to improve, the NBA scouts could come calling, which explains why the prevailing attitude on campus is simple: enjoy him while he’s here. -- Drew Olson
The Bloody Mary special during Packers games at Palomino -- If you're heading out to a bar to catch the Packers game, Palomino's game-time Bloody Mary bargain in Bay View is a no-brainer. They are $5 quarts (yes, a full quart of vodka and tomato juice) that come with all the usual bloody fixings and then some -- vegetarians beware of the mighty beef stick pronged between two cheese curds. Although you can get a Bloody Mary anytime at the Palomino ($6 in a pint glass), this meal-in-a-mason-jar mega-deal only lasts for the duration of the Packers game, which is usually enough time to finish one (and the mini beer chaser, of course.) -- Julie Lawrence
Burritos at Bean's and Barley - The battle for Milwaukee's best burrito, for this aficionado, isn't even close. Bean's and Barley makes the best. Fresh, filling and healthy, the simple basic burrito is classic: refried beans, Mexican white cheese, onion and tomato. Served with homemade salsa and El Rey chips, it's wonderful for dine in or carry out. -- Jeff Sherman
Postsecret.com -- This website is a voyeur's dream. A collection of deep dark secrets of anonymous people submitted in postcard form. Some fun, some a glance into pained souls. It is compelling in the fact that makes you think about your own existence and tempts you to confess a secret of your own. -- Kevin Brandt.
Sunrise Food Mart's beer selection -- Riverwest has lots of corner bodegas, but most of them offer little more than pricey food staples, candy and malt liquor. Sunrise, 2879 N. Weil St., is different. They have a great selection of domestic and imported beers at OK prices. No doubt about it, if a brave soul opened a liquor store in Riverwest they'd make a kind pile of pesos, but in the mean time, Sunrise's smart owners capitalize on the neighborhood's penchant for good beer -- and lots of it. -- Molly Snyder Edler
John Mayer's "Continuum" -- Mayer has moved past the pop / rock that got him noticed by the industry in the first place to a more mature sound that he discovered with the John Mayer Trio. The bluesy rock that "Continuum" supplies will help those that need to mellow out and be stress free. Best songs: "Vultures," "Gravity" and "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room." -- Heather Leszczewicz.
Slow-developing plots on TV dramas -- I'm not sure why I abuse myself by watching shows like "Lost" and "Jericho." I should probably blame these cheesy yet "compelling dramas" on the "24" phenomena, a show that I unfortunately missed out on by not watching it from the get-go. But while my other favorites, like "The Office" and "ER" can stand on their own (even though they follow a plot throughout a season), the new crop of TV dramas need to be watched sequentially and all the way through. Like a sucker, I get sucked in week in and week out, and my DVR fills to the brim with Jack, Kate, Locke and Jake -- and about 50 other characters. -- Andy Tarnoff.
The Killer Instinct -- I tend to read too many business and success books. I love them, but every now and then one needs an easy and fun read. "The Killer Instinct" by Joseph Finder is just that. A quick read, written in conversational, first-person prose, "Killer" is a business thriller so it quenches my thirst for a business read while adding just enough Hollywood to make it fun. Pick it up. - J.S.
Honey Mustard Pretzels from Harry and David -- OK, so the only Harry and David around here is at Prime Outlets in Pleasant Prairie, but these tasty pretzels are really worth a trip. Or you can order them from the gourmet food store's web site or catalog. The pretzels are a must snack. - H.L.
Secret alternative routes out of Downtown during the M-Change construction -- If you think we are going to share these with you, you're nuts. They are secret and they will stay that way. -- K.B.
