Archive for December, 2016

Chicago, “An Hour In the Shower” from Chicago III (1971): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “An Hour In the Shower” from Chicago III (1971): Saturdays in the Park

“Hour in the Shower” is a welcome reminder that as serious as Chicago took themselves at times, they still knew how to have fun.

Vinyl

Richard Pinhas, Tatsuya Yoshida & Merzbow – Process & Reality (2016)

On the powerful and unrelenting ‘Process and Reality’, Yoshida’s thunderous drums provide the adrenaline as Pinhas and Merzbow supply the clinical soul.

Fred Phillips’ Best Country and Southern Rock of 2016: Jackson Taylor, Hank Jr., Whiskey Myers

Fred Phillips’ Best Country and Southern Rock of 2016: Jackson Taylor, Hank Jr., Whiskey Myers

A very topical album, a group of overlooked Southern rockers and the return of a country legend highlight this Best Country and Southern Rock of 2016 list.

Vinyl

Richard Pinhas & Barry Cleveland (feat. Michael Manring & Celso Alberti) – Mu (2016)

Lush, attenuated and unpredictable soundscapes by looping and effects guitar masters make ‘Mu’ a major entry in the celebrated catalogs of both Pinhas and Cleveland.

Yes, “Release, Release” from ‘Tormato’ (1978): YESterdays

Yes, “Release, Release” from ‘Tormato’ (1978): YESterdays

I’ve always thought that Yes’ 1978 album cut “Release, Release” harkened back to the days of original guitarist Peter Banks.

Vinyl

Alphonse Mouzon (1948-2016): Tribute to an Endlessly Versatile Fusion Legend

Alphonse Mouzon was a seminal force in the birth of fusion, and also had a notable impact on rock.

Preston Frazier’s Best Jazz of 2016: Marquis Hill, Dave Stryker, Manu Katche + others

Preston Frazier’s Best Jazz of 2016: Marquis Hill, Dave Stryker, Manu Katche + others

Preston Frazier’s Best Jazz of 2016 list crosses a striking number of musical boundaries from straight-ahead jazz to vocalists to fusion.

The Band’s ‘Christmas Must Be Tonight’ Remains an Unjustly Overlooked Holiday Classic

The Band’s ‘Christmas Must Be Tonight’ Remains an Unjustly Overlooked Holiday Classic

The Band’s perhaps too ambitious “Christmas Must Be Tonight” never became the seasonal favorite it should have been.

Vinyl

Happy Place – Northfield (2016)

The music from Happy Place’s ‘Northfield’ wouldn’t readily be described as cheerful, but it’s intended as a cathartic release, and that’s just what it achieves.

Chicago, “This Christmas” from What’s It Gonna Be, Santa (2003): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “This Christmas” from What’s It Gonna Be, Santa (2003): Saturdays in the Park

Earnest and sweet, this update of Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas” showcases one of Chicago’s longest tenured non-original members.