Archive for May, 2017

Vinyl

Alestorm – ‘No Grave But the Sea’ (2017)

Frankly, not a lot of music has excited me through the first half of this year. That is, until Alestorm’s ‘No Grave But the Sea’ arrived.

Vinyl

Björkenheim, Sopko, James, Laswell, Yamaki (Inaugural Sound Clash [for the 2 Americas]) – Against the Empire of Alternative Facts (2017)

Bill Laswell and the cast of characters assembled for this 57-minute jam aren’t the ordinary type.

Yes, “Owner of a Lonely Heart” from 90125 (1983): YESterdays

Yes, “Owner of a Lonely Heart” from 90125 (1983): YESterdays

“Owner of a Lonely Heart” wasn’t great progressive rock but, without this track, it’s doubtful the band Yes would still be here today.

Matthew Shipp – Invisible Touch At Taktlos Zürich (2017)

Matthew Shipp – Invisible Touch At Taktlos Zürich (2017)

It becomes clear on solo live performances such as the one captured on ‘Invisible Touch At Taktlos Zürich’ that the more Matthew Shipp is exposed, the more fascinating is his music.

Chicago, “Hollywood” from Chicago VI (1973): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Hollywood” from Chicago VI (1973): Saturdays in the Park

“Hollywood,” Robert Lamm’s outstanding contribution from 1973’s ‘Chicago VI,’ remains a highlight on a very uneven album.

Vinyl

The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco – Not For Everyone (2017)

What’s the difference between an electric piano and an acoustic one? In the hands of The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco, apparently not much, quality-wise.

Vinyl

Kikanju Baku and James Fei – No One Teaches The Snake To Strike (2017)

Baku and Fei’s ‘No One Teaches The Snake To Strike’ is extreme jazz improv, all tracks made up on the spot, no safety net, no overdubs, just a pure outpouring of drums/reeds co-combustion.

Vinyl

Paul Collins’ Beat – To Beat or Not to Beat (1983); Long Time Gone (1985): Reissue

A new reissue highlights the often-overlooked Paul Collins’ Beat, one of the great power pop bands from the late ’70s/early ’80s.

Toto, “Anna” from The Seventh One (1988): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Anna” from The Seventh One (1988): Toto Tuesdays

There are some songs that simply take me away, and Toto’s “Anna” is one of them. It’s a master class.

Vinyl

Bobby Kimball, former Toto frontman: Something Else! Interview

Ex-Toto singer Bobby Kimball joins Preston Frazier to discuss his powerful new solo album ‘We’re Not in Kansas Anymore.’