Archive for February, 2018

Maceo Parker's Roots and Grooves was half genius, half missed opportunity

Maceo Parker’s Roots and Grooves was half genius, half missed opportunity

Released 10 years ago today, this album found Maceo Parker trying another fun experiment with history and sound, but with mixed results.

The Beatles, "Act Naturally" from Help! (1965): Deep Beatles

The Beatles, “Act Naturally” from Help! (1965): Deep Beatles

“Act Naturally” came, well, naturally for Ringo Starr. He had flirted with country music long before joining the Beatles.

Vinyl

Roberto Maria Zorzi, Michael Manring, Scott Amendola – Facanapa & Umarells and the World Wide Crash (2018)

The new album by Roberto Maria Zorzi, Michael Manring and Scott Amendola relentlessly delivers surprises with sounds heretofore unheard.

Vinyl

Unit 4 + 2 – Unit Four Plus Two (1969): Forgotten Series

Emerging in an age when heavy rock was the happening thing, Unit 4 + 2’s self-titled 1969 album was unfairly deemed a dated anomaly.

Vinyl

Mark Wade Trio – Moving Day (2018)

It becomes obvious throughout ‘Moving Day’ that the Mark Wade Trio has played together for a while, as there is an unmistakable telepathy.

Vinyl

Machine Head – Catharsis (2018)

Others may dislike Machine Head’s latest outing, but I think it’s one of the most interesting records they’ve ever done.

Chicago, "Bright Eyes" from Chicago VIII (2002 reissue): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Bright Eyes” from Chicago VIII (2002 reissue): Saturdays in the Park

A hidden gem, Robert Lamm’s Rhodes-driven “Bright Eyes” finally made it onto ‘Chicago VIII’ – but it took 27 years.

After Years of Struggle, Robert Finley's Finally 'Got a Thing Going On'

After Years of Struggle, Robert Finley’s Finally ‘Got a Thing Going On’

Robert Finley stopped to talk about different things but mostly, he just played, accompanied only by the rattling window unit.

Vinyl

The Remains – The Remains (1966): On Second Thought

‘The Remains’ documents the unstoppable exuberance of an exciting – and sadly short-lived – young band.

Vinyl

John Surman – Invisible Threads (2018)

‘Invisible Threads’ offered me the first chance to listen to saxophonist and clarinet player John Surman in a long time – and all I can say is, “wow.”