Archive for May, 2018

Vinyl

GospelbeacH, “Dreamin'” (2018): One Track Mind

GospelbeacH’s “Dreamin'” is Laurel Canyon all over again. And I love it.

Al Green's Secular Comeback Was Made Complete With Lay It Down

Al Green’s Secular Comeback Was Made Complete With Lay It Down

Al Green’s return-to-form ‘Lay It Down’ arrived a decade ago this month with new hip-hop producers and a bevy of guest R&B singers – but it was no sell out.

Stephanie Angelini, "A Secret Smile" (2018): One Track Mind

Stephanie Angelini, “A Secret Smile” (2018): One Track Mind

Glowing with beauty and lushness, Stephanie Angelini’s “A Secret Smile” whets the appetite for more great music.

Vinyl

Thiago Nassif – Três (2018)

Apart from his collaborator Arto Lindsay, Thiago Nassif’s ‘Três’ much unlike anything else you’re likely to hear from a very broadly defined pop realm that includes its rogue elements.

Vinyl

Forget What You Heard About Alanis Morissette’s Flavors of Entanglement, And Just Listen

The underrated ‘Flavors of Entanglement,’ issued 10 years ago today, found Alanis Morissette in a moment of fearless introspection. Critics be damned.

Vinyl

Avishai Cohen’s Melodic, Masterful Gently Disturbed Was a Canny Update

Released 10 years ago this month, Avishai Cohen’s ‘Gently Disturbed’ made the case for a modern jazz trio – but from the bassist’s perspective.

Vinyl

Walter Becker, “Just One Season” (2003): One Track Mind

Walter Becker could knock out a catchy jingle like “Just One Season” with probably about as much effort as it takes most of us to write something clever on a greeting card.

Toto, "Gift of Faith" from Tambu (1995): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Gift of Faith” from Tambu (1995): Toto Tuesdays

If there were any doubts about Toto’s future, they were resoundingly dispelled with the opening song on 1995’s ‘Tambu.’

Vinyl

Wilko Johnson – Blow Your Mind (2018)

‘Blow Your Mind’ doesn’t sound anything like what you might expect from someone who did a farewell tour not so long ago. This, in fact, is Wilko Johnson near his best.

Chicago, "Your Love's an Attitude" from Chicago X (1976): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Your Love’s an Attitude” from Chicago X (1976): Saturdays in the Park

It’s a shame this wonderful, mostly acoustic jazzy bonus cut from the late Terry Kath didn’t find itself on ‘Chicago X.’