Nu Shooz: The Albums That Shaped My Career
John R. Smith of Nu Shooz joins Ross Boissoneau to discuss key records by John Coltrane, the Toshiki Akiyoshi-Lew Tabakin Big Band, and Stevie Wonder.
Archive for September, 2020
Yes, “Step Beyond” from ‘Heaven and Earth’ (2014): YESterdays
Rather than harkening back to their salad days of the ’70s, Yes’ retro-sounding “Step Beyond” has too much of an ’80s pop feel.
How Neil Young’s ‘Le Noise’ Found Light in a World of Darkness
Released 10 years ago today, the textured ‘Le Noise’ landed somewhere between Neil Young’s acoustic work and his more muscular full-band rock music.
Refuge Is Taking Advantage of Pandemic Downtime to Evolve: Something Else! Interview
Greg Granger caught up with Refuge, a celebrated new rock band of multinational youths living in Nairobi, Kenya.
Chicago, “If It Were You” from ‘Twenty 1’ (1991): Saturdays in the Park
“If It Were You” is a flawless song, yet Chicago left it as an deep cut on 1991’s ‘Twenty 1,’ releasing dull, lifeless ballads as singles instead.
Matthew Shipp and Rob Brown – ‘Then Now’ (2020)
Matthew Shipp and Rob Brown’s ‘Then Now’ finds two fiercely individual artists blending into a creative whole without compromising their identities.
Anti-Mortem, “Old Washita / STFU” (2020): One Track Mind
Anti-Mortem’s “Old Washita” and “STFU” have given me more joy lately than is probably sane and healthy for an adult.
‘John Lennon 80: The Last Days in the Life,’ by Kenneth Womack: Books
Kenneth Womack’s ‘John Lennon 80’ paints a realistic, balanced picture of his final era’s setbacks, victories and, sadly, unfulfilled dreams.
Bob James – ‘Once Upon a Time: The Lost 1965 New York Studio Sessions’ (2020)
‘Once Upon a Time’ explores the possible directions that Bob James largely eschewed in favor of a more melodic – and popular – approach.
The Click Beetles – ‘Pop Fossil’ (2020)
The Click Beetles have returned with an album that equals the excellence of its predecessor, 2014’s ‘Wake Up to Music!’
