Up-tempo and rockin,’ “Black Box” to my ears bears a strong Fuzztones / Music Machine influence – mixed with the Maharajas’ own fab ’60s Euro-garage style.

With a smart assist from Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, Mavis Staples transforms Funkadelic’s “Can You Get To That” from a sing-along slab of greasy-good uplift into this Americana-inflected groover. You May Also Like: Mavis Staples Wrote a New Ending For Her Father With ‘Don’t Lose This’

Guitarist Steve Hackett, with an assist from criminally underrated fellow Genesis alum Ray Wilson, has finally found the emotional centerpoint within one of their old band’s signature tunes, “Carpet Crawlers.” You May Also Like: Steve Hackett, “In the Skeleton Gallery” from The Night Siren (2017): One Track Mind

1989 Monk Competition winner Bill Cunliffe is a diversely skilled pianist who puts his range to use in a variety of settings, from Latin jazz, to fusion to fruitful collaborations of straight ahead jazz. You May Also Like: Pearcy / Gratzmiller Jazz Quintet – ‘Over the Edge’ (2018) The WoodRead More

Never in a million years would anyone guess the lead singer of this gritty and gutsy single is Kenny Loggins. Sounding like a remarkable cross-pollination of the Standells, the Pretty Things and the Shadows of Knight You May Also Like: Four Jacks and a Jill, “Master Jack” (1968): One TrackRead More

John Frusciante has released a lengthy, darkly emotional rumination, written for a friend that went back to the guitarist’s days in the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Wayne Forman, tragically, died before he could hear this tribute. You May Also Like: When John Frusciante Returned to Solo Work on ‘Shadows CollideRead More

While there is an argument to be had about Baz Luhrmann’s temerity in remaking “The Great Gatsby,” you’ll get no such reservations when it comes to Jack White’s scorching version of this U2 deep cut from the forthcoming soundtrack. You May Also Like: Four Jacks and a Jill, “Master Jack”Read More

Aside from the venerable opening riff of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets,” there may be no more recognizable melody in thrash than the main riff of Slayer’s “Raining Blood,” the sort-of title track of their landmark Reign in Blood album. You May Also Like: No related posts.

Same name, different spelling. Initially billed as the Jesters, this Mankato, Minnesota band earned a hefty helping of local applause prior to making their presence known in select areas about the country. You May Also Like: Gypsy, “Gypsy Queen, Part 1” (1970): One Track Mind

Michael McDonald’s “Judgement Day” has a ballsy gumption that his smoothed-out pop hits and plasticine Motown remakes scarcely aspire to.