Something Else!

Vinyl

Groove Legacy – Groove Legacy (2016)

Groove Legacy are new torchbearers who have the wherewithal to resurrect the glorious past of 70s funk-jazz with all the intuition and understanding of those who were there.

The Beatles, "I Don't Want to Spoil the Party" from Beatles for Sale (1964): Deep Beatles

The Beatles, “I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party” from Beatles for Sale (1964): Deep Beatles

“I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party” reveals the Beatles’ country and rockabilly roots, even as it foreshadows – like much of ‘Beatles for Sale’ – the musical changes to come.

Vinyl

Xander and the Peace Pirates, “Soul Sailing” (2016): One Track Mind

Xander the Peace Pirates’ “Soul Sailing” combines the powerfully soulful vocals with expressive and road weary yet expressive slide guitar playing.

Vinyl

Ross Hammond + Sameer Gupta, “Upward” (2016): Something Else! video premiere

The spiritually soothing music of Sameer Gupta and Ross Hammond’s “Upward” is a simple pleasure in any culture.

Vinyl

Ed Cherry – Soul Tree (2016)

‘Soul Tree’ is that kind of fundamentally solid, guitar/organ/drums record that you’d expect from a seasoned guitarist like Ed Cherry. You won’t go wrong here.

Vinyl

Matt Parker Trio – Present Time (2016)

Show me someone who says jazz is no fun to listen to and I’ll show them Matt Parker.

Vinyl

Avishai Cohen – Into The Silence (2016)

The main draw of Avishai Cohen’s artistry throughout his varied output is his restlessness. The inward-looking and reflective ‘Into The Silence’ contrasts with earlier work but is exactly right for the moment.

Vinyl

Hank Williams Jr. – It’s About Time (2016)

This won’t compete with those classic late-1970s and early-1980s records, but it does seem that Hank Williams Jr. has found his way again. It’s about time.

Yes, "Five Percent for Nothing" from Fragile (1971): YESterdays

Yes, “Five Percent for Nothing” from Fragile (1971): YESterdays

Bill Bruford frequently calls this Yes song, originally titled “Suddenly It’s Wednesday,” a starting point of his journey as a composer.

Vinyl

Cha Wa, “All On A Mardi Gras Day” (2016): One Track Mind

Dr. John’s funky Nola street dance anthem has rarely been covered with as much festive spirit as it has from New Orleans’ own Mardis Gras Indian funk collective Cha Wa.