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Why Dennis Wilson's Rough-Hewn Debut 'Pacific Ocean Blue' Was So Surprising

Why Dennis Wilson’s Rough-Hewn Debut ‘Pacific Ocean Blue’ Was So Surprising

‘Pacific Ocean Blue’ arrived 45 years ago today as a rare spotlight for the Beach Boys’ craggy-voiced bad boy Dennis Wilson.

Michael Orenstein - 'Aperture' (2022)

Michael Orenstein – ‘Aperture’ (2022)

With ‘Aperture,’ Michael Orenstein enters the realm of jazz recording artists as a fully formed talent, one with a fresh, contemporary extension of the piano greats who’ve come before him.

Frank Zappa's Universe via 'Joe's Garage': Act II

Frank Zappa’s Universe via ‘Joe’s Garage’: Act II

This is the second in a series where Mick Raubenheimer examines ‘Joe’s Garage,’ a three-part rock opera by Frank Zappa from 1979.

David Paich - 'Forgotten Toys' (2022)

David Paich – ‘Forgotten Toys’ (2022)

Hopefully, the arrival of David Paich’s ‘Forgotten Toys’ EP is just the opening salvo in a long overdue solo career.

Zan Zone - 'Start Where You Stand' (2022)

Zan Zone – ‘Start Where You Stand’ (2022)

Zan Zone’s ‘Start Where You Stand’ is an often Wishbone Ash-esque guitar-rock album that just gets things right.

Whiskey Myers – 'Tornillo' (2022)

Whiskey Myers – ‘Tornillo’ (2022)

The heyday of Southern rock may be gone, but Whiskey Myers proves once again that it’s definitely still alive and kicking like a mule.

Walt Weiskopf European Quartet - 'Diamonds and Other Jewels' (2022)

Walt Weiskopf European Quartet – ‘Diamonds and Other Jewels’ (2022)

‘Diamonds and Other Jewels’ presents Walt Weiskopf’s European quartet emerging from the pandemic with its coherence at an all-time high.

Top 20 Versions of 'Lush Life': Johnny Hartman, Blossom Dearie, Ella Fitzgerald + Others

Top 20 Versions of ‘Lush Life’: Johnny Hartman, Blossom Dearie, Ella Fitzgerald + Others

Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life” is beautiful. It’s peculiar. It’s sad. It reflects a path of life on which we have all wandered. But which version is best?

Frank Zappa's Universe via 'Joe's Garage': Act I

Frank Zappa’s Universe via ‘Joe’s Garage’: Act I

This is the first in a three-part series from Mick Raubenheimer examining Frank Zappa’s ‘Joe Garage,’ itself a three-part rock opera which arrived in 1979.

Bethlehem Asylum - 'Bethlehem Asylum / Commit Yourself' (1970-71; 2022 reissue)

Bethlehem Asylum – ‘Bethlehem Asylum / Commit Yourself’ (1970-71; 2022 reissue)

Bethlehem Asylum’s two early-’70s Ampex albums offer a wonderfully weird look back into the musical mayhem once found in hip record-store racks.