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Slash – Apocalyptic Love (2012)

After being less than impressed with Slash’s last solo album and its parade of guest stars, and being only a marginal fan of Velvet Revolver or Slash’s Snakepit, I didn’t go into Apocalyptic Love with my hopes too high. You May Also Like: Zakk Wylde – Book of Shadows IIRead More

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Half Notes: Ralph Bowen – Total Eclipse (2012)

The cover for Ralph Bowen’s newest release Total Eclipse is a picture of a “ring of fire” solar eclipse, much like the one that provided a spectacular show for residents of the U.S. Southwest on Monday. Putting on a saxophone show is what Ralph is about, though, and for theRead More

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Robert Lamm – ‘The JVE Remixes’ (2012)

Is this going to draw fans from the electronica crowd into Robert Lamm’s Chicago catalog? Hard to say. Piss off the old fans? Likely.

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Gene Clark, co-founder of the Byrds: Something Else! Interview

The sad and early death of Gene Clark couldn’t overshadow a remarkable stint as the Byrds’ principal songwriter in the mid-1960s.

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Aruán Ortiz – Orbiting (2012)

The brilliant pianist from Cuba Aruán Ortiz made a strong positive impression to anyone who paid attention to his 2010 release Alameda, a sophisticated outing of modern jazz that eludes adequate comparisons. You May Also Like: Aruan Ortiz, with Andrew Cyrille + Mauricio Herrera – ‘Inside Rhythmic Falls’ (2020) JamesRead More

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Squackett [featuring Chris Squire and Steve Hackett] – A Life Within a Day (2012)

I can’t remember the last time I heard Chris Squire approach the bass with this much unadulterated passion, with this much joy.

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Half Notes: Neu – Neu! 75 (1975)

What to call this kinda music? Do a little research and you’ll see stuff like: Krautrock, cosmic punk, ambient, moody, art rock, minimalist, etc. Heck, when I originally popped this disc into my cdrom drive the CDMax selection dialog came up with three entries with musical genres of “misc”, “newRead More

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Something Else! Featured Artist: Old school hip hop edition!

Though hip hop had been around for a few years, it started to become a national phenomenon 30 years ago — a period that still resonates because of the way the music connected on several different levels. You May Also Like: Butcher Brown – ‘#KingButch’ (2020)

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The Harris Group – Choices (2012)

Ric Harris put his career as a jazz guitarist on hold to raise his kids and deal with a life long seizure disorder, so he can be excused to taken so long to make his first album, but he made the most of that long-delayed moment. Coming back to thisRead More

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Pantera – Vulgar Display of Power (1992; 2012 reissue)

It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since this snarling beast first roared out of my speakers. You May Also Like: Pantera – ‘Power Metal’ (1988): Forgotten Series