Monthly Archives: October, 2014

DAVID SANCIOUS AND TONE-TRANSFORMATION (THE SPEED OF LOVE).

DAVID SANCIOUS AND TONE-TRANSFORMATION (THE SPEED OF LOVE). Although David Sancious was a self-taught guitarist, the New Jersey born multi-instrumentalist was a classically trained pianist. David, who was born on November 30th 1953, first started playing piano aged seven. That was the start of David Sancious’ long and illustrious career. David went on to play …

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WILLIAM ONYEAEBOR 2.

WILLIAM ONYEAEBOR 2. Enigmatic. That’s the perfect word to describe synth funk pioneer, William Onyeabor. He is, without doubt, one of the most mysterious and elusive musicians. There’s a good reason for this, Much of William Onyeabor’s life is shrouded in mystery. After releasing eight albums between 1978 and 1985, which will feature in Luaka Bop’s …

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BLACK FIRE! NEW SPIRITS! RADICAL AND REVOLUTIONARY JAZZ IN THE USA 1957-1982.

BLACK FIRE! NEW SPIRITS! RADICAL AND REVOLUTIONARY JAZZ IN THE USA 1957-1982. Throughout the last hundred years, jazz music has been in a constant state of evolution. Jazz refused to stand still. New genres grew out of old ones. From swing, bebop was born. After bebop, there was the cool school. Suddenly, the cool school …

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GEORGE HARRISON-ELECTRONIC SOUND

GEORGE HARRISON-ELECTRONIC SOUND. Whenever people discuss the disparate personalities of The Beatles, George Harrison is billed as the “quiet one.” That’s doing a George Harrison a huge disservice. He was spiritual, cerebral, and a humanitarian. Away from the constraints of The Beatles, George Harrison was also a truly innovative musician.  Anyone familiar with George Harrison’s …

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THE VENTURES-IN THE VAULTS VOLUME 5.

THE VENTURES-IN THE VAULTS VOLUME 5. When Don Wilson and Bob Bogle founded The Ventures in Seattle in 1958, little did they know that fifty years later, in 2008, they would be inducted into the Rock ’N’ Roll Hall of Fame. In the intervening fifty years, The Ventures sold over 100 million records. This makes …

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I’M JUST LIKE YOU:SLY STONE’S FLOWER 1969-1970.

I’M JUST LIKE YOU:SLY STONE’S FLOWER 1969-1970. Having just released their fourth album Stand, Sly and The Family Stone took Woodstock by storm. Their early morning set on 17th August 1969, was one of the highlights of Woodstock. This further cemented their huge popularity. After Woodstock, CBS, their record company were desperate for a new …

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THE ESOTERIC CIRCLE-GEORGE RUSSELL PRESENTS THE ESOTERIC CIRCLE.

THE ESOTERIC CIRCLE-GEORGE RUSSELL PRESENTS THE ESOTERIC CIRCLE. With Norwegian music going through something of a renaissance, it’s fitting that George Russell Presents The Esoteric Circle has reissued by BGP Records, a subsidiary of Ace Records. George Russell Presents The Esoteric Circle was one of the most important albums in Norwegian musical history. Released in …

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GIL SCOTT HERON-FREE WILL.

GIL SCOTT HERON-FREE WILL. Throughout his career, poet, musician, and author. Gil Scott-Heron highlighted the social and political problems affecting American society. He was, to all intents and purposes,  America’s conscience.  Racism, poverty, corruption, inequality and drug addiction featured in Gil’s lyrics. His lyrics are cerebral, witty, scathing and most importantly, honest as Gil speaks …

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SCOTT WALKER AND SUN O-SOUSED.

SCOTT WALKER AND SUN O-SOUSED. If I was to describe Scott Walker in one word, “chameleon” is the word I’d use. Scott started life as lush pop ballads with The Walker Brothers. On leaving  The Walker Brothers, Scott’s style began to evolve. As Scott’s solo career began, he stuck with the same formula that had …

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BLACK MOON CIRCLE-ANDROMEDA.

BLACK MOON CIRCLE-ANDROMEDA. Just now, Norway has one of the most vibrant music scenes in Europe. Some of the best new music I’ve heard during 2014, has come from Norwegian bands and artists. This includes Motorpsycho, Moster!, Supersilent, Moskus, 1982, Space Monkey, Bly De Blyant, Stein Urheim, Cakewalk and Krokofant. These artists are among the most …

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SUPERSILENT-12.

SUPERSILENT-12. Four long years have passed, since Supersilent released their eighth album 11 on Rune Grammofon. Since 2010, Supersilent’s fans have eagerly awaited the next chapter in the Supersilent story. At last, the wait is over. Supersilent recently released their ninth album 12, on Rune Grammofon. 12 marks a welcome return from the innovative Norwegian …

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RODION G.A.-BEHIND THE CURTAIN-THE LOST ALBUM.

RODION G.A.-BEHIND THE CURTAIN-THE LOST ALBUM. Earlier this year, I embarked upon a musical adventure. It all started just over a year ago, when I received an email. It was from Rodion Ladislau Rosca, who back in the seventies, formed Rodion G.A.   Rodion had been surfing the net, and discovered my review of the …

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ESTHER PHILLIPS-BABY I’M FOR REAL!

ESTHER PHILLIPS-BABY I’M FOR REAL! Despite releasing eighteen albums during a career that lasted thirty-five years, most people haven’t heard Esther Phillips. That’s a great shame, because they’re as yet, unaware of one of the most talented, versatile and underrated singers of her generation. She possessed a totally unique, voice. During her career,  Esther sang blues, country, …

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PRETTY PURDIE-SOUL IS…PRETTY PURDIE.

PRETTY PURDIE-SOUL IS…PRETTY PURDIE. During a career that’s lasted over sixty years, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie has played alongside the great and good of music. This includes Steely Dan, the Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, Cat Stevens, Aretha Franklin, King Curtis, Hall and Oates, James Brown, Isaac Hayes and Gil Scott Heron. These artists brought onboard one …

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VERONIQUE VINCENT AND AKSAK MABOUL WITH THE HONEYMOON KILLERS-EX-FUTUR ALBUM.

VERONIQUE VINCENT AND AKSAK MABOUL WITH THE HONEYMOON KILLERS-EX-FUTUR ALBUM. “It’s been a long time coming.” So said Sam Cooke. The same is also true of the recently released album from Veronique Vincent and Aksak Maboul with The Honeymoon Killers. Their Ex-Futur Album was released on October 20th 2014 on Crammed Discs. However, originally, the …

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JERRY LEE LEWIS-THE KNOX LEWIS SESSIONS-THE UNRELEASED RECORDINGS.

JERRY LEE LEWIS-THE KNOX LEWIS SESSIONS-THE UNRELEASED RECORDINGS. Gil Scott Heron once sung that “home is where the heart is.” For Jerry Lee Lewis, home was Phillips Recording Studios, Memphis. Situated at 639 Madison Avenue, that was where the man they called “The Killer” recorded the best music of his career. Phillips Recording Studios was …

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MOSTER!-INNER EARTH.

MOSTER!-INNER EARTH. The best way to describe Moster, is a Norwegian supergroup. Moster were founded by Bushman’s Revenge saxophonist and bandleader Kjetil Møster in 2010. He brought onboard some of the most talented Norwegian musicians of their generation. This included Motorpsycho and Grand Central drummer Kenneth Kapstad. He was joined by two members of Elephant9, …

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MUSIC CITY VOCAL GROUPS-ROCK ’N’ ROLL IT, MAMBO, STROLL IT.

MUSIC CITY VOCAL GROUPS-ROCK ’N’ ROLL IT, MAMBO, STROLL IT. Earlier this year, Ace Records released Music City Vocal Groups-Greasy Love Songs Of Teenage Romance, Regret, Hope and Despair in June 2014. It featured fifty tracks from the Music City Vaults. Released to critical acclaim, Music City Vocal Groups-Greasy Love Songs Of Teenage Romance, Regret, …

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AIN’T THAT THE TRUTH-THE RIC AND RON STORY VOLUME 2.

AIN’T THAT THE TRUTH-THE RIC AND RON STORY VOLUME 2. Having founded the Ric and Ron labels in 1958, Joe Ruffino spent the next four years, transforming them into two of New Orleans’ premier independent R&B labels. During this period, artists of the calibre of Professor Longhair, Irma Thomas, Johnny Adams, Eddie Bo and Eddie …

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NIGHTMARES ON WAX-CAR BOOT SOUL.

NIGHTMARES ON WAX-CAR BOOT SOUL. Have you ever thought after buying an album you know absolutely nothing about, just why you bought it? I have, many times. One of the explanations I’ve come up with, is the album cover. Imagine the scene, your in your local record store.  You need your weekly fix of music, …

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