Author Archive: dereksmusicblog
THE O’JAYS SHIP AHOY.
THE O’JAYS SHIP AHOY. In August 1972, when The O’Jays’ released Back Stabbers, little did they realize how important an album it would become. Back Stabbers was certified gold, and fourteen years after The O’Jays were formed, were on their way to becoming one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful groups in the …
JOHAN AGEBJORN-NOTES.
JOHAN AGEBJORN-NOTES. In music, some artists are content to jump onto the latest bandwagon, in the search of fame and fortune. Other artists however, are musical mavericks. They’re determined not to stand still. Instead, their raison d’être is to create music that pushes musical boundaries. As a result, with each album, their music evolves and …
SIDSEL ENDRESEN AND STIAN WESTERHUS-BONITA.
SIDSEL ENDRESEN AND STIAN WESTERHUS-BONITA. One of the most eagerly awaited albums of 2015 is Sidsel Endresen and Stian Westerhus’ sophomore album Bonita. It was released on Rune Grammofon, on 12th January 2015. Bonita was the followup to Sidsel Endresen and Stian Westerhus’ debut album Didymoi Dreams. Just like Didymoi Dreams, Bonita is another album …
THE VELVET UNDERGROUND-WHITE LIGHT/WHITE HEAT.
THE VELVET UNDERGROUND-WHITE LIGHT/WHITE HEAT. It was in September 1967, that The Velvet Underground began recording their sophomore album White Light/White Heat. A lot had happened since The Velvet Underground released their debut album The Velvet Underground and Nico in March 1967. The Velvet Underground and Andy Warhol had decided to go their separate ways. …
STEPHANIE NICOLE-SOULOUTIONARY ONE.
STEPHANIE NICOLE-SOULOUTIONARY ONE. Over the last fifteen years, music has been transformed beyond recognition. Everything from the way we consume music to how it’s delivered has changed. Nowadays, many people to music on the move. It’s reduced to mere background music, an incidental soundtrack to the drudgery of daily life. This soundtrack is delivered via …
SUPERTRAMP-CRISIS? WHAT CRISIS?
SUPERTRAMP-CRISIS? WHAT CRISIS? Very few groups are overnight successes. Most groups spend years struggling, trying to make a commercial breakthrough. Then after years of trying, success comes the way of the fortunate few. That was the case for Supertramp. It took three albums, and several changes in lineup before Supertramp made a commercial breakthrough. Supertramp’s …
DJ OIL-PHANTOM.
DJ OIL-PHANTOM. It was three years ago, that multi-instrumentalist Lionel Corsini dawned the role of DJ Oil, and released his debut album Black Notes on French label Discograph. Black Notes was well received by critics. That’s no surprise. After all, DJ Oil was an experienced artist. Way before Lionel Corsini became DJ Oil, he was …
CERRONE-CERRONE’S PARADISE.
CERRONE-CERRONE’S PARADISE. During the disco era, it wasn’t just American labels like Salsoul, Casablanca, SAM and TK that were producing disco music. Over in Europe, producers like Giorgio Moroder, Frank Farian, Claude Francois, Don Ray and Cerrone were releasing some of the most cutting-edge dance music. One of these producers, Marc Cerrone started releasing albums …
PANORAM-BACKGROUND STORY.
PANORAM-BACKGROUND STORY. Last year, Panoram released his much anticipated, debut album Everyone Is A Door. This album of laid-back, blissed out music, was released to critical acclaim. Everyone Is A Door caught the imagination of critics and music lovers alike. Everyone wondered what next for Panoram? The answer to that is Background Story, Panoram’s sophomore …
THE BATHERS-KELVINGROVE BABY.
THE BATHERS-KELVINGROVE BABY. 2015 marks the thirtieth anniversary of a Scottish musical institution, The Bathers. They were formed in Glasgow, in 1985, by singer, songwriter and troubled troubadour Chris Thomson and released six albums between 1987 and 1999. The Bathers fifth album was Kelvingrove Baby, a minor classic, that’s one of the finest Scottish albums …
BOBBY WHITLOCK-BOBBY WHITLOCK.
BOBBY WHITLOCK-BOBBY WHITLOCK. Before embarking upon a solo career in 1971, Memphis born Bobby Whitlock, had worked with some of the biggest names in music. His career started when Bobby was just seventeen. That’s when Bobby Whitlock had signed to Stax Records. He went on to work with Albert King, Booker T. and The MGs, …
CAN-FUTURE DAYS.
CAN-FUTURE DAYS. Last year, I was fortunate enough to interview a true musical legend, Holger Czukay. He was part of Can, who were undoubtably, one of the most ambitious and innovative groups in the history of music. Their music was constantly groundbreaking. So much so, that it was always way ahead of the musical curve. …
NEIL YOUNG-STORYTONE (DELUXE EDITION VINYL).
NEIL YOUNG-STORYTONE (DELUXE EDITION VINYL). Having left Buffalo Springfield in 1968, Neil Young decided now was the time to embark upon a solo career. So, Neil put together an all-star band to record his eponymous debut album. It featured guitarist Ry Cooder, pianist Jack Nitzche and backing vocalist Merry Clayton. They recorded Neil Young between …
FAMILY-BANDSTAND.
FAMILY-BANDSTAND. By 1972, it looked as if Family were on the verge of making a breakthrough in America. Their fifth album Fearless, released in October 1971, had reached number 177 in the US Billboard 200 charts. It looked as if Family were going to be the latest British group to conquer America. That, however, wasn’t …
STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN AND DOUBLE TROUBLE-THE COMPLETE EPIC RECORDINGS.
STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN AND DOUBLE TROUBLE-THE COMPLETE EPIC RECORDINGS. 2015 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s death. He was, without doubt, one of the most influential electric blues guitarists ever. Sadly, Stevie Ray Vaughan only enjoyed seven years in the spotlight. Stevie Ray Vaughan came to prominence after his performance at 1982s Montreux …
DJ SPINNA PRESENTS THE SOUND BEYOND STARS.
DJ SPINNA PRESENTS THE SOUND BEYOND STARS. DJ Spinna first stepped behind the wheels of steel aged eleven. By then, Vincent Williams, the future DJ Spinna, was already immersed in music. Music surrounded DJ Spinna. His first major influence was the Caribbean and Latin music in his father’s record collection. Then DJ Spinna heard the …
THE FIFTY BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2014-PART 1.
THE FIFTY BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2014-PART 1. RODRIGO AMARANTE-CAVALO. Previously, Rodrigo Amarante was part of one of the most successful Brazilian bands of all time, Los Hermanos. However, this year, he embarked upon his solo career. His debut solo album Cavalo, was released in May 2014, on Mais Um Discos. Cavalo shows a new …
THE FIFTY BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2014-PART 2.
THE FIFTY BEST NEW ALBUMS OF 2014-PART 2. DJ VADIM-DUBCATCHER. For Dubcatcher, the followup to DJ Vadim’s critically acclaimed tenth album, Don’t Be Scared, he dawned the role of hip hop’s first DJ superhero. That’s apparent from the Dubcatcher’s album cover. Looking like a cross between Robin, Bananaman and Goldfinger, a vinyl wielding DJ Vadim’s …
dereksmusicblog
dereksmusicblog 