Author Archive: dereksmusicblog
RODION G.A.-FROM THE ARCHIVES 1981-2017.
Rodion G.A. From The Archives 1981-2017. Label: Ace Format: CD and 2LP. In April 2022, I pitched the idea of a new Rodion G.A. compilation to Ace. This was a just over a year after the death of Rodion-Ladislau Rosca, the cofounder of Rodion G.A. By then, four years had passed since the release of the …
ALICE CLARK-ALICE CLARK.
Alice Clark-Alice Clark. Label: Solid Japan Release Date: Format: CD. Sadly, all too often, hype and image has triumphed over talent, while commercial success and critical acclaim eludes truly talented artists. Chastened by the experience, many of these artists turn their back on the music industry. They’re content to return to civvy street, free from …
WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN-THE PAUL WILLIAMS SONGBOOK.
We’ve Only Just Begun-The Paul Williams Songbook. Label: Ace. Format: CD. Release Date: 26th July 2024. The latest instalment in Ace’s Songwriter Series is ‘We’ve Only Just Begun-The Paul Williams Songbook,’ which will be released on 26th July 2024. It features twenty-two tracks penned by a man who originally, was an accidental songwriter. Paul Hamilton …
THE BLUE NILE-HIGH.
The Blue Nile-High. Label: Confetti Records. Format: CD. Enigmatic, reluctant and contrarian are words that best of describe The Blue Nile. They’re the complete opposite of most bands. The Blue Nile have been described as publicity shy. That’ is an understatement. Ever since Paul Buchanan, Robert Bell and Paul Joseph Moore formed The Blue Nile, …
THOM BELL-DIDN’T I BLOW YOUR MIND? THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA 1969-1983.
Thom Bell-Didn’t I Blow Your Mind? The Sound Of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983. Label: Kent. Format: CD. During the late-sixties and seventies, Thom Bell was one of the architects of Philly Soul, and worked with everyone from The Delfonics, The Stylistics and The Spinners to M.F.S.B., The O’Jays, Three Degrees and New York City. Artists came …
ATLANTA: HOTBED OF 70s SOUL.
Atlanta: Hotbed Of 70s Soul. Label: Kent Soul. Format: CD. During the fifties and sixties, the Atlanta’s black music scene was thriving. One of the most important figures during the sixties was Bill Haney. He was a a producer, songwriter and owner of Down South Productions, which was responsible for some of the finest Southern …
JOHN SAVAGE’S SECRET PUBLIC-HOW THE LGBTQ+ AESTHETIC SHAPED POP CULTURE 1955-1979.
Jon Savage’s The Secret Public-How The LGBTQ+ Aesthetic Shaped Pop Culture 1955-1979. Label: Ace. Format: CD. Release Date: 31st May 2024. Ever since the birth of rock ’n’ roll, homosexuality has been part of popular music. However, in the fifties, it wasn’t talked about openly. That was the case right through to the sixties, where …
TOMORROW’S FASHIONS – LIBRARY ELECTRONICA 1972-1987.
Tomorrow’s Fashions – Library Electronica 1972-1987. Label: Ace. Format: CD. Release Date: 28th June 2024. Over the last few years, there’s been a resurgence of interest in library music, with British and European record labels releasing lovingly curated compilations that are welcomed by a coterie of musical connoisseurs who have a passion for library music. …
DJ TONER Q4RTET- OUT SIDE.
DJ Toner Q4rtet-Out Side. Label: Tangential Music. Format: Digital. Release Date: ‘3rd’ May 2024. Over the last two decades, Spanish musician and producer DJ Toner, has been determined to break the barriers between hip hop, jazz and electronica. This he’s successfully done when collaborating with other artists, when working as a solo artist or with …
GRACE CUMMINGS-RAMONA.
Grace Cummings-Ramona. Label: Ato Records. Format: CD. Melbourne-born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist released her self-produced debut album ‘Refuge Cove’ in 2019. A lot has happened since then, and now she’s been hailed as one of the rising stars of Australia’s thriving music scene. Three years after the release of ‘Refuge Cove,’ Cummings returned with her much-anticipated …
ALINA BZHEZHINSKA AND TONY KOFI-ALTERA VITA.
Alina Bzhezhinska and Tony Kofi-Altera Vita. Label: BBE Music. Format: CD. Release Date: 5th April 2024. In 2023, harpist Alina Bzhezhinska and tenor saxophonist Tony Kofi released ‘Altera Vita’ as a single. This was the first collaboration by the pair, and was greeted by widespread critical acclaim. Then when Downbeat released their list of the …
RODION-LADISLAU ROSCA AND RODION G.A.
Rodion-Ladislau Rosca and Rodion G.A. Who Was Rodion-Ladislau Rosca? The words enigmatic, innovator, pioneer and maverick describe the late, great Rodion-Ladislau Rosca. He was, without doubt, one of the most talented, inventive and influential European musicians of his generation. He was also an inventor, philosopher, poet and a man who dared to dream. Rosca spent …
DAVID AXELROD-SONGS OF INNOCENCE.
David Axelrod-Songs Of Innocence. Label: Oldays Japan. Format: CD. Release Date: 22nd March 2024. By the time David Axelrod began work on his debut album Songs Of Innocence in 1968, the thirty-seven year arranger, composer, drummer and producer old had enjoyed a chequered career. He had started off as a boxer, before changing direction and …
CULT CLASSIC: DEXTER GORDON-ONE FLIGHT UP
Cult Classic: Dexter Gordon-One Flight Up. Label: Blue Note Records. Format: LP. Not long after Dexter Gordon recorded ‘A Swinging Affair’ on August the ’29th’ 1962, the thirty-nine year old jazz saxophonist decided to leave New York where he had been living, and moved to Europe. He settled first in the Danish capital Copenhagen, but …
MOLLY LEWIS-ON THE LIPS.
Molly Lewis-On The Lips. Label: Jagjaguwar. Format: CD. In November 2017, Sydney-born singer and musician Molly Lewis was one of the artists who featured on Kirin J Callinan’s single ‘Big Enough.’ A lot has happened since then. By 2021, she had signed to US-based label Jagjaguwar, and released her much-anticipated debut EP, ‘The Forgotten Edge.’ …
LARAAJI: VISION SONGS VOLUME 1.
Laraaji: Vision Songs Volume 1. Label: Numero Group. Format: LP. During a career that has spanned five decades, American multi-instrumentalist Laraaji has released around thirty albums and countless collaborations. Many of these albums were self released by Laraaji on cassettes, and feature his unique and inimitable genre-melting sound. This best described as a fusion of …
A CRUDE MECHANICAL-DISCOURSE.
A Crude Mechanical-Discourse. Format: LP and Digital. Once in a while, a debut album comes along that features groundbreaking, genre-melting music that stands head and shoulders above other albums that have just been released. That was the case with A Crude Mechanical’s much-anticipated debut album, ‘Discourse.’ It was based on a speech made by American …
REET HENDRIKSON-REET.
Reet Hendrikson-Reet. Label: Moved-By-Sound. Format: CD. Sadly, Estonian folksinger Reet Hendrikson only ever released one album during her carer. This was ‘Reet,’ which was released in 1969, on the Estonian-Canadian label Reindeer Records. However, this stunning album of folk and psych-folk failed to find the wider audience it deserved. Nowadays, though, Hendrikson’s music is starting …
LITTLE GIRLS-VALLEY SONGS.
Little Girls-Valley Songs. Label: Playback Records. Format: CD When sisters Caron and Michelle Maso grew up in Colorado, they were complete opposites, and had a love-hate relationship. Michelle was a cheerleader, while Caron enjoyed partying and hanging out with her friends. However, the pair became firm friends when they decided to move to Los Angeles …
FREDDIE SCOTT-THE VERY BEST OF FREDDIE SCOTT.
Freddie Scott-The Very Best Of Freddy Scott. Label: Playback Records. Format: CD. Freddie Scott was born on April ’24th,’ 1933, in Providence, Rhode Island. Music was part of his life from an early age. He sang around the house, at school, at church and by the time he was twelve, he was touring England with …
dereksmusicblog
dereksmusicblog 