Category Archives: Rock
JON SAVAGE’S 1986-1990 ROLLIN’ UNDER THE MELODY.
Jon Savage’s 1986-1990 Rollin Under The Melody. Label: Ace. Format: 2 CD. Jon Savage’s 1986-1990 Rollin Under The Melody is the final compilation in what’s been, a long running series. This is the eleventh compilation in a series that began in 2018. However, does the series end on a high? During the period between 1986-1990, …
THE LIFE AND CAREER OF GRAHAM NASH.
The Life and Career Of Graham Nash. Singer, songwriter and musician Graham William Nash, was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. His mother was evacuated from her hometown of Salford, at the outbreak of World War II. Later, though, the Nash family returned to Salford. That was where Nash met Allan Clarke. They started singing together, …
THE LIFE AND CAREER OF ERIC GALE .
The Life and Career Of Eric Gale. Jazz guitarist, sideman, songwriter and producer Eric Gale was born in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York, on September 20th, 1938. His grandfather was English and he also had relatives in Venezuela and Barbados. During the holidays, Gale spent time in Britain visiting family. This gave him a different worldview. …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
CULT CLASSIC: THE COUNT BISHOPS-THE COUNT BISHOPS.
Cult Classic: The Count Bishops-The Count Bishops. During 1977, a genre that has continued to divide opinion was at the peak of its popularity, punk. This anti music was championed by critics and cultural commentators who were willing to overlook that many of the musical charlatans within punk bands could barely play their instruments and …
THE COUNTS-WHAT’S UP FRONT THAT COUNTS.
The Counts-What’s Up Front That Counts. Label: Ace Records. Format: LP. Soul and funk group The Fabulous Counts were formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 1968 by organist Mose Davis, guitarist Leroy Emmanuel and vocalist and saxophonist Demo Cates. Initially, the trio jammed with musicians in their local neighbourhood. This included conga player Keith Mangrum and …
28 LITTLE BANGERS FROM RICHARD HAWLEY’S JUKEBOX.
28 Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox. Label: Ace Records. Format: CD. Release Date: ‘26th’ May 2023. 28 Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox is the first volume of the Sheffield-born singer-songwriter’s favourite singles. These are singles he’s collected during crate-digging expeditions as he’s travelled the globe. This includes singles he’s discovered in thrift shops …
SHE’S GOT THE POWER! FEMALE POWER POP, PUNK AND GARAGE.
She’s Got The Power! Female Power Pop, Punk and Garage. Label: Big Beat Records. Format: CD. Release Date: ‘28th’ April 2023. Back in August 2020, Big Beat, an imprint of Ace Records, released the compilation Girls Go Power Pop to widespread critical acclaim. Now, just under three years later, comes the much-anticipated followup, Girls Go …
ONCE MORE WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE SUN.
Once More We Are The Children Of The Sun. Label: BBE Music. Format: CD. Release Date: 31st March 2023. Last year, BBE released the critically acclaimed compilation We Are The Children Of The Sun. It was one of the best compilations of 2022 and was compiled by DJ and renowned crate digger Paul Hillery. He’s …
JON SAVAGE’S 1980-1982-THE ART OF THINGS TO COME.
Jon Savage’s 1980-1982-The Art Of Things To Come. Label: Ace Records. Format: CD. In November 2015, Jon Savage’s critically acclaimed book 1966: The Year the Decade Exploded was released. The book told the story of what was one of the most important and influential years in the history of popular music. However, this was just …
A WAY TO MAKE A LIVING-THE DOLLY PARTON SONGBOOK.
A Way To Make A Living-The Dolly Parton Songbook. Label: Ace Records. Format: CD. Release Date: “31st” March 2023. On September the ‘18th’ 1967, Monument Records released Hello, I’m Dolly, the debut album twenty-one year old country singer Dolly Parton. The album reached number eleven in the US Country charts, and featured two hit singles, …
GUERRILLA GIRLS! SHE-PUNKS AND BEYOND 1975-2016.
Guerrilla Girls! She-Punks and Beyond 1975-2016. Label: Ace Records. Format: CD. Eclectic describes the twenty-five tracks on Ace Records new compilation Guerrilla Girls! She-Punks and Beyond 1975-2016. This carefully curated compilation features everything from mid-seventies punk pioneers to leftfield post-punk groups, jangly female pop combos grunge bands and vigilante Riot Grrrl groups of the eighties …