Former model Rosie Vela jumped into music in a big way here, enlisting Gary Katz as her producer. The result is a release with a decidedly ’80s feel. Vela also wrote or co-wrote all nine songs, which are hooky and quirky at the same time. “Magic Smile” features Donald Fagen and Walter Becker on synthesizer, […]
:“The Horses,” written by Rickie Lee Jones and her Flying Cowboys producer, Walter Becker, is one of my favorite songs. But Jones’s fourth LP is graced with many high points. Geffen Records, her record label then, had high hopes for this project; the plan was for Becker to restore Jones to platinum success. While that […]
CHINA CRISIS – DIARY OF A HALLOW HORSE (1989): China Crisis always had a knack of obtuse lyrics. When he hooked up with Steely Dan’s Walter Becker for their third album, Flaunt the Imperfection, he added a needed sophistication element, enhancing their lyrical bite. Becker returned to produce their fifth album, bumping up their game to another new […]
Hot on the heels of his fantastically insightful book, Steely Dan FAQ comes Anthony Robustelli’s interpretation of Steely Dan songs. If you’ve picked up his book, you’ll undoubtedly know he’s a true authority on Steely Dan, with insightful analysis and research. The Steely Dan Sessions is anything but antiseptic – or even predictable. While there are other sources for […]
Listening to Ben Craven’s prior album, Last Chance To Hear, nearly endangered my driver’s license. No surprise, then, that the album made my year-end ten list, with its big picture prog-rock vision and Craven’s spot-on execution. Recently, Craven released a recording of his record release party for the album and a Blu-ray/DVD called First Chance To Hear, which also […]
Evanston, Illinois-based Chris Greene’s music always makes for great road music, and Boundary Issues is no exception. Greene and his long-term band blend stunning new compositions like “Thunder Snow (written by piano player Damian Espinosa) and “The Crossover Appeal” (written by Greene) with daring and original interpretations of masterworks by Horace Silver (“Nico’s Dream”) and Kenny Kirkland […]
I wore out my vinyl copy of this long ago, and never thought Greg Phillinganes’ Pulse would be released on CD and digital. Well, here we are and with bonus tracks. What’s the big deal? Phillinganes is a master musician/band leader and arranger. (Ever heard of Michael Jackson or Stevie Wonder?) He’s also a fantastic live performer […]
Southern Pacific’s Killbilly Hill is a vibrant and dynamic blend of country rock that perfectly showcases the band’s tight musicianship and knack for crafting infectious melodies. Released in 1986, this album builds on the group’s signature sound, combining traditional country influences with rock energy, making it an essential listen for fans of both genres. The […]
The fourth installment of Fernando Perdomo’s all-instrumental progressive rock series doesn’t yield any musical surprises. That is a good thing, as the quality of this fascinating twelve-album series has been consistently strong. ‘Waves 4’, out now ( https://fernandoperdomo.bandcamp.com/album/waves-4 ), does not disappoint. The album opener, “Pulled In,” is a sonic masterpiece, creating the feel of […]
Out now on Craft Recordings is Celia Cruz and Johnny Pacheco’s album Tremendo Caché, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, having been released in 1975. The premium 180-gram vinyl edition celebrated the classic collaboration between the Queen of Salsa and the co-founder of Fania Records and remains a landmark in Afro-Caribbean music. It blends […]
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