Content tagged ''
Release Yourself (Album of the Day)
As a founding member of Sly and the Family Stone, Larry Graham helped lay the foundation of funk and broaden its sonic range by pioneering the slap-pop technique on bass. Branching out on his own, the performer formed Graham Central Station, which signed with Warner Bros. to cut an eponymous debut and an even better follow-up, RELEASE YOURSELF, in 1974. While not as flashy as Sly or Parliament/Funkadelic, GCS made music that was just as trippy and propulsive, and the eight songs here (all but one a Graham original) are sure to take you higher. Such tracks as "Got To Go Through It To Get To It," "'Tis Your Kind Of Music" and the title number are driven by dazzling instrumental work (particularly on keyboards) and flavored with touches of gospel and psychedelia. Today we'll wish Larry Graham a happy birthday with one of his finest and funkiest albums, RELEASE YOURSELF.
Performance (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Album of the Day)
Starring James Fox as a British gangster on the run who finds refuge in the home of reclusive ex-rock star Mick Jagger, Donald Cammell and Nicolas Roeg's PERFORMANCE is one of the great cult movies of the 1970s. The film's soundtrack, produced by Jack Nitzsche for Warner Bros., is equally noteworthy. Needless to say, the Rolling Stones connection is strong; the Jagger-sung single "Memo From Turner" was co-written with Keith Richards, and vocalist Merry Clayton (famous as the duet partner on "Gimme Shelter") appears on three tracks. Several up-and-coming WB artists also make key contributions, including Randy Newman (the raucous "Gone Dead Train"), slide guitar virtuoso Ry Cooder and Little Feat leader Lowell George. Like the film itself, the PERFORMANCE original motion picture soundtrack offers a fascinating glimpse at one of the most exciting eras in rock.
Eat At Whitey's (Album of the Day)
Erik Francis Schrody, better known as Everlast, first tasted fame as a member of hip-hop group House of Pain and got an even bigger serving of it with breakthrough solo album WHITEY FORD SINGS THE BLUES. On the 2000 follow-up, EAT AT WHITEY'S, the performer strikes a similar balance between folk-blues troubadour and streetwise rapper, aided by such guest stars as Carlos Santana, Cee-Lo Green and Warren Haynes. From "Black Coffee" to "Black Jesus," these dozen originals (plus a cover of Slick Rick's "Children's Story") weave tales of bad breaks and second chances with a conviction sure to hook listeners. Everlast was born on this day in 1969, and to celebrate his birthday, we'll cue up the Gold-certified EAT AT WHITEY'S.
Substance (Album of the Day)
Released 30 years ago today, New Order's SUBSTANCE is an essential supplement to the British quartet's studio albums, gathering their single A- and B-sides to date (many of which were non-LP). From "Temptation," "Blue Monday" and "Bizarre Love Triangle" to the then-brand-new "True Faith," these are the songs that elevated New Order to the pantheon of alternative dance, presented in a mixture of re-recorded, edited and 12" versions that bring out the best in each track. The band's progression from haunted post-punk to dancefloor icons is thrilling to hear on this double-disc set, named by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 greatest albums of all time. SUBSTANCE was also a substantial commercial success, selling more than a million copies, and it remains the ideal entry point for listeners who are new to New Order.
Detonator (Album of the Day)
After nearly a decade in the hard rock trenches, DETONATOR marked the end of an era for Ratt; it would prove to be the final release by the classic ’80s line-up. For their fifth studio set, the Los Angeles quintet swapped out longtime producer Beau Hill for hitmaker Desmond Child, who adds an unusual degree of polish to the sound and also lends a hand with songwriting - “Lovin' You's A Dirty Job,” “Shame, Shame, Shame” and power ballad “Givin' Yourself Away” all made terrific singles. The performances are just as solid as the songs, with vocalist Stephen Pearcy and lead guitarist Warren DeMartini taking command of every track. Released on this day in 1990, DETONATOR is yet another explosive album from one of the defining bands of glam metal.
UNDER THE PINK (Album of the Day)
Tori Amos has sold over 12 million albums, has played over a thousand shows and has had multiple Grammy nominations; the prodigious singer-songwriter touched millions deeply with her arresting melodies, riveting stage presence and heartfelt lyrics. After a striking solo debut in 1992, Amos defied the sophomore slump to release an equally accomplished follow-up, UNDER THE PINK, two years later. The Atlantic collection spotlights piano-led balladry delivered with grunge-rock intensity, and the dozen originals reveal Amos as a master of both memorable singles (“Cornflake Girl,” “God”) and ambitious epics (“Yes, Anastasia”). The Deluxe Edition of UNDER THE PINK includes a bonus disc of B-sides, live tracks and other rarities; we'll give it another spin today to celebrate Tori Amos' birthday.
Let's Make a New Dope Deal (Album of the Day)
The undisputed heavyweight champions of stoner comedy, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong cut some of the funniest records ever made. The pair's LET'S MAKE A NEW DOPE DEAL delivers on the promise of its title with subversive drug humor sprinkled about, but Cheech & Chong wring laughs from a wide variety of subjects here, including the then-recent Star Wars (“Queer Wars”), popular music (“Bloat On,” their parody of The Floaters' hit, nearly made the Top 40 itself) and even holiday perennial “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.” The 1980 Warner Bros collection is an effective time capsule, but thanks to the appealingly goofy (and often perceptive) characters heard here, LET'S MAKE A NEW DOPE DEAL remains as hilarious as ever.
Prince (Album of the Day)
Prince was far from a household name when he released his eponymous second album, but in hindsight, the bold combination of R&B, funk and rock that would make him a global superstar was already coming into place. PRINCE was virtually a one-man-show, and the performer displayed significant growth as a singer, songwriter and instrumentalist in the short time since his debut. “I Feel For You” would later provide a hit for Chaka Khan, and with “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” released on this day in 1979, Prince scored his first Top 40 single. If the lyrics are less explicit than they would soon become, these songs are no less sexy, coaxed along by seductive vocals and some dazzling guitar work (check out the riffage on “Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?”). PRINCE certainly hints at future glories, but the Platinum-certified collection is also a mighty fine listen in its own right.
Release: Further Listening 2001 - 2004 (Album of the Day)
Pet Shop Boys were nearly two decades into their still-ongoing career when they released RELEASE, and the 2002 album has the sound of a band catching its second wind. The outgrowth of recordings made to fill out a greatest hits collection, these songs (“Home And Dry,” “I Get Along,” “London” and seven others) have the worldly sensibilities and catchy melodies for which the U.K. synth-poppers are famous but with a little something extra – guitar work by the great Johnny Marr. As part of a catalog upgrade, RELEASE has just been reissued with two "further listening" albums of additional tracks from the era, including previously unreleased songs, John Peel performances and a cover of Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Alone Again, Naturally" featuring Elton John.
Earth, Wind & Fire (Album of the Day)
Earth, Wind & Fire had a long string of R&B and pop smashes for Columbia in the 1970s and 1980s – so long, in fact, that many forget the band started out on Warner Bros. Drawing their name from leader Maurice White's astrological sign (Sagittarius), the group and its 1971 debut EARTH, WIND & FIRE served up humanistic lyrics and an inclusive musical vision well-described by those three elements. Featuring a 10-piece lineup including top Chicago and L.A. instrumentalists, these seven songs hew closer to raw funk than the group's later output, but “Fan The Fire,” minor hit “Love Is Life” and closer “Bad Tune” show EWF's playing was already sublime. The band received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on this day in 1995, and anyone interested in their work beyond a best-of ought to give EARTH, WIND & FIRE a listen.