[Review] Sailor: Trouble (1976)
The band takes a tropical vacation (sort of) with nickelodeon in tow for their best album yet.
[Review] Donald Byrd: Byrd’s Eye View (1956)
A test flight for The Jazz Messengers in transition, featuring their former and future trumpet players.
David Bowie: “Changes” (1971)
Rolling Stone ranked this as Bowie’s second-greatest song, behind “Heroes.”
[Review] Brinsley Schwarz: Despite It All (1970)
They wasted little time in releasing a second album, which features the classic “Country Girl.”
[Review] Spirit: The Family That Plays Together (1968)
Randy California emerges as a second songwriter on the band’s scintillating second album.
Eric Clapton: “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (1975)
Clapton nicked Knock while working with Arthur Louis, effectively preempting Louis’ own shot at a hit single.
[Review] Phil Manzanera/801: Listen Now (1977)
A highly listenable collection of left-of-center songs from Manzanera and the MacCormick Brothers.
[Review] Wall of Voodoo (EP) (1980)
If Johnny Cash had a son who joined a punk band, it might sound like this.
Crowded House: “Something So Strong” (1987)
When it came to their singles, three was clearly a crowd pleaser.
[Review] Aerosmith: Get Your Wings (1974)
A solid record, but the real treasures were waiting to be discovered in the attic.
[Review] Cluster II (1972)
Space music of a higher order, as Cluster embarks on six shorter excursions into the musical cosmos.
Madness: “The Return of the Los Palmas 7” (1981)
Another silly instrumental to brighten an English day, for two minutes anyway.
[Review] Joe Jackson: Mike’s Murder Soundtrack (1983)
The real mystery is why Joe Jackson’s soundtrack to the film didn’t appear in the film when it was released months later.
[Review] Freddie Hubbard: Goin’ Up (1961)
On his second session as a leader, Hubbard, Hank Mobley and Coltrane’s crew explore their soulful side.
Echobelly: “Insomniac” (1994)
The band’s second single garnered a little more attention for the impish Madan and her butterfly stompers.