r&b Archive
01 Oct 2024
30 Days Out, October 2024 #1: King Garbage, Richard Lloyd, Matthew Sweet, New Mastersounds
IMPORTANT NOTE: In light of the disaster in Western NC, please check with the venues. Some or all of these shows may be cancelled. WOW. That’s a succinct summation of […]
14 Sep 2024
Album Review: Bruce Katz Band – Back in Boston Live
It’s refreshing to encounter an artist whose work encompasses soul jazz, blues and r&b, executing each style with verve and authenticity. That’s certainly the case with Back in Boston Live, […]
09 Aug 2024
The Philharmonik: Lessons from the Tiny Desk
Even before he first picked up an instrument, The Philharmonik (born Christian Gates) was a serious music lover. “I was listening to a lot of ‘70s music, he says. “But […]
23 Jun 2024
Album Review: The Temptations – Wish it Would Rain
Detroit soul/r&b vocal group The Temptations were early stars on Berry Gordy’s Motown label. The group had its roots in earlier vocal groups The Cavaliers, The Primes, The Siberians and […]
05 Jun 2024
Book Review: Zip it Up! The Best of Trouser Press
Trouser Press looms large in my life. As a teen, I consumed as much music journalism writing – features, interviews, reviews — as possible. By that point I had long […]
20 Apr 2024
Album Review: The Westbound Sound
Armen Boladian’s Westbound Records was an important force in the funk and r&b scene of the late ‘60s and early 1970s. With Funkadelic as its anchor artist, the label turned […]
26 Mar 2024
A Look Back at Johnny Winter Archival Releases
IMPORTANT NOTE: This review concerns the long out-of-print vinyl releases of early Johnny Winter material — The Johnny Winter Story, About Blues and Early Times — NOT any subsequent reissues. […]
15 Dec 2023
30 Days Out, December 2023 #2: Russ Wilson, Somewhat Petty, Asheville Symphony, Moon Hooch
Holiday shows (mostly), local artists, mostly. ‘Tis the season! Artist: Russ Wilson Venue: Highland Brewing Date: Sunday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m. Door: $25 A longtime fixture on the WNC music […]
25 Oct 2023
Album Review: Stax Christmas
‘Tis the season – well, almost – for holiday music. While holiday-themed tunes have a comparatively short shelf life, there is indeed something special about them. And that’s even more […]
19 Oct 2023
Album Review: Jackie Wilson — Higher and Higher
A giant in the world of r&b and soul, Jackie Wilson’s career got a big break when Johnny Otis (father of Shuggie) discovered him in the early 1950s. Wilson passed […]