compilation Archive
10 Apr 2025
Album Review: Various Artists — The Westbound Sound: Foundations
For Record Store Day 2024, Org Music released a superb compilation, The Westbound Sound. That LP drew upon the vaults of Detroit’s venerated Westbound Records, a label at the forefront […]
09 Apr 2025
Album Review: Various Artists – Cavestomp! Volume One
Cavestomp is something of an institution. A largely underground, for those-in-the-know sensation, but an institution nonetheless. Garage rock is a collector’s genre: it’s a style of music that – like […]
20 Feb 2025
Album Review: The Elephant 6 Recording Co.
Launched in Louisiana and with connections to Memphis, the Elephant 6 Collective is thought of as a kind of follow-on from the Athens, Georgia musical community that brought forth the […]
19 Feb 2025
Album Review: Fania Records: The Latin Sound of New York (1964-1978)
Latin and salsa music took off in a big way in the 1950s and ‘60s. Oddly enough, it was thanks in large part to television star Desi Arnaz, Jr. – […]
18 Feb 2025
Album Review: The Saints – (I’m) Stranded Box Set
Accepted wisdom holds that punk rock came about circa 1976-’77, primarily in London and New York City. The truth is that the seeds of the style were sown much earlier, […]
17 Feb 2025
Album Review: Laura Nyro – Hear My Song: The Collection, 1966-1995
If the Mamas and the Papas were combined into one individual, or if Carole King were somehow genetically engineered to have commensurate talents but a different musical perspective, the end […]
03 Jan 2025
Boxed Set Review: Skin Yard — Select
The grunge movements wa – if not a breath of fresh air, then – a break from the slick, spandex-clad, teased-hair lite metal of the ‘90s. Along with a resurgent […]
01 Jan 2025
Album Review: Johnny Bragg – Let Me Dream On
A bonus post to ring in the New Year — bk. One of the most historically significant vocal groups of the 1950s and beyond, the Prisonaires recorded the original version […]
22 Dec 2024
Boxed Set Review: Yes – Talk
Back in August, I reviewed a CD reissue of Yes’ Talk, the band’s 14th studio album, released in 1994. Since that time, I have received another configuration of that reissue, […]
12 Dec 2024
Album Review: Charlie Parker – The Long Lost Bird Live Afro-Cubop Recordings!
For anyone who appreciates Charlie Parker, most any recordings will be worthwhile. This 2LP set from RockBeat Records is no different. So rather than extol its obvious virtues (i.e. it’s […]