WHAM! The dance-pop duo's name immediately called to mind the fantastical, onomatopoeic pop art exclamations that would appear on the '60s Batman television show. George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley had everything going for them: good looks, great voices, and a knack for pure pop songcraft. In a mere handful of years, WHAM! launched nearly a […]
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Could it be you're falling in love? Tomorrow, just three months before their long-awaited induction into the 2023 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the world-renowned Spinners will be celebrated by Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records with The Complete Atlantic Singles: The Thom Bell Productions 1972-1979. This definitive 2-CD anthology presents […]
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If you looked up "southern rock" in the music dictionary, there's a good chance you might find a photo of Lynyrd Skynyrd next to the definition. The Jacksonville, Florida band first came together as My Backyard in 1964; five years later, lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarists Gary Rossington and Allen Collins, bassist Larry Junstrom, […]
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Edsel has long been championing the recordings of Kiki Dee, including two definitive box sets chronicling The Fontana and Motown Years and The Rocket Years. It's the latter chapter to which the label has recently returned on a reissue of the British singer's second album, I've Got the Music in Me. Originally released on Elton […]
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Frank Zappa's 1969 LP Hot Rats remains among the late composer-bandleader's most accessible albums. Blending bluesy electric rock with jazz, it makes a fine introduction to his sometimes-daunting discography. But those looking for more might not have known exactly where to start. Certain elements of the Hot Rats sound would crop up in the maestro's […]
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Welcome to The Weekend Stream, a relaxing review of notable digital-only catalogue titles. There may be no CD or vinyl, but there's plenty of great new/old music to float you into the weekend. Big things happening in this column: two big box sets from a legendary prog-turned-pop outfit, rare mixes from one of pop's most […]
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Grateful Dead's sixth studio album, 1973's Wake of the Flood, in some ways represented a new beginning for the band. Not only was it the first release on their Grateful Dead Records label, but it was their first LP following the passing of founding member Ron "Pigpen" McKernan and the (temporary) departure of drummer Mickey […]
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No matter what you call him - the Space Cowboy, the Gangster of Love, Maurice, the Pompatus of Love, et al - you'll have something new to listen to while you think of your answer. The Steve Miller Band's classic The Joker is getting an expanded reissue for its 50th anniversary this fall. Due September […]
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Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today. Joni Mitchell, At Newport (Rhino) CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2LP Clear Vinyl: Independent Record Stores / Barnes & Noble On July 24, 2022, Joni Mitchell took the stage of the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island […]
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"Take me away," Peter Frampton repeatedly implores on the title track of his 1972 solo debut Wind of Change. Indeed, change was in the air. He'd recently departed Humble Pie but stayed at A&M Records to launch his own career. Departing from the band's boogieing ways, Frampton's debut was filled with acoustic-based, melodic tunes plus […]
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