All reviews by jeremy

AJ - last song first side AJ - last song first side

AJ were a 3 piece from way out in the desert of Nevada. This was recorded Haloween night 1973 while they were tripping on acid or so the story goes. The album is comprised of two short tracks and two long medley’s. The lp shifts a lot from frantic tempo’s to jangly melodic stuff. The […]

Albin and Rebekah Zak - Sphinx Albin and Rebekah Zak - Sphinx

Here’s an obscure private press release from 1978 on Gabriel Records. This record consists of four long tracks with Albin on acoustic guitar and Rebekah on piano. The whole lp has a moody, introspective vibe to it. They even do a cover of “lonely woman” by Ornette Coleman. I think their quote from the liner […]

Andrew White - fonk update Andrew White - fonk update

This was recorded live in Washington D.C. at the “One Step Down” Oct. 12th-14th 1979. Side one starts off with the three part “who got de funk?” Some pretty swingin funky jazz, even starts off with a drumbreak if that’s your thing. Side two Andrew and the group do their take on John Coltrane’s “afro […]

Bill Lewis/Khan Jamal - the river Bill Lewis/Khan Jamal - the river

Here’s a great duo record from 1978 on Philly Jazz records, Bill Lewis plays the vibraphone and Khan Jamal plays the marimba. This album basically consists of three long mellow tracks, “the river”, “the vanishing man” and “as salim”. I think the liner notes sum it up best: “The music on this album is called […]

Bob Hadley - raven Bob Hadley - raven

Aside from one vocal track, the rest of this record is an excellent instrumental guitar lp that would fit in nicely on the Takoma label. Killer slide guitar and fingerpicking stuff here. You gotta love the homemade art thats taped on the cover of this private pressing.

Bobby Naughton Units - Understanding Bobby Naughton Units - Understanding

This release came out in 1972 on Otic records. It’s one of those records I always revisit and hear something new and fresh everytime. The album is split into half originals and half Carla Bley songs. Naughton gets down on the vibes, piano and clavinet, Mario Pavone is on bass and nice clarinet interplay by […]

Bobby Williams - funky superfly Bobby Williams - funky superfly

Hi, my name is Bobby. When I’m not climbing trees and posing in front of my copter, I make funk music that sounds just like James Brown. I also dress just like him, hell I even look just like him. File under: wanna be Godfather of Soul.

Bonnie Guitar / Edna Leal Williams Bonnie Guitar / Edna Leal Williams

Here’s one I found a few weeks ago while digging in a massive basement of records. It’s a very stripped down and introspective affair, Bonnie and Edna supply the vocals and guitar work while Gary Morton plays bass and Ron Ussery plays flute. This record sound’s like a Joe Pass or Joe Diorio lp with […]

Brian Cutean - lubricating the species Brian Cutean - lubricating the species

Nice mellow private issue folk lp on Burntoothbrush records circa 1987. The music sounds more like it came out in the early to mid seventies. My favorite track on here is “purple martin”. Brian looks like Charles Manson’s twin brother on the back cover, freaky.

Buddy Raymond and the Changing Times - Introducing Buddy Raymond and the Changing Times - Introducing

Put it this way, if Buddy Raymond didn’t sing this record would be alot better. It turns out it’s more of a two tracker for that reason. The track “Why Shouldn’t I” wouldn’t sound out of place on a Frank Cunimondo record with it’s swinging funky rhodes sound. The other track that makes this a […]

Cherie and Jim Schwall - A Wedding Present Cherie and Jim Schwall - A Wedding Present

From the liner notes: “This album was recorded on a sony home tape recorder. Mostly at parties, it’s mostly first takes. There are no overdubs. No one in New York had anything to do with it.” As you can imagine, this lp is a pretty lo-fi affair, which gives it a very intimate and sparse […]

Chris Korzen - Nirvana For Home Use Chris Korzen - Nirvana For Home Use

Total homemade one here. Chris put this out in the mid eighties on the Playfull label. The track that gets me everytime is “Nirvana”. Sounds like The Beach Boys with a total real person vibe to it, it’s really catchy. This is definitely one of those records that straddles the line between being cheesy with […]

Cozy Eggleston - grand slam Cozy Eggleston - grand slam

Heres a rare private press funky jazz record outta Chicago circa the late sixties. Cozy on tenor backed up by just a drummer and an organ player so its pretty stripped down. Has a smoky nightclub feel to it for sure. Killer stuff!

Daniel Hecht - Fireheart/Firedriver - Music for Guitar Daniel Hecht - Fireheart/Firedriver - Music for Guitar

Before becoming a mystery thriller author, Daniel Hecht put out a handful of records. This one is in the same vein as Fahey/Basho’s recordings. His lp on windham hill called “willow” is one of my favorite dollar bin records. Definitely worth seeking out imo.

Daniel Hecht - guitar Daniel Hecht - guitar

No year on this one but my guess is early seventies. This came out on the Dragons Egg label out of Wisconsin. I’m not sure what else came out on this label but I am very curious. In the tradition of John Fahey, this is a great solo acoustic guitar record. Subtle slide guitar and […]

Dave Fritz - City and Tree 12-String Guitar Music Dave Fritz - City and Tree 12-String Guitar Music

Dave released this nice little album in 1978 on the small Wild Eye record label outta Oakland. I’m always on a mission to find acoustic guitar records, this is definitely one that I listen to often. Aside from two vocal cuts, the other nine tracks are all instrumental. Dave Fritz is a pretty great guitar […]

Dominic Frontiere: On Any Sunday OST Dominic Frontiere: On Any Sunday OST

Here’s a funky soundtrack from the late sixties on Bell records. On any Sunday featured Steve McQueen in a documentary style movie about motorcycling. The songs range from big band funk to pop sleaze/cheese and even a little spaghetti western tremelo in the mix. As always, Carol Kaye’s bass playing is killer. Check out the […]

Emerald Web - dragon wings and wizard tales Emerald Web - dragon wings and wizard tales

Wow! Moogs and flutes galore! Under the radar new age record outta Connecticut circa 1979. Great with a cup of tea on a Sunday morning or for late night mellow listening.
Emerald Web: “Flight Of the Raven”

Erma Franklin - soul sister Erma Franklin - soul sister

Great funky soul record by Aretha’s sister. Her other claim to fame is that she did the original version of “piece of my heart” that Janis Joplin made famous later on.

Gary Higgins - red hash Gary Higgins - red hash

Classic downer folk/psych masterpiece from 1973. This was recorded shortly before Gary’s two year jail stint after a drug bust. The whole lp is haunting and beautiful from front to back. Recently reissued by Drag City too.

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