P U M A S
ALL THE
REAL MUSIC!
'Best Music' lists that taste like spoons!
These tunes will seance your senses
and woogie your boogie-oogie-oogie!
Shortcut to Music Players:
• BEST ALBUMS: 2020
• COOL SONGS: 2020
• COVER SONGS 2020 NEW +!
• BEST REISSUES: 2020
Bonnie Whitmore 2; Star Feminine Band
B E S T
N E W
A L B U M S :
2 0 2 0
by Tym Stevens
This music player has songs from the following albums, in the same order.
• Black Pumas, "Black Pumas"
A Psychedelic Soul tour-de-force.
A truly stunning debut by the Texas duo, with a diverse range of melodies that already sound like classic standards.
(See also: Georgia Ann Muldrow, Curtis Harding, Greyhounds, The Heavy)
• Nicole Atkins, "Italian Ice"
Country, Soul, Psyche, +.
Atkins is a mage who shifts effrortlessly through musical moods, with memorable tunes and rewarding turns.
Why do we need plastic idols, when we have someone who deserves all the attention?
(see also: Neko Case, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Jesca Hoop, Lera Lynn)
• Autoramas, "Studio Sessions"
Surfabilly New Wave.
Garage sounds with punk angularity, from Brazil with love.
(see also: The Rezillos, The B-52's, Pixies)
• Alexandra Savior, "The Archer"
Cinematic soulsearching.
Rising above personal setbacks and turmoil, Savior's second album steps boldly forward, haunting while exorcised.
(see also: Julee Cruise, The Last Shadow Puppets, Kandle, Unloved, Deradoorian)
Funky Soul Rock cornucopia.
Giving the Black Pumas a serious run for their money are their fellow Texans, swiping the stage with bounding Funk, warm Soul, and crack tunes.
(see also: Black Pumas, The Black Keys, St. Paul And The Broken Bones)
• Pottery, "Welcome To Bobby's Motel"
Elastic Dance Punk.
Montreal whips up a mercurial smoothie of Talking Heads twitch, Gang Of Four hustle, Fela polyrhythms, and Zappa's spirit.
(see also: Liquid Liquid, Orange Juice, White Denim)
• Chicano Batman, "Invisible People"
Alternative Dance.
With a name like Chicano Batman, they have to be delightful. And this dream disco of alternative sounds will shake your hips while lingering in your ears.
(see also: Kid Creole And The Coconuts, Brazilian Girls, Red Baraat)
• Hijyou no Licence, "Black Beauty"
Garage Rock riot.
What, you thought you could just escape Japanese noiseabilly freakouts? Not on my watch.
(see also: The Gories, Guitar Wolf, Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, Theee Bat)
• Monophonics, "It's Only Us"
Funky Soul Psyche.
The Bay Area groovers shimmy your sacroiliac through lush moodscapes.
(see also: Kelly Finnigan solo record, El Michels Affair, Ghost Funk Orchestra, The Budos Band, Ikebe Shakedown)
• Songhoy Blues, "Optimisme"
Desert Blues from Mali.
Their ferocity comes from being political refugees, their joy from optimism for the future.
(see also: Tinariwen, Goat, Imarhan, Bombino)
• Bonnie Whitmore, "Last Will And Testement"
Noir Soul.
Recorded in some nexus between Memphis Soul joints and Twin Peaks diners, this confession booth of soulful blues and ballads is killer.
(see also: Nicole Atkins, Jessica Lee Mayfield, Secret Sisters, Hannah Williams)
• Loren Oden / Adrian Younge, "My Heart, My Love"
Timeless Soul.
Sweet crooning from Gospel roots, with lovely Classic/Forward arrangements by producer Adrian Younge.
(see also: The Delfonics, Marvin Gaye, Maxwell, D'Angelo)
• Lucinda Williams, "Good Souls, Better Angels"
Bruising Blues.
The Alt-Country poet can belt out fuzzy feedback with the best of them, and here she goes off like pissed bottle rockets.
(see also: Patty Griffin, Mr. Airplane Man, The Detroit Cobras)
• Bootsy Collins , "The Power Of The One"
Funk Forward.
Another Bootsy record with serious guest stars (George Benson, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Snoop, Branford Marsalis, Larry Graham himself, Dr. Cornel West, etc.), this time more fully wrapped in the classic P-Funk sound.
(see also: James Brown, Parliament, Funkadelic, early Red Hot Chili Peppers, Thundercat)
• X, "ALPHABETLAND"
Punkabilly.
The L.A. Punk pioneers return so energized with their early-'80s fire that you'd think not a minute had passed.
(see also: The Cramps, The Damned, Black Flag)
• BC Camplight, "Shortly After Taking Off"
Pop Futurism.
Brian Christinzio's bracing blender intoxicates sounding like 10cc melodies, Brian Wilson harmonies, Father John Misty wit, and ELO futurism. Think and dance.
(see also: GUM, La Femme, Django Django, Constant Bop)
• Les Hay Babies, "Boite aux Lettres"
Chanson Beatles.
The best Rubber Soul from Canada you didn't know you'd need and love so much.
(see also: Les Lutins, Les Intrigantes, French Boutik)
• The Jayhawks , "Xoxo"
Alt-Americana.
Everything right about Roots music, Singer-Songwriter, and Country Rock in one ever-evolving band.
(see also: The White Album, Neil Young, America, Wilco)
• Star Feminine Band, "Star Feminine Band"
AfroPop.
A Benin septet of musician girls from 10 to 17, turning daily challenges into sunshine. Go buy it right now.
(see also: Lijadu Sisters, King Sunny Ade)
• Bob Dylan, "Rough And Rowdy Ways"
Blues Master Class.
When Bob talks, you listen.
(see also: Howlin' Wolf, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Mark Lanegan)
• Kyle Lacy, "The Road To Tomorrow"
Actual Heartland.
Lacy and his hickory-smoked cohorts swing this debut record of Rockabilly, Country, and pure Soul with such confident verve, you'd think it was his tenth.
(see also: Sam Cooke, Van Morrison, Brian Setzer, The James Hunter Six, J.D. McPherson)
• Jungle Fire , "Jungle Fire"
Latin Funkadelia.
You'll feel like a hundred horses, thundering across the desert into glory.
(see also: Fela, early Budos Band, Ocote Soul Sounds, Brownout, Antibalas)
• Death Valley Girls, "Under The Spell Of Joy"
Epic Garage.
Bikini Kill meets Black Sabbath. Get off your butt and get with.
(see also: Cradle, Blackwater Holylight, Heron Oblivion, Las Robertas)
• Las Cobras, "Selva"
Lysergic Fuzz.
Like a tryst between Mazzy Star and Guadalupe Plata, their sinister hypnotic psychedelia will enrapt your synaptic paths.
(see also: Jesus And Mary Chain, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Tess Parks, The Limananas, L'Epee)
• Tami Neilson, "CHICKABOOM!"
Honkytonk Heaven.
Rockabilly, Country, and Soul with the sass of Wanda Jackson and the grand intensity of Shirley Bassey. A great record to offset a lousy year.
(see also: Patsy Cline, Imelda May, Shannon And The Clams)
• Osees (Thee Oh Sees) , "Protean Threat"
Prog Punk.
Rip it up and start again. Garage Punk's most frighteningly malleable contortionists always switch names and sounds swifter than ocean currents, this time bashing out manic Motorik on crank.
(see also: Faust, Primus, Ty Segall, Meatbodies, Abjects)
• Habibi, "Anywhere But Here"
Beat Music meets Iran.
After a long gestation (and fraught times), the quartet evolves their harmony guitar pop into textural melodicism with lyrical teeth.
(see also: Dum Dum Girls, La Luz, Quilt)
• Toots And The Maytals, "Got To Be Tough"
Reggae Soul.
Rest In Power, Toots Hibbert. The man who invented the term 'Reggae' and then defined its sound has left us his lifelong legacy of shining music.
(see also: Otis Redding, Jimmy Cliff, John Holt, Black Uhuru)
• Deerhoof, "Future Teenage Cave Artists"
Experimental Pop.
Indie Rock's most fearless band played cut-up with the sonic rules again, turning melody inside out while still being erratically catchy.
And they also dropped a covers album -Love-Lore- of insane medley combinations.
(see also: Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Yoko Ono, Broadcast, Guerilla Toss)
• Don Bryant , "You Make Me Feel"
Stax Soul.
Quality is timeless, and griots know the score. Listen and learn.
(see also: Sam And Dave, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Clarence Carter, Sharon Jones)
• Throwing Muses, "Sun Racket"
Classic Indie.
The indie band's second act blazes like it's their first time and they have everything to prove.
(see also: Blake Babies, Belly, Sleater-Kinney)
• Here Lies Man, "Ritual Divination"
Afrobeat Rock.
Pounding out an album a year like it was the '70s, sounding like a jam session between Fela and Queens Of The Stone Age.
(see also: Fela Kuti, Antibalas, Golden Dawn Arkestra)
• Pretenders, "Hate For Sale"
Punk'n'Roll.
Molten with vigor and resolve, this stunning new rocker from the returning stalwarts plays like 'their great lost record from 1982'. A fist in the face to time, ageism, and conformity.
(see also: The Stranglers, The Smithereens, Ex Hex)
• Public Enemy , "What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down?"
Conscious Rap.
When Chuck D. raps, you listen.
(see also: The Last Poets, Gil Scott-Heron, Consolidated, Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy, Kae Tempest)
• Caleb Landry Jones, "The Mother Stone"
Baroque Pop Dada.
The famed actor fractures his hypnogogic hallucinations into whiplash symphonies, like Sgt. Pepper pinballing through a maze. Hold onto the handlebars and enjoy the ride.
(see also: Syd Barrett, Alexander "Skip" Spence, Julian Cope, Crispin Glover, Beck)
• Nadine Shah, "Kitchen Sink"
Moody Alternative.
The cosmopolitan Shah unscrews the skewed in her mysterious moods.
(see also: Malaria!, The Creatures, Anna Calvi)
• Fantastic Negrito, "Have You Lost Your Mind Yet?"
Blues Moderne.
Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz plays the Blues spectrum with his roots in the classics, and his branches into the cosmos.
(see also: The Bones Of J.R. Jones, The Alabama Shakes, Benjamin Booker)
• White Denim , "World As A Waiting Room"
GaragePsycheSoulFunkPunkJazzProgBluesPop.
The Austin Texas quartet will throw in some other wrong/rights into the gumbo before you can blink. Plus, you can boogie to it.
(see also: The New Pornographers, Thee Oh Sees, Portugal. The Man, Spoon)
• Tomar And The FCs, "Rise Above"
Gutbucket Soul.
Memphis-esque Soul Stew: half-a-pint of Stax, four tablespoons of Hi Records, a pinch of Stones, a dash of Allmans, and a stir of Link Wray. Beat well.
(see also: Little Milton, David Porter, Raphael Saddiq)
• Shadow Show, "Silhouettes"
Revolver Redux.
Detroit brings you the catchy, adventurous, Beatlesque popcraft you needed to feel truly complete.
(see also: The Bangles, The Pandoras, The Bristols, Cola Jet Set)
• Cupid's Carnival, "Color-Blind"
Beatles '65, with some '69.
The Beatles are a prism, from which new rays continually find their own light. This inspired band guarantees you a splendid time.
(see also: The Spongetones, The Red Button, Groovy Uncle)
• Joel Paterson , "Let It Be Acoustic Guitar!: Joel Paterson Plays The Beatles Again"
Beatles acoustic.
Following the success of his electric instrumentals album Let It Be Guitar! Joel Paterson Plays The Beatles (2019), here's the acoustic follow-up.
(see also: Chet Atkins, early Glen Campbell, Jim Capilongo)
• Daniel Romano, "How Ill Thy World Is Ordered"
Mash-ville Skyline.
Minting albums as fast as Prince or Ryan Adams, on this stylistically expansive release the Canadian sounds like '69 Dylan making Abbey Road at Muscle Shoals.
And if that isn't good enough for you, I don't know what else to say.
(see also: The Flying Burrito Brothers, Alan Hull, T-Bone Burnette, Jake Bugg)
• Annabelle Chairlegs, "Gotta Be In Love"
Optical Sound.
Psyche-idealic pop for now people.
(see also: The Shivas, LOVEBYRD, Blackwater Holylight, The Lovely Eggs)
• The Moons, "Pocket Melodies"
All roads lead to Abbey Road.
Beatlesque bands tend to be crafty clones or spiritual cousins. The Moons are definitely the latter, using their pop chops and sonic experimentation to create exemplary albums, and this magnum opus is their best yet.
(see also: Cotton Mather, Robbers On High Street, Lawrence Arabia)
• Joey Molland, "Be True To Yourself"
Badfinger's culmination.
Just as Paul McCartney is a one-man Beatles, Joey Molland is the one-man Badfinger. Here he creates the greatest album you wish they had got to make, a swan song of effortless grace and beauty.
(see also: Sleepy Hollow, We All Together, Chris von Sneidern, The Grays)
• Diamond Hands , "III"
Pop-adelic perfection.
Everything immortal about The Beatles, Classic Rock, and Power Pop in one spellbinding kaleidescope.
(see also: Let's Active, Sitcom Neighbor, New Electric Ride)
• Paul McCartney, "McCartney III"
The Love he makes.
The Sun doesn't care about your 'fashion-turnover' outlook. It's beyond anyone's simple limits and will continue to illuminate the world. Quality is timeless.
Here, the Master Of Pop gleefully tosses away the Fakebook yet again, with immediately classic tunes alive with lucid knack, elated spark, and fresh perspectives.
Reminder, dept.: You know how you made a solo record, trying all kinds of un-commercial things, going acoustic and eclectic, playing all the instruments in your home studio? Paul invented that with McCartney (1970). Catch up to the rays.
(see also: Emitt Rhodes, Todd Rundgren, Elliott Smith, Sam Phillips, Tara Busch, Mikal Cronin)
C O O L
S O N G S :
2 0 2 0
All the REAL MUSIC
beyond the box!
Here's the
D R E A M
J U K E B O X !
than a fishing wharf!
by Tym Stevens
Hear the unlimited Playlist here.)
All the songs elasticize their genres.
Get your groove on in this sonic order.:
Glam! Folk! Country! Blues!
Soul! Funk! World! Africana!
Alt Rock! PostPunk! Electro! Riot Grrrl!
TripHop! Soundtracks! RESIST!
Nadine Shah; La Femme
16 hours of synapse-snapping, tushie-twisting music, featuring the following fine folks in this exact order!:
The Ace Of Cups; Las Cobras
The Jayhawks; Joey Molland
Bai Kamara Jr; Chris Stapleton;
Don Bryant 1; Nicole Atkins
White Denim 2; PINS 3;
Zara McFarlane; Osees
Songhoy Blues; Les Amones d'Afrique
noranekoguts; Alexandra Savior;
Unloved; Adrian Younge + Ali Shaheed Muhammad
Resistance Revival Chorus; Durand Jones And The Indications
C O V E R
S O N G S
2 0 2 0
All the Best
COVER VERSIONS
of the year!
Singing timeless songs in times of uncertainty brings us solace, offers out support, and bonds us in communion.
In a year that separated us from each other, sharing songs reaffirmed us as a people, honored our origins, and lit the way for the young.
There were an abundance of cover songs in 2020. Through them, we sought reflection, revelation, and renewal. Here’s a playlist of our mutual journey.
by Tym Stevens
List = Original By / Cover Artist
Songs are sequenced in the chronological order of the Originals.
Mahalia Jackson / Sinéad O'Connor • Tampa Red / Erin Harpe • Vera Lynn / Karen Elson • Glenn Miller / Elisa Jo • Woodie Guthrie / Resistance Revival Chorus • Big Mama Thornton / Kyle Lacy • Little Willie John / The Shakers • Screaming Jay Hawkins / Kandace Springs, and The Kills.
Ray Charles / Autoramas (riff), and The Flying Horse Big Band • Sam Cooke / Leslie Odom Jr., and Los Coast and Gary Clark Jr. • The Seekers / Dean And Britta • Toussant McCall / Robert Plant • Los Shakers / Muck and the Mires • The Impressions / The Notations • The Beatles / Kathleen Grace and Larry Goldings • The Easybeats / The Weeklings, and The Premonitions • The Seeds / Nick Waterhouse • The Rolling Stones / Les Hay Babies • The Beatles / Blossoms • Four Tops / Jonathan Wilson • Tim Hardin / Vagabon + Courtney Barnett • Nina Simone / Lady Blackbird • The Beatles / Black Pumas, and Peter Parcek • The Rolling Stones / Molly Tuttle • The Kinks / Unloved and Raven Violet • Jefferson Airplane / The Shivas, and Prince Fatty + Shniece McMenamin • The 13th Floor Elevators / The Third Mind • Status Quo / The Colour Collection The Moody Blues / Larkin Poe • Ennio Morricone / Ikebe Shakedown • Buffalo Springfield / Billy Porter • James Brown / Shawn Pittman • Bee Gees / The Revivalists • The Beatles / Artemis • Harry Nilsson / Alyssandra Nighswonger • The Turtles / Bella Kaye • Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood / Alex Kapranos and Clara Luciani • HAIR / Rachelle Garniez • Margo Guryan / Bedouine • The Beatles / Valentina And The Electric Post, The Midnight Callers • Tommy James + The Shondells / The Shacks + The Diamond Mine • Dusty Springfield / Meridian Brothers • Glen Campbell / The Pen Friend Club • The Band / Larry Campbell + Teresa Williams, w/ Buddy Miller • Creedence Clearwater Revival / Eileen Jewell.
Creedence Clearwater Revival / Fogerty's Factory • Crosby, Stills, Nash, And Young / Katie Pruitt • Kris Kristofferson / Kelsey Waldon • Neil Young / Brad Mehldau • The Stooges / Destination Lonely • The Beach Boys / Psychic Ills • The Beatles / Joel Paterson, and Joan As Police Woman • George Harrison / Jarrod Dickenson • Simon + Garfunkel / XIXA • Brook Benton / Los Straitjackets • Cat Stevens / Father John Misty • Edwin Starr / Vintage Trouble • Steppenwolf / Deap Lips (The Flaming Lips + Deap Vally) • David Bowie / Ramin Djawadi • John Lennon / Dirty Projectors, and The Anderson Council • Neil Young and Crazy Horse / Jeff Russo and Noah Hawley • Pink Floyd / Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets • Black Sabbath / Moon Duo • Funkadelic / Brittany Howard • Graham Nash / Constant Bop • Marvin Gaye / Devon Gilfillian, and Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio • Black Sabbath / BSCBR with Deradoorian • Ann Peebles / Sister Lucille • Nilsson / Heather Trost • The Jackson 5 / Dezron Douglas • T. Rex / Pixies • Yes / Allegaeon • John Denver / Whitney and Waxahatchee • Steely Dan / Eli "Paperboy" Reed, and Julia Logan • Dr. John / Maceo Parker • Aerosmith / Scary Pockets + Judith Hill • George Harrison / Sunday Someday + Anne McCue + Megan Palmer • Pink Floyd / Ramin Djawadi • The O’Jays / PJ Morton and Yola • Black Sabbath / Emel • Big Star / Bedouine, Hurray For The Riff Raff, Waxahatchee • Sly And The Family Stone / Bootsy Collins and Larry Graham • Nick Drake / Ben Harper and Rhiannon Giddens • Kool And The Gang / Khruangbin • Elton John / The Fearless Flyers • Freddy Fender / Al Green • Stevie Wonder / Constant Bop • Paul McCartney And Wings / Tanya Donelly and The Parkington Sisters • Dolly Parton / Robin McKelle • Stockhausen/Beach Boys/Star Trek/Oliveros/Muppet Movie medley / Deerhoof • Chris Bell / Beck • Bob Dylan / Emma Swift • Black Sabbath / Uniform • Led Zeppelin / H.C. McEntire • “Rocky Horror Picture Show” / T.S.O.L. and Keith Morris • America / Anna Ash • David Bowie / Durand Jones And The Indications • Stevie Wonder / Teddy Thompson • Michael Hurley / Cass McCombs and Steve Gunn • Fleetwood Mac / Elizabeth, and Julia Holter • Donna Summer / The Organauts • Bob Marley / Toots And The Maytals + Ziggy Marley • Kraftwerk / Guga Stroeter, Lucio Agra, Renato Soares • Talking Heads / Order of Operations • Richard Hell And The Voidoids / The Bobby Lees • Plastic Bertrand / Whyte Horses • Elvis Costello And The Attractions / Los Straitjackets, and Sharon Van Etten and Josh Homme • Chic / Lydia Ainsworth • Buzzcocks / Adele And The Chandeliers • The B-52’s / The Medicine Dolls • The Clash / Hinds, and Mattiel • Wings / Constant Bop.
John Lennon / Chris Cornell • X / Hayley and the Crushers • Grace Jones / Bacao Rhythm And Steel Band • Grover Washington Jr and Bill Withers / Rhiannon Giddens and Sxip Shirey • Kraftwerk / Resynator + Jon Natchez • Phil Collins / Larkin Poe • Bruce Springsteen / Alison Mosshart • Ramones / Brad Marino • Queen and David Bowie / Karen O and Willie Nelson • Joan Jett / L7 • Prince / Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings, and Tashaki Miyaki • Prince / Mariachi El Bronx • The Cars / Soccer Mommy • U2 / Sarah Jarosz • INXS / Dylan LeBlanc • Pixies / Gouge Away • Nirvana / Bully • Beastie Boys / Mattiel • Public Enemy / Public Enemy +.
Concrete Blonde / Puss N Boots • Chris Isaak / Messer Chups, and Aubrie Sellers • Julee Cruise / Daniel Knox • Pixies / Nation of Language • Joan Jett / The Venomous Pinks • Soundgarden / Brandi Carlile • Beastie Boys / The Record Company • Radiohead / Arlo Parks; and Danielle Ponder • Mazzy Star / Whitehorse • Nirvana / Hannah Williams And The Affirmations, and Shadwick Wilde • Portishead / Amanda Palmer and Rhiannon Giddens, and Torres • Soundgarden / Scary Pockets + Maiya Sykes • Guided By Voices / Mo Kenney • Soundgarden / Sevendust • Radiohead / Scary Pockets + Monica Martin • Jeff Buckley / Emel • Elliott Smith / Marika Hartman.
Hooverphonic / Hooverphonic • Gillian Welch / Kevin Morby David Bowie / Modern Nature • Gnarls Barkley / Shadow And the Thrill • Lana Del Rey / Vitamin String Quartet.
B E S T
R E I S S U E S :
2 0 2 0
Quality is timeless.
by Tym Stevens
This music player has songs from the following albums, in the same order.
• 1950s •
• Peggy Lee, "Decca Rarities" (1952-’56)
A prolific and important period in the great Torch Singer's history, given center stage.
• Sarah Vaughan, "Time After Time" (1950s)
Let's give all the love to Jazz vocalists like Sarah Vaughan, Betty Carter, Blossom Dearie, Dinah Washington, Julie London, Nancy Wilson, Anita O'Day, and Carmen McCrae that we should.
• Various Artists, "The Right To Rock: The Mexicano And Chicano Rock 'n' Roll Rebellion 1955-1963"
Rock'n'Roll was everybody, from the beginning. Learn the important contributions from Latinx pioneers like young Freddie Fender, Chan Romero, Los Xochimilcas, Ritchie Valens, Los Teen Tops, and Los Gibson Boys.
• Pérez Prado, "Prez" (1956)
The Mambo master's Top 40 smash and mainstream pinnacle, remastered.
• Eddie Cochran, "The Liberty Years" (1957-’64)
A box set of the Rockabilly troubadore's entire output, remastered.
• Bessie Jones, "Get In Union" (1959-'66)
Recorded by ALan Lomax, fronting the Georgia Sea Island Singers, Bessie Jones was a walking encyclopeia of folk spirituals. A mainstay on the '60s festival circuit, she sang at the Carter inauguration in '77.
Ella Fitzgerald; Joni Mitchell
• 1960s •
• Various Artists, "Gargano's Garage: Lavender, Magenta, Indigo, and Blue Fin Labels" (1959-’66)
A subterranean history of the mysterious producer Vic Gargano, his myriad record label artists, and a span from Prom Rock to Psychedelia. >
• Ella Fitzgerald, "The Lost Berlin Tapes" (rec. 1962)
The live album Ella In Berlin (1960) is an essential classic. Her sequel tour was recorded but lost... until now.
• Solomon Burke, "The King Of Rock 'N' Soul: The Atlantic Recordings 1962-1968"
While many know Atlantic Soul giants like Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge, Ben E. King, and Aretha Franklin, not enough know the fine catalog of Solomon Burke. This box set corrects that.
• Joni Mitchell, "Archives, Vol. 1: The Early years 1963-1967"
A box set of unreleased treasures, such as home demos, live recordings, and radio performances, by the Folk regent before she made albums.
• Various Artists, "Girls With Guitars Know Why" (mid-'60s)
The fifth compilation in Ace Records' ongoing series celebrating the women of '60s Beat, Garage, and Psychedelia.
• Various Artists, "Lost Nuggets From The 60s: Girls In The Garage 1963-1967"
While the coveted Girls In The Garage series was essentially bootleg, this above-ground parallel helps put these lost classics back into print and history.
Elton John; The Pleasure Seekers
• The Everly Brothers, "Down In The Bottom: The Country Rock Sessions 1966-1968"
Concurrent with the Country Soul of Stax and Muscle Shoals, and preceding the rise of Swamp Pop, the brothers went to their roots in these overlooked recordings.
• Los Brincos, "Todos Sus Exitos y Rarezas" (1964-'70)
A fine overview of "the Spanish Beatles", who made many fine sounds from Merseybeat to Classic Rock.
• Sharhabil Ahmed, "The King Of Sudanese Jazz"
The Sleuths at the wonderful label Habibi Funk mine gold again with their anthology of the innovative guitarist, singer, and band leader.
• Bobbie Gentry, "The Delta Sweete“ (1968)
Last year, many Alt-Folk artists did a tribute to this entire album. Listening to the original reveals how The Queen Of Swamp Pop was actually a versatile interpreter of all kinds of music. And a darn good guitarist and writer, as well.
• Elton John, ”Jewel Box” (1965-2019)
This box set retrospective is a shocking abundance of riches.
Skipping the hits, these 8 discs cover the rare and the deep of Rock's greatest showman: from B-sides and deep cuts, to the motherlode of 65 unreleased demos (!) by Elton and Bernie Taupin from the early days.
• The Feminine Complex, ”Livin’ Love” (1969)
The all-female band's debut album is a Pop trove of sunny Soul and groovy Beat music.
• Marie Laforêt, ”1969-1970”
More of a supple nightclub chanteuse than a Chanson idol, Laforêt is duly recognized now for her sophistication and bredth.
• The Pleasure Seekers, ”What A Way To Die” (1964-’69)
The all-female band, led by sisters Patti and Suzi Quatro, spanned from Beat music to a harder blues that presaged their rebirth as the ultra-Heavy Cradle.
• 1970s •
• Jimi Hendrix, "”Live In Maui” (1970)
A fabulous remaster of the Hawaii concert, in both audio and video form, along with a new feature-length documentary about the event.
• The Stooges, ”Live At Goose Lake: August 8th, 1970” (1969)
A startling new discovery, the only soundboard recording of the original line-up of The Stooges roaring their way through all of Fun House, right before they fell apart.
• Fanny, ”Fanny” (1970)
Fanny made history as the first all-female Rock band signed to make multiple albums on a major label.
This vinyl reissue of their Rockin' debut -produced by Richard Perry- proves what an excellent and dexterous Rock'n'Soul quartet they were.
• John Lennon, ”Gimme Some Truth” (1970-’80)
A compilation of his greatest hits, in anticipation of a new remastering of all his solo albums. A Punk with wings, before all and like no other.
The Staple Singers; Brainticket
• The Doors, ”Morrison Hotel“ (1970)
A 50th Anniversary remastering of the essential album, with a healthy dose of extra takes.
• Marvin Gaye, ”Funky Nation: The Detroit Instrumentals” (1971)
A collection of the funky jams Marvin did with Bohannon in the wake of releasing the essential What's Going On album.
• Ennio Morricone, "Morricone Segreto” (late-‘60s to early-‘80s)
Morricone did a frighteningly huge amount of film scores in this socially fertile period. Besides polishing off rarities, this collection displays the incomporable bredth and innovation of his talent.
• David Bowie, ”Metrobolist, a.k.a., The Man Who Sold The World” (1970)
The 50th Anniversary rerelease of the classic, remixed by original producer Tony Visconti.
• Black Sabbath, ”Paranoid” (1970)
One of the new remasters of the original Sabbath's catalog, this box set also includes live 1970-'71 concerts, a new book, photos, and more.
• Oneness Of Juju, "African Rhythms 1970-1982”
An American band who merged African and Afro-Cuban rhythms to Funk and Soul political songs.
• The Staple Singers, ”Come Go With Me: The Stax Collection” (1968-1974)
The Staples made many fine Gospel protest albums from the late-'50s up, but when they came to Stax Records, their star took off. Led by the inimitable guitarist Pops and the fiery frontsinger Mavis, they schooled the charts with such Funk classics as "Respect Yourself" and "I'll Take You There".
• Iggy And The Stooges, ”You Think You’re Bad, Man? The Road Tapes ’73-’74“
A five-disc bookend to the ”Live At Goose Lake" set (1970 above), this fly/wall document of freefall follows their scorched-earth reunion tour down to its infamous finale of flung bottles and obscenities. Who's your Punk daddy now?
• Brainticket, ”Cottonwoodhill”, “Psychonaut” (1971, 1972)
Vinyl reissues of the electrifying German Prog band, with unsung classics like the domme poet of the Funky "Pieces Of Light" and the Sabbath stomp and Shankar fade-out of the intense "Watchin' You".
Make Some Noise; Elvis Costello
• The Rolling Stones, ”Goats Head Soup” (1974)
Previously considered the fall-off after the Stones' Golden Period, this reissue gives better justice to their eclecticism. Includes extra tracks, a live concert, and an unreleased song with Jimmie Page guesting on guitar, "Scarlet".
• Various Artists, "Soul Love Now: The Black Fire Records Story, 1975-1993”
Oneness Of Juju issued their own record label, with a pantheon of spiritual Jazz artists and conscious Soul acts.
• Various Artists, "La Locura de Machuca 1975-1980”
In mid-'70s Columbia, a producer named Machuca documented the roiling scene of Columbian/African psychedelic fusion acts. Blow your mind, wag your behind.
• Neil Young, ”Homegrown” (1975)
The ever-fluctuating Neil finally unveils this unreleased album, a Country-Rock breakup lullaby.
• Various Artists, "African Airways Six: Mile High Funk 1974-1981”
Another funktastic collection of African women soaring.
• Iggy Pop, "The Bowie Years“ (1977-’78)
A deluxe box set of the two Berlin albums produced by Bowie, plus outtakes, versions, an interview, a book, and live performances.
• Patrick Cowley, ”Some Funkettes” (1975-’77)
The sixth entry in a release campaign of the influential Disco producer's works.
• Various Artists, "Make More Noise! Women In Independent Music UK 1977-1987"
Because of Feminism and Punk, more women took control in Rock during this period than ever had before. This 90-song box set and book is an important synopsis covering that wave that lifted our present.
• The Toms, "The 1979 Sessions”
Tommy Marolda dubbed himself making memorable Power Pop tunes, and created a cult following.
• Elvis Costello And The Attractions, ”Armed Forces” (1979)
A deluxe box set of the remastered album, copious live perfomances, 10" records, lyric books, posters, postcards, and a partridge in a pear tree.
• 1980s •
• Use No Hooks, ”The Job” (1979-’83)
The unreleased recordings of an Australian PunkFunk band, with plenty of hooks and workouts to spare.
• The Last, ”Look Again“ (1980)
The L.A. Power Pop band's unreleased second album, remastered.
• Toyah, ”Sheep Farming In Barnet” (1980)
The beginning of a remastering and reissue campaign of Toyah Wilcox's works, along with other albums from the Safari Records label.
• Split Enz, "True Colours” (1980)
A remixed anniversary edition of the New Zealand classic, with added live performances.
• Pylon, ”Pylon Box” (1980-’83)
The Art Pop band from Athens, GA, gets the full treatment, with both albums remixed, B-sides and rarities, a demo setlist, and a lavish book.
• Red Cross, "Red Cross" (1980)
The Power Punk origins of Red Kross, before they were legally forced to change their name.
• Crass, "Catalog Remasters" (1978-’86)
The fiercest AnarchoPunks of all, with a remastering of their six crucial albums, including Penis Envy and Christ: The Album.
• Prince And The Revolution, "Prince And The Revolution Live” (1985)
Prince was king of the world in 1985 because of the smash success of Purple Rain (1984), and this live concert -briefly available on VHS then- has been remastered for the ages.
• Various Artists, "Sun City: Artist United Against Apartheid“ (1985)
Following the worldwide success of Live Aid, Little Steven (Van Zandt) organized an all-star album to decry oppression in South Africa. It helped bring massive international awareness to overturning Apartheid, which happened in 1990. At last, this pivotal classic gets reissued.
• Prince, ”Sign ‘O The Times” (1987)
A staggeringly deluxe box set.
Prince reinvented himself with the solo double album Sign ‘O The Times, but he went through three unreleased albums to get there. This insanely generous set includes all of that and B-sides besides, plus live performances, a DVD concert, and a 120-page book.
• Tears For Fears, ”The Seeds Of Love” (1989)
After the monster hits of 1985, the band took their time to make a Beatlesque album that most slept on. Time proves the wiser, with this expanded set.
• Neneh Cherry, ”Raw Like Sushi“ (1989)
While Conscious Rap and Native Tongues acts were renovating HipHop, here came the leftfield Swede to ramp up the game, with tough lyrics and bumping tunes.
• 1990s •
• L7, ”Smell The Magic” (1990)
The Grunge Grrrls' blistering second album, remastered for a vinyl release.
• Various Artists, "Rutles Highway Revisited" (1990)
A tribute album to The Rutles, with covers of their first 1978 album by indie artists like Galaxie 500, Lida Husik, Das Damen, Daniel Johnston, Shonen Knife, and Bongwater.
• PJ Harvey, ”Album Demos” (1993-’96)
A reissue campaign of all her albums remastered this year was good enough. But in addition, companion albums of home demos for Dry, To Bring You My Love, and Is This Desire? were released for the first time.
• Supergrass, ”The Strange Ones: 1994-2008”
For all the hoopla about the Blur and Oasis feud, the greatest Britpop band was Supergrass, whose relentless run of catchy and inventive Power Punk, Classic Rock, Glam, and Indie anthems was formidable. And now, undeniable.
• Paul McCartney, ”Flaming Pie” (1997)
On fire with the adrenalin from The Beatles Anthology, Paul - with help from friends like Jeff Lynne, George Martin, and Ringo- struck up the band as only he can. A classic.
Gillian Welch; Lips Of Salome
• 2000s •
• Gillian Welch, ”Boots No. 1, 2, and 3” (2004)
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings recorded a vault's worth of demos for copyright reasons, and now share them with us to enjoy.
• Robert Plant, ”Digging Deep: Subterranea” (1981-2020)
As a companion to his Digging Deep podcast, Robert presents a new solo retrospective with three unreleased songs, focusing more on roots and mood.
• The Coathangers, "The Coathangers" (2007)
The debut album of the Punk trio remastered for vinyl.
• 2010s •
• Calibro 35, "Calibro 35" (2010)
The debut album of the Milan band, who specialize in funky cinematic Rock in the mode of 1969-'75 Italian soundtracks.
• The Kills, ”Little Bastards“ (2003-’20)
This collection of B-sides and cover versions from the Blues Punk duo is basically a blasting new album in itself.
• Incredible Tabla Band, Shawn Lee Presents ”Tabla Rock” (2012)
The 1973 classic LP Incredible Bongo Band sold nothing, but became the sonic bedrock for all samples of HipHop to come with songs like "Apache". This loving recreation of it substitutes tablas for bongos.
• Lips Of Salome, "Sound Of Salome" (2007-’20)
A summary of the Japanese duo's career, rooted in '60s styles expressed in new ways.
• Autoramas, ”B-Sides And Extras, Vol. 1” (2000-’20)
The Brazilian combo surfs on Rockabilly and Garage rhythms with New Wave chops.
© Tym Stevens
"A splendid time is guaranteed for all!"
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