ALL THE
REAL MUSIC!
'Best Music' lists that taste like tin foil!
These tunes will unscrew your overview
and ruckus your tocus!
C H A P T E R L I N K S :
• BEST ALBUMS: 2025
• COOL SONGS: 2025
• COVER SONGS 2025
• BEST REISSUES: 2025
B E S T
N E W
A L B U M S :
2 0 2 5
by Tym Stevens
Join up for free here.
This music player has songs from the following albums, in the same order.
• The Devils, "Devil’s Got It" (Italy)
Edgy Soul Blues.
Imagine a biker bar where cover versions of Blues and Soul classics are pumped out with evil fuzz and howl.
(see also: Guadalupe Plata, Abraxas)
• Les Rencards, "Angles Morts" (France)
Garage YeYe.
Buzzing up the get-go in the GoGo Club, in French and Portuguese.
(see also: Curlee Wurlee, Juniore)
• Wet Leg, "moisturizer"
Indie Partyland.
Catchy and smart Indie Pop ramped up into Arena anthems that you can headbang and dance to at the same time.
(see also: St. Vincent, Billy Nomates, Pinky Pinky)
• Curtis Harding, "Departures and Arrivals: Adventures Of Captain Curt"
Classic Soul for the future.
The best Soul Man walking, consistently crafting expansive forays of soulful psalms with Rock, Gospel, and cinematic textures. Ever memorable, swaying through your mind.
(see also: Black Pumas, Liam Bailey, Greyhounds)
• Gwenifer Raymond, "Last Night I Heard The Dog Star Bark"
Acoustic Roots.
Raymond is one of the best guitarists on the planet. Her rare albums of intricate acoustic instrumentals are an event for those who know.
(see also: Jeff Fahey, Leo Kottke, Ellen Mcilwaine)
• Ariel Posen and Ash Soan, "Ariel Posen and Ash Soan"
Abrasion Blues.
Minute-long bursts of Blues swagger, snarling and rawboned.
• Grace Bergere, "A Little Blood"
Indie Songwriter.
What we need right now is a hybrid of Bowie and Nico reminding us how to do bold cutting-edge Rock.
Here you go, you're welcome.
• Miles Kane, "Sunlight In The Shadows"
Pub Blues.
Often a connoisseur of Beat and Noir, on this outing Kane is a Blues and Rock tuff coming out swinging.
(see also: The Last Shadow Puppets, The Jaded Hearts Club)
• Robert Plant + Saving Grace, "Saving Grace"
Organic Roots.
Plant reaffrims his connection to the earthy and the ethereal with these lovely cover tunes.
The roots band Saving Grace, jamming somewhere between Union Station and Tinariwen, is spellbinding, and featured singer Suzi Dian is a revelation.
• Sharp Pins, "Balloon Balloon Balloon"
Garage savant.
Kai Slater is everything great about 1966 in a psyche sundae.
Also try the companion album, 'Radio DDR' (2025) by The Sharp Pins.
(see also: Cleaners from Venus, Guided by Voices, Benny Trokan)
• Tami Neilson, "Neon Cowgirl"
Soulful Country.
No other Country singer belts with such robust Soul, epic pinache, and spitfire attitude.
(see also: Patsy Cline, Tracy Nelson, Paul Cauthen)
• Ty Segall, "Posession"
Pop Psyche.
Segall tempers his stoner-delic bristle with a pop sense this time, focusing on melody and arrangements upfront, garnished by fuzz storms.
(see also: Fuzz, Mikel Cronin, Freckle)
• Robert Finlay, "Hallelujah! Don’t Let The Devil Fool Ya"
Gospel Blues.
Finlay rattles the dust off the floorboards with this joyful tryst of Gospel shout and Blues grind.
• Wargirl, "Good Things"
Indie World.
An eclectic sextet banging out global Dance music with Rock edge.
• Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill, "Long After The Fire"
Country Tonk.
A married super-duo (she from The Bangles, he from The Cowsills) gallop out one of the heartiest Country bangers of the year. Crack tunes, good spirits.
• Adrian Younge, presents "Something About April III"
Cinematic Funk.
The secret scion of Ennio Morricone and Isaac Hayes, the ubiquitous Younge excels at funky grooves that simmer with noir intrigue.
• Gary Louris, "Dark Country"
Alt-Country Troubadour.
Fans of The Jayhawks know that Louris is one of the best songwriters going, especially versed in intimate confessionals with haunting melodies and razor phrasing.
(see also: Jesse Colin Young, America, The Jayhawks)
• Thee Headcoatees, "Man-Trap"
Garage Punk.
"Medway's Most Wanted are back; calling all cars, be on the lookout for a female quartet with raunchy distortion and no flux given."
(see also: Thee Headcoats, Holly Golightly, Ludella Black, The A-Lines)
• Tchotchke, "Playin’ Dumb"
Jangle Pop Harmony.
Strong melodic Pop with Girl Group croon and Beach Boys dapple, produced by The Lemon Twigs.
(see also: The Beach Boys, The B-Girls)
• Natalie Bergman, "My Home Is Not In This World"
Country Songwriter meets Motown.
Atmospheric Western tunes, Motown party stomps, and a canny song sense.
(see also: Lael Neale, The Supremes)
• Early James, "Medium Raw"
Soul Blues.
Early's sawdust yowl and clang guitar are leaning cabins, rusty yardcars, bellowing dogs, and hoodoo stomps. Produced by Dan Auerbach.
(see also: Blind Willie Johnson, Anderson East, early Black Keys)
• Mavis Staples, "Sad And Beautiful World"
Spiritual Soul.
The Queen of Gospel Soul is particularly strong on this album of smartly selected cover songs, all timeless classics about personal tribulations that speak to exactly now.
(see also: The Staples Singers, Bob Dylan, Naomi Shelton)
• Deradoorian, "Ready For Heaven"
PostNewWave.
Stark and driving machinemusik circuited with eerie choral power.
(see also: Dirty Projectors, Mattiel)
• Hannah Francis, "Nested In Tangles"
Folk aria.
A stunning record all around; diaristic poetry that quietly processes traumas, laced through warm Folk ballads with mercurial textures of Baroque, Jazz horn, and polyrhythms.
More ambitious and accomplished in one album than many careers.
(see also: Laura Nyro, Ann Peacock, Joni Mitchell)
• The Highmarts, "Live At U.F.O. Club"
Punk Garage.
This Tokyo trio delivers both directions, smashing out piledrivers that catch in your mind.
(see also: The Let's Go's, That's A No No!)
• Southern Avenue, "Family"
Dance Soul.
It's a family affair, where the sunny summer of '79 dances jubilent and divine.
(see also: Sister Sledge, Lake Shore Drive)
• Little Simz, "Lotus"
Rap upside your head.
Smart wordplay with fervid drive. Guests galore, but Simz is the prodigious star of the show.
(see also: Flying Lotus, Greentea Peng, Moor Mother)
• The Len Price 3, "Misty Medway Magick"
Garage daze revisited.
This Garage Rock band is always good, but they are particularly great on this platter of strong hooks and unflagging spirit.
(see also: The Who, The Small Faces, Thee Headcoats)
• Galactic and Irma Thomas, "Audience With The Queen"
Funky Soul.
The New Orleans Funk band gives prime spotlight to perennial Soul great Irma Thomas, who makes each jam and ballad her own.
(see also: James Brown, Medeski Martin and Wood, Soulive, Lettuce)
• Vernon Reid, "Hoodoo Telemetry"
New colour spectrum.
Previous solo records by Living Colour's guitarist and founder were instrumental HipHop/Rock, but this brave record reveals what a notable songsmith and graceful singer he is.
(see also: John Coltrane, Jimmy Page, Adrian Belew)
• Public Enemy, "Black Sky Over The Projects"
Rap upside your mind.
People wish that protest bands like The Clash and Crass were still with us.
They're right here, still. Get off your ass and jam.
(see also: The Last Poets, Beastie Boys, Consolidated)
• Adwaith, "Solas"
Indie Pop.
Sung in Welsh, the harmonic trio makes fetching tunes that alternately sparkle and rain sparks at the same time.
(see also: Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, Gwenno)
• The Altons, "Heartache In Room 14"
Classic Soul.
Slow dances for lovers, peppy bobbers for dancers, timeless if it's a day.
(see also: Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings, Thee Sacred Souls, Adrian Quesada)
• WITCH, "Sogolo"
African Rock revival.
Their motto in '70s Zambia was 'We Intend To Cause Havoc', and the corrupt authorities wiped them out. Yet here they rise, better than ever.
(see also: Amanaz, Ngozi Family, 5 Revolutions)
• Kae Tempest, "Statue In The Square"
Rap freeing your intellect.
A spoken word hoard, a beat poet, a rapsmith, Tempest is one of the most scholarly and trueschool toasters on Earth.
(see also: John Cooper Clarke, Ann Clarke, Young Fathers)
• Hedvig Mollestad Trio, "Bees In The Bonnet"
Jazz Sabbath.
Mollestad churns that stoner grind with all the fluidity of freejazz alchemists. It rocks, it twines, it burns.
(see also: Black Sabbath, Sonny Sharrock, Last Exit)
C O O L
S O N G S :
2 0 2 5
All the REAL MUSIC
beyond the box!
Here's the
D R E A M
J U K E B O X !
like a Disco full of Crisco!
by Tym Stevens
Hear the unlimited Playlist on a direct online browser player here.
All the songs elasticize their genres.
Get your groove on in this sonic order.:
Psyche! Stoner! New Wave! Folk!
Blues! Soul! Funk! World!
Riot Grrrl! Alt-Rock! Electro! Alt-Rap!
Alt-Jazz! Cinematic! RESIST!
Tami Neilson; Southern Avenue;
The Altons 1; Tchotchke 2
19 hours of thinky, wiggly music, featuring the following fine folks in this exact order!:
Brioles, Jay Ernes, Deke Dickerson and The Whippersnappers, Hipbone Slim And The Kneejerks, Amphibian Man, La Perra Blanco, Los Straitjackets, I. Jeziak and The Surfers, Penza Penza, and Jeffrey Foskett.
Sharp Pins;
The McCharmlys;
The Highmarts
Jack Bartlett, The Coolies, Sharp Pins, The Capellas, The McCharmly’s, The Grip Weeds, Ron Sexsmith, Lightheaded, Carson McHone, M Ross Perkins, Autoraminhas + Autoramas, The Highmarts (Japan), The Violet Mindfield, Thee Headcoatees, The Hives (Sweden), and The Gnomes.
Louis Fontaine + Melissa Lesnie, The Bongolian, The Falken's Maze, Viv And The Sect, Dennis Davison, Djo, The Grip Weeds, The Medium, Midnight Rodeo, The Len Price 3, Shenanygans, Lael Neale, Gloria, The Stargazer Lilies, Black Country New Road, Hannah Cohen, The Bablers (Finland), and Cory Hanson.
The Bablers;
Children Of The Sün;
Zangoma;
The Sino Hearts;
Gelli Haha
Jangus Kangus, Children of the Sün (Sweden), MC5, Ty Segall, Freckle, Miles Kane, Ghostwoman, Glyders, Spiders, Atom Juice, WITCH, AcidSitter + Maciej Cieslak, Zangoma, Sloan, Cheap Trick, and Neoprimitivi.
The Sino Hearts (China), Motorbike, Panel, Self Improvement, Private Lives, and Ganser.
Sharon Van Etten + The Attachment Theory, Art d'Ecco, Billy Nomates + Hugh Cornwell, Optic Sin, Cindy Wilson, Chime Oblivion, No Peeling, Artificial Go, and Formal Sppeedwear.
Say She She, Anna Hillburg, Gelli Haha, Cerrone + Christine And The Queens, and Marie Davidson
Alison Krausse; Jesse Welles;
Cleo Reed; Kashus Culpepper
Saya Gray, Kassi Valazza, Ichiko Aoba, Annahstasia, Eliana Glass, Hayden Pedigo, Gwenifer Raymond, and Alison Krauss and Union Station.
Cleo Reed + IWEWE, Emma Pollock, Vicki Peterson + John Cowsill, Jesse Welles, Nate Gibson, Kashus Culpeppe, Tami Neilson + JD McPherson, and The Devil Makes Three.
Alexis P. Suter; The Devils
Ally Venable + Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Chris Smither, Robert Plant + Saving Grace, Piper and The Hard Times, Early James, Mavis Staples, Buddy Guy, Neil Young, Kent Burnside, S.G. Goodman, Janiva Magness + Sue Foley, Robert Finley, The Alexis P Suter Band, Ariel Posen and Ash Soan, The Devils, Low Volts, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, and Honeyboy Slim And The Bad Habits.
The War And Treaty, Daniel Caesar, Hermanos Gutiérrez + Leon Bridges, Vernon Reid, Anderson East, Grace Potter And The Nocturnal, Tony Holiday + Eddie 9V, Sunny War, Julian Lennon, Cold Specks, Valerie June, Gary Louris, Samantha Schmütz + Adrian Younge, James Morrison, Rumer + Redtenbacher’s Funkestra, Eddie Chacon, The Altons, Punomo, Don West, Thee Marloes, Jalen Ngonda, Annie And The Caldwells, Cuco, Curtis Harding, Loaded Honey, Greyhounds, Lady Wray, Nia Wyn, Neal Francis, The Capellas, and Shannon And The Clams.
Hermanos Gutierrez; Gary Louris 2;
Thee Marloes; Lady Wray;
Cha Wa; Dawn Silva
Cha Wa + Irma Thomas, Galactic + Irma Thomas, Annie and the Caldwell, Yufu, Jeb Loy Nichols, Ina Forsma, Fay Hallam, St. Paul And The Broken Bones, Mourning [A] BLKstar, Boneshakers, Little Barrie + Malcolm Catto, Southern Avenue, Feed LA, Dawn Silva + Blackbird McKnight, Moses Patrou, The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, Lettuce, and El Michels Affair + Roge.
Noura Mint Seymali 1; Seera
Carlos Dafé + Adrian Younge, Hyldon + Adrian Younge, Adrian Younge, Sessa, Carwyn Ellis and Rio 18 w/ Elan Rhys, Cochemea, Money Chicha, La Chooma, Mitchum Yacoub, Antibalas, Orchestra Gold, Wargirl, Tony Allen + La Boa, Black Market Brass + Obi Original, Star Feminine Band, Florence Adooni, Andy Bell, Goat + MC Yalla, Vaudou Game, Songhoy Blues, Mdou Moctar, Romano, Şatellites, Eje Eje + Adam Balagan, Altin Gün, Sanam, Ouzo Bazooka, Sami Galbi + FlexFab, Shay Hazan, Sababa 5, Noura Mint Seymali, and Seera.
Hedvig Mollestad Trio, Pretenders, Lambrini Girls, The Prize, Anika, Qween Kong, SPRINTS, Los Pólipos, Jehnny Beth, Suzanne Vega, Panic Shack, Water From Your Eyes, The Dainty Morsel, Kilynn Lunsford, Snõõper, and The Velveteers.
Wet Leg; Adwaith;
Bartees Strange 1; Benjamin Booker
Wet Leg, Les Rencards, The Limiñanas + Anna Joan, KCIDY, Grace Bergere, David Byrne + Ghost Train Orchestra, Miki Berenyi Trio, Franz Ferdinand, Gina Birch, MIEN, The New Eves, Morwan, No Joy, Panda Bear, Kathryn Mohr, Yalla Miku, Adwaith, Spoon, ESKA, Murat Aktürk, yeule, Bartees Strange, Courtney Barnett, His Lordship, Garbage, Benjamin Booker, pôt-pot, Insecure Men, Guerilla Toss, The Young Gods, and Lera Lynn.
keiyaA, Thee Oh Sees, Shiran + Bilal, Sextil + Jehnny Beth, Blawan, Cécile McLorin Salvan, and Juana Molina.
Kae Tempest; Shaheed + DJ Supreme;
Linda May Han Oh 1; Hannah Frances
Kool Keith, Kae Tempest, Confucius MC + Bastien Keb, Little Simz, Aesop Rock, MC Yallah + Debmaster, DJ Haram, Open Mike Eagle, Rarelyalways + Talifah, Earl Sweatshirt, Wave Generators, Shaheed and DJ Supreme + The Secret Sisters, and McKinley Dixon.
Marshall Allen's Ghost Horizons, Mary Halvorson, SML, Linda May Han Oh, Theon Cross, Eliana Glass, Hannah Frances, and Mulatu Astatke + Hoodna Orchestra.
Rebecca Downes; Natalie Bergman;
Black Viiolet; Paul Banks
a)
Greentea Peng, Leroi Conroy, Erika de Casier, Lucrecia Dalt, Surprise Che, Iraina Mancini, Sven Wunder
b)
Adrian Sherwood, Pierpont and Helgeson, Rebecca Downes, Natalie Bergman, Les Greene, Tami Neilson, Brooke Combe, Moonrisers, Adrian Quesada + Hermanos Gutiérrez
c)
Hand Habits, Tryphème, Marissa Nadler, Grace Woodroofe, Black Viiolet, Yzoula + Louis Fontaine, Alexandra Savior, Circuit des Yeux, Deradoorian, Mess Esque, Hilary Woods, Mattias Uneback, Jimi Tenor + Cold Diamond And Mink, Clea Vincent + Via Mardot, The Budos Band, Titanic, Paul Banks, Theodore Shapiro, Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinso, David Buckley + Azam Ali, Jeff Russo.
The Devil Makes Three; Kasami Washington 1
Vernon Reid, Public Enemy, Fishbone, Jesse Welles, Cream Soda, Zangoma, Mark Stewart, Cheap Perfume, Lolas, The Devil Makes Three, Erick Sermon + Public Enemy, Galactic + Irma Thomas, Brandon Santini, Ben Williams + Kasami Washington, and Neil Young And The Chrome Hearts.
C O V E R
S O N G S
2 0 2 5
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 times that separate us from each other, sharing songs reaffirms us as a people, honors our origins, and lights the way for the young.
There were an abundance of cover songs in 2025. 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.
Irving Kaufman / Thea Gilmore • Blind Willie Johnson / Robert Plant + Saving Grace.
Woody Guthrie / Andrew Duncanson • by Arlen/Koehler / Lady Gaga • Vera Lynn / Jeff Goldblum + Cynthia Erivo
+ Cynthia Erivo;
Thea Gilmore 1; Jay Ernest
Little Walter / Tammi Savoy • Ray Charles / Jon Batiste + Randy Newman • Bo Diddley / The Liverbirds • Johnny Cash / Jay Ernest and Don Diego Trio • The Delicates / Itchy and the Nits.
Brittany Howard; The Lemon Twigs;
Grace Bergere; Weyes Blood
Howlin’ Wolf / Lisa Mann's Northwestern All-Stars • The Everly Brothers / Lykke Li • The Shirelles / The Let’s Go’s • The Beach Boys / Medicine • Lesley Gore / The Dollyrots • The Beatles / Chrissie Hynde + Julian Lennon • Sam Cooke / Gina Sicilia • Sam Cooke / Frank Bey • Françoise Hardy / The Limiñanas • Smokey Robinson And The Miracles / La Lom • The Beatles / The Salt Collective • The Easybeats / The Highmarts • The Kinks / The Launderettes • Bob Dylan / Margo Price • The Animals / Brittany Howard • The Rolling Stones / Jessie Wagner • The Beach Boys / Chris Stamey + The Lemon Twigs • The Rolling Stones / Thee Headcoatees • Los Bravos / The KVB • The Beatles / The Omelettes • The Doors / Laissez-Affaire + Nicole Willis • The Doors / Kit Sebastian • Jimi Hendrix / Rory Block + Joanna Connor • Velvet Underground + Nico / Grace Berger + Thurston Moore • William Bell / Parlor Greens • Sam And Dave / GA-20 • The Beatles / Flamin' Groovies • The Impressions / Don Was And the Detroit Pan-Ensemble • Neil Diamond / Weyes Blood • Creedence Clearwater Revival / John Fogerty • The Beatles / Honeyboy Slim And The Bad Habits • The Beatles / Snõõper • The Beatles / Kilynn Lunsford • Dusty Springfield / Mocky • Led Zeppelin / Children of the Sün.
Parlor Greens; Q Lazzarus
Black Sabbath / Hippie Death Cult • Crosby, Stills, and Nash / The Wandering Hearts • Black Sabbath / Judas Priest + Ozzy Osbourne • Creedence Clearwater Revival / Margaret Glaspy • Three Dog Night / The Alexis P Suter Band • Curtis Mayfield / Mavis Staples • Marvin Gaye / Beverly Glenn-Copeland • Jim Croce / Lucy Dacus • The Rolling Stones / Bette Smith • Helen Reddy / Betty Smith • Iggy And The Stooges / Boneshakers • Iggy And The Stooges / Paul Banks • The Jackson 5 / Bacao Rhythm And Steel Band • Willie Dixon / Emma Wilson • Mike Oldfield / Mike Oldfield • Bob James / Bacao Rhythm And Steel Band • Brian Protheroe / Paul Weller • Bill Withers / Janiva Magness • Dolly Parton / Parlor Greens • William DeVaughn / Smokey Robinson • Betty Davis / Boneshakers • Donny Hathaway / Jo Harman • Al Green / Emma Donovan • The Eagles / Brandon Victor Dixon • The Damned / Motörhead • Iggy Pop / Paul Banks • 'Grease' / Satan Takes A Holiday • Blondie / Kingston Sound System + Blondie • The Buzzcocks / The Untamed Youth • Talking Heads / Q Lazzarus • Patti Smith / The Feelies • Wings / The Kooks • Chic / Neo-Magics.
Talking Heads / Kenny Dope + Roisin Murphy • Madonna / The Sugar Beats • Tears For Fears / Luke James • Midnight Oil / Orchid In The Ivy.
Kassa Overall; Brad Meldau
CJ Chenier / David Hidalgo • Concrete Blonde / The Dead South • Pixies / Hauntu • Nirvana / Stephen Wilson Jr • R.E.M. / Macon Music Revue • Alice In Chains / Fishbone • The Breeders / The Lovely Eggs • Digable Planets / Kassa Overall • Nirvana / Father John Misty • Julee Cruise / Rafiq Bhatia • Beck / Field Music • Portishead / Michael Sarian • Elastica / Dina Dove • Garbage / Taleen Kali • Los Fabulosos Cadillacs / Lost Marplas • Elliott Smith / Brad Mehldau.
Gillian Welch / Louisa Stancioff • Paul McCartney / Barbra Streisand + Paul McCartney.
B E S T
R E I S S U E S :
2 0 2 5
Quality is timeless.
by Tym Stevens
This music player has songs from the following albums, in the same order.
• 1950s •
• Patsy Cline, "Imagine That: The Lost Recordings 1954-1963"
This collection is a must for fans of the Country queen.
It redefines her career with a trove of unreleased songs from her Western band beginnings through her evolution to supple chanteuse.
• Bob Dylan, "Through The Open Window: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 18; 1956-1963" ⇩
The origins of Dylan, from unreleased early Rock'n'Roll songs as a teen to his fruition as a political songsmith.
Francoise Hardy; Otis Redding
• 1960s •
• Ray Charles, "No One Does It Like... Ray Charles" (1962+) ⇧
As part of a new reissue campaign of his personal label, this supplement pulls together rare singles and B-Sides.
• Françoise Hardy, "Le Premier Bonheur Du Jour" (France, 1963) ⇧
A remastering of her second album, where chanson standards are peppered with her own compositions.
• Otis Redding, "Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul" (1965) ⇧
The crucial record that everyone owned, with standards like "Respect", "I've Been Loving You Too Long", "Shake", and covers of Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" and The Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction".
• Various Artists, "Stax Revue: Live In '65!"
Stax Records changed and escalated Soul and Rock music.
Here, giants like Booker T And The MGs, Carla Thomas, and Wilson Pickett show us how.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
• Sly Stone, "Before The Family Stone: Sly In The 60s" (mid-'60s)
Before 1967, Sly Stone was a popular DJ who also produced and recorded.
This compilation of the early years has standout tracks in his maturation from solo to family affair.
• Sly And The Family Stone, "The First Family: Live At Winchester Cathedral 1967" ⇧
And boom!,
here's one of the greatest bands of all time coming right into focus ahead of their first album sessions.
• Ella Fitzgerald, "The Moment Of Truth: Live At The Coliseum 1967" (1964-’66)
Live albums may exist becasue of Ella, with folks fervently documenting her concerts since she started.
Always thinking forward, Ella reps some current hits here with "Alfie" and "Music To Watch Girls By".
• The Jimi Hendrix Experience, "Bold As Love" (The Axis: Bold As Love Sessions) (1967) ⇧
A new box revealing the evolving creative proces behind Jimi's second album, an ambitious response to 'Sgt. Pepper', including stereo and mono remixes, demos, alternate takes, and live concerts.
• The Iveys, "Miniskirts And Rainbows (Demos: 1966-1969)" ⇩
This is the fifth new anthology of unreleased demos by The Iveys, who would go on to become the wonderful Badfinger.
• Jeannie Piersol, "The Nest" (1968) ⇩
Another great woman of Rock restored to the pantheon.
After leaving The Great Society, Jeanie fronted two other Psyche bands, and this collects all of her unreleased recordings for the first time.
• John Barry, "On Her Majesty’s Secret Service" (1968)
A new remastering of one of the greatest James Bond soundtracks, now expanded to include the full film score.
• Brigitte Fontaine, "Brigitte Fontaine est Folle" (1968)
A cult classic of experimental Chamber Pop.
Nick Drake; The Clinger Sisters
• Nick Drake, "The Making of ‘Five Leaves Left'" (1968+) ⇧
A triple-set tracing the path to the moody folkster's first album (1969), from various studio sessions.
• Marlena Shaw, "The Spice Of Life" (1969)
A remastering of Shaw's classic blend of soul sass and counterculture cred.
• The Clinger Sisters, "Havin’ A Good Time" (1965-1969) ⇧
An all-female band who arced from friendly pop into tough swingers like their great cover of The Easybeats' "Gonna Have A Good Time".
• 1970s •
S t o n e .
• Sly And The Family Stone, "SLY LIVES! aka, The Burden of Black Genius" (1967-1973) ⇧
The soundtrack to Questlove's acclaimed documentary, with classics and alternate versions by the Funk god, Sly Stone.
• Funkadelic, "Funkadelic" (1970)
A remastering of the startling first album.
If Parliament was rockin' soul on their debut 'Osmium' (1970), their alter ego Funkadelic went full-on Psyche Blues with hearty Gospel stomp.
• Black Sabbath, "Paranoid" (1970) ⇩
The greatest Stoner and Doom Rock band of all time, whose heaviosity defines all afterward.
This remastering of the second album roars with classics like "War Pigs", "Paranoid", "Fairies Wear Boots", and the lovely wooze of "Planet Caravan".
• Pink Floyd, "Live at Pompeii 1972" ⇩
The apex of their cosmic jam band phase, performed alone in the ruins of a Pompeii colliseum, ahead of their breakthrough with the epochal 'Dark Side Of The Moon'.
Pink Floyd;
John Lennon and Yoko Ono 1
• Yes, "Close To The Edge" (1972)
The Prog band of prog bands followed their pivotal 'Fragile' (1971) with this densely complex symphophonic array.
• John Lennon, "Power To The People" (1972) ⇧
An expansive overview of John and Yoko's political peak, revolving around their 'Some Time In New York City' (1972) album.
• Buckingham Nicks, "Buckingham Nicks" (1973)
Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks made a folk rock album with consummate song craft. When Mick Fleetwood heard it, he transformed Fleetwood Mac into arena godhood by inducting them into the band.
For reasons, this album as been unavailable forever, and it's amazing that it is finally remastered for your listening pleasure.
• War, "Live in Japan, 1974"
War were one of the most formidable live bands of the '70s, with a heady brew of Funk, Jazz, and Latin fusion that shook your butt and the pop charts. Here is previously unreleased proof.
Badfinger;
Patti Smith + Bob Dylan 1;
Led Zeppelin
• Fanny, "Rock'n'Roll Survivors" (1974) ⇧
Any version of Rock history without women is untrue.
Fanny was the first all-female Rock band signed to a major label for multiple albums. This is a welcome remastering of the rare fifth LP, when Patti Quatro stepped in for departing leader June Millington.
• Pete Ham, "Acoustic" (c. 1974)
As the leader of The Iveys and Badfinger, Pete Ham pumped out an amazing amount of quality songs that went unreleased, now seeing the light of day in fine compilations. These are acoustic demos made at home.
• Pete Ham, "Demos Variety Pack"
An introductory assortment of tracks from across the several demo albums that have been collected.
• Badfinger, "Head On" (1975) ⇧
The unreleased Badfinger album, recorded before Ham's unfortunate death. The band continued its run of talented songwriters, with excellent work here by new member Bob Jackson.
• Wings, "Venus And Mars" (1975)
The underrated follow-up to the essential 'Band On The Run', with tough cosmic prog like "Rock Show", bluesy rockers, earworm ballads, and playful pop.
• Patti Smith, "Horses" (1975) ⇧
A 50th anniversay expansion of Patti's tough and poetic debut, with a second disc of unreleased session songs.
• Chicago, "Chicago IX: Greatest Hits Expanded" (1976)
Chicago had more hits in six years than many have in long careers. This remastering expands their original greatest hits record with an additional ten songs.
• Led Zeppelin, "Live EP" (1975, 1979) ⇧
Prime Zep, with two songs from 1975 and two more from their finale in 1979.
Elton John + John Lennon;
Death;
Motorhead
• Pink Floyd, "Wish You Were Here" (1975)
How do you follow up 'Dark Side Of The Moon'?
Brilliantly, by decontructing your success and your origins to open up the future.
• War, "Why Can’t We Be Friends?" (1975) ⇧
War at their commercial and creative peak, with essentials like the title anthem smash, the proto-Rap of "Heartbeat", the slept-on classic "Don't Let No One Get You Down", and the moody Rhumba of "In Mazatlan".
• Elton John, "Captain Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy" (1975) ⇧
Nothing exceeds like excess. Tumbling on sheer momentum after 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' (1973), and still fascinating for the whole coked-out trip *; e.g., the majestic "Someone Saved My Life Tonight", and bouncing Reggae into "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" with John Lennon himself.
* (Spoiler Alert: Cocaine is about eat every brain in the late-'70s.)
• The Flirtations, "Love Makes The World Go Round" (1975)
An unsung and solid reissue of the Soul vocal trio, most known for their previous classic, "Nothing But A Heartache".
• Death, "...For All The World To See"" (1975) ⇧
Detroit Rock as Punk as a middle finger.
• Fleetwood Mac, "Fleetwood Mac: Live 1975" (1975)
If Elton John solely owned arena mega-stardom in the early-'70s, Fleetwood Mac owned it for the latter-'70s.
• Fleetwood Mac, "Fleetwood Mac 1975 to 1987"
An box set overview of the five Classic Albums of their zenith.
• Motörhead, "The Manticore Tapes" (1976) ⇧
Newly-discovered tapes of Motorhead's very first recordings, inventing the bridge from Metal to Punk.
Sex Pistols
• Ultra Funk, "Ultra Funk" (1976)
Unknown Funksters turning your get-together into a bounce-house.
• Eddie Hazel, "Games, Dames, And Guitar Thangs" (1977) ⇧
The iconic guitarist for Funkadelic, heir to Hendrix and scion of all since, with his one solo album. Along with vital covers of "California Dreaming" and "I Want You (She's So Heavy)", Eddie's guitar pyrotechnics are lifted by the seamless contralto sirens, Lynn Mabry and Dawn Silva, who are about to bust forth as The Brides Of Funkenstein.
• Sex Pistols, "Live In The USA 1978" ⇧
The Sex Pistols were (sometimes literally) fighting for their lives in their final year, and that urgency is what makes this last tour so bracing and liberating still.
• The Who, "Who Are You" (1978)
An expansion of their peak album, with bonus tracks.
Stiff Little Fingers; Wire
• The Cars, "The Cars" (1978) ⇧
Just what you needed to move your stereo, the impossibly great debut album that joyrode ArtRock and New Wave.
• Talking Heads, "More Songs About Buildings And Food" (1978) ⇧
The second album remastered, with a copious bounty of rarities and live performances.
• Talking Heads, "Live On Tour ’78"
And yet more, with songs from their first two albums.
• Stiff Little Fingers, "Inflammable Material" (1979) ⇧
If The Clash and Crass were protesting the dawning Fascism in London, these Irish buzzsaws were fighting Colonial oppression right in the streets, lobbing Molotov classics like "Suspect Device" and "Alternative Ulster". Stand down, Margaret.
• Wire, "Nine Sevens" (1977-1980) ⇧
This overview of their first phase was previously released as an exclusive for Record Store Day, but now has an official general release.
• 1980s •
• Bruce Springsteen, "Nebraska ’82: Expanded Edition" ⇩
After becoming fascinated with the stripped-down Rockabilly throb of Suicide, Bruce put his big band on hold to make a spartan and haunting acoustic confessional.
• U.K. Subs, "Endangered Species" (1982)
Second-wave Punk comes in, leaning hardcore and brutal.
• Andy Summers and Robert Fripp, "The Complete Recordings 1981-1984"
The guitarists for The Police and King Crimson, respectively, counter the Synth-Pop zeitgeist with intricate modern guitar duels.
• Various Artists, "Style Wars" (1983) ⇩
The documentary and its soundtrack are incalculable in their impact and influence.
Basically, the whole world knows what HipHop and Grafitti Art are because of it. And every record after sampled every atom of it.
Give special attention to the ricochet dervish rhymes of Rammellzee and Shockdell.
Xmal Deutschland; Prince 2
2- Jeff Katz
• Xmal Deutschland, "Fetisch" (1983) ⇧
PostPunk while also GothCore from an all-valkyrie band, soaring on the howl of singer Anja Huwe.
• Girlschool, "Running Wild and Live In London 1984"
Strafing in the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal alongside Motorhead and Judas Priest, the all-female Girlschool -spearheaded by guitarist Kelly Johnson- head the class.
• Prince And The Revolution, "Around The World In A Day" (1985) ⇧
After the overwhelming success of the 'Purple Rain' film and album (1984), Prince zags into psychedelia.
• Plasticland, "Wonder Wonderful Wonderland" (1985) ⇩
Meanwhile, parallel to the Paisley Underground movement, this band is going full-throttle Garage and Psychedelic with an almost Punk edge.
Gene Clark + Carla Olson; De La Soul
• Tears For Fears, "Songs From The Big Chair" (1985) ⇧
If you don't own 'The Hurting' (1983) and 'Songs From The Big Chair' in your Eighties collection, I don't know what to say for you.
• Black Axess, "The Golden Seal" (c. 1985)
A Funk Rock guitarist invested everything he had into a single that didn't sell. Luckily, we now have the whole unreleased album.
• INXS, "Listen Like Thieves" (1985)
When the Australian band broke through into eminence, synthing James Brown punch with Stones swagger.
• Let's Active, "Big Plans For Everybody" (1986)
Mitch Easter channeled his huge success as a producer (R.E.M.) into his psychedelic solo project, at its most sublime in this fine record.
• Gene Clark and Carla Olson, "So Rebellious A Lover" (1987) ⇧
The greats from The Byrds and The Textones, respectively, further the Roots movement with this refreshingly organic recital of ballads with lilting harmonies.
• The Meteors, "The Mutant Monkey And The Surfers From Zorch" (1988)
Psychobilly madness that laughs at laws and decency.
• De La Soul, "Three Feet High And Rising" (1988) ⇧
Public Enemy's 'It Takes A Nation' is the 'Revolver' of Rap. The Beastie Boys' 'Paul's Boutique' is the 'Sgt Pepper' of Rap. This album is the 'We're Only In It For The Money' of Rap; a zany piss-take of boho bliss while still protesting The Man.
• 1990s •
for all these years.
• The Beatles, "Anthology" (1995+) ⇧
The Greatest Band Of All Time.
A remastering of the alternate takes treasure chest, expanded with a new fourth part.
All this and the Reunion classics, "Free As A Bird", "Real Love" and "Now And Then".
• Blondie, "No Exit" (1999)
The smash reunion album, with the timeless "Maria".
• 2000-2022 •
Franz Ferdinand; Balduin
• David Bowie, "I Can’t Give Everything Away" (2002-2016) ⇧
A deluxe box set rounding out the final albums of Bowie's career, with many rareties and live tracks.
• Kaiser Chiefs, "Employment" (2005) ⇧
Amid the PostPunk revival, these clever trevors transmuted XTC and BritPop into punchy stadium hits.
• Supergrass, "Road To Rouen" (2005)
The quieter, introspective, and lovely album by the BritPop cutups.
• Franz Ferdinand, "You Could Have It So Much Better" (2005) ⇧
Much of what was post-labeled as PostPunk was often fueled by Funk. This band went massive putting the melodic jab in dance anthems.
• Balduin, "Best of Balduin" (2000-20022) ⇧
An overview of the Swiss psychedelicist.
© Tym Stevens
"A splendid time is guaranteed for all!"
See also:
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