Moses Sumney: Mid-City Island

I may have to build a web or something to keep up with a lot of music that's being released. Last spring, Los Angeles based singer-songwriter and guitarist, Moses Sumney released his incredible work of art titled Mid-City Island EP, which he did the "throwback" thing and recorded it on a 4-track recorder. Rather than get into how great the EP sounds, i'll let you hear it for yourselves. Grab the whole EP for free from his Soundcloud page. Drop him a line to say thanks while you're there.

Broken Quote: Foreshadowing Sunlight

My good friend Broken Quote, who's a multi-instrumentalist here in Houston has uploaded a new track to Youtube a few days ago. I have to say that I really dig this cut. Be on the lookout for this to appear in one of my upcoming podcasts. ENJOY!

Happy Birthday: Rain Fingerhut

A very happy birthday to Rain Fingerhut, a lovely folk artist who writes and plays guitar that moved here to Houston from California a few months ago. Although i've only seen her about three times, she seems to have a really good attitude. Cheers to you on your celebration of life.

Happy Birthday: Cheryl Cooley

Cheryl Cooley is blessed to be here for another year to celebrate life. Cooley is an original member and "axe murderer"(that's guitarist folks, because she kills it) of the all girl band KLYMAXX that rose to prominence with their hits "Meeting In The Ladies Room", "I Miss You", "The Men All Pause" and other classics. We wish you the best on this day and hope you have many happy returns.

Friday Flashback: Dennis Coffey

Sadly, they didn't have platinum status so many years back. The highest level of record sales was gold for selling one million records (at wholesale price) up until 1976, when they changed it to platinum. Dennis Coffey's "Scorpio" (1971) is a million selling instrumental from his Evolution LP that was sampled by many Hip-Hop and Acid Jazz producers. "Scorpio" features bassist Bob Babbit (November 26, 1937 – July 16, 2012), who along with Coffey are both former members of the legendary Funk Brothers, the studio band who played on numerous Motown recordings.

Friday Flashback: Chuck Brown

BLACK MUSIC MONTH 2012





In memory of another one of our fallen soldiers in music, we are continuing the tribute to the "Godfather of Go-Go", Chuck Brown. Lately, with all the financial woes of many around the country, I thought this classic go-go tune would be the perfect tune to post. I'm happy to have this 12 inch as part of my vinyl collection.

Friday Flashback: Johnny "Guitar" Watson

Johnny "Guitar" Watson
(February 3, 1935 – May 17, 1996)
Tonight's presentation of Friday Flashback, we're taking you back to one of my musical heroes who influenced many artists on the Blues, Funk and Jazz circuits. A Houston native who composed many hit records that spanned radio stations and music stores, from here, all the way across to Japan. "Superman Lover" is my top favorite by Mr. Watson, which was sampled by producer/emcee Redman, as well as a few other Hip-Hop artists. Get your dose of what he calls Funk Beyond The Call of Duty.

Gábor Szabó: Witchcraft

Gábor Szabó
(March 8, 1936 - February 26, 1982)
Earlier today I was listening to my copy of The Best of Gábor Szabó on vinyl. For a beautiful spring day that it was, it made my afternoon seem brighter. This Hungarian native was big on simplicity. And with simplicity, it helped to breed a genius on guitar in his own right in the world of Jazz. Although not known by many, he has a catalog of more than 20 albums and has also been a sideman for Chico Hamilton, Paul Desmond, Coke Escovedo, Steve Allen and Charles Lloyd. In 1969, he recorded Lena & Gabor with Lena Horne on his short lived Skye record label.

The tune I wish to share today is rather interesting, to say the least. "Withcraft", recorded in 1966 and composed by Cy Coleman, hosts a group of serious musicians. Szabó on guitar of course, with a helping hand from Ron Carter on bass, Chico Hamilton on drums, and percussionists Willie Bobo and Victor Pantoja. It was originally released on Szabó's Spellbinder album.

Happy Birthday: Anita O'Day, Chuck Berry & Wynton Marsalis

Anita O'day
(October 18, 1919 – November 23, 2006)
Born Anita Belle Colton, O'Day was admired for her sense of rhythm and dynamics, and her early big band appearances shattered the traditional image of the "girl singer". Refusing to pander to any female stereotype, O'Day presented herself as a "hip" jazz musician, wearing a band jacket and skirt as opposed to an evening gown. She changed her surname from Colton to O'Day, pig Latin for "dough," slang for money. (Read more...)

Chuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry (born October 18, 1926) is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of Rock and Roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" (1955), "Roll Over Beethoven" (1956), "Rock and Roll Music" (1957) "Johnny B. Goode" (1958), and "My Ding-a-Ling" (1972). Chuck Berry refined and developed Rhythm and Blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive, with lyrics focusing on teen life and consumerism and utilizing guitar solos and showmanship that would be a major influence on subsequent rock music. (Read more...)

Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Learson Marsalis, born October 18, 1961 in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a Jazz and Western classical virtuoso trumpeter and composer. He is Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. He has promoted the appreciation of Classical and Jazz music, often focusing on young audiences. (Read more...)