ChandlerAzTed

Singer-songwriter Jenny O. seems pretty well-versed in her overall knowledge of pop. Not only has she covered “Can’t Seem to Make You Mine” by the Seeds, she even appeared on a 2005 tribute to Gennett Records with a cover of Hoagy Carmichael’s "Stardust." Jenny was also the only unsigned artist to appear on the Rave…

After years of recording for Chess Records and its Argo and Cadet subsidiaries, Upendo Ni Pamoja was Ramsey Lewis Trio’s debut for Columbia Records. They prepared a well-rounded selection of songs that lavished in lushness, scaled gospel heights, and barreled through rhythm & blues (with frequent visits to all these styles, moods, and moments within…

Over the decades, the Go-Go’s have become regarded as one of the key groups of the new wave movement and in a way a commendable cross-over act that connected the underground to the mainstream that one can still hear at wedding receptions and swimming pools, or in short, the essential link between Blondie and the…

Eiichi Ohtaki (1948-2013) was a towering musical figure in post-WWII Japanese music.  At the time of this concert, Ohtaki was riding the momentum of A Long Vacation (1981) and preparing for his subsequent successful 1984 follow-up Each Time. In this period between his two most popular releases, he also recorded two albums consisting entirely of…

While mostly dismissed by the steelpan purists, its evocative liquid sound, stellar production, and broad repertoire sets Steelband Spectacular (1966) apart when it comes to steelband albums. It is also notable for being one of the first steelband albums on an American major label.  It was produced by John Simon, who at the time was…

Minari (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Emile Mosseri Upon initial viewing of Minari, I quickly noticed the atmospheric sound that has become somewhat characteristic of A24 Films (Lady Bird, The Farewell). However, there was something more musically implicit that was taking place beyond the foreground screen and speakers. In moments, the sounds swept and rose to express…

Smokin' by Las Siete Potencias It’s hard to know just how many Latin bands formed in the wake of 1972 cinéma vérité documentary Our Latin Thing. It could be stated that this gritty, yet celebratory film had a similar catalyzing effect that A Hard Day’s Night had on the kids out in the Anglo neighborhoods.  It’s quite possible that Las…

Dropout City by Trummors Dropout City starts boldly by exploring some unmarked trails on the opener “Late Arrival,” which leads into some dissonance that is as jagged as Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument. This Taos, New Mexico-based female-male duo proceed to circuitously find their way back to the main trail before returning home to their kerosene…