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One of the most underrated soul jazz records of not only the 70s but of all-time; session man Phil Upchurch steps up to the front and cuts loose on this gem of a funky record- not only killing it with his own compositions but reworking some classics like Marvin Gaye's Inner City Blues, James Taylor's Fire and Rain and Carole King's You've Got a Friend.
A perfect intersection of jazz, funk, rock, soul and blues.
Phil Upchurch - Darkness, Darkness (1972; Blue Thumb Records)
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This is the live recording of the Gavin Bryars' minimalist masterpiece from 1975, utilizing the help of sound collage artiste Philip Jeck and the Italian classical sextet Alter Ego.
The story behind the record goes like this: the band on the Titanic played the as the ship sank to help calm the passengers and ease the transition to the lifeboats; all eight musicians went down with the ship. Bryars' piece is meant both as an homage to the heroism of the musicians as well as what it may have sounded like- they chose Amazing Grace and another hymn Autumn as well as interspersing actual sound clips from survivors.
Take a dive into this heartbreaking and haunting solemn work of sound art.
Gavin Bryars, Alter Ego & Philip Jeck - The Sinking of the Titanic (1969-) 2007; Touch
Intense atmospheric emotional indie rock from Seattle just at the turn of the century.
It's raw but clean sounding, ragged yet polished.
Highlighting bass player Derek Fudesco from seminal garage punk act The Murder City Devils as well as Jason Clark on guitar from post-hardcore cult band Kill Sadie and featuring the amazing vocal stylings of one Andrea Zollo, this band burned too bright and ended way before their time.
Pretty Girls Make Graves - The New Romance (2003; Matador Records)
Symphonic prog from the Netherlands; features excellent guitar work from Jan Akkerman- medieval renaissance and classical baroque styles mixed with rock and funk.
Nods to Jethro Tull and Yes all over this record; it's more an homage than a rip-off. A necessary addition to any prog rock fan's library.
Focus - Hamburger Concerto (1974; Atco Records)
Phil Upchurch - Darkness, Darkness (1972; Blue Thumb Records)
