Today’s Albums – 101 to 200

Liz Phair – Exile in Guyville

In the mid-to-late 90’s in the record store I worked, I remember seeing numerous copies of Liz Phair’s debut album, Exile in Guyville, in the sale bins. Yet, a couple of decades later the album appeared at 327 in the Rolling Stone magazine Top 500 Album list. Perhaps a listen was long over due. Exile in Guyville was released in June 1993 and on first play has the feel of a demo recording, with minimal production. Phair has a way with words, writing blunt and to-the-point lyrics. After a couple more listens, the songs 61, Fuck and Run and Never Said got under your skin, a testament to the high quality of song writing. Although Exile in Guyville never achieved the commercial success Phair probably craved, the 18 songs on Exile are of such high quality Phair must forever be remembered as a true indie rock goddess.

The Shins – Heartworms

Has it really been half-a-decade since the Albuquerque pop-rock band The Shins released a studio album? Apparently so, although the term band should be used loosely now, as Heartworms is essentially a solo-project for singer-guitarist James Mercer. Despite the absence of former band mates, the recently released fifth studio album, is very much a Shins album, full of power-pop and catchy melodies. The title track Heartworms and Painting a Hole, Half a Million, Cherry Hearts and The Fear are all essential listening. However, my highlight is Mildenhall, probably because I spent many weekends as a youngster at the airbase featured in the song.  theshins.com

Placebo – Placebo

In 1994, singer and guitarist Brian Molko plucked up courage to talk to a guy with a bass guitar strapped across his back waiting at South Kensington tube station. The man with the bass was Stefan Olsdal and that chance meeting was the beginning of Placebo. I first saw Placebo in January 1996 at the now closed Astoria in London, six months before their debut eponymous album was released. I remember being captivated by singer-guitarist Brian Molko’s distinct vocals and energetic guitar riffs. Thankfully the intensity of the live show carried through to the debut album. Molko has described the Placebo sound as “punk pop for postponed suicides”, which is spot on, given much of the lyrics are about questioning sexuality, drugs and generally experiencing unhappy times. When Britpop was in full swing, the entrance of Placebo was exciting and offered something different to other alternative rock acts at the time. The Placebo debut album may be over 20 years old, but listening again all these years later, there remains a freshness about their unique sound. Placebo is a 90’s classic!  placeboworld.co.uk

Randy Newman – Sail Away

In recent years Randall ‘Randy’ Newman is predominantly known for his songs featuring in Pixar films. Every time I hear Newman’s voice, in my mind I picture Buzz and Woody from Toy Story. Newman’s success on the silver screen is due to his genius talent of crafting a great song.  A skill which is unquestionably illustrated in his third studio album Sail Away, released in May 1972. The album is a deeply personal affair, singing about the subjects of religion and the nation he’s always adored, America. The title track Sail Away, Old Man, God’s Song, and You Can Leave Your Hat On, which was made famous in the Full Monty movie, are for me the stand-out tracks. Sail Away was ranked at 322 in Rolling Stone magazine’s 2012 Top 500 Albums of all-time list.  randynewman.com

Depeche Mode – Spirit

On Friday, the legendary new wave synth band Depeche Mode released their fourteenth album, Spirit. The title suggests strength and courage, perhaps referring to the world’s angst and social unrest, a subject prevalent in Gahan’s lyrics. Spirit was produced by James Ford, a member of Simian Mobile Disco, who has also produced for Foals, Florence and the Machine and Artic Monkeys. Ford has carefully maintained the Depeche Mode electronic sound, while creating a greater intensity. The highlights are the single Where’s the Revolution, as well as You Move, Cover Me and Poison Heart. Spirit is Mode’s best work in years, and probably the pre-eminent new release in 2017.  depechemode.com

The Police – Ghost In The Machine

The fourth album from Sting, Copeland and Summers, Ghost In The Machine was released October 1981, and saw the band evolve musically incorporating instrumentation beyond drums, guitar and bass, as well as expanding lyrically subject and themes. Highlights include the opening two tracks Spirits in the Material World, Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, also Omegaman and Secret Journey. It’s not as good as Reggatta de Blanc, but throughout their career The Police maintained a high standard of work, so you won’t be disappointed if this is your first listen. Ghost In The Machine was ranked at 323 by Rolling Stone magazine in their 2012 Top 500 album list.  thepolice.com

Eric Clapton – Slowhand

Slowhand was Eric Clapton’s fifth solo studio album, released in November 1977, with the title taken from Clapton’s nickname. Apparently Slowhand was a reference to the speed at which Clapton changed guitar strings, personally I would have thought such a prominent musician would have had someone to do that for him, but there you go. The highlights are Mean Old Frisco, which features some great slide guitar, Lay Down Sally, The Core, We’re All the Way, the J.J. Cale written Cocaine, and of course the slow dance and wedding favourite Wonderful Tonight. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Clapton’s Slowhand at 325 in their 2012 Top 500 album list.  ericclapton.com

The Cure – Disintegration

I never subscribed to the gothic handbook or was ever drawn in by the lure of Robert Smith and The Cure. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a Cure album from start to finish before creating todaysalbum.com. As the 80’s ‘Allo ‘Allo! character Captain Bertorelli used to say “What a mistake-a to make-a!” The Cure’s eighth studio album Disintegration, released in May 1989, is a peach, well in gloomy gothic kind of a way. The album was created while singer Smith allegedly relapsed into the world of hallucinogenic drugs, maybe this was behind why Disintegration became the band’s biggest selling album to date. Many of the tracks are lengthy languid affairs, but for me among the highlights are Lullaby, Pictures of You, The Same Deep Water as You, Plainsong and Lovesong. In 2012 Rolling Stone magazine ranked Disintegration at 326 in their Top 500 all-time album list.  thecure.com

Fantastic Negrito – The Last Days of Oakland

The musician Xavier Dphrepaulezz, known as Fantastic Negrito, is a modern blues artist with who draws his inspiration from the sorrow experienced in his life. Dphrepaulezz was the eighth of fifteen children, born of Somali-Caribbean immigrant parents, he left home at age 12, hustling in Los Angeles. In 2000 he was involved in a near-fatal car crash, resulting in a coma and endless physical therapy. After listening to Prince, Dphrepaulezz taught himself music and the rest, is as they say history. The Last Days of Oakland, released 2016, deals unsurprisingly with trauma, racial oppression and the decline of America, and won a Grammy for Best Blues Album. The highlights for me are the tracks Hump Thru The Winter, In The Pines, Working Poor and About a Bird.  fantasticnegrito.com

Prince – Sign ‘O’ the Times

‘Shut up, already, damn…’ At 28 years young the man from Minneapolis had already achieved so much in his career. But after disbanding his backing band, the Revolution Prince moved on to a new project, the movie and album Sign ‘O’ the Times. Prince’s ninth studio album, released March 1987, defies genre stereotype, including styles from romantic ballads to funk, and from rock to electro; it’s all here in a neatly packaged double album. Sometimes coined as Prince’s White Album, Sign ‘O’ the Times was recorded, mostly by Prince, at his beloved Paisley Park. There are numerous highlights, but I’ve always adored Housequake, Starfish and Coffee, I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man, It’s Going to Be a Beautiful Night, The Cross and of course the title track. Sign ‘O’ the Times was ranked at 93 in the 2012 Rolling Stone magazine Top 500 album list. One of the greats!

Jesca Hoop – Memories Are Now

A friend recommended I listen to the latest release from Californian singer-songwriter Jesca Hoop. I must confess her name had escaped my radar, and I was surprised to learn Memories Are Now was her fifth studio album. Digging deeper, I discovered Ms Hoop had an interesting back-story. She was born into a musical Mormon and years later found herself working as a nanny for the legend that is Tom Waits, who ultimately encouraged her to start her own music career. In one review of Memories Are Now the reviewer perfectly described Hoop’s music as ‘beautiful but agitated’, beautiful enough to amass numerous musician admirers. The tracks Cut Connection, The Lost Sky, The Coming and the fabulous title track Memories are Now, for me are the highlights. Give it a listen for yourself.  jescahoop.com

The Byrds – Sweetheart of the Rodeo

The sixth album by The Byrds, released August 1968, saw the band transition from their psychedelic rock sound to the country genre. The album failed to capture the imagination commercially, especially in the country and western scene, but in recent years is seen as highly influential. The country musician Gram Parsons joined the band for this project, joining in recordings in Los Angeles and Nashville, and then following legal difficulties left the band prior to the album’s release. The highlights are the Bob Dylan tracks Nothing Was Delivered and the sublime You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere, together with covers such as Gene Autry’s Blue Canadian Rockies, Merle Haggard’s Life In Prison and good old Woody Guthrie’s Pretty Boy Floyd. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Sweetheart of the Rodeo at 120 in their 2012 Top 500 album list.  thebyrds.com

Brightblack Morning Light – Brightblack Morning Light

The band Brightblack Morning Light were formed by Nathan Shineywater and Rachael Hughes in California, although both were originally from Alabama. Their second full-length album, the eponymous Brightblack Morning Light was released over ten years ago and is as calming as lying on a lilo, floating on a pristine Norwegian fjord. The slow and languid music is fuelled by hypnotic percussion, which I can only describe it as Lo-fi folk, although BML have often been called one of the leaders of a scene known as freak folk. Nature played an important role in the creation and the minimalist result. Although there are clearly stand out tracks, including Star Blanket River Child and Black Feather Wishes Rise, the album should listened to like a classical symphony, a complete work made of ten individual codas. I know Brightblack Morning Light won’t be for everybody, but their conceptual slo-mo blues sound is an interesting style and worth exploring, especially when chilling late at night.

The Rolling Stones – Out of Our Heads

The first few Rolling Stones albums were essentially rhythm and blues cover collections, and Out of Our Heads was no different with the exception of a few Stones penned tracks, one of which would define their career. Out of Our Heads was the band’s third studio album released September 1965 in the UK, and included soulful covers of Sam Cooke’s Good Times, Marvin Gaye’s Hitch Hike and Solomon Burke’s Cry to Me. The Stones written tracks are The Last Time, Play With Fire and the smash Satisfaction. Despite the presence of Satisfaction, the album only reached number two in the UK album chart, due to a band from Liverpool stealing the limelight with the album Help! Rolling Stone magazine placed Out of Our Heads at 116 in their 2012 Top 500 Album list.  rollingstones.com

Derek and the Dominos – Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs

The guitarist Eric Clapton was in a strange place emotionally back in 1970, he was head over heals in love with another mans wife, that man being his good friend George Harrison, and was also keen to move on from the short-lived experience with the band Blind Faith. These factors culminated in Clapton sinking his plectrum into new material in the form of Derek and the Dominos. Many critics believe Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, released in November 1970, to be among Clapton’s finest work. Like Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos lasted only for one studio album, but will live long in the memory of rock and blues fans. There are some great tracks on Layla, including Anyday, Key to the Highway, It’s Too Late, I Am Yours, I Looked Away, Keep On Growing and of course the title track Layla. Layla was placed at 117 in a 2012 Top 500 all-time albums published by Rolling Stone magazine.

Etta James – At Last!

The debut album from soul diva Etta James At Last! was released in November 1960, and was produced by the legendary Chess brothers, Phil and Leonard. James had a voice that could melt butter, demonstrated in the tracks All I Could Do Was Cry and Trust in Me, as well as the jazz standards A Sunday Kind of Love and the fantastic Stormy Weather. The title track is her best known work, largely due to adverts and movies, but from start to finish I was spellbound by her performance, and did I mention that voice? Rolling Stone magazine ranked At Last! at 119 in their 2012 Top 500 album list.

Dodgy – Free Peace Sweet

I’ve always seen the Britpop trio Dodgy as a 90’s equivalent of The Monkees, a band often seen as a bit of a novelty act that actually made some pretty good music. Singer-guitarist Nigel Clark, drummer Matthew Priest and lead guitarist Andy Miller were festival favourites during the mid-to-late 90’s, performing their jovial sing-a-long numbers. Free Peace Sweet was Dodgy’s third studio album, released in June 1996 and contains some of those festival favs, such as In a Room, Good Enough and Found You. It’s a shame the band have become almost a forgotten casualty of the Britpop era, with other prominent acts moving onto bigger and better things, but they are still touring and delighting audiences on their travels. I upset guitarist Andy Miller once, when I told him a Glastonbury sound engineer turned off his mike, as how should I politely put it, he was rather off key…sorry Andy, but don’t shoot the messenger. Give Free Peace Sweet a chance…didn’t Lennon sing that?  dodgyology.com

The Who – The Who Sell Out

The Who’s third studio album The Who Sell Out, released December 1967, has one of my favourite covers of all-time, Baked Beans and Odorono deodorant, comedy gold. The whole album is light-hearted, with comical adverts in-between songs mimicking the pirate radio station Radio London. A joke which allegedly caused a few lawsuits, whoops. The whole album was precursor to Tommy, experimenting with the concept album format. The incredible I Can See for Miles, the opener Armenia City in the Sky, I Can’t Reach You, Tattoo and the acoustic Sunrise, which has a passing resemblance to Pinball Wizard, are the album’s highlights. Rolling Stone magazine ranked The Who Sell Out at 115 in their 2012 Top 500 album list.  thewho.com

Anita Baker – Rapture

In 1986 the charts were awash with artists utilising the latest technology, yet when a secretary from Detroit signed to Elektra records, and released an album of romantically orientated songs recorded on conventional instruments, the world stopped and listened. Hearing a track this weekend from Anita Baker’s platinum-selling second album release Rapture prompted me to post the album, a collection of songs that has sold over 8 million copies worldwide. Baker had been influenced by gospel and jazz vocalists such as Nancy Wilson, the jazz vocalist not she of Heart fame, and Sarah Vaughan, and was keen to replicate their sound. However, a more soulful introspective R&B music emerged from the recording sessions, with a mature and rich emotional depth. The singles Sweet Love and Caught Up in the Rapture melted the hearts of mainstream audiences and gave Baker an unexpected hit album.

Stormzy – Gang Signs & Prayer

Wow! I was not expecting this from the new grime kid on the block. The 6ft 5in, 23 year-old south Londoner has provided an incredible debut album, released last week, which is so much more than a collection of grime bangers. As a boxing fan, I’ve been aware of Michael Omari, aka Stormzy, since he led British Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua to the ring at one of his fights. On the night he performed Shut Up, one of the album’s heavier tracks, but Gang Signs & Prayer shows at times Stormzy’s softer side, with moments you would expect to hear from Frank Ocean. Stormzy had a helping hand, with a host of guests including Wretch 32, Ghetts, Kehlani and Raleigh Ritchie to name a few. The single Big For Your Boots is probably the showstopper, but for a debut album a remarkable effort.

Cream – Disraeli Gears

The second album from the world’s first super group was released in November 1967. The name was a play on derailleur gears, the mechanisms that move a bicycle chain from one sprocket to another…of course. As you would expect from such great artists as Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton the musicianship is astonishing, crafting their unique blend of British rock with blues. The stand-out tracks are the two released singles Strange Brew, Sunshine of Your Love and album tracks Swlabr (pronounced Slobber) and Take It Back. Disraeli Gears was ranked at 114 by Rolling Stone magazine in their Top 500 albums published in 2012.

Joni Mitchell – Court and Spark

Although Blue is often said to be Mitchell’s defining moment, Court and Spark her sixth album released in January 1974, remains Mitchell’s most commercially successful album. I sometimes wonder when listening to Joni Mitchell what it would take for her to be happy. She probably is, although in her song-writing there’s always a feeling of sadness and struggle. That said, Court and Spark is more uplifting than her previous work, with the implementation of jazz styles complimenting her folk roots. Like most of Joni Mitchell’s work it doesn’t really do it for me, but I do appreciate her craft. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Court and Spark at 113 in their 2012 Top 500 album list.  jonimitchell.com

Radiohead – The Bends

I can’t believe I haven’t listened to The Bends for many years. For me, with Jeff Buckley’s Grace, the album was one of the standout albums of the mid-90s. The Bends was Radiohead’s second album, released in March 1995, and saw a shift from the grunge tinged debut to a more mature sound, incorporating acoustic guitars, as well as keyboards and development of the indie-rock. Over the years The Bends influence is evident in numerous bands, Muse and Coldplay included, and after two decades is perhaps a forgotten classic, in part due to subsequent albums released from the band from Oxford. Rolling Stone magazine ranked The Bends at 111 in their 2012 Top 500 album list. When I recently listened to Planet Telex, High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, (Nice Dream), Bullet Proof…I Wish I Was and the sublime Street Spirit (Fade Out) I had the realisation that perhaps Britpop was overrated…controversial!  radiohead.com

Black Sabbath – Paranoid

A couple of weeks ago aging rockers Black Sabbath played their final live show to a sell out audience in their hometown of Birmingham. For fifty years Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and several line-up changes have thrilled rock fans and heavily influenced numerous musicians. Paranoid was the Brummie band’s second studio album, and was released in September 1970. The album contains classics such as War Pigs, Iron Man and the title track, Paranoid, and is often regarded as one of the most influential rock albums of all-time. Although the musically and lyrically dark, the band showed their lighter side with a man in his pants, wearing a crash helmet, and wielding a sword on the cover, hilarious. Paranoid was ranked 131 when Rolling Stone magazine published their Top 500 albums in 2012. A classic! blacksabbath.com

The Velvet Underground – Loaded

The Velvet Underground had three albums under the belt by the release of Loaded, their fourth album, released in November 1970. Although the New York avant-garde band were respected, they craved commercial success and Loaded was an attempt to break into mainstream audiences. A move in direction, among other reasons, drove founding member Lou Reed to leave the band, shortly before the album release. Loaded is therefore more accessible than previous releases, with short radio friendly compositions. The album highlights are the lengthy What Goes On and Sweet Jane, arguably the band’s finest moment. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Loaded at 110 in their 2012 Top 500 album list. November 1970 was an incredible month for album releases, with Kraftwerk, Nick Drake, Syd Barrett, George Harrison all releasing career defining releases. velvetundergroundmusic.com

David Bowie – Hunky Dory

Bowie was already well known, especially in the US, following the release of The Man Who Sold the World the previous year. In December 1971 Bowie released Hunky Dory, his fourth studio album, which only increased his stock. The album is real blend of styles and was recorded a few days after his famous 1971 Glastonbury appearance. Hunky Dory is a best of early Bowie with Changes, Life On Mars?, Oh! You Pretty Things, Andy Warhol and Queen Bitch all featuring on the album. There are also a couple of lesser known corkers with The Bewlay Brothers and the cult favourite Kooks. When Rolling Stone magazine created a Top 500 best album list in 2012, Hunky Dory was at 108. How did Bowie follow the success of Hunky Dory? With Ziggy, that’s how! davidbowie.com

James Taylor – Sweet Baby James

In 1969 singer-songwriter James Taylor was going through tough times, his first album flopped, he suffered a motorcycle crash, he had addiction issues and no place to call home. Despite these setbacks Taylor continued to write, and doing so recorded this defining album. Sweet Baby James was Taylor’s second studio album, released in February 1970, and cost a paltry $7,600 to make. The tracks Sweet Baby James, Fire and Rain and Steamroller, complete with brass section, are for me the highlights, but to be honest you can’t really go wrong with any of the tenderly sang songs. The album was ranked at 104 when Rolling Stone magazine published a Top 500 album list in 2012. jamestaylor.com

Ramones – Rocket to Russia

The New York punk band the Ramones were in a rich vein of productivity during 1976 and 1977 with their debut, Ramones released in ‘76, and Leave Home and Rocket to Russia released in ‘77. Although prolific, album sales were not as forthcoming as anticipated. The band blamed the Sex Pistols, claiming they cheapened the image of punk rock. Rocket to Russia is humorous affair with covers of The Trashmen’s Surfin’ Bird and Do You Wanna Dance? made famous by The Beach Boys, as well as their career defining track Sheena Is a Punk Rocker. Rolling Stone magazine placed Rocket to Russia at 106 in their 2012 Top 500 album list. As with all Ramones albums, it’s energetic, brief and always makes you smile! ramones.com

The White Gospel – The Birthplace of Radio

I’ve known lead singer David Arscott for over twenty years, since working together at a record shop. Dave is well respected in the local music scene either playing gigs, spinning the wheels of steel at clubs or on local radio within the Chelmsford area. The name Birthplace of Radio comes from the nickname adopted by Chelmsford, as Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi opened the world’s first radio factory in the town, back in 1899. The White Gospel formed around a decade ago, and released their debut album, A Northern Light back in 2008. It took longer than the Stone Roses for a second album to see the light of day, but thankfully it was worth the wait. The Birthplace of Radio possesses a superior musical maturity and more expansive sound than the debut, drawing upon the band member’s numerous influences. The standout tracks for me are Feeling, Espira Vetana: Window Sill Pt. 2, Freedom and “Head”. The Birthplace of Radio is now available on Spotify…enjoy!

John Coltrane – Giant Steps

Coltrane often known as simply ‘Trane’ was arguably the most influential saxophonist jazz musician in history. Giant Steps was Coltrane’s fifth studio album, released in 1960, and his first for the Atlantic label. The album was recorded shortly after Coltrane had been working with Miles Davis on the legendary album Kind of Blue. Coltrane learned a great deal from the master trumpeter, and improvised unique techniques of phrasing, which became known as ‘sheets of sound’ evident on Giant Steps. Even today Giant Steps is used by jazz musicians for practice, highlighting the lasting effect and influence of the album. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Giant Steps at 103 in their 2012 Top 500 album list. johncoltrane.com

Ryan Adams – Prisoner

The prolific Ryan Adams released his sixteenth (yes 16th!) studio album last week, and like nearly everything he has released it’s rather good. In a recent interview on NPR, Adams shared a few artists that have inspired him over the years. Two of which were Bruce Springsteen and The Smiths, and both influences are recognisably evident on his latest album, Prisoner. Adam’s personal life fuelled much of the material on Prisoner following his divorce from singer Mandy Moore. Lyrically there is much to ponder, although musically I found the album surprisingly uplifting. The opening track Do You Still Love Me? is straight out of 80’s, which I love. By the time you finish reading this Adams will probably have another album in the pipeline…

Cream – Fresh Cream

Fresh Cream was the debut studio album, released December 1966, by the frquently titled first rock ‘n’ roll supergroup, Cream. The trio consisted of singer and bassist Jack Bruce, drummer Ginger Baker and guitar legend Eric Clapton. Collectively they fused rock and blues with a twist of sixties psychedelic. Although their second release, Disraeli Gears, will be remembered as their defining moment, I’ve always had a soft spot Fresh Cream, but then who hasn’t other than the dairy intolerant (sorry!). The highlights are the hit single I Feel Free, Sleepy Time Time and the covers of Willie Dixon’s Spoonful and the Muddy Waters track Rollin’ and Tumblin’. Fresh Cream was placed 102 in Rolling Stone magazine’s 2012 Top 500 album list.

Ulrich Schnauss – Passage

Last night I thoroughly enjoyed electronic wizard Ulrich Schnauss playing in a converted church. Schnauss originally from Germany, now living in London has been creating electronic albums for over 20 years, and since 2013/14 has been a member of the legendary ambient band Tangerine Dream. Schnauss is a master at layering blissful melodies upon ornamented rhythms, earning him the chance to remix artists such as the Pet Shop Boys and Depeche Mode. The latest album called Passage is a collaboration with a Danish guitarist Jonas Munk, their second album together, and seamlessly blends guitar and keyboards into a collage of electronic beats. The first three tracks Amaris, Genau Wie Damais and Anywhere But Here are sensational. I urge you to listen to this album! ulrich-schnauss.com

Here is a picture from the gig:

When Ol’ Blue Eyes Frank Sinatra released his 9th studio album In the Wee Small Hours in April 1955, he was a man back on the up again. The LP was a collection of mostly ballads, of failed relationships and loneliness. sinatra.com

The Mamas & the Papas – If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears

The debut album from The Mamas & the Papas will be remembered for two reasons. Firstly it was possibly their finest moment containing the epic California Dreamin’, secondly it was released with an incredibly offensive cover. The outcry was caused not by nudity, devil worshipping or anything you would expect, but by the appearance of a toilet. Back in 1966 the loo was deemed indecent object and provoked a hastily added scroll over the offending article. If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears is full of dreamy harmonies, effortlessly recorded and are free of the internal conflicts within the band that plighted later releases. With a handful of perfectly executed covers thrown in there is no surprise the album reached number one and remained in the chart for over a hundred weeks, and is often mentioned among the defining albums of the sixties…groovy! Rolling Stone magazine placed the album at 112 in their 2012 Top 500 album lists.

Bob Dylan – Bringing It All Back Home

Bringing It All Back Home was Dylan’s fifth studio album, released in March 1956 on Columbia Records, and signalled a new era of creativity, melding Bob’s existing folk roots with rock, and using electric guitar for the first time. The change in style culminated in him famously heckled a ‘Judas’ at a show in Manchester 1966. The album was recorded in a handful of days, with the second side (the last 4 tracks for you youngsters) in one afternoon. The first side was deemed the ‘electric’ side, with the other more familiar to folk fans, although there was a shift in the subject of his lyrics. The album contains my favourite Dylan track Subterranean Homesick Blues, as well as other classics It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding), Outlaw Blues and Mr. Tambourine Man, which was made famous by The Byrds. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Bringing It All Back Home at 31 in their 2012 Top 500 album list. bobdylan.com

Joni Mitchell – Blue

Honesty is the best policy. So here goes. I’ve never really enjoyed listening to Joni Mitchell. I appreciate her talent as a songwriter, but struggle with her voice. I know this will be sacrilege to many, critics included, but it’s nothing personal, her soprano vocals are just not for me. As for Mitchell’s ability to craft an emotional lyric, that is second to none, acutely evident on her fourth studio album, Blue released June 1971. The subject matter, as the title suggests is a tale of love, loneliness and insecurity, drawing upon her relationships with musicians James Taylor and Graham Nash. For me, River is the highlight, but critics adore the whole album, and Rolling Stone magazine placed Blue at 30 in their 2012 Top 500 album list. jonimitchell.com

The Zombies – Odessey and Oracle

Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone formed The Zombies in the very un-rock ‘n’ roll town of St Albans back in 1962. Odessey and Oracle was the band’s second studio album, released April 1968, and will be forever remembered as a classic ‘summer of love’ album. Recorded at Abbey Road and Olympic Studios in London, the album is perhaps the pinnacle of the British psychedelic scene, with sumptuous melodies and hallucinogenic arrangements. Unbelievably, The Zombies split before the album was released, and at the time never performed any of the songs live. The stand out tracks are Hung Up on a Dream, Changes and the incredible Time of the Season. Odessey and Oracle was ranked at 100 in the 2012 Rolling Stone magazine Top album list. thezombiesmusic.com

The Band – Music From Big Pink

Music From Big Pink was The Band’s debut studio album, released 1968, with ‘Big Pink’ being the house that band members Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and Garth Hudson shared in West Saugerties, New York. In the few years prior to the release, The Band had been working with Bob Dylan as his backing band, and recording material now known as The Basement Tapes. Music From Big Pink was a statement of intent for The Band to make it on their own, they turned down offers from Dylan to play on the album, but did accept a few of his songs. The album cover was also painted by Dylan, so he definitely left his mark. The Band had their own rustic sound, blending genres such as folk, rock, country and even soul into a winning combination. The outstanding tracks are The Weight, made famous in the movie Easy Rider, To Kingdom Come and I Shall Be Released, written by Dylan. Music From Big Pink was ranked at 34 in Rolling Stone’s 2012 Top 500 list. Fan site: theband.hiof.no

Rag ‘n’ Bone Man – Human

The big release this week was from Rory Graham, better known as Rag’n’ Bone Man. Following a few appearances on Jools Holland, and a couple of award wins, the expectation and hype soon escalated around his debut album, Human. Sadly, I was somewhat disappointed. There is no denying Graham has one heck of a voice, belting out gruff soulful tones, at times reminding me of Gregory Porter. However, it’s Graham’s voice that carries the album, with much of the pop and over-produced material competing for attention. It’s not all bad the title track Human is wonderful, and the stripped back Die Easy showcases Graham’s vocal ability. I still enjoyed listening to Graham, but I was expecting something less manufactured. Still worth a listen, but pick your tracks wisely. ragnbonemanmusic.com

Stevie Wonder – Talking Book

At the tender age of 22, Stevie Wonder was producing compositions that many artists only imagine creating in a lifetime. Talking Book was Wonder’s fifteenth studio album, released October 1972 following his support on a Rolling Stones tour, and emphasised his greater creative freedom from the Motown label. The album features greater keyboard and synthesisers than his previous releases, giving a relaxed feel to many of the arrangements. Talking Book features one of the all-time great dancefloor classics, the funky Superstition, got to love that Hohner clavinet model C. The album also contains many other top tracks and You Are the Sunshine of My Life (sorry not a fan), including You and I (We Can Conquer the World), I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever), Blame It on the Sun and Maybe Your Baby. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Talking Book at 90 in their 2012 Top 500 all-time album list. steviewonder.net

Sampha – Process

The debut release from the South London singer songwriter and producer Sampha Sisay, better known as Sampha, is more a therapy session than uplifting entertainment. The 27 year-old made a name for himself working with musicians such as Drake, Kanye West, Solange and Katy B to name a few, and thus delayed releasing his own material. Process, released last week, deals with remorse, self-pity, inner demons and experiences that caused him internal conflict following the death of his mother to cancer in 2015. The heartfelt (No One Knows Me) Like The Piano, Timmy’s Prayer, Blood On Me and Kora Sings are for me the album’s highlights. Process is an incredible personal yet accessible debut album from a very talented individual, that might be in with a shout for the next Mercury Prize. I forgot to mention his voice, in three words, troubled, soulful and sublime. sampha.com

David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

‘Ziggy played guitar…’ Oh, yes he certainly did. He also wore outlandish space-age theatrical outfits and make-up, and was the late (still hurts saying that) great David Bowie’s most famous alto-ego. Ziggy Stardust was Bowie’s fifth studio album, released June 1972, and told the story of the fictional character Mr Stardust. There are so many stand-out tracks on Ziggy Stardust, including the rock ‘n’ roll Suffragette City, the majestic Moonage Daydream with incredible strings and electric guitar, the popular Starman and of course the title track. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Ziggy Stardust at 35 in their greatest album ever list published in 2012. As quickly as Ziggy took the universe by storm, putting Bowie truly on the map, Ziggy was dead. On the 3rd July 1973 at the Hammersmith Odeon Bowie retired Ziggy for ever. ‘Wham Bam Thank you Ma’am!’ legacy.davidbowie.com

Johnny Thunders – So Alone

The name Johnny Thunders might not be familiar to a younger audience, but John Anthony Genzale, Jr. was one of the founding members of two influential New York bands, the New York Dolls and The Heartbreakers. Johnny was a rock and roll/punk singer and guitarist, and became another rock casualty dying in suspicious circumstances 25 years ago. So Alone was Thunders first official solo album, recorded in London and released in 1978. It featured a whole host of 70’s musicians, including Steve Jones and Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols, Chrissy Hynde of The Pretenders, Steve Marriott from The Small Faces and Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy. I recall about twenty years ago an old rocker I used to work with spoke of So Alone with such high praise, but I never gave it the time of day. I should have listened as So Alone is one of the great rock records, bursting with energy and nods to the music that inspired him, from sixties girl groups, the surf sound and good old rock and roll. Thunders often maligned as a vagabond and loser came of age with So Alone, and stated it was the best record he ever made, to which I agree.

George Benson – Breezin’

The term ‘transitional album’ is often used to describe an artist’s move from one style to another. On George Benson’s 1976 hit album Breezin’, such a transformation can be heard, beginning with his familiar jazz tones and ending with the soft commercial music that afforded him big success throughout the 80’s. The mix of jazz and soul clearly struck a chord commercially catapulting Benson into the limelight, and topping both the Jazz and R&B charts, earning multiple Grammy Awards along the way. Although a George Benson album, he actually only wrote one of the tracks, with others penned by Bobby Womack, Leon Russell and José Feliciano. The song This Masquerade (written by Russell) steals the show, which incidentally is the only track on which Benson sings, and sounding remarkably like Stevie Wonder. Breezin’ was an enjoyable listen, and the perfect album for some smooth dinner jazz and soul, and a choice cut to get all romanticized. Oh, you lucky ladies! georgebenson.com

The Rolling Stones – Aftermath

The Rolling Stones really are the cockroaches of the music industry, after a global nuclear attack, you know they would still be playing huge gigs around the world. Aftermath was the fourth British studio album by the boys from Dartford, and was released April 1966. It’s an album of firsts, the Stone’s first breakthrough album, the first record consisting entirely of Keith Richards and Mick Jagger compositions, their first album to be recorded entirely in stereo, and all in America. Although some of the material isn’t among their best, there was enough rock and blues to embellish their increasing bad boy reputation at the time. Brian Jones had fun during the recordings experimenting with as many instruments as possible, including the Appalachian dulcimer, Japanese koto and the sitar, which all can be heard at some point. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Aftermath 109 in their 2012 Top 500 album list. Pop quiz, any idea what album Aftermath knocked off the UK number one spot, then knocked them off again a few weeks later? The Sound of Music soundtrack…tragic! rollingstones.com

Eagles – Hotel California

‘On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair, Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air…’ Think of The Eagles, think of the thrill of the open road, driving a convertible with your arm resting around your nearest and dearest. In reality it’s more like stuck in traffic in the pouring rain, somewhere near the Dartford crossing on the M25, but I digress. Released in December 1976, Hotel California was the band’s fifth studio album, and became one of the best-selling albums of all time. The cover is one of the iconic album covers, featuring the Beverly Hills Hotel. Much has been written about Hotel California, good and bad, but for me it’s the premier example of laid-back LA rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked the album at 37 in their 2012 Top 500 album list. eagles.com

Brian Eno – Reflection

I’ve admired the output of ex Roxy Music keyboardist Brian Eno for many years. From his work with artists such as U2, to his wonderful ambient soundscapes such as Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks, to the upbeat My Life in the Bush of Ghosts collaboration with David Byrne. But his twenty-sixth (yes 26th!) solo studio album, released on new years day of 2017, takes ambience to another level. Reflection is one continuous track, 54 minutes in length, similar to his 1985 release Thursday Afternoon. The music is minimal and largely unremarkable, however to accompany the album Eno has developed an app, using algorithms and permutations that will play infinite versions of the album. Always the innovator! enoshop.co.uk

Elvis Costello & The Attractions – This Year’s Model

Always a good pub quiz question, how is Declan MacManus better known? The answer is arguably the second best Elvis in the history of music. This Year’s Model, released in 1978, was Costello’s second album, but first with the Attractions. The album rushes through like a whirlwind, with one catchy tune after another. Costello has a unique ability to seamlessly combine genres, such as pop, punk, rock and roll and even reggae, while stamping his unmistakable sound to each song. He is also one of the great social commentators, not afraid to rip into any topic on his mind. The highlights are The Beat, Lipstick Vogue, Radio, Radio and the irrepressible Pump It Up. Rolling Stone magazine ranked This Year’s Model at 98 in their 2012 Top 500 albums. elviscostello.com

The Godfather of Grime Richard Kylea Cowie, aka Wiley released his 11th studio album recently, aptly named Godfather. The stand-out tracks are Back With a Banger, Joe Bloggs, On This and the single Can’t Go Wrong. Wiley announced this would be his final album, but he’s said that before!  wileyofficial.com

The Who – Who’s Next

Sometimes things don’t turn out quite as you expect, but sometimes they turn out for the best. The Who’s fifth studio album, released in August 1971, was originally planned to be another rock opera called Lifehouse, a follow up to Tommy. However, for several reasons, including Pete Townsend’s near nervous breakdown, the project was shelved leaving a number of tracks available for another album, which became Who’s Next. And what an album, with tracks including Baba O’Riley, The Song is Over, Behind Blue Eyes and Won’t Get Fooled Again it’s easy to see why Who’s Next is often seen as their greatest studio album. Who’s Next was ranked at number 28 by Rolling Stone magazine in their 2012 Top 500 album list. thewho.com

Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression

Is this the end of Iggy? If we are to believe the rumours that Post Pop Depression, released in March 2016, was Iggy’s last album, then let’s thank our lucky stars he finished on a high. Who would have thought back in the 70’s that James Newell Osterberg, Jr. the epitome of excess would outlive his dear friends and collaborators David Bowie and Lou Reed? Post Pop Depression is his 17th album, was made with the help of Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age. Homme apparently texted Iggy, inviting him to work with him, then after a spot of self-financing Post Pop Depression was recorded in secrecy at Homme’s familiar haunt, Rancho De La Luna in Joshua Tree, California. The album is dark and full of great guitar riffs, as you would expect with Homme onboard, and lyrics of mortality and sex, as you would expect with Iggy writing them. As Iggy is aging his vocals can no longer blast off the speaker mesh like in the days of The Stooges, but now favours a mellowed style of crooning somewhat like Bowie did. Post Pop Depression is a cracking listen and the title is surely a nod to how the industry will feel when Iggy finally puts his shirt back on and retires gracefully! iggypop.com

The Flaming Lips – Oczy Mlody

Listening to the Flaming Lips always gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. In recent years they sailed ships into the water of the unusual, but Oczy Mlody, their fifteenth studio album, is a return to the blissful pop reminiscent of the majestic Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots and even The Soft Bulletin, back in 2002. There are some very curious song titles, such as One Night While Hunting for Faeries and Witches and Wizards to Kill, There Should Be Unicorns and Listening to the Frogs with Demon Eyes, can someone please pass the hallucinogens? No wait a minute, I’ve had too much, I think I just heard Miley Cyrus on the last track. No honestly I did! flaminglips.warnerbrosrecords.com

The Beatles – Please Please Me

Cue the screaming teenage girls! The debut album by The Beatles took the charts by storm following the release in March 1963. Please Please Me stayed at number one for an incredible 30 weeks, before finally being toppled by With the Beatles! Unbelievably 10 of the 14 tracks were recorded in one recording session, lasting a little under 10 hours. The album contains many of their early hits, including I Saw Her Standing There, Please Please Me, Love Me Do and Twist and Shout, a great start from a band that would undoubtedly go on to bigger an better things. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Please Please Me at 39 in their 2012 Top 500 album list. thebeatles.com

Pinegrove – Cardinal

Sometimes articulating appropriate words can be difficult, so music publications often borrow words and phrases. While reading a review of Cardinal, the 2016 album from Pinegrove, I was drawn to three words ‘simple and understated’ a perfect description for the indie rock/Americana act from Montclair, New Jersey. Cardinal is leisurely paced and has an almost demo quality about the eight tracks, but that doesn’t detract from band’s gift. The leader and songwriter, Evan Stephens Hall, has a talent for finding the perfect chord, highly evident in the two stand-out tracks New Friends and Cadmium. Cardinal is not ground-breaking, but a very worthwhile listen. pinegrove.bandcamp.com

Sometimes by City and Colour is one of my all-time favourites. The LP contains songs of heartbreak and personal experiences, delivered with Dallas Green’s angelic voice and hypnotic acoustic guitar. So far removed from Green’s other band Alexisonfire’s post-hardcore sound. cityandcolour.com

Marc Cohn – Marc Cohn

If you listened to the radio during the early 1990’s, chances are you would have heard Marc Cohn’s Walking in Memphis at least a couple of times per day. The opening track of his eponymous debut was a DJ favourite and unfortunately the only track many would know by the versatile songwriter. However, the man whose debut album was released twenty-six years ago next month, yes twenty-six years, deserves a lot more respect than being known as a one-hit-wonder. The piano-driven pop-rock album reveals Cohn’s skill as a storyteller through his well-crafted lyrics, which when combined with his rough soulful voice creates a powerful presence. Cohn is also joined by one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all-time, James Taylor on one track, and on another produces a memorable version of 29 Ways by blues musician Willie Dixon. The album, like the man merits another listen. marccohn.net

Leon Bridges – Coming Home

I’ve been listening again to Leon Bridge’s debut long-player Coming Home, which was released back in 2015. The young man from Fort Worth, Texas was catapulted onto the world stage, when the album title track made the Spotify Top 10 Most Viral Tracks. Bridge’s sound and retro look is a combination of 1950’s gospel, soul and 1960’s rhythm and blues, which has garnished him high praise being compared to greats such as Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. Words like, ‘tender’, ‘nostalgic’ and ‘smooth’ have all been pertinently used to describe Coming Home, and I’m throwing one more into the mix ‘timeless’. I was fortunate to see Bridge’s perform live late 2015, and can confirm his stage show is every bit as polished as the album. I’m looking forward to his next release! Enjoy a photo from the performance. leonbridges.com

Robert Johnson – The Complete Recordings

You have to be a blues connoisseur or, like me, run a music website to devour all 41 tracks of The Complete Recordings of Robert Johnson in one hit. For the uninitiated, Johnson was a blues pioneer, and famously sold his soul to the devil at a Mississippi crossroads, as you do. Johnson died at age 27, after being poisoned, not by the devil, but by a jealous man, you can guess why. Thankfully Johnson took to a recording studio in 1936 and 1937, and with the exception of one track, everything he ever recorded is available on The Complete Recordings, released in 1990. It’s not an easy listen, with many alternative recordings following each song, but with tracks such as Hellhound on My Trail, Love in Vain which was covered by The Rolling Stones, Cross Road Blues also recorded by Eric Clapton, and Me and the Devil Blues it’s worth the effort. Rolling Stone magazine placed the collection at 22 in their 2012 Top 500 album list. robertjohnsonbluesfoundation.org

The xx new studio album I See You has been finally released after the band’s four year hiatus. Recorded in LA, NYC, London and Reykjavik, the LP is packed full of sentimental tracks, combining emotion with ambient subtle sounds. Performance, Test Me and Brave for You are my stand-out tracks. thexx.info

Rolling Stones – Let it Bleed

Let it Bleed could just be may favourite Rolling Stones album, despite the rather uninspiring track Country Honk and that awful album cover, complete with the cake decorated by Delia Smith. The album was released in December 1969 and led the Stones into a new decade. It was also the first to feature guitarist Mick Taylor, and the last to feature Brian Jones, who was asked to leave the band, and sadly died less than a month later. There are some cracking numbers on the rather dark and gloomy album, including the opener Gimmie Shelter, the bluesy Monkey Man, Midnight Rambler and the Robert Johnson cover Love in Vain. The album closes out with the angelic voices of The London Bach Choir on the track You Can’t Always Get What You Want. The day after release, the Stones played the infamous Hells Angels Altamont show where a fan died during a riot. The story of the Stones is never dull! rollingstones.com

The Orb – The Orb’s Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld

The Orb’s debut full-length album Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld is the ‘go to’ late night ‘headphones on’ chill out album that defined the early 1990’s ambient house movement. The album is a masterpiece of soundscapes, sampling and synth, and stands the test of time having been released twenty-six years ago. The collective formed back in 1988 with Alex Paterson and Jimmy Cauty, of KLF fame, however Cauty left early on to catch The Last Train to Trancentral. ABTU, for short, is well known for containing numerous samples, some of which were used without permission, including a passage from a Rickie Lee Jones interview. Further prominent samples include Apollo space flight chatter and excerpts of BBC shows played over soothing ambient beats. The journey beyond the Ultraworld takes a little under two hours, and sails over British pastoral landscapes to the outer realms of the galaxy. A blissful post club experience for your ears and soul! theorb.com

Otis Redding – The Soul Album

Oh Otis, you were the voice of soul, a sound so hot you could melt the vinyl on which you were recorded. The Soul Album, Otis Redding’s fourth studio release, reached the grand old age of fifty last year. Although containing mostly covers and none of his well known hits, The Soul Album packs a mighty punch. To coin a phrase overused on reality singing shows on each cover ‘he really made it his own’. There is much to love in the re-working of Sam Cooke’s Chain Gang and the much underrated Jerry Butler’s Cigarettes and Coffee, along with covers of Eddie Floyd and Smokey Robinson tracks. Redding used some top talent during recording, including Booker T. Jones and Isaac Hayes on keyboards, and the legendary Stax guitarist Steve Cropper. In an age when hit singles were king, The Soul Album had no single releases, yet stands out as a successful covers album. otisredding.com

The KLF – The White Room

“Take me to the Church of The KLF”. 2016 saw the twenty-fifth anniversary of Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty’s, aka The KLF, released their final and perhaps finest album, The White Room. Time flies, it only seems like yesterday I was Ice Skating at high speed to 3 a.m. Eternal, but that is another ‘not so interesting’ story. The KLF (Kopyright Liberation Front) were a curious outfit, known for their internet anarchistic tendencies and famous for making the ice cream van an iconic image. The White Room album was the band’s pinnacle, as well as their final long-player, packed with catchy acid house hits, such as What Time is Love, 3 a.m. Eternal and Justified and Ancient, there isn’t a weak track on the whole album. A quarter of a century on, The White Room still sounds revolutionary, and The KLF are certainly ‘justified’ and not quite yet ‘ancient’, with a possible return in 2017!

Europe – The Final Countdown

Cue the keyboard, da, da, da, da, da…”we’re leaving together…” I hope readers won’t be leaving together after including Europe’s third studio release as my album of the day. Come on everyone let your (big) hair down, the band from Sweden packed enough cheese into The Final Countdown album to bankrupt the French fromage business. Joey Tempest and the boys have had a long career, releasing ten studio albums and three live albums. However, to anyone other than fans there is only one that counts, the majestic Final Countdown. If you cross rock bands from the late 70’s/early 80’s with quirky keyboard pop acts throughout the eighties, you get Europe. Although Europe were the butt of numerous jokes during the decade their formula worked, with The Final Countdown selling over 7 million copies worldwide, and the memorable title track was a number one single in 25 countries. Perhaps my fondness for the album is listening thirty years on reminding me of growing up at school…good times, but I never had the curly perm! europetheband.com

Emmylou Harris – Wrecking Ball

What happens when you combine the talent of American Country’s first lady Emmylou Harris with arguably one of the most influential music producers, Daniel Lanois? The answer is the incredible 1995 release, Wrecking Ball. The album was Emmylou’s eighteenth studio album, and she enlisted the help of Lanois to take the production reins, and together they created one of the most atmospheric and innovative country albums ever made. Emmylou’s song selection was exquisite, with most tracks covers including songs by Steve Earle, Neil Young (title track), Lucinda Williams, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, all of whom appear on the record, as well as a couple of tracks by Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix. U2’s Larry Mullen, Jr. is behind the skins, with Emmylou’s haunting vocals overlaid Lanois’s dark soundscapes. The result is far removed from Harris’s standard country fare, sounding more New York studio than Nashville hoedown. However, Wrecking Ball is a masterpiece, and a fine example of when two incredible talents collide. emmylouharris.com

Mitski – Puberty 2

As NPR’s All Songs Considered Podcast championed New York’s Mitski for most of last year, I thought I should listen to her 2016 release, Puberty 2. The comical name could refer to her metamorphosis into a glorious song-writer and performer. She sings about love and suffering, the need to belong and finding her place in the world, all subjects a teenager transforming into adulthood may experience. Puberty 2 was recorded in two weeks, and is 31 minutes of post-ironic indie bliss, with highlights being the anthemic Your Best American Girl and the graceful Thursday Girl. Let’s hear it for the girls. mitski.com

The O’Jays – Back Stabbers

The Motown label was undoubtedly the famous home of soul music, but in the late 60’s, early 70’s another label rose to prominence in the form of Philadelphia International Records, which coined the genre of Philadelphia Soul. The label bosses, Gamble and Huff, accumulated quite a roster, with Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Billy Paul, Teddy Pendergrass and The Stylistics all on-board. Another band from Ohio, who had been together 15 years, joined the label and soon hit the big time, The O’Jays. My album of the day, released in the month of my birth (I’ll let you look it up), Back Stabbers was a huge success for the label. The tracks Back Stabbers and Love Train are the well known singles, but I adore 992 Arguments, When the World’s At Peace and Time to Get Down. Come on everyone…’People all over the world, Join hands, Start a love train.’ mightyojays.com

Whitney – Light Upon the Lake

While reading reviews of Light Upon the Lake, the 2016 debut album by the duo known as Whitney, adjectives and phrases such as ‘gentle earnestness’, ‘serene’ and ‘simple and profoundly enjoyable’ were used to describe the subtle nature of the music. The album was written in Whitney’s hometown of Chicago, during an Illinois winter, which might help explain the fragility of each song. Guitarist and singer Max Kakacek has a distinct falsetto voice, which may deter some people, but I think enhances the overall experience. The singles No Woman, Golden Days and No Matter Where We Go, for me, are the stand-out tracks, but in entirety Light Upon the Lake makes a pleasant listen. There is nothing particularly groundbreaking with this album, but worth your time. whitneytheband.com

Kanye West – Late Registration

I can’t think of an act that has polarised opinion as much as Kanye since the Sex Pistols. But love him or hate him, and putting arrogance aside, you have to admire Kanye Omari West for being very accomplished at his art. Late Registration, released August 2005, was the second studio album, and saw a great leap forward, by the man raised in Chicago, from his raw debut, The College Dropout. Late Registration’s lyrics tell tales of drugs, poverty, racism and even the diamond trade; let’s hope Kim’s bling is sourced ethically! The album sees Kanye make numerous collaborations, with stars such as Jay-Z, Brandy, Nas, actor Jamie Foxx and even Maroon 5’s Adam Levine. There are many stand-out tracks, including Touch the Sky, Heard ‘Em Say, Hey Mama and We Major. The skits, as on most hip-hop albums are frustrating, but it’s a small price to pay for a quality album. Rolling Stone magazine placed Late Registration at 118 in their 2012 Top 500 list. kanyewest.com

Common – Black America Again

As the American nation was preparing to vote a new President into the White House, Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. otherwise known as the rapper Common, was releasing his eleventh studio album. How the two things are related you may ask? From the title, Black America Again, you almost certainly deduce the subject matter deals with political and social issues in the US. Which it does, but there is more to the album than a simple protest piece, there are beautifully produced love songs, some superb instrumentation and a host of cameos, including John Legend and the real legend that is Stevie Wonder to name a couple. Common is a remarkable poet, and through his moving lyrics pleads the plight of black Americans, and yet how great the nation could become. It’s a big ask, but let’s hope Mr Trump can deliver! thinkcommon.com

Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin

The mighty Led Zeppelin’s debut album, released in March 1969 by Atlantic Records, was the calm before the storm, and a marker of what was to follow. Following the demise of the blues-rock trio Cream, and a change of name from the New Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin were ready to become the new blues-rock gods on the scene. Unbelievably, upon release Led Zeppelin I, as it’s known, was not well received by critics. The album contained seven Led Zeppelin penned tracks, including the magnificent Dazed and Confused, as well as covers of Willie Dixon’s You Shook Me and I Can’t Quit You Baby, and Anne Bredon’s Babe I’m Gonna Leave You, all recorded with that unmistakeable Led Zep sound. An incredible debut, by a band that would achieve so much more. Rolling Stone magazine placed Led Zeppelin I at 29 in their 2012 Top 500 album, not bad for a record that was originally shunned by critics! ledzeppelin.com

U2 – The Joshua Tree

There was a time when the world wasn’t so annoyed with U2, before they subjected everyone to a new album via Itunes, and before Bono’s somewhat hypocritical view towards money and global poverty. There was a time when they made cracking albums, such as their fifth studio album, released March 1987, The Joshua Tree. Produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, the music and lyrics evoked a sense of desert town America. With tracks such as With or Without You, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Where the Streets Have No Name and Bullet the Blue Sky it’s easy to see why the album became a global smash. Rolling Stone magazine, in 2012, placed The Joshua Tree at 27 in their Top 500 albums of all-time. u2.com

Queen – A Kind of Magic

After Queen’s incredible Wembley Stadium performance in 1985 at Live Aid, the band began recording tracks for what turned out to be their biggest selling album, A Kind of Magic. It was Queen’s twelfth studio album, and was the unofficial soundtrack to the 1986 film Highlander, with six out of the nine tracks featuring in the movie. The band were enjoying their music and not taking life too seriously with lines such as “one shrimp, one prawn, one clam, one chicken” on the opener One Vision. The album, their first recorded digitally, received mixed reviews with some critics implying Queen had ‘sold out’, with an album below their usually high standards, but I disagree. A Kind of Magic was their finest work in years, and judging by the commercial success and subsequent triumphant tour many people agreed. Unfortunately a year later Freddie was diagnosed with AIDS, and the band would collectively never tour a new album again. On a lighter note, whenever I hear the title A Kind of Magic I’m always reminded of a scene in the Peter Kay comedy Max and Paddy. Max is describing an ex-girlfriend and says ’it was just that she was, she was a kind of midget’ to which Paddy replies ‘ain’t that a Queen song?’ queenonline.com

Fleetwood Mac – Rumours

Fleetwood Mac’s eleventh studio album Rumours, released February 1977 is approaching the 40th anniversary. The album was the end of their blues-rock sound, that featured Peter Green, in favour of mainstream three-minute tracks. The record is the band’s biggest seller with over 45 million copies sold worldwide. Every song is phenomenal, with songs such as Dreams, Don’t Stop, Go Your Own Way, Songbird (covered by Eva Cassidy), The Chain (made famous by the Formula 1 intro) and the soulful Oh Daddy taking centre stage. The vocals and harmonies are brilliantly shared between Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie. It’s a miracle Rumours even saw the light of day, with relationship breakups, affairs and internal conflicts within the band. What would have broke many a band fuelled Fleetwood Mac to some exceptional work. Rolling Stone magazine placed Rumours at 26 in their 2012 Top 500 album list, but without a doubt it would be in my Top 10! fleetwoodmac.com

Andrew Bird – Are You Serious

I first heard of Andrew Bird on the NPR All Songs Considered podcast and was surprised to discover he’d released nine albums before his latest, Are You Serious, released 2016. Given Bird’s clear song writing talent and fine ear for a melody, I’m shocked I hadn’t come across his name before. Bird a Chicago native, was classically trained on violin, although is equally at home on guitar. From the opening bars of Capsized I knew Are You Serious was going to be a great listen. And that it is, Bird with the help of Blake Mills and Fiona Apple have created a poetic and melodically smart record, released in April 2016. Although not familiar with his previously work, I’ve read that since Bird became a father recently his lyrics have developed into more personal prose and the music more approachable. I will have to check out his earlier work, but just now, I’m happy listening to the pop-rock Are You Serious, especially that opener, “And when you wake up, another sunrise. Another break up, this ship is capsized…” andrewbird.net

Hodgy – Fireplace: TheNotTheOtherSide

I know very little of the rapper known as Hodgy, other than he was born Gerard Damien Long, was a co-founder of Odd Future, and has released numerous mixtapes and project releases with MellowHype. I heard his name mentioned on a music podcast, while praising his debut solo album, Fireplace: TheNotTheOtherSide, released late 2016. I’m not a true rap music connoisseur, but know successful modern rap album has certain characteristics, including solid production, poetic lyrical storytelling and of course high-profile cameos. Something Fireplace: TheNotTheOtherSide has in abundance, with guests including Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne and Salomon Faye. Despite the over-the-top use of the N-word, an enjoyable listen, do check it out.

LaBelle – Nightbirds

“Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir? Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?” Oh baby, time for Lady Marmalade to enter the todaysalbum house. In 1973 the girl-band LaBelle had released a couple of albums, without commercial success, but somehow found themselves with opening support slots for The Who and The Rolling Stones. Following those shows they signed a deal with Epic Records, and started working with the legendary New Orleans producer Allen Toussaint on a new album, called Nightbirds. The word ‘sassy’ is often used when talking about this album, unsurprisingly with gospel, R&B, soul, rock and splattering of funk throughout Nightbirds. The stand-out tracks, for me, are Somebody, Somewhere, Lady Marmalade and the title track Nightbirds. The album was ranked at number 274 in the 2012 Rolling Stone Top 500. By the way, if you don’t speak French, check out the Google translation…saucy!

Chuck Berry – The Great Twenty-Eight

I read somewhere that the 90 year-old rock ‘n’ roll legend Chuck Berry has a new album coming out in 2017, his first in 38 years, remarkable! Charles Edward Anderson Berry has had quite an eventful life. Aside from his achievements in music, in 1962 Berry was sentenced to three years in jail on a prostitution charge, he also had to financially compensate over 200 women, for allegedly filming them in the ladies restroom of his Missouri restaurant. Despite his misdemeanours, Berry is best known for his duck-walk guitar playing moves, and playing his part in the invention of rock ‘n’ roll. The Great Twenty-Eight is a collection of his hits from the first 11 years with Chess Records (1955–1965). The compilation includes tracks such as Roll Over Beethoven, Maybellene, Sweet Little Sixteen and the legendary Johnny B. Goode. Rolling Stone magazine ranked the collection at not 28, but 21 in their 2012 Top 500 list. Try not to tap your foot as you listen! chuckberry.com

Henryk Górecki – Symphony No. 3

After the hectic time of Christmas and New Year, for my album of the day I’ve chosen something to slow things down. I won’t pretend to be a classical music expert, however I’m conscious when starting todaysalbum.com, I stated all styles of music would be included. I will aim to feature classical music to which I’m familiar and hopefully discover some new classics, excuse the pun, along the way. Every now and then an album is released that becomes a surprise success, and Symphony No. 3 (Symphony of Sorrowful Songs) composed by Henryk Górecki is one such release. The little known Polish composer wrote the three-piece symphony in 1976, and then in 1992 a new recording by the London Sinfonietta, conducted by David Zinman and featuring the soloist Dawn Upshaw took the charts by storm. I remember working at a record store at the time, and was surprised by the attention and indeed sales of the mournful symphony. Twenty-four years later I’ve finally taken the time to listen to this deeply moving piece. The three movements were inspired by different texts, a 15th-century Polish lament, a message written on the wall of a World War II cell, and the third based on interpretations of a Silesian folk song. The music is highly emotional and incredibly powerful, perhaps not an ideal introduction for someone to classical music.

Michael Jackson – Thriller

Let’s start 2017 with a bang! The King of Pop’s six studio album Thriller, released November 1982, quickly became and remains the world’s best-selling album, with sales estimated at over 65 million copies. When Jackson released The Girl Is Mine, one of the weaker songs from the album, as a single, questions were asked about the forthcoming album. Those questions were duly answered. The Quincy Jones produced Thriller featured pop, disco and rock, with a string of hits including Billie Jean, Beat It, Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ and of course the title track Thriller, complete with memorable music video. I enjoy Thriller every time listen, especially Eddie Van Halen’s guitar solo on Beat It, magic. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Thriller at number 20 in their 2012 Top 500 list. michaeljackson.com

Prince and The Revolution – Parade

To remember the passing of Prince this year I’m finishing with his 1986 album Parade. The soundtrack to Under the Cherry Moon was Prince’s 8th annual studio release since 1978. It contains one of his most beautiful songs, Sometimes It Snows In April. The song will be the last I play in 2016, closing a chapter on an unfortunate year for music. RIP all the lost greats.

A happy new year to all the todaysalbum followers!

Peter Doherty – Hamburg Demonstrations

When I saw Pete Docherty’s name mentioned in the music press, my immediate reaction was what has he done now? I was not expecting to read he’d released a new solo album, especially after a hiatus of seven years. By all accounts he had an urge to record, turned up at a studio in Hamburg with a day’s notice, then spent half a year writing and recording what is his new album Hamburg Demonstrations. Not all the songs are fresh new material, but nevertheless the album is surprisingly high-quality. I know many people are frustrated by Docherty, both musically and as a person, but his music does have a dark, yet considered edge not found in many of his peers. Check out the tracks Birdcage, The Whole World is Playground and She is Far. albionrooms.com

Wham! – The Final

Here we go again! Three days in a row todaysalbum has paid tribute to the passing of a musician. On Christmas Day George Michael passed peacefully in his sleep, age 53. Just in case you live in a bubble or are too young to remember Wham!, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley were a pop duo idolised by their young audience between 1982 and 1986, selling an incredible 25 million records during their brief existence. The Wham! image was all about highlighted big hair, tight jeans or short shorts that drove teenage fans wild. The Final, as the title suggests, was their last album, released shortly after their split, and was a available on a double LP/cassette (remember them?) compilation. The Final is heralded as the definitive Wham! anthology featuring hits such as Bad Boys, Club Tropicana, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go and I’m Your Man. Farewell George, RIP.

Motörhead – Ace of Spades

It’s a year to the day since we lost the one and only Lemmy Kilmister. At the moment it feels this website is turning into The Times obituary section. Lemmy had quite an eventful life, he roadied for Jimi Hendrix, was thrown out of the prog-rock band Hawkwind, and fronted and played bass for the legendary Motörhead. My album of the day, Ace of Spades was the band’s fourth studio album, released November 1980, and followed the moderately successful albums Overkill and Bomber. However, Ace Of Spades really put the band on the music map. The opening title track, without a doubt is the most known Motörhead track, a classic showcasing Lemmy’s gruff vocals and thumping bassline. The rest of the Ace of Spades album is immense tales of sex, drugs and rock n’ roll, what more do you want? I regret never seeing Motörhead live, but as always the music will live on! imotorhead.com

Status Quo – Hello!

Just when we thought the ‘dreaded 2016’ was coming to a close, we lose yet another great musician, as on Christmas Eve Quo’s guitarist Rick Parfitt passed away, following a career of nearly 50 years with the band. Quo have always been tarnished by the ‘three-chord’ slur, which is simply twaddle (did i really use the word twaddle?), even if a few of their tunes were based around simple chord progressions, many a great song has been written in this way, such as Mr. Tambourine Man, Get It On, Sweet Home Alabama and Horse with No Name, all classics. Quo’s sixth studio album Hello!, released in September 1973, is a real cracker. It features the legendary Caroline and a near 10-minute chord heavy behemoth, Forty-Five Hundred Times. I only saw Quo live once, but will dust off the double-denim as a tribute. statusquo.co.uk

Various – Rocky IV Soundtrack

While deciding on an album for Boxing Day, only one came to mind…a Rocky soundtrack. I know, and apologise, a terrible gag worse than any from your Christmas crackers. I picked Rocky IV for two reasons, one Go West, our album of the day on the 23rd December wrote a track for the album; secondly it’s a great 80’s album. When the turkey has gone, get yourself down the gym and workout to Vince DiCola’s Training Montage, with a side helping of Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger, James Brown’s Living in America and Robert Tepper’s No Easy Way Out, motivating stuff. If that’s not enough, even Kenny Loggins has a contribution. What more could you want?

Various – A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector

A merry Christmas to all todaysalbum readers and here’s to a glorious 2017, and many more wonderful albums.

How on earth do you follow up the success of a hit single such as The Ronettes’ Be My Baby? When you are at the top of your game, the answer is simple…record the greatest Christmas album ever made. Master producer Phil Spector could do no wrong back in 1963, as his Wall of Sound production studio and roster of girl-bands were hot stuff. Spector applied his magic formula to twelve festive standards, and his acts The Ronettes, Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans, Darlene Love and The Crystals created a Christmas classic. The tracks Santa Claus Is Coming to Town by The Crystals, Sleigh Ride by The Ronettes and White Christmas sung by Darlene Love are exquisite. A Christmas Gift for You was released on 22 November 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, which caused slow initial sales as the nation was in mourning. Over 50 years later the album is considered the quintessential festive album, but sadly it’s creator can only listen from a prison cell for many years to come. Christmas isn’t Christmas until I’ve heard this album at least ten times! philspector.com

Childish Gambino – “Awaken, My Love!”

The talents of Donald Glover are not as well known in the UK, as the US. For the uninitiated, Childish Gambino is Glover’s rap persona, although he’s best known for his acting talents in the critically acclaimed comedy-drama Atlanta. He is also hitting the silver screen as a young Lando Calrissian in the new Star Wars movie. The rapper has just released his third album “Awaken, My Love!”, although he’s dropped the rap and channeled his inner 70’s funk, with huge nods towards the music of Funkadelic, early Prince and Sly and the Family Stone. The opening track, Me and Your Mama is without doubt the highlight. Sadly the rest of the album doesn’t quite live up to the opener, although “Awaken, My Love!” is still worth a listen. Time for you to channel your inner-funk just before Christmas!

Go West – Go West

Tonight I’m off to see a ‘guilty pleasure’ the 80’s duo Go West. On second thoughts, I’ll retract that statement, there is nothing wrong with loving well crafted pop music, especially from the 1980s. I was twelve when Go West released their debut eponymous album, and loved the first single We Close Our Eyes. I would go as far to say the song is pop perfection, with it’s catchy lyrics and tune, great vocals from Peter Cox and has bucket-loads of the play-it-again factor. Go West hit upon a successful pop formula and repeated the process with many of their songs, especially on their debut album. The stand-out tracks were all singles, including We Close Our Eyes, Don’t Look Down, Call Me, S.O.S. and the sickly sweet Goodbye Girl. Great pop, from a duo that also penned tracks for the movies Pretty Woman and Rocky IV. gowest.org.uk

Here is one of my pictures of Go West taken tonight at the Indigo, London…

Nik Kershaw – The Riddle

OK, I’ll admit straight off the bat The Riddle doesn’t compare with many of the great albums featured on todaysalbum, but hold your horses give the man East Anglia a chance. I’m fond of Mr. Kershaw for a few reasons, firstly The Riddle was one of the first vinyl albums I bought with my pocket money, and secondly he played Live Aid (at 14.22pm playing a 4-song set), so immediately qualifies for ‘Legend’ status. Kershaw was also responsible for one of the great 80’s pop songs, The One and Only made famous by Chesney Hawkes. Anyway, I’m seeing Kershaw play live tomorrow night, supporting another 80’s band (see next day), and had to revisit his work. The Riddle was Kershaw’s second studio release and contains the hit singles The Riddle, Wide Boy and Don Quixote. What Kershaw lacks in vocal talents he makes up in songwriting ability. nikkershaw.net

Here is picture of Nik Kershaw taken tonight by me at the Indigo in London…

Cyndi Lauper – She’s So Unusual

“I come home in the morning light. My mother says when you gonna live your life right”…oh, how this song grated my eardrums during my school years. You know when a song is so overplayed it becomes an annoyance? Well Girls Just Want to Have Fun was that song for me during the 80’s. I have to admit I was surprised Lady Lauper made the 2012 Rolling Stone Top 500 album list, although a lowly 487 with She’s So Unusual. On listening, her 1983 debut album has more to offer than I expected, with tracks Time After Time, All Through the Night and She Bop among the highlights. She’s So Unusual sold over 16 million copies worldwide, and was one of the best selling albums of the 80’s. However, the classic synthpop sounds rather dated now, but Lauper’s unique voice is a welcome distraction. cyndilauper.com

Stevie Wonder – Innervisions

Innervisions is the first appearance by Mr. Stevie of Wonder on todaysalbum. Released August 1973 on Motown, Wonder’s 16th studio album saw him truly transition from Little Stevie Wonder to an accomplished musician and song-writer at the top his game, all by the age of 23. The album covers many of the problems troubling early 70’s America, with racism, inequality, drug abuse and even the then-US President Richard Nixon. My stand-out tracks are Higher Ground, Living For The City and Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing, which was made popular by Incognito in 1992. Sadly three days after the release of Innervisions, Wonder was critically injured in an automobile crash, placing him in a coma and causing him to permanently lose his sense of smell, thankfully he recovered. Rolling Stone magazine placed Innervisions at 24 in their 2012 Top 500 albums. steviewonder.net

Sturgill Simpson – A Sailor’s Guide to Earth

Another one of my favourite albums of 2016. Country singer Sturgill Simpson created modern country soul by adding some Muscle Shoals style brass. Born in Kentucky, now residing in Nashville is wildly regarded as the future of country music. Now on his third album, released April 2016, he has created a master class in storytelling. Having become a father, Simpson penned each song as a lesson in life for his new son. When junior Simpson is older enough to ask ‘Why are we here?”, I can just picture Sturgill presenting him with a shrink-wrapped copy of A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, saying all the answers are here my boy, but by the way I didn’t write track number five. And that track five is a sultry country adaptation of Nirvana’s In Bloom. Apparently Simpson forgot to look up the lyrics when recording, and had to get permission from the Cobain’s family to use his wrongly remembered lyrics. But it works, in fact the whole album works, very well indeed. sturgillsimpson.com

Here is a photo I took of Sturgill Simpson performing live in London, July 2016:

Stan Getz – Getz/Gilberto

The 1964 jazz-bossa nova album Getz/Gilberto saw American saxman Stan Getz collaborate with Brazilian guitarist João Gilberto and pianist/composer Antônio Carlos Jobim, who wrote most of the tracks on the album. Getz/Gilberto helped create a buzz around the bossa nova genre during the mid-sixties, and became one of the best selling jazz albums ever. The hugely successful opening track The Girl from Ipanema also made singer Astrud Gilberto and her sumptuous Portuguese vocals a household name. For me, Ipanema is the highlight, with Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars) being the next best. I’m guessing, but surely the album is one of the all-time most played at dinner parties. Rolling Stone placed Getz/Gilberto at 447 in their Top 500 albums of 2012. stangetz.net

OutKast – Aquemini

Firstly, as names of albums go, Aquemini is among the worst. Apparently the name is a blend of OutKast members Big Boi and André 3000’s star signs, Aquarius and Gemini, I know truly terrible. But thankfully it’s all about the music not the album name, and the music does impress. Released in September 1998, Atlanta hip-hop duo OutKast’s third album was made with the great 70’s funk and soul records in mind, and includes samples from the great George Clinton, Sly Stone and the legend that was Curtis Mayfield. For me the track Rosa Parks is the album highlight. The album of the day earned the very last spot, number 500 in Rolling Stone’s 2012 Top 500 albums list. outkast.com

Tom Waits – Rain Dogs

OK, so Tom Waits’s voice resemble a bag of gravel mid-launderette spin-cycle, and the content of many songs are that of nightmares, but don’t let that put you off. Wait’s eight studio album Rain Dogs, released in 1985, was placed at 399 in Rolling Stone’s Top 500 album list of 2012. Rain Dogs was the filling of an album trilogy with Swordfishtrombones and Franks Wild Years being the bread of the sandwich. The varied musical styles throughout Rain Dogs are impressive, with ballads, polkas, cabaret numbers and even a spot of country. However, the subject matter is of downtrodden misfits, grotesque souls and using the words of Mr. Waits “the urban dispossessed.” Although often harsh there is strange beauty in many tracks, such as Hang Down Your Head. If you’ve never heard the work of Tom Waits before, you might recognise one track, made a hit by Rod Stewart. tomwaits.com

Jean-Michel Jarre – Oxygène 3

On the 2nd December 2016 the first Oxygène album celebrated a 40th anniversary. It was inevitable that French electronic magician Jean-Michel Jarre would mark the occasion, and thus Oxygène 3 was born. The original was Jarre’s first commercial hit back in 1976, the second was released in May 1997 and spawned singles and numerous remixes, and now the final segment of the trilogy was released without fanfare on the anniversary. Oxygène 3 sits in a strange place, somewhere between the original vintage synthesizer sound and the wonders of modern electronic wizardry. Jarre attempts to maintain the vision and feel of the original, but with only six weeks of recording time I feel the album was rushed to meet the anniversary deadline. Oxygène 3 is still worth a listen late at night with headphones on, eyes closed and sitting in a comfy chair. jeanmicheljarre.com