Tag: Reissue
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Joe Bataan, Singin’ Some Soul, 1969 on Fania
Wonderful full-length album from Joe Bataan, the “King of Latin Soul,” released by Fania in 1969. Yes, that is the same “Crystal Blue Persuasion” that was a hit for Tommy James and the Shondells. “Young, Gifted, and Brown” is directly inspired by Nina Simone’s “Young, Gifted and Black” which debuted in 1969 as well. This…
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Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley, 1958 on Chess
This was Bo Diddley’s debut album, self-titled, on Chess records in 1958. It’s not even 30 minutes in total but hard to imaging how much influence it has had on so many others. Musicians include Otis Spann on keys, Willie Dixon on bass, and Little Walter on harmonica (on one track). A must have for…
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The Replacements, Dead Man’s Pop, 2019 on Sire
Each time I visit Minneapolis I try to find some Replacements vinyl, but it doesn’t always work out. Dead Man’s Pop was released in 2019, including the previously unreleased Matt Wallace mix of what became Don’t Tell a Soul – later mixed by Chris Lord-Alge whose very name sounds made up to infuriate the Replacements,…
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Nina Simone, Nina Simone Sings The Blues, 1967 on RCA Victor
Nina Simone is such a singular talent—and this record is a great showcase of her at peak performance. It was her first on RCA Victor, recorded in their New York studios, and produced by Danny Davis who had produced Connie Francis and Lana Cantrell. The “I Want a Little Sugar In My Bowl” and “Since…
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U2, Out of Control in NYC (Live at the Ritz, 18 March 1982), 2023 on Mind Control
Another in a recent series of bootlegs that claim to be from FM broadcasts, based on EU rules around copyright of radio broadcasts. I’m not sure in some cases if they even ever were broadcast. Although the record claims to be March 18th, 1982, it seems to actually be from March 17th, the first of…
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John Prine, Aimless Love, 1984 on Oh Boy
Prine’s eighth album and his first on Oh Boy, which Prine formed with manager Al Bunetta and friend Dan Einstein. Some classic Prine songs here: “Unwed Fathers,” “The Oldest Baby In the World,” and “People Puttin’ People Down” among them. Co-writers here include Spooner Oldham, Shel Silverstein, Bobby and Linda Whitlock, and Bobby Braddock –…
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The Touch with Terrence Trent D’Arby, Early Works, 1989 on IMP
Introducing the Hardline According To Terrence Trent D’Arby was one of my favorite albums of the late 80. Sananda Francesco Maitreya, as he came to call himself, was such a fascinating and compelling performer and writer. Having served in the US Army, D’Arby was stationed in West Germany. When he left the army in 1983…
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Beck, Mutations, 1998 on Bong Load Records
This was Beck’s sixth album, out in the late 90s on Bong Load Records / DGC (Geffen). Beck shares producer credit with Nigel Godrich (who also worked with Radiohead and U2). Beck’s such an interesting artist, constantly changing while also remaining identifiably himself. There’s a lot more keyboard / synthesizer on this record My copy—via…
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Mazzy Star, She Hangs Brightly, 1990 on Capitol
Debut album from Mazzy Star, fronted by Hope Sandoval and founded by David Roback (originally as Opal before changing singers). If you only know them from “Fade Into You” (which is a fantastic song, of course) it is worth going back to this debut album (as well as their third LP Among My Swan). This…
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Various Artists, The Harder They Come, 1972 on Mango
This was the soundtrack to a film of the same name, released in the UK in 1972 and in the US in 1973. Although Jimmy Cliff’s name is above the title, and he has six of the twelve tracks (though 2 have double versions on the LP_, there’s also two Maytals tracks and one Desmond…
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Aretha Franklin, Aretha Now, 1968 on Atlantic
The third of Aretha’s Atlantic albums from the 60s, including “Think,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” and a cover of Sam Cooke’s “You Send Me.” Produced by Jerry Wexler and with on sax, Spooner Oldham on keys, Roger Hawkins on drums, and Jerry Jemott on bass. Fantastic album from the height of Franklin’s Atlantic run.…
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Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Sporting Life Blues, 1987 on JSP Records
These recordings were made at a private party in Glasgow Scotland in 1958, and released on JSP records in 1987 (a year after Sonny Terry passed). It can be hard to find, though it seems to now be on spotify: Sporting Life Blues. (John Stedman is listed as producer on the 2025 digital release, and…
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Shuggie Otis, Inspiration Information, 1974 on Epic
This was the third and last Shuggie Otis studio LP on Epic, released in 1974 after three years in the making. Otis is credited with guitar, bass, organ, piano, vibes, and percussion – basically most of the instruments, with some guests on harp and horns. It became something of a cult classic – not a…
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Otis Redding, Otis Blue (Otis Redding Sings Soul), 1965 on Volt
This was Redding’s third studio album out in 1965 and became something of a crossover hit. Lots of covers here, including a number of songs Sam Cooke (who had just been killed in late 1964) made popular, but also the Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction.” It also had the original of “Respect,” later taken over by Aretha…
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Mia Doi Todd, Gea, 2008 on Zen City
Gea was Todd’s sixth full length studio album, released in 2008 by her own Zen City Records. It’s very atmospheric art-folk strongly featuring her voice – she’s really a unique talent. My copy—via Vinyl Index in Somerville MA—is the 2020 Org Music reissue, on transparent green vinyl, which was put out as part of Record…
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INXS, Shabooh Shoobah Rarities, 2023 on Petrol / ATCO / Atlantic
Shabooh Shoobah was the third full-length from INXS, and I believe the first with real international distribution (WEA). The big single was “Don’t Change” which was a top 20 hit in the US. This rarities release includes 4 songs live from the US Festival and a couple of extended mixes. Fan reception was mixed as…
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Nina Simone, Let It All Out, 1966 on Philips
Yes, back in the day Philips (who you likely know more now as the maker of Sonicare toothbrushes) was also a reputable jazz and classical label. Though the copyright was 1965 they put out this album in 1966. Simone switched to Philips in 1964 and was there (putting out seven LPs) until switching to RCA…
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Talking Heads, A Bar Called Heaven, 2024 on Dear Boss.
Another in a series of Dear Boss. releases (the period is part of their name) which claim to be FM broadcasts and therefore out of copyright in the EU. This one is Talking Heads from December 7th, 1979, at the Electric Ballroom in London (Camden Town). Excellent recording either way – I’ve become a big…