TOMITA, ‘SNOWFLAKES ARE DANCING’ (1974); YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA (SELF-TITLED, 1979) Two pioneering works of Japanese synthpop bring together Debussy, Martin Denny, and Afrika Bambaataa. With Japan’s keen grasp on technology, you’d think the country would have been on the cutting … Continue reading →
Big Star Custom Tape, ‘#1 Record’ (1972), ‘Radio City,’ (1974) 45 years later, the cult Memphis band’s first two albums finally make it to 8-track (sort of). A wrong set right: Here it is, the one tape (or two) that … Continue reading →
FOUR TAPES ON GROOVE MERCHANT (1974-76) Striking obscure ’70s jazz-funk gold on a cult label approved by the Beastie Boys. In Beastie Boys Book, Adam Horovitz describes visiting obscure Midwestern book-and-record shops because they “almost always have at least one … Continue reading →
Bobby Womack’s “Lookin’ For A Love” originally appeared on his similarly titled LP in January of 1974. As revealed in the ad above, the tune, written by James Alexander and Zelda Samuels, was originally a gospel number. After some pop … Continue reading →
Happy New Year’s Eve everyone! I hope you have a wonderful 2019! To celebrate the closing of one year and the opening of the next – here’s the now traditional George Harrison with “Ding Dong, Ding Dong.” “Ding Dong, Ding … Continue reading →
Here’s a splendid ad from 20th Century and Pye Records touting the number one successes in the US and UK for Carl Douglas’ “Fung Fu Fighting” and Barry White’s “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything.” Douglas’ paean to Kung … Continue reading →
Supertramp’s Crime Of The Century LP was the band’s breakthrough in the US and UK, reaching #38 on Billboard’s album chart and #4 in Britain. The record features two hit tunes; “Dreamer” (#13 UK) and “Bloody Well Right” (US #35). … Continue reading →
Gordon Lightfoot’s greatest hits collection, Gord’s Gold, released in November of 1975 grabbing #34 on the US charts and #8 in his native Canada. The LP contains a number of re-recorded tracks that first released in the 1960s. Apparently Lightfoot … Continue reading →
EIGHT TIMES TWO: VELVET UNDERGROUND, ‘1969 LIVE’; LOU REED, ‘ROCK ‘N’ ROLL ANIMAL’ (1974) Two very different versions of a classic song, performed live by two very different Lou Reed bands. The song: Written circa 1969, Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane” … Continue reading →
Barry White’s single, “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” originally appeared on the artist’s Can’t Get Enough LP in the summer of 1974. “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” smoothly rolled its way to #2 on the US … Continue reading →