Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Happy Birthday Paul Major!


Celebrating Paul Major's birthday with a couple of Endless Boogie clips and an interview about his Feel The Music book. 





GBV marks 30 years of Bee Thousand with new version of "I Am A Scientist"

Check out Robert Pollard's updated version of the GBV gem "I Am A Scientist" originally recorded for 1994's Bee Thousand LP.


Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Desert blues bosses Tinariwen hit the Phoenix, Wednesday

Tuareg titans Tinariwen make a rare Toronto appearance at The Phoenix on Wednesday night. Get tickets right here




Happy Birthday James Spaulding!

Raising a glass to alto saxophonist James Spaulding on his birthday with a couple of stellar performances.





Whaddya mean you don't know Damião Experiença

Brazilian artist Damião Experiença, singing in his own Planet Lamma dialect, makes other outsiders sound quaintly mainstream.  







Monday, July 29, 2024

R.I.P. UK record producer Pat Collier, 1951-2024

Sadly, producer and original Vibrators bassist Pat Collier has passed away at his London home. He'll be greatly missed.





Redd Kross returns to rock Lee's Palace, Monday

Redd Kross presents songs from their great new self-titled double album at Lee's Palace tonight. Watch a few recent performances. 







Dollar Bin Delights: The Opposite

Edmonton lounge group The Opposite led by Jurgen Pooch knocked out a lively "Land Of 1000 Dances' on their self-released debut



Sunday, July 28, 2024

R.I.P. Martin Phillipps of The Chills, 1963-2024

Sadly, singer/songwriter Martin Phillipps of The Chills has passed away far too soon at 61.  His music will live on. 






Remembering blues great Junior Kimbrough on his birthday

Celebrating Junior Kimbrough's birthday with some live footage, interviews and a tribute from the Black Keys. 







Kelley Stoltz shares new video for "About Time"

Here's the Josh McCartney-filmed video for "About Time" off the new Kelley Stoltz album "La Fleur" available right here.  


Saturday, July 27, 2024

Groovin' In The Park w/ Soul Motivators, DJ Tony Touch @ Woodbine Park, Saturday

NYC DJ Tony Touch gets top billing but the Soul Motivators' 10-piece funk unit will be raising the ruckus tonight. 


Groovin' in the Park: Saturday Fever 

Presented by NuFunk & United Soul

Woodbine Park - 1695 Queen St E, Toronto (at Coxwell) 

Saturday (July 27) from 2 pm to 11 pm. 

Limited capacity, RSVP required for adults, here's the link. Note: Kids do not need to RSVP.

A meeting of Soul, Funk, World & House Music, Groovin' in The Park is a daylong event at Toronto's Woodbine Park and is a part of the Toronto Beaches Jazz Festival summer programming. Family-friendly setting of Woodbine Park in the city's East end is a beautiful setting for this community-focused dance party which includes delicious food options, beer garden, shaded seating and it's FREE with an RSVP. 

Featuring Tony Touch (Funkbox, NYC)

A true innovator and icon in Hip Hop, House, and Latin music, Tony Touch has consistently revolutionized the DJ game. From his legendary mix tapes and albums to his remarkable skills on the turntables, Tony Touch has become one of the world’s most recognized DJs. Starting as a B-Boy during the rap music renaissance of the early 80s, he produced iconic mixtapes like the original 50 MC’s, featuring top emcees such as KRS ONE, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Wyclef Jean, M.O.P, Big L, and Mos Def. These mixtapes, along with countless others, earned Tony the title of the ‘Mix Tape King’

Tony Touch evolved from mixtapes to record releases, notably with “The Piece Maker” in 2000, which featured artists like Big Pun, Cypress Hill, Wu-Tang Clan, Busta Rhymes, Eminem, and Gang Starr. He continued to release successful albums such as “The Piece Maker 2” and “The Piece Maker 3,” featuring stars like P. Diddy, Fat Joe, Sean Paul, Snoop Dogg, and Ruben Blades. He has toured over 30 countries and appeared on shows like “Saturday Night Live” and “The Dave Chappelle Show.” In 2019, he signed with Louie Vega’s Vega Records and released hits like “SACUDE” and “APAGA LA LUZ.”

Plus The Soul Motivators LIVE

along with DJs Sweet Touch Foundation, Lebaron James, No Wahala DJs, Sara Simms, My Girl Tuesday, Harbour Nights DJs, 45 Sessions & more. Check the clips of The Soul Motivators' "Raise A Glass" followed by a recent Tony Touch session spinning Latin house and Afrobeat below. 




Watch Beck perform "Maggie's Farm" & "Loser" at Newport Folk Fest

Beck paid tribute to Bob Dylan with a rip through "Maggie's Farm" at the Newport Folk Fest on Friday night... and nobody booed. 



Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story @ Revue Cinema, Sunday

Jeff & Steve McDonald will be present at the Toronto premiere of Born Innocent on Sunday at 9:30pm. Get tickets right here


Happy Birthday Rick Coraccio!

Raising a glass to Rick Coraccio (DMZ, The Lyres, The Last Ones) with a few of his gems. Check out his Anthology album.






Rick Coraccio – Anthology

Rick Coraccio was a constant musician in the 1970's and 1980's Boston Punk Rock and Garage Rock scene. He played in the legendary bands DMZ, Lyres and later formed The Last Ones and The Shambles. He has recorded albums with notable producers Craig Leon (The Ramones, Blondie), Flo & Eddie (Frank Zappa, The Turtles) Rick Harte (Ace of Hearts Records), and in 1978 his band DMZ was signed to Sire Records (The Ramones). Rick went on to help create the quintessential garage rock album "On Fyre" with his band Lyres. 

The history of Boston garage rock is imprinted throughout the Anthology album and has an impressive supporting cast of musicians on each song including Dan McCormack (Guitar/Vocals with Lyres, The Last Ones), Jimmy Birmingham (Drums with The Real Kids, Mach Bell), Dave Szczepaniak (Bass with Lyres), Richie Johnson (Frank Rowe, Baby's Arm, The Boize, The Last Ones) Steve Aquino (Guitar with Lyres) and Paul Murphy (Drums with DMZ, Lyres), Many of these recordings were taken from the original 8 track master tapes recorded at memorable studios like Euphoria Sound Studios in Revere, Ma where Phish recorded their historic album "Junta" You can feel that unmistakable classic eight track pure analog sound throughout. 

Get a copy of Rick Coraccio's 24-song Anthology CD via Bandcamp right here. Only a Limited quantity will be available. Also check out The Last Ones' single "I Don't Wanna Be Right" b/w "I Warned Ya" right here




GWAR vs. Ken

Blöthar the Berserker (right) recently put the GWAR stamp on the Ryan Gosling sung "I'm Just Ken" from Greta Gerwig's Barbie. 



Friday, July 26, 2024

Also Known As: Malcolm Catto

The latest in Madlib Invazion's music library series is "Glass Cathedral" from Chop, the alias of producer/drummer Malcolm Catto. 

Here's the scoop...

The Madlib Invazion Music Library Series was created by Madlib and Egon over the course of the Pandemic, and was a chance to give their creative friends the ability to stretch out and indulge in whatever type of music they wanted for release on the label. 

The music had to be great and able to be presented as a stand alone album – like the best “Music Library” releases of the past, on labels like Italy’s Sermi, Germany’s Bruton, France’s MP2000 and the UK’s DeWolfe. And, like those albums, it had to work as easy, one-stop clearance for background cues in film and television production and, as producers have been indulging since the 1990s, for sampling. 

The series contains 12 releases by DJ Muggs, Karriem Riggins, J-Zone, the Heliocentrics’ Malcolm Catto and Jake Ferguson, JJ Whitefield of Karl Hector/Whitefield Brothers/Poets of Rhythm, Motif Alumni and Music Research Library, Mario Luciano of Polyphonic Music Library, Henkel, Gabriel Rowland of Los Yesterdays, Dan Hastie and Terin Ector of Orgone, Dan Ubick and Joe Harrison 

The albums will be released on the Madlib Invazion Bandcamp on the first Friday of each month over the course of one year. Listen to "Psycho Bubble" off the Glass Cathedral album from Mr. Chop or simply "Chop" (aka Malcolm Catto of The Heliocentrics) following the tracklisting and a short Analogue feature. Get a copy of Glass Cathedral via Bandcamp right here


Glass Cathedral by Chop

1. Out To Lunch Pt 1 00:43

2. Oscillo 03:43

3. Mutant 05:21

4. Monolith 03:14

5. Trigger 01:44

6. Omilation 03:32

7. Glass Cathedral 04:59

8. Strange Dream 00:29

9. Out To Lunch Pt 2 00:48

10. Patchwork 02:27

11. Leuterisms 03:36

12. Flip 03:09

13. 2 XYZ 03:34

14. Tub 01:00

15. Rioflection 03:13

16. Psycho Bubble 03:36

17. The End 02:42




Happy Birthday Mick Jagger!

Celebrating Mick Jagger's 81st birthday with a recent interview with the CBC's Tom Power and "Rolling Stone Blues" 




One For The Weekend: Lacy Gibson & The Arkestra

Here's Lacy Gibson performing "I'm Gonna Unmask The Batman" backed by members of Sun Ra's Arkestra. 


Thursday, July 25, 2024

Remembering Jef Gilson on his birthday

Celebrating the birthday of French composer/producer Jef Gilson with a few stellar recordings and a Palm Unit tribute. 






Wednesday, July 24, 2024

A glimpse of Timothée Chalamet's portrayal of Bob Dylan for "A Complete Unknown"

Watch the trailer for "Walk the Line" director James Mangold's much-anticipated Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown" starring Timothée Chalamet.  


Geddy Lee zooms in with Conan O'Brien and Rush fan Jordan Schlansky

Check out Geddy Lee's recent chat about Rush's Moving Pictures album with Conan O'Brien and Jordan Schlansky. 



Ancient Grease uncovers Al Atkins' post-Judas Priest recordings with Lion

Original Judas Priest singer Al Atkins cut some rippin' tracks with Lion in 1975, two of which are being released as a 7" single.


Here's the scoop...

Ancient Grease Records are deeply honored to now represent Al Atkins's works from the 1970s. This includes heavy rock music from his time with JUDAS PRIEST as the founder and original vocalist, as well as with his subsequent group—an incredible band called LION, with whom he recorded many unreleased songs. In the coming months, we will be highlighting Al's great music and contributions to heavy rock and metal history. We can't wait to bring you a treasure trove of great unreleased material, fully restored and mastered. Get a copy of the Lion 7" picture sleeve single right here. Listen to an interview with Al Atkins below. 


LION - "Rain"/"All That I Want" 

Side A - "Rain" 

Side B - "All That I Want"

Recorded 1975 in Pelsall, Walsall, UK



Tuesday, July 23, 2024

R.I.P. British blues boss John Mayall, 1933-2024

Pivotal British blues bandleader, guitarist and harmonica ace John Mayall has passed away at 90.  








LINKS
Vanity Fair Blues legend John Mayall is dead at 90 

Everybody Loves The Sunshine including Vice President Kamala Harris

 Vice President Kamala Harris has the jazz fan vote locked up – check the clip. Try the Kamala's record meme generator below.   



Put a record of your choice in the hands of VP Kamala Harris using this meme generator: 


Jazz In The City host Jaymz Bee is signing off from Toronto's Jazz.FM 91

Musician/filmmaker and radio personality Jaymz Bee will host his final Jazz In The City show for Jazz.FM 91 on Thursday at 9 pm.

From Dana Wigle, General Manager, Jazz.FM 91: 

"For over twenty years, Jaymz Bee has been an integral member of our JAZZ.FM91 community. Jaymz’s commitment to supporting artists combined with his energy and passion for entertaining fostered the growth of many of JAZZ.FM91’s programs over the years from the curation of some of our first Jazz Lives concerts, local and international Jazz Safaris and the development and nurturing of the beloved program, Jazz In The City.

"Ever innovative and up for new challenges, Jaymz recently focused his creative talents on a new venture, filmmaking, and in true Bee style he’s received recognition at festivals from around the world such as Cannes, London, Hollywood and Tokyo, just to name a few.

"Jaymz has decided to focus full time on his burgeoning filmmaking career and is bidding farewell to JAZZ.FM91. Though his departure signifies the winding down of Jazz in the City, this is certainly not goodbye. Jaymz is family and we can’t wait to see what he does next.

"We will celebrate Jaymz with a very special Jazz In The City finale on July 25th at 9pm. He will be on with Ralph Benmergui on Saturday July 27th 1pm-4pm and will host Session Notes on Sunday July 28th at 9am. Go to www.jazz.fm or 91.1 FM to listen live!

"Jaymz Bee will continue his work with local artists and we’ll see him at festivals throughout the GTA. He is currently working on a TV pilot and his new feature film, Magicland is currently in production. Jaymz Bee will host and produce a concert at Koerner Hall on October 16th to help raise money for the station. Details to follow in a week."



Tony Joe White had the "Disco Blues" on Austin City Limits

Remembering the Louisiana swamp fox Tony Joe White on his birthday with a 1980 performance of "Disco Blues."


Remembering Champion Jack Dupree on his birthday

Raising a glass to New Orleans piano pounder Champion Jack Dupree on his birthday (one of 'em) with a few stellar performances.







That time Deke Dickerson's Untamed Youth appeared on It's Happening!

Straight outta Missouri, Deke Dickerson and his Untamed Youth crew tore it up back in 1990. Catch 'em in L.A. this weekend!




See The Untamed Youth at the three-day Surf Guitar 101 weekender in L.A. on July 27th – get tickets right here


Monday, July 22, 2024

R.I.P. Jerry Miller of Moby Grape, 1943-2024

Sadly, Moby Grape founding guitarist Jerry Miller has passed away at his Tacoma home. He'll be greatly missed. 


Happy Birthday George Clinton!

Celebrating the 83rd birthday of P-Funk mainman George Clinton with a few clips and interviews worth checking.







Jeremy Pinnell, Chuck Coles @ The Horseshoe, Thursday

Honky tonk holdout Jeremy Pinnell brings the sound of classic country to the Horseshoe for a rare local show Thursday night. 





Get tickets for Jeremy Pinnell's highly anticipated Toronto show at the Horseshoe on Thursday right here.  


Sunday, July 21, 2024

R.I.P. Malian kora master Toumani Diabaté, 1965-2024

Sadly, self-taught Malian kora virtuoso Toumani Diabaté has passed away far too soon at the age of 58. He'll be greatly missed.






Happy Birthday Franklin Kiermyer!

Celebrating the birthday of Montreal-born drummer Franklin Kiermyer with his stellar Pharoah Sanders collaboration and more. 





Watch the "Teen A Go Go" documentary on the 60s Fort Worth music scene

Check out Melissa Kirkendall & Mark Nobles' documentary covering the lively mid-60s teen music scene in Fort Worth, Texas.  



Saturday, July 20, 2024

Remembering Canadian electronic music ace Mort Garson on his birthday

Raising a glass to Canadian electronic music pioneer Mort Garson with a short doc and his trippy "Cosmic Sounds" album. 



Method Man & Redman hit The Phoenix, Saturday

NYC's dynamic duo Method Man and Redman light up The Phoenix tonight with Junk & Hungry, The Wolfpack & Swish Styles.





Get tickets for Method Man & Redman's show at the Phoenix via Showpass right here.  


Friday, July 19, 2024

R.I.P. Singer Patty Waters, 1946-2024

Sadly, unique song stylist Patty Waters passed away at her home in Santa Cruz. She'll be greatly missed. 





Melissa Carper turns back the clock with Borned In Ya

Raised in Texas on a steady diet of Hank Sr. & Patsy Cline, Melissa Carper's Borned In Ya LP sounds like a lost 50s C&W gem.







LINKS
Bandcamp Melissa Carper's Borned In Ya


Remembering UK jazz saxophonist Kenny Graham on his birthday

Remembering bandleader and composer Kenny Graham with some of his classic Afro-Cubists and sound library recordings. 





Whaddya mean you don't know Bobby Brooks Hamilton

Las Vegas entertainer Bobby Brooks Wilson – Jackie's son – cut the rockin' "Little School Girl" as Bobby Brooks Hamilton. 



Thursday, July 18, 2024

Happy Birthday Evie Sands!

Celebrating the birthday of singer/songwriter Evie Sands with a few vintage clips along with some interview footage. 










Yet more creepy cool gems dug up for Return Of Halloween Nuggets

"Return Of Halloween Nuggets" and "Famous Monsters Speak" will be out on August 23.  


Here's the scoop from publicist Randy Haecker...

I've handled publicity for the first two entries in RockBeat Records' "Halloween Nuggets" series, but for the third volume, 'Return of Halloween Nuggets', I'll also be sharing a co-producer's credit. Antone DeSantis and I collaborated on the tracklist, chose the hue of the colored splatter vinyl, and brought on board ace NYC artist Cliff Mott to once again design the groovy cover art. As a certified Halloween obsessive, I'm glad to be involved. 

And for the first time, "Halloween Nuggets" will have a monstrous companion this year. "Famous Monsters Speak" is a reissue of a legendary 1963 title released in tandem with Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine. The 7-year-old inside me is SCREEEEEEAMING right now. – Randy Haecker

You can pre-order a copy of Return of Halloween Nuggets right here and Famous Monsters Speak right here – both released on August 23.  Check the tracklisting followed by a couple of cuts below. 

Return of Halloween Nuggets: Haunted Underground Classics

1. Gorilla/The Shandells 

2. Roland/Billy Duke & The Dukes

3. Burn Witch Burn/The Circus

4. The Night Stalker/Teddy Durant

5. Haunted House/Cris Kevin

6. Devil's Gotten Into My Baby/The Devotions

7. Castin' My Spell/The Spellbinders

8. Creature From Outer Space/Sonny Day & The Tony Ray Combo

9. The Chiller/Vic Plati Quintet

10. The House On Haunted Hill movie trailer

11. Were Wolf/Carl Bonafede & The Gem-Tones

12. Scream/Ralph Nielsen & The Chancellors

13. Knives And Lovers/Frankie Stein & His Ghouls

14. Witchcraft in the Air/Bettye LaVette

15. VooDoo Doll/Glenda & Glen

16. Cha Cha with the Zombies/The Upperclassmen

17. The Hearse/Terry Teene

18. They're Here/Boots Walker

19. Mad Witch/Dave Gardner

20. Robot Monster movie trailer




Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Jim Lauderdale, Nichol Robertson @ The Horseshoe, Wednesday

Singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale makes a rare Toronto appearance at The Horseshoe tonight. Get tickets here