February is Music Writer Exercise Month #MWE • Page 28

When you eventually have the desire to follow it up his two peak live albums make such a fascinating listen. One is him at his smoothest for a white supper club audience at the Copa and the other raw, gutbucket soul at the Harlem Square Club. And somehow both are incredible and together give a full picture of how insane his range was

 

Oh wow I’d never looked at the Night Beat credits before but Hal Blaine, Billy Preston and Barney Kessel? Shiiiiit

 

This made me extra sad about coming up on a year of no live music. Reminded me of my summers at jazz camp and going into the city to the jazz clubs. There’s such a distinct energy to this record that made me really sad I couldn’t just see who’s playing at any of the local jazz clubs and pop in tonight.

 

I did listen to Harlem Square Club this evening, after playing Night Beat a few times. That's the one full release of his I've listened to before (beyond the greatest hits stuff), and yeah, it's just an insanely great live album. He still sounds better than most people sound in the studio, even though he's also busy working a crowd into a frenzy.

 

Here's a really good one for you more musically-inclined soul/funk heads. A somewhat "lost" funk concept album arranged by Dale Warren (who worked with Isaac Hayes and Stax). Sampled out the wazoo by Nas, Jay Z, Dr. Dre, Kendrick, Digable Planets, and plenty others.

 

Agreed. At his most raw, he’s still on such a ludicrously high technical level. And for pure joy on wax, it’s hard to top “Having a Party”. After hearing him sting like a bee, it’ll blow your mind to hear him float like a butterfly on Live at the Copa.

 

Catch up day, part one. I knew the big hits from this, but the whole album is great. The piano and organ interplay really stuck out to me - just awesome performances from the whole group, but Hudson and Manuel especially.

 

Catch up day, part two. I could take or leave the vocals in most metal bands, so I liked that this was largely instrumental. Spectacular guitar work, but I expected nothing less.

 

Public Enemy - it takes a National of millions to hold us back

 

Couple of days behind but hoping to catch up soon. Got Anthrax and Snoop Dogg lined up next.

 

Up today was Martha and the Vandellas’ Dance Party from 1965. I’ve heard Heat Wave from 1963 and a decent compilation, so there were a few songs on here that I recognised, and was fully expecting to love this, it’s about as “safe” a bet for any of these month of new albums that this would be one I’d enjoy.


Didn’t disappoint at all, love the stereo production, beautiful and crisp, lovely for this style of music. Songs were fantastic and energetic, with Martha Reeves putting in a perfect vocal performance and the Vandellas harmonising with her wonderfully.


One of those albums where it’s hard to imagine anybody disliking, 12 songs, 31 minutes , a range of pop styles and tempo here, but mostly high energy. An absolute joy.

 

Had a hard time writing about this one. Not much to say other than it’s fantastic

 

Gonna do two each over the next couple of days

 

I wrote down yesterday's and just forgot to tweet it, and I'm in love with "Reservations" on this Wilco album. Like, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" might actually be a perfect album for me, even if I tweeted the title wrong. Happy Monday y'all. Twitter needs an edit button.

 

That’s a great description. Its relevance really never dissipates.

 

I knew that Soccer Mommy album really wanted to be a '90s indie record. Now I know which one!

 

@ALT/MSC/FAN that one hurts me, that New Radicals album is fucking amazing

 

Still going back in time over here...Sex Pistols Never Mind The Bullocks

 

D'Angelo brought it today. Damn.

 

I’ve got this one next week!

 

Voodoo is a monster. Pino Palladino GOAT.

 

All caught up!

 

Still a day behind, but I've got the Dirty Nil coming up this afternoon then I'll be caught up.