Eclectic Grooves

Heaven- Brass Rock 1 [CBS, 1971] This album is another perfect example of why we should never judge a book by its cover. A cursory glance at the cover would likely lead you to believe that the music contained on this mysterious platter is either of the psychedelic folk or soft rock variety. The title is a bit misleading as well, as we have come to expect that anything with "brass rock" in the title could be written off as another Chicago rip-off. I'm here to tell you that you won't be able to properly prepare yourself for what you are about to hear. Just sit back, relax and get ready for a crack band of stellar musicians to hit you over the head with a heavy dose of unbridled enthusiasm and jazz-rock bravado. The first track, "Things I Should've Been," starts the proceedings off with a bang as the guttural scream from the lead singer leads right into the first astonishing riff on the record. After this, the song really only lets up...

It is once again time for me to reach back in the refrigerator for some "choice cuts". Each time, I will be featuring sizzling and succulent morsels that are grabbing my ear right now that range from funk to country, from afro-beat to garage rock, etc. Sometimes there will be a theme to these songs that ties them all together in a nice bow, but other times the songs featured will just be a musical hodgepodge of eclectic delights. Without further ado, lets see what "choice cuts" the vinyl butcher has prepared for us today. Luther Allison- Bloomington Closing- Early Version #1 (Bonus track from CD Reissue) From: Luther's Blues [Motown, 2001] As I was shuffling through CD's to play in my car the other day, I stumbled upon this Luther Allison reissue from 2001. Back when I was working at Music Millennium, I was turned on to countless blues artists by Bill Rhoades, the resident blues expert and finest harmonica play...