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Slave (Album of the Day)
Part of the Dayton, Ohio music scene that gave birth to the Ohio Players, Slave brought the funk in the 1970s. The horn-led collective was signed by Cotillion Records, releasing its self-titled debut in 1977. Cut in New Jersey (founder Steve Washington's stomping grounds) with producer Jeff Dixon, SLAVE got right to the point – opener “Slide” topped Billboard's R&B chart (and was also a Top 40 pop hit). As such titles as “Party Hardy” and “Screw Your Wig On Tite” suggest, uptempo grooves are the order of the day here, and the set is sure to keep you dancing. With a fine ballad (“The Happiest Days”) displaying the group's versatility, SLAVE is a terrific representation of the pre-Steve Arrington lineup's talents, and is mandatory listening for old school funk fans.
King Missile (Album of the Day)
New York-based art rock/avant-garde band King Missile were riding high on the success of their single “Detachable Penis” when they entered Manhattan's Baby Monster Studios to cut their eponymous sixth album. As the cover art suggests, it's a rather surreal collection, built around founder John S. Hall's poetry which, despite an occasional dark theme, is filled with wonderfully offbeat humor. Highlights of these 17 songs include opener “Love Is...,” “What If” and “Socks” - one of several tracks in the grunge-rock vein. Released 25 years ago today, KING MISSILE would prove to be the quartet's final album for Atlantic Records, and remains a tuneful and all-too-rare example of alternative rock that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Like A Prayer (Album of the Day)
Madonna's final album of the 1980s consolidated her success during the decade and remains one of the performer's very best. Dedicated to the singer's mother, "who taught me how to pray," LIKE A PRAYER is among the most personal and soul-searching she has ever recorded. All 11 songs were co-written and co-produced by Madonna in varied arrangements informed by classic rock and funk (Prince was one of her collaborators), and the collection spun off four Top 10 singles - “Express Yourself,” “Cherish,” “Keep It Together” and the title track, which reached the top of the Billboard chart 30 years ago today. The commercial success of the quadruple platinum No.1 album was matched by its critical acclaim; with the ambitious LIKE A PRAYER, Madonna's status as one of pop's greatest artists was undeniable.
Fairweather Johnson (Album of the Day)
Hootie & The Blowfish had their work cut out for them when they entered the studio to cut the follow-up to CRACKED REAR VIEW, one of the best selling albums of the 1990s, but FAIRWEATHER JOHNSON shows the South Carolina quartet building on the strengths of their debut. The Atlantic collection boasts thoughtful lyrics that belie Hootie's reputation for breezy singalongs, and passionate performances on such tracks as “Tucker's Town,” “Sad Caper” and “Old Man & Me (When I Get To Heaven)” underline the band's commitment to these songs. Released on this day in 1996, FAIRWEATHER JOHNSON debuted at No.1 and went double-platinum, and is in many ways an even more rewarding listen than its predecessor.
In A Sentimental Mood (Album of the Day)
Dr. John had long been a champion of the music of his native New Orleans when the release of IN A SENTIMENTAL MOOD revealed an equal love for standards from the American songbook. The album includes favorites by Johnny Mercer, Duke Ellington and Cole Porter, among others, and opener “Makin' Whoopee” - a duet with Rickie Lee Jones - was picked up for theSleepless in Seattle soundtrack and became both a surprise hit and a Grammy winner. Producer Tommy LiPuma crafts easy-going blues and jazz arrangements (featuring such top players as saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman and guitarist Hugh McCracken) that fit Dr. John like a glove. Released 30 years ago, the Warner Bros. collection sparked a commercial resurgence for the performer, and is sure to put you IN A SENTIMENTAL MOOD.
Stand Back (Album of the Day)
Last month Stevie Nicks made history as the first female artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice - first as a member of Fleetwood Mac in 1998, and now for an extraordinary solo career that spans nearly 40 years. To honor Nicks' groundbreaking achievement, Rhino has just released STAND BACK, a collection celebrating her solo career with essential recordings chosen from studio albums, live performances and soundtrack contributions, plus several of her most-celebrated collaborations with artists including Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Don Henley. Drawing from such platinum albums as BELLA DONNA, THE WILD HEART and ROCK A LITTLE, the set includes Top 10 hits “Edge Of Seventeen,” "Stand Back" and "Talk To Me." Stevie Nicks is still going strong, and STAND BACK shows the beloved singer-songwriter at her best.
The Roaring Twangies (Album of the Day)
The film Bonnie & Clyde marked the crest of a wave of nostalgia for the decades preceding WWII, a wave that also brought us Duane Eddy's THE ROARING TWANGIES. The instrumentalist's second and final album for Reprise Records (after a series of hits for the Jamie label), the 1967 collection was produced by the great Lee Hazlewood and brings the spirit of the 1920s to life on such tracks as “Hello, Dolly,” “Bye Bye Blues” and single “Roarin'.” Aided by arrangements from the Wrecking Crew's Billy Strange, the performer's trademark twangy guitar work is strong throughout these dozen songs. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Duane Eddy was born on this day in 1938, and to wish him a happy birthday, we'll let THE ROARING TWANGIES roar once more.
Open Mind (Album of the Day)
For his technique alone Jean-Luc Ponty would be acclaimed as one of the greatest violinists in jazz history, but his recordings reveal additional dimensions to his talent. Released 35 years ago this month, OPEN MIND is a perfect example; the self-produced set presents the man's virtuoso string work with adventurous electric backing including some hypnotic synthesizer arrangements. Though guitarist George Benson and keyboardist Chick Corea appear on a couple of tracks, Ponty himself is responsible for most of what you hear, playing several instruments and programming rhythm tracks. For all the electronics involved, the feel is warm, upbeat and melodic across these six originals from the titular opener to the closing “Intuition.” Fusion fans with an OPEN MIND will find this 1984 Atlantic collection irresistible.
California (Album of the Day)
Bay-area group Mr. Bungle took eclecticism to new heights, mixing a dizzying variety of styles on their records, and CALIFORNIA is no exception. The Warner Bros. collection includes more vintage popular musics in its mix of styles, and a stronger emphasis on melody, harmony and orchestration, making this perhaps the band's most accessible release. Which doesn't mean you'll hear “Sweet Charity,” “The Air-Conditioned Nightmare” or “Pink Cigarette” on the radio any time soon - Mike Patton and company have an experimental streak a mile wide. The weird and wonderful CALIFORNIA proved to be Mr. Bungle's final studio album; released 20 years ago this month, it's still way ahead of its time.
Holy Diver (Album of the Day)
Ronnie James Dio had already established himself as a world-class hard rock singer-songwriter through his work with Rainbow and Black Sabbath but it was HOLY DIVER that made him immortal. The 1983 solo debut features an outstanding set of originals ranging from fist-pumping anthems to gothic fantasies; “Rainbow in the Dark,” “Stand Up and Shout” and the title track all qualify as stone-cold classics. Though Ronnie James' name was front and center, Dio was a band, and the Warner Bros. collection benefits immeasurably from the powerhouse performances of guitarist Vivian Campbell, bassist Jimmy Bain and drummer Vinny Appice. Cited by Rolling Stones as one of the 100 greatest metal albums of all time, the platinum-certified HOLY DIVER is the perfect way to celebrate what would have been Ronnie James Dio's 77th birthday.