The Roches-- Maggie, Terre, and Suzzy- one of those groups that hung around the edge of the music scene, but were never that popular. Maggie started out as a songwriter. Maggie and Terre released album produced by Paul Simon. This album was produced by Robert Fripp. They would go on to work with Tom Waits and Michael Stipe. But it was a Cornelius cover of "Hammond Song" that got me this album.
One of the first Japanese LPs I picked up, and rare to have a vinyl release in this time period. This album marked the start of Monday's long association with Kyoto Jazz Massive's Okino Shuya and Osawa Shin'ichi. Like the LPs of the time, this release is missing 1/3rd of the tracks from the CD, but the 8 remaining tracks are all solid slices of acid jazz.
Vi genså Highlander på 4k blu-ray i går aftes. Min kone er ikke enig i at det var en film der fortjente et gensyn. #film#Hjemmebio#4kBluray#physicalmedia
I would buy more #BluRays if it wasn't such a hassle to rip them. I don't have a #BluRay player. I have enough things to plug into my TV. I do have a BluRay drive but there is a whole thing you need to do for it to work.
People who do actual #piracy do this all the time. They get a kick out of defeating #DRM. For the rest of us it feels like we are being kicked by DRM for the sole crime of buying #PhysicalMedia.
Back when Rhino Records was a small indie label putting out comedy records and comps on the side. This EP (mini-album, whatever) has all of the big hits, "I Like Them Big And Stupid", "Because I'm A Blond", "Earth Girls Are Easy" (later made into a movie), and the poorly aged "The Homecoming Queen's Got A Gun". Part of my voice actor collection, since she voiced Julie Bruin (TTA) and Minerva Mink (Animaniacs)
Joey Scarbury "The Theme From The Greatest American Hero (Believe It Or Not)" US Elektra 1981
Who remembers "The Greatest American Hero"? Created Steven J. Cannell, and running from 1981 to 1983, it was a mix of Superman and Green Lantern. William Katt played Ralph Hinkley, a school teacher given a super suit by aliens and an instruction book that is quickly lost. Hijinks ensue. Anyway, the theme song was a hit, another Mike Post special.
"American Feeling" backed with "Hometown Express" was the second most successful single by the vocal group Circus and a good example of commercial tie-ups in Japanese music. "American Feeling" was used as part of JAL "Come To America" campaign, part of a late 70s drive US tourism from Japan. The flip was the theme song for a TV Asahi drama. Both songs arranged by Sakamoto Ryuichi.
One of the first records I picked up when I was getting back into vinyl in 2009. I had recently got a turntable cheap (I think because it was being discontinued), so I could listen to records I had. One day as I walking around, I ran across a yard sale that records for sale. I got a bunch of 50s and 60s 45s, this, Men At Work and UK pressing of Songs In The Key Of Life.
K.C. & The Sunshine Band "That's The Way (I Like It)" US T.K. 1975
First big hit for TK records and for KC & The Sunshine Band. TK was started in Miami by Henry Stone in 1972. Stone used the same strategy with TK he used with previous labels he was associated with; set up multiple sub labels to get around limits radio stations would have on songs per label. TK, much like disco, would falter and fade, going bankrupt in 1981.
Ollie & Jerry "Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us" US Polydor 1984
Ollie Brown and Jerry Knight started out as session musicians, and along with Ray Parker Jr., formed Raydio. After Ray Parker Jr became a solo act in 1982, the two continued session and production work. They never released an album as a duo, but they produced music for the infamous Golan Globus films "Breakin'" and "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo" in 1984.
In today's "be sure to own actual digital or physical copies of your stuff" news, Sony claims it's offering subs "appropriate value" for deleting their digital libraries.
NEVER rely on companies to keep stuff. They do NOT care, and your stuff will be gone.
You gotta do it yourself.
Grab it and put it on your computer or a thumb drive.
Earth Wind & Fire "Saturday Night (Noche Sabatina)" MX CBS 1977
Found this Mexican pressing at Dusty Groove in Chicago. Not one of their big hits, but Earth Wind & Fire are one of those bands that it's hard to go wrong, especially during their 70s and early 80s heyday. Single also notable for having an extended version of the instrumental "Departure", which is only 30 seconds on the LP.
Welsh band's first major label single, from their self-titled EP. The band was never that popular in North America, with a couple brushes with pop radio, but built a decent following on college and alternative stations throughout the 1980s. This anthemic song really helped put the band on the map.
In the US, Pink Lady is a footnote for their failed NBC variety show, but in Japan, they were hugely popular. They spawned several hit singles and tons of merchandise. This album is part of a long line Japanese artists trying to make it overseas, but unlike most, was successful. "Kiss In The Dark" was the last song by a Japanese artists to make it into the US Top 40 before last year.
Lt. (JG) Dexter B. Dawes Now Hear This! Sounds Of The Attack Aircraft Carrier USS Coral Sea JP/US Toshiba c. 1961
This was to be my final selection for December, but delayed due to travel. This one is more personal. I inherited this record from my father, who served in the US Navy. This record was included with a book commemorating 1960-61 WestPac naval cruise, and includes sounds of airplanes, drills and men on the ship. Pressed on red "EverClean" vinyl.
Schoolmates Play Time Song Album For Advanced Children JP CBS 1968
The interesting thing about this album is not that it's children's songs done in contemporary arrangements by a Watanabe Pro incubator group; it's how I got it. In February 2015, I found the LP included with a Kyuu Sakamoto children's album at Half Price Books. Later in July, at the same store, I found the sleeve (with obi!). I convinced the clerk to give me the sleeve for free.
Roy Rogers with The Sons Of The Pioneers "Pecos Bill (from Walt's Disney's Melody Time)" US RCA Victor 1949
When RCA introduced the 45rpm format 75 years ago next January, one of the early gimmicks was all records were color-coded by genre, showing off the versatility of vinyl; yellow for children's. This Pecos Bill set is the oldest in my collection, and was part of RCA issued Disney titles during the first year. 3 78s reduced to 2 45s.
If I have an annual ritual, it is reviewing all the music I had picked up throughout the year. I used to play everything, but it wasn't long before it just got to be too big.
So here's all of the LPs, EPs, 12", 7", CDs and even a 3" CD, from US, Canada, Japan, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
I will be allowing myself an extra post everyday as I play them all through, featuring one release, starting tomorrow. #vinyl#cd#PhysicalMedia@vinylrecords
Just a few days ago, I found myself reminiscing about the unique freedom that comes with physically owning a movie. I had a sudden urge to rewatch an old favorite, but to my dismay, none of the streaming services I subscribe to offered it. That's when I remembered the DVD I had purchased years ago. Dusting off my old player, I enjoyed the film without any hitches. This experience reminded me that the liberty of owning a piece of art in its physical form is unparalleled. Subscription and streaming services, often geared towards quick and disposable content consumption, can't match the enduring value of a tangible collection.
The Dialect Of The Black American US Western Electric 1970
Issued by the manufacturing arm of AT&T, this album advocates the radical idea that African American Vernacular English (AAVE) follows consistent internal linguistic rules, and thus should be treated as a valid dialect for instruction. Reportedly narrated by an uncredited Morgan Freeman, it gives examples of AAVE speech, grammar, and how discrimination based on speech impacts lives.