In the late 80’s and early 90’s the college music scene was laced with a hotbed of talent and considered the minor league for the music industry.  Many independent artists had easy access to a network of college radio, nearby independent retail stores, and venues to showcase and sell their music. Major labels took advantage of this and would sign groups through their network of “mini-majors.” They would disguise them as indie bands with money to market and finance until they were ready to release more “polished” and marketable albums.

One group that showed great promise during this time was Nashville’s three-piece Alternative Metal band Clockhammer. With very little money and support behind them, they released 1991’s Clockhammer and 1992’s Klinefelter on First Warning Records. Both albums were genre bending, combining metal, jazz and experimental and received critical acclaim.
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“Greying Out” is not my favorite song of theirs but it is a great introductory track for those of you that missed out on this talented group. It features Bailey’s warm voice and lucid soloing, Coomer’s command of the drum-kit and Swanson’s reflective bass lines. If not for infighting, their host label folding, and the financial issues therein, this band would have achieved a higher level of recognition.

Empire Bakuba was formed in 1972 and would become one of Western Africa’s most significant soukous bands. Fronted by Pépé Kallé, their sound took influence from traditional tribal and Congolese music. They were also known for the popularization of the kwassa kwassa dance style, as well as Kallé’s multi-octave voice and engaging stage presence.
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“Ya Yongo” was originally recorded as the "B" side to a Decca “Afric” 7" single (CD 262) and released in the early 70’s. It features barely tuned drone-like guitars, Pépé Kallé’s crooning, and a melancholy feel you will never find in modern popular music. I adore this song and consider it one of my all-time favorites, and hope you will too. 

​Happy Mother’s Day! 

At 11 years old Björk recorded her first album. Sure, it was a Juvenilia novelty collection of cover songs, and panned by critics, but the skill, range and talent were there. Soon after she would go on to form an all-girl punk group, a jazz fusion outfit, and other creative projects, eventually finding her way to Sykurmolarnir (or The Sugarcubes in English).
 
“Ammæli” or “Birthday” was originally released in 1986 as a 7” with a limited pressing of around 500 copies.  It would be reissued in English, and along with fellow single "Motorcrash" as well as a record deal with One Little Indian, would help pave the way for world-wide acclaim. This success and the pressures that followed would also prove to be the end to a once creative outlet among friends.
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Björk is an artist’s artist, and her career drips with creativity, but this song and her friends from Iceland should never be forgotten for such a brilliant performance and sound.