In the early 90’s, swirly experimental music was hard to find, typically hiding on the periphery of the radio dial. College stations lurked there, and one group that called them home was SeeFeel. They used drum machines, guitar loops and faint vocals to combine elements of ambient techno, shoegaze and dream pop.
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Quique was released in England in December of 1993 on Too Pure Records, a label that was primarily focused on experimental music. The album would get released in the US on newly formed Astralwerks Records with “Plainsong” as a single. It’s not my favorite song from that record, but it does showcase the drifting, dreamy music they once produced. 

I was asked the other day what I thought were some of the most influential record labels. There are almost too many to name, but several that immediately popped into my head were King, Sun, Def-Jam, SST, Chess, 4AD, Motown and Stax. One label not on that list was the short-lived but highly influential TK Records. Formed in 1972 by Henry Stone and Steve Alaimo, the Hialeah Florida based label sold millions of Funk and Disco albums throughout the 70’s

One of the major reasons for their success was part time employee Harry Wayne Casey.  After being introduced to Richard Finch, a newly hired recording engineer and bassist, Casey and Finch formed KC and the Sunshine Band. Together, with the help of various TK house musicians, they penned 6 top ten singles and put TK Records on the map.
“Get Down Tonight” was the first single from their second album titled KC and the Sunshine Band. It’s an ageless dance song with an addictive chorus and a perfectly placed rhythm section. It was also their first number one song and although I adore it, I still find the humorous double-timed recorded lead guitar distracting.
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“Get Down Tonight” and “That's the Way (I Like It)” both continue to be featured on soundtracks, in shopping malls and at just about every wedding I’ve ever attended. I think they are timeless dance songs from a monster album that is often overlooked for being “Disco.” KC and the Sunshine Band is especially noteworthy because it was recorded and produced on a shoestring budget by an independent label. 

Yesterday we lost João Gilberto, a guitarist, vocalist, and composer who is considered one of the creators of bossa nova or “new trend” style of Brazilian music. Along with Laurindo Almeida, Antônio Carlos Jobim, and Sérgio Mendes, Gilberto was a giant of the musical form and his compositions and recordings continue to influence modern music today.

Gilberto was given his first guitar at 14 from his wealthy father. He then dropped out of school, and at the age of 18 began recording music as a vocalist.  Worried by his son's career choice João’s father had him committed to a mental hospital. Lucky for us he was released one week later, rejoined forces with his musical friends in Rio (most notably Antônio Carlos Jobim) and the rest is musical history. 

“Bim-Bom” was originally composed in 1956 but recorded for the 1959 groundbreaking album Chega De Saudade. Released on Odeon Records, it’s often considered the first recorded bossa nova song. Gilberto wrote it after he watched laundresses pass by, balancing laundry on their heads and swaying as they walked.
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I adore this song. It’s as playful as it is breezy and always places a smile on my face. João Gilberto will be missed.