 Back in the days when musical recordings were released as singles, and more specifically as 45 singles with a song on each side, it was rare for the b side to be the standout tune. Such is the case with this month’s classic.
“Sh-Boom” was released in 1954 on Cat Records as the b side to “Little Maiden”. It’s one of the first Doo-wop songs to break into the Billboard top ten. It was also the last hit for the Chords as they would have to change their name to the Chordcats and fell into obscurity.
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 This month’s track is an unsung gem from a team of legendary behind the scenes musical heroes, producer David Axelrod and the Los Angeles musical collective The Wrecking Crew. Featuring the tasty drumming of Earl Palmer and the always melodic basslines of Carol Kaye, this track is an interesting mix of funk, rock, classical, and all things arranged.
 2024 is nearly gone and as I look back on the year, one record that stood out was Lutalo’s The Academy. Released in September on Winspear, it’s a standout effort from a musician who deserves more attention.
https://lutalo.bandcamp.com/album/the-academy https://winspear.biz/  This is another great song from a hidden gem of a songwriter.
Enjoy! https://maddiemoon.bandcamp.com/track/hold-drifting-away https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbl4SV407owVdhoNzJUdWVQ https://x.com/maddieemoons https://www.musicbed.com/artists/maddie-moon/45056  “Oh yes, the bread feels wonderful Ricky…”
Get out and support Bubbles and the boys! #bubblesandtheshitrockers #trailerparkboys #longhauler https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/bubblesandtheshitrockers/i-only-got-eyes-for-you  With the upcoming release of the Borderlands Film, I thought it’d be fun to go back to 2019 and take a listen to what was, to me, the standout track from one of the video games that this potential blockbuster is based on.
“Sanctuary 3” was composed and produced by Michael McCann. It’s from the Borderlands 3 soundtrack and takes the listener on a musical adventure from the wild west through Africa, Asia, the Middle East, electronica, and beyond. I think it’s a masterclass of modern production and perfectly matches up with the franchise. Michael McCann is a BAFTA-nominated and Clio-award winning composer, producer, and sound designer. He continues to create wonderful soundscapes for each project he touches, while hiding from the limelight and social media trappings.  Vincent “Randy” Chin’s career in the music business was a winding tale from stocking jukeboxes, to owning a record shop, to then recording local Kingston artists. From his early success producing Lord Creator, Alton Ellis, and John Holt to his later productions with Bob Marley and the Wailers and Burning Spear, Randy’s Studio 17 and his Impact All-Stars house band are now considered legends of Jamaican music.
“Sixpence” was a 1975 single first released on Chin’s Impact! record label. It’s a hilarious play-on-word song, and although it was recorded during the roots time period of Reggae, it was a wink to the often humorous calypsonian music from the early 60’s. Max Romeo is still around and is currently in a battle over royalties for his music. I wish him well in his pursuit, as many of these fantastic artists from Jamacia passed away before they were ever able to receive the money they so rightly deserved for their talents and work.  You know you’re a special musician when a pair of singer songwriters specifically think of your drumming when putting together their next project. Such was the case when Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro and Mike Vennart of Oceansize / British Theater asked famed drummer Dave Lombardo to join them in creating Empire State Bastard.
“Stutter” is the second single released last June from Rivers of Heresy. It’s a frenetic, maybe angry number, that showcases the nearly 60-year-old Lombardo’s lyrical fills and uncanny double bass kick drum heroics. From his work with Slayer and John Zorn, to his work with Mr. Bungle, and now Empire State Bastard, Lombardo has always been known not just for his speed behind the kit, but his kindness with his time and with everyone he meets.  Most people know this song from various Warner Brothers cartoons throughout the years. It’s a frenetic piece that adventures into various tempos, and pairs perfectly with high-speed chases and moving parts.
But its songwriter and bandleader, Raymond Scott, was much more than a gifted pianist and composer. He was in fact one of the pioneers of electronic music, with his invention of the Clavivox and Electronium synthesizers and other various electromechanical devices. His work with the Gesell Institute of Child Development on the three-volume ambient music, Soothing Sounds for Baby, is considered a landmark recording that influenced Kraftwork, Tangerine Dream, and many other electronic musicians. |
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