4/1/2026

v/a- T.G.I. Ska Day (2026)- ****
(Tomorrow's Weekend Mix. A blast, if I do say so myself.)

Sir Douglas Quintet- Together After Five (1970)- ***1/2
Todd Rundgren- Initiation: Side One (1975) ****
Elvin Jones- Poly-Currents (1970)- **1/2
Wilco- A.M. (1995)- ***1/2
The Beatles- Rubber Soul (U.K. MONO, 1967/2025)-****

The Style Council- Personal Playlist (2026)- ***
(The Jam can do no wrong. And for the most part, that's how I feel about Weller's solo career, give or take a record or two. But even creating a playlist of my favorite Style Council tunes doesn't help matters. I just don't care for them.)

The Jam- Setting Sons (1979)- ****

The Black Crowes- A Pound Of Feathers (2026)- ***1/2
(Five or six spins in and my feelings have remained the same. Some great songs, but it starts to fizzle in the second half.)

The Dandy Warhols- Pin Ups (2026)- **
(Can't say I've heard much from these guys, but from the sound of these covers, I don't think I'm missing much. If you're a fan, tell me where to start. This was a bore.)

David Bowie- Pin Ups (1973)- ****
(Now we're talking.)

3/31/2026

The Keith Tippett Group- Dedicated To You, But You Weren't Listening (1971)- ***1/2

Grateful Dead- Dick's Picks Vol. 8: Binghamton, 5/2/70- Acoustic Set (1997)- ****
(This is the record that made me go from an ardent non-supporter of the Dead to a genuine fan.)

Hi-Tech Roots Dynamics- Tokyo Dub (1995)- **1/2
Sir Douglas Quintet- Mendocino (1969)- ****
U2- Days Of Ash E.P. (2026)- ****
Todd Rundgren- A Wizard/A True Star (1973)- ****
Close Enemies- S/T (2026)- ***1/2
Paul McCartney- McCartney III (2020)- ***1/2
v/a- The Art Of McCartney: Highlights (2014)- ***

3/30/2026

Elvin Jones- Coalition (1971)- ****
Sun Ra- Atlantis (1970)- ** 
Dr. John - Live In Loreley, 1999 (2026)- ***1/2

Ian Carr-Belladonna (1972)- ****
(First time hearing this British fusion classic, featuring Allan Holdsworth on guitar. Pretty great, like what I always wished "Bitches Brew" sounded like.)

Led Zeppelin- S/T (1969)-****
The Godfathers- Birth, School, Work, Death (1988)- ****

U2- Days Of Ash E.P. (2026)- ***1/2
(Nice to hear these guys still making solid music.)

Paul McCartney- Pipes Of Peace (1983)- ***1/2
Queen- II: 2026 Remix, Side Black (1974/2026)- ****
Elton John- 12 Songs: Personal Playlist (2026)- ***1/2
Raspberries- Fresh (1972)- ****

3/29/2026

Miles Davis- Sketches of Spain: MONO (1960)- ****

The Sunset Travelers w/O.V. Wright- The Gospel 45's (2020)- ****
(As good as it gets- perfect for a Sunday morning. It's HERE, if you're into it.)

The Idle Race- The Birthday Party: MONO (1968)- ****

Paul McCartney- McCartney: Stems (1970)- **** 
(This is incredible, especially if you love this album. If there was any doubt, and there shouldn't be at this point, of McCartney's ability as a singer and a bass player, these deconstructed tracks should seal it forever. I've got about 45 of them, but HERE ARE 13 of the best, if you're into.)

The Lemon Twigs & Friends- Written By Ronnie D'Addario (2025)- ****

Warren Zevon- S/T (1976)- ****
(The harmonies on "Desperados Under The Eaves" are glorious! Zevon, Carl Wilson, Jackson Browne! Glorious.)

Roy Orbison- Mystery Girl (1988)- ****

3/28/2026

v/a- Ciao Bella!: Italian Girl Singers Of The 60's (2015)- ***1/2
Frank Sinatra- Songs For Swingin' Lovers!: Kevin Gray MONO Master (1956/2026)- ****
I Roy- Don't Check Me With No Lightweight Stuff: 1972-1975 (1997)- ***1/2

Joe Higgs- The Real Stepping Razor (19??)- ****
(This was a real find. Higgs' "Life Of Contradiction" is one of the greatest reggae records of all time, but so much of what came before it has yet to be compiled. Some fan put this priceless selection together and it's a perfect companion to "Life Of Contradiction." I found it HERE.)

Billy Joel- Turnstiles (1976)-****
Courtney Barnett- Creature Of Habit (2026)- ***

Black Label Society- Engines Of Demolition (2026)- ***1/2
(Rawk! 🤘)

Cheap Trick- S/T (1977)- ****
Iggy & The Stooges- Raw Power (1973)- ****

3/27/2026

The Gaylads- Soul Beat (1967)- ****
(Hall Of Fame reggae record. If not Top Ten, definitely Top 20.)

The Beach Boys- Friends (1968)- ***1/2

Prince- Lovesexy (1988)- **1/2
(This record has such horrible memories attached to it, I don't think I could listen to it ever again.)

Juliana Hatfield & Eric Payne- Bets (2026)- ****
The Byrds- Never Before (1987)- ***1/2
Queen- II: Sessions (1974/2026)- ***1/2
Elvis Costello & The Attractions- Get Happy! (1980)- ****

The Beach Boys- 1965-1967 (2026)- ****
(Yesterday's Beach Boys discussion put me in action. I created a mix, "1965-1967" and it's a damn great player. It's HERE, if you're interested.)

Aretha Franklin- Aretha's Gold (1969)- ****

 

3/26/2026

John Coltrane- Coltrane's Sound: Kevin Gray MONO Master (1964/2025)- ****

McGuinness Flint- S/T (1970)- *** 
(I've always enjoyed this record, though nothing on it is as strong as the single.)

Genesis- Rock Roots (1976)- ***1/2
(Essentially "From Genesis To Revelation" enhanced with a few singles and b-sides. If you aren't a fan of the band, or prog rock, or long songs, I think you should listen to this record. It's none of those things.)

Robyn- Sexistential (2026)- **
(Okay. Whatever.)

Queen- II: 2026 Remix (1974/2026)- ****
(One of my favorite Side Twos in all of rock, this new remix really shines. It's always been a very hot, muddy and metallic recording, but not anymore. It breathes. You hear Freddie's miraculous vocals with more clarity. Guitar parts, percussion, things that have been buried for 50 years, suddenly stand out. Great, great spin!)

Flea- Honora (2026)- ***
(This record is all over the place. Some nice musical moments here and there, like his takes on "Maggot Brain" and "Willow Weep For Me." But there's a lot of pretentious crap here, too.)

The New Pornographers- The Former Site Of... (2026)- **1/2
(Not sure what happened here. It's been some time since I've listened to these guys, but I loved everything through "Brill Bruisers." This record never got started. It played as one long mid-tempo song without a melody. Is it me, or is this a whole lotta nothing?)

The Beach Boys- Pet Sounds: Kevin Gray Stereo Cut (1966/2015)- ****

Blur- Parklife (1994)- ****
(Forgot how good this record is. Thanks to a friend on Facebook, I revisited. Their most consistent, I think.)

Lou Reed- S/T (1972)-****
(This record deserves more love. It's Lou and some of YES! Come on! Lou, Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman demands your time!)