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Battle of the Big Bands! This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations The late-1930s to mid-1940s—it was the height of the big band era, as well as the second world war. Call me foolishly nostalgic perhaps but at least during that arduous period, we could lovingly hug and comfort each other, as opposed to... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations "To B, or not to B-Note, that is the question" "It's Poetry In Motion" –Thomas Dolby 146. Wayne Shorter, Etcetera. Blue Note – LT-1056 (1980), Tone Poet Series – B0029357-01 (2019), 33 1/3 rpm. Genre: jazz, post bop, modal, free jazz flirtings. One listen to ETC and... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations "I can't breathe" Eric Garner, George Floyd "We can't breathe" People all over the World "What's Going On" Marvin Gaye "Why Can't We Live Together" Timmy Thomas "Love Is the Message" MFSB (Gamble & Huff) "RESPECT" Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin "Get up, stand up, stand up for... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 136. Sonny Rollins, The Bridge. RCA – LSP-2527 (1962), Classic Records – LSP-2527 (1996), 33 1/3 rpm, 180g. Genre: jazz, hard bop. Premiering with Prestige in 1953 with a couple of stops and stints at Blue Note, Contemporary, and Riverside, this was Rollins' first of six recordings for... Read More »

In this Covid 19 pandemic, where many have suggested songs with either soothing or suggestive lyrics to wade through this difficult period, I chose instead to focus on five selections geared more towards escapism, dance and anxiety abandonment. So do yourself a favor, for the next 40 minutes or so, shut off the news, give... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 126. Zoot Sims and Al Cohn with Cecil Collier, Either Way. Fred Miles – FM-1 (1961), Classic Records JP 1006 (1998) 33 1/3 rpm. Genre: jazz, small combo swing, cool jazz, West Coast, jump blues. Tenor saxophonists Zoot Sims and Al Cohn head a cool swinging rhythm... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 121. Various, Thank God It's Friday - Collectors Gift Series. Chocolate City – CCD 20014 DJ + Casablanca – NBD 20116, 20117, 20119, 20120, 20121, 20122, 20123, 20124, 20129 DJ (1978), 10x12", 33 1/3 rpm, single-sided, promo, compilation. Genre: disco Following the immense success of Saturday Night Fever... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 116. The Cure, Three Imaginary Boys. Fiction Records – FIX 1 (UK) (1979), 33 1/3 rpm. Genre: new wave, post-punk. Just as British art director, designer, and photographer Bill Smith crafted the iconic imaginative cover art of their debut album, so did the boys bring a billowing... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 111. Count Basie, Live at the Sands (Before Frank). MoFi ‎– MFSL 2-401 (2013), (2x33 1/3 rpm). Genre: big band swing, jazz. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, and apparently that is exactly what happened to this original 1966 recording before Reprise finally release it in... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 106. Bill Berry and His Ellington All-Stars, For Duke. M&K RealTime Records – RT-101 (1978), 33 1/3 rpm. Genre: big band swing, jazz. ­Direct-to-disc lacquer cutting. German pressing. We have often heard the expression "making a great first impression is the key to success" and that's exactly... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 101. Curtis Mayfield, Superfly (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). Curtom – CRS-8014-ST (1972), MoFi, Rhino Records ‎– MFSL 2-481 (2019), (2x45 rpm). Genre: funk, soul, blaxploitation soundtrack style, cinematic soul, ghetto soul. "I'm your mama, I'm your daddy; I'm that...in the alley; I'm your doctor, when in need;... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 91. Deep Purple, Machine Head. Purple Records – TPSA 7504 IE 064 (UK) (1972), Warner Bros. Records, Rhino Vinyl – R1 75622 (2006), 33 1/3 rpm. Genre: hard rock, heavy metal, proto-speed metal, blues rock. "We all came out to Montreux..." Surely one of the most recognizable... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 82. Pink Floyd, The Dark Side of the Moon. Harvest – SHVL 804, 1E 064 o 05249 (UK) (1973), 582 1361 (UK) (2003) (30th anniversary edition), 33 1/3 rpm. Genre: space rock, art rock, progressive rock, electronic, jazz fusion, and funk touches. Ahh, at last, there it is.... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 73. The Stooges, The Stooges. Elektra – EKS-74051 (1969), 33 1/3 rpm. Genre: garage rock, psychedelic-tinged hard rock, proto-punk, avant-rock Clearly there must be something lurking in those waters but thankfully this has nothing to do with the tragedy that hit Flint in 2014. Michigan's music scene... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 66. Babe Ruth, First Base. Harvest, EMI – SHSP 4022 (UK) (1972), 33 1/3 rpm. Genre: hard rock, heavy prog artistic rock, funky-based grooves, Spanish overtones Named after America's most famous baseball player, British band Babe Ruth reaped its biggest success in Canada—particularly in Québec—with "The Mexican", melding Spanish... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations.   61. Pixies, Surfer Rosa. 4AD – 803 (UK) (1988), MoFi ‎– MFSL 1-296 (2009), 33 1/3 rpm. Genre: alternative, garage rock, noise pop, punk The words garage, punk, and noise rarely go hand in hand with audiophile, and yet this second release by the Bostonian band encompasses exactly... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations. 56. Borodin, Symphony no.2 / Rimsky-Korsakoff – Capriccio Espagnole The London Symphony Orchestra, Jean Martinon. RCA Victor Red Seal – LSC-2298 ­(1959), Classic Records – LSC-2298 (1996?), 180g, Living Stereo series, Genre: classical, orchestral, romantic. Tightly led and influenced by Mily Balakirev, Alexander Borodin—the eldest of 'The Five'—along... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations. 51. MFSB, Love Is the Message. Philadelphia International Records – KZ 32707 (1973), 33 1/3 rpm. Genre: Philly soul, disco, smooth jazz After nearly 45 years—wherein the world holds its breath under the genuine threat of eroding freedoms, and escalating nuclear war—MFSB's message still rings true and maybe... Read More »

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations. 41. Frank Sinatra, Sinatra's Swingin' Session!!! Capitol Records – SW 1491 (1961), MoFi ‎– MFSL 1-407 (2012), 33 1/3 rpm. Genre: big band swing, vocal jazz, traditional pop standards. As previously mentioned in the very first installment of this series, Frank Sinatra along with Nat King Cole remain... Read More »