Issue #016

Featuring Bob Dylan, Neutral Milk Hotel, Black Pumas, Tim Maia & Herbie Hancock

1. CLASSICS: Blonde On Blonde by Bob Dylan (1966)

With surreal lyrics, electric guitars, harmonicas, and a hint of Nashville charm, "Blonde on Blonde"—released in 1966—is the sound of a generation, with Bob Dylan as its reluctant prophet. He had much to say, so this became the first double album in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. After a failed attempt to record the album in New York due to disagreements with the band, producer Bob Johnston relocated the sessions to Nashville's Columbia Studios. Here, Dylan's vision came alive in rooms filled with cigarette smoke, clinking glasses, and the occasional heated argument—all underscored by his poetic brilliance, painting vivid, enigmatic, and lasting images in our heads.

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2. ROCK: In The Aeroplane Over The Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel (1998)

Released at a time when grunge was fading and boy bands were on the rise, "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" carved its own niche in the late '90s music scene with a surreal poetry-meets-lo-fi indie rock kind of vibe. The album was recorded at Pet Sounds Studio in Denver, Colorado, with the help of producer Robert Schneider. Jeff Mangum drew inspiration from Anne Frank's diary with several songs referencing her life and the holocaust. Influencing bands like Arcade Fire and The Decemberists, who took notes on how to blend emotional intensity with musical experimentation. It's the kind of album that gets passed around like a secret treasure and where each listener finds their own personal connection with it.

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3. UNCHARTED: Black Pumas by Black Pumas (2019)

Black Pumas' debut album is like discovering a rare vintage wine—unexpected, full-bodied, and profoundly memorable—but then finding out it's actually from 2019. It's a modern soul-funk classic by two truly talented artists. The recording sessions took place in Adrian Quesada's own studio in Austin, Texas, where Eric Burton's gritty, soulful voice met scratchy drum loops, hits of strings, funky electronic pianos, and fuzz guitar to create a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

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4. MADE IN BRAZIL: Racional by Tim Maia (1975)

In the mid-'70s, Tim Maia was not just a musician; he was a cultural phenomenon. During this period, he became involved with the cult known as Rational Culture, and this “spiritual awakening” heavily influenced Racional (Vol. 1 and Vol. 2). Recorded at RCA Studios in São Paulo, it wasn't just an album; it was Tim Maia’s musical sermon, delivered with the fervor of a man who’d seen the light – or at least thought he had. The album’s lyrics and detailed artwork reflect the teachings of the cult. Maia later renounced Rational Culture and tried to reclaim and destroy all remaining copies of the albums. Luckily, he didn't succeed. So if you seek higher grooves and spiritual enlightenment through the most soulful and funky music Brazil has to offer, you have found your path.

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5. JAZZ: Takin’ Off by Herbie Hancock (1962)

This record introduced Hancock's talents to the world, featuring the classic track "Watermelon Man," which became a hit single and was famously covered by Mongo Santamaría. Hancock himself once said he wrote the tune to capture the feel of the street vendors in his Chicago neighborhood. It planted the seeds of his legacy that would grow into an unparalleled career. Recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studio in New Jersey, it allowed Hancock to be joined by an all-star lineup: Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Butch Warren on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. Released in October of 1962, the album was produced by Alfred Lion, co-founder of Blue Note Records, and engineered by Rudy Van Gelder himself.

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