Issue #019

Featuring Merry Clayton, Dojo Cuts, Cage The Elephant, Marku Ribas & Lou Donaldson

1. CLASSICS: Merry Clayton by Merry Clayton (1971)

Have you ever wondered, “Who is the woman with that chilling, high-pitched voice singing Rape, murder! It’s just a shot away! on the Stones' Gimme Shelter?” Well, it’s Merry Clayton. Already an in-demand background singer for artists like Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, and Neil Young, Merry released her self-titled third studio album in 1971. Coming from a background in gospel music, Merry's emotive, echoing vocals are a pure delight in themselves. While the album did not achieve significant commercial chart success, it became a critical favorite and has been appreciated for its influence in later years. Artists like Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, and even Janis Joplin were surely listening closely and taking notes. Produced by Lou Adler and recorded at Sunset Sound—known as the recording location for legendary albums by artists like The Doors, Led Zeppelin, and Elton John, as well as the audio for Disney films like Mary Poppins and 101 Dalmatians—the album holds a unique place in music history.

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2. ROCK: Melophobia by Cage The Elephant (2013)

With Melophobia, Cage The Elephant deliberately stepped out of their comfort zone, looking for a balance between the chaotic vibes from their debut album and a more deliberate, mature sound. This isn’t to say they’ve lost their edge—far from it—but rather that they’ve taken the reckless punk energy of their early days and channeled it into something tighter and more intentional. The bite is still there, but now it’s wrapped in layers of elegant experimentation, as if they’re testing boundaries without losing their essence. It's the third album produced by Jay Joyce, recorded in Nashville, Tennessee and was released in 2013 through RCA Records

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3. UNCHARTED: Tomorrow's Gonna Come by Dojo Cuts (2019)

Sydney-based band Dojo Cuts released their third studio album, Tomorrow Gonna Come, through Italian independent label Record Kicks in 2019. From the first song, you feel the warmth and vintage vibes typical of classic late-60s and 70s funk and soul. Analog recording techniques and Roxie Ray’s vocals define the album’s mood, but the instrumentals, including a brass trio (trumpet, trombone, and saxophone), bring it all together into a vintage-inspired, authentic modern soul gem.

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4. MADE IN BRAZIL: Marku by Marku Ribas (1976)

Before discussing the album by Marku Ribas, there's just no way not to mention that this guy recorded with the Rolling Stones, appeared in several films, was imprisoned, went into exile in Paris, and eventually became a vital figure in Brazil's samba-rock movement. He was a brazilian composer, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and actor whose career was marked by musical innovation, cultural pride, and political defiance. Born in 1947 to an afro-brazilian father and an indigenous-descendant mother, he drew deeply from this mixed cultural background during a time of limited creative freedom and censorship in Brazil. His 1976 album Marku creates a perfectly balanced link between samba, afro-brazilian rhythms, and global genres such as jazz, soul, and funk. If you enjoy Tim Maia and Jorge Ben, this album has the same groovy, funky vibes but with more serious, socio-political lyrical content.

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5. JAZZ: Gravy Train by Lou Donaldson (1962)

Released by Blue Note in early July 1962, Gravy Train by Lou Donaldson is from a period when jazz artists were exploring fusions with rhythm and blues, responding to the rising popularity of both genres. Donaldson, known for his warm tone and straightforward, melodic approach, saw in soul jazz a way to combine accessible grooves with jazz sophistication. Adding congas, played by Alec Dorsey, is a good example of how Donaldson worked within Blue Note's framework to create music that felt rooted in tradition while also being slightly forward-looking and modern. It might be a very subtle latin-inspired addition, but it makes a big difference to the overall feeling of the album.

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💬 Join the conversation in the comments!

What's your take on these albums? Which albums have you been listening to lately? Feel free to comment below. See you next time!

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