Issue #007
Featuring Talking Heads, Alexandra Savior, Nu Genea, Antônio Carlos Jobim & Bobby Timmons
1. CLASSICS: Remain in Light by Talking Heads (1980)
"Remain in Light" by Talking Heads is an hour long experience of looping grooves and experimental sounds of new wave, funk, and even drawing a lot of inspiration from African rhythms. It's the kind of album you could play if you ever find yourself in a brightly coloured, slightly surreal dance party with weird people you know little about. They're going to love it.
2. ROCK: Belladonna of Sadness by Alexandra Savior (2017)
In “Belladonna of Sadness", Alexandra Savior combines indie rock and pop with a dark, sort of cinematic quality, supported by her airy voice and minimalist guitar arrangements. It's the kind of album that could play in its entirety at the end of a Tarantino movie. And while you might not be able to hear his voice on the album, the fingerprints of Alex Turner, who co-wrote and produced the album, are all over it.
3. UNCHARTED: Bar Mediterraneo by Nu Genea (2022)
“Bar Mediterraneo” by Neapolitan duo Nu Genea is a funky mix of Mediterranean sound culture. The album's vibe is consistently uplifting, carried by groovy basslines, nostalgic synthesizers, and collaborations with various artists who add their unique flavour to each track. It's the kind of album that your italian friend, a connoisseur of good music and food, would recommend you.
4. MADE IN BRAZIL: Wave by Antônio Carlos Jobim (1967)
It's not hard to hear why "Wave" by Antônio Carlos Jobim is one of the best-selling bossa/jazz albums of all time. A masterful piano work that's smoothly sophisticated and yet accessible, the album features legendary musicians like Ron Carter (Miles Davis Quintet) and Claus Ogerman. The title track "Wave" is one of Jobim’s most covered songs.
5. JAZZ: This Here Is Bobby Timmons by Bobby Timmons (1960)
Bobby Timmons, who at this point was already known for his work with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, released a debut solo album that is notable for its soulful and bluesy style. “This Here Is Bobby Timmons” features Timmons alongside Sam Jones on bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums. If you're a fan of lively, soul-infused jazz, this album is definitely worth a listen.
I'm a huge fan of Bobby Timmons - just love Moanin' and Dat Dere. Bobby was cool and hot in his time.
Jobim is the hero of my musical life - timeless, lovely, sensitive.
No idea why This Here is Bobby Timmons hasn't gotten a vinyl reissue in recent years. It's a terrific album, and it has FIVE tracks with over a million plays on Spotify. Yet the most recent pressing was in 2012 on Wax Time, and it was only released in Spain.