Cream - Disreali Gears

(S4-EP 12) Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention-Absolutely Free (Verve) (Special Guest Steve DeLuca) Released May 26, 1967  recorded November 15–18, 1966 March 6, 1967[Absolutely Free, the second album by The Mothers of Invention. Expanding on the experimental nature of their debut, Freak Out!, the album blends rock, jazz, and classical music with biting social and political satire. Structured as two conceptual suites—"Absolutely Free" and "The M.O.I. American Pageant"—the album critiques American culture, consumerism, and political corruption. Tracks like "Plastic People" and "Brown Shoes Don’t Make It" mock conformity and hypocrisy, while the ambitious composition of "Brown Shoes" showcases Zappa’s mastery of genre fusion. Recorded in just four days with a limited budget, Absolutely Free incorporates influences from Stravinsky, Holst, and Varèse, foreshadowing Zappa’s later experimental works. Though controversial and facing censorship, the album reached #41 on the Billboard 200 and has since become a cult classic. It remains a landmark in avant-garde rock, cementing Zappa’s reputation as a fearless musical innovator. Joining Jay on this extended episode is returning guest music historian and drummer Steve DeLuca. Signature Tracks "Plastic People,"  "Call Any Vegetables"  "Brown Shoes Don't Make It" Playlist:  You Tube Playlist   Spotify Playlist Full Albums YouTube , Spotify Playlist

19 Feb 1h 30min

(S4-Ep10)The Beatles: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart’s Club Band (Parlophone/Capitol) Released May 26, 1967, Recorded Between December 6, 1966 and April 21, 1967 Summary Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), the Beatles' eighth studio album, revolutionized rock music and became a defining cultural moment. Combining psychedelic rock, art rock, and avant-garde techniques, it’s often considered the first concept album. Created during intense studio experimentation, it marked the Beatles’ shift from live performances to studio-bound artistry. The album’s groundbreaking production featured innovative techniques like direct injection recording, backward sounds, and orchestration, setting new standards for the music industry. Its vivid, psychedelic cover art, designed by Peter Blake, became iconic, and the album's impact shaped the 1967 Summer of Love.Sgt. Pepper produced hits likeLucy in the Sky with Diamonds andA Day in the Life, blending influences such as Indian music and Western rock. Despite internal tensions, particularly with George Harrison and Ringo Starr feeling sidelined, the album received universal acclaim and won four Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year—the first rock album to do so. Its cultural influence is immeasurable, inspiring future generations of artists and solidifying the Beatles’ legacy. For many,Sgt. Pepper’s remains the pinnacle of rock music, reshaping the possibilities of popular music and continuing to captivate listeners with every play.Signature Tracks:A Little Help From Friends,Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds,A Day In The Life. Full Album:YouTube,Spotify Playlist:  YouTube Playlist  Spotify Playlist,

12 Feb 25min

Steve Bryant is a fantastic jazz guitarist who lives and works near the New Jersey shore. His band, RED 123, showcases his masterful compositions and dynamic guitar playing. But beyond performing, Steve is also a dedicated educator, sharing his deep musical knowledge with the next generation. His journey began on French horn before discovering guitar in middle school—a passion that soon became an obsession. Jazz lessons with Vinny Corrao refined his technique, leading to six years in the Navy band. Then came rock and roll—tours, hotel rooms, and thousands of hours of dedication. All of these experiences—discipline, artistry, and life itself—have shaped Steve into the polished musician he is today. His music tells that story, blending skill with soul. Listen to RED 123's latest recordingNew Town, and you’ll hear his mastery and journey.https://red123music.com/homeNew Townhttps://open.spotify.com/album/2nalE8WWE2xOjVk4hyihkP?si=T3lirZy-QH220-LGWaz6IA

7 Feb 56min

(S4-Ep 9) The Jimi Hendrix Experience- Are You Experienced (Polydor in the U.K. and Reprise in the U.S.)  Released May 12, 1967 Recorded October 23, 1966, to April 4, 1967  Are You Experienced, released on May 12, 1967, is regarded as one of rock history's most influential debut albums. With Jimi Hendrix at the forefront, the album blends blues, psychedelia, and experimental rock, introducing his signature guitar techniques that would reshape music. Songs like "Purple Haze," "Hey Joe," and "The Wind Cries Mary" are not just iconic tracks but also showcase Hendrix’s revolutionary use of distortion, feedback, and other effects. The album’s US and UK releases featured different tracklists.  The Jimi Hendrix Experience—composed of Hendrix, Mitch Mitchell, and Noel Redding—provided a groundbreaking sound driven by Mitchell’s jazz-infused drumming and Redding’s bass playing. Produced by former Animals bassist Chas Chandler and engineered by Eddie Kramer, the album’s innovative studio techniques set new standards in rock production. Are You Experienced became a commercial success and remains a cornerstone of rock music, establishing Hendrix as a true musical genius. Signature Tracks "Purple Haze,"  "Hey Joe,"  "Wind Cries Mary" Playlist YouTube Playlist  Spotify Playlist  Full Albums Full Album YouTube  Full Album on Spotify

5 Feb 21min

(S4-Ep8) The Velvet Underground and Nico (Verve Records)  Released March 1967- Recorded April-May and November of 1966 (Verve Records)  Despite its initial commercial failure, the Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) is one of the most influential albums in rock history. The album, produced by artist Andy Warhol, fused avant-garde art with raw, experimental rock, tackling taboo subjects like drug use and urban decay. Lou Reed’s stark lyricism and John Cale’s avant-garde instrumentation—particularly his electric viola—set the band apart from their contemporaries. Tracks like Heroin, Venus in Furs, and All Tomorrow’s Parties showcased their uncompromising artistic vision. Though largely ignored upon release, the album became a blueprint for punk, noise rock, and indie music, influencing artists from David Bowie to Sonic Youth. The iconic banana cover, designed by Warhol, remains one of rock’s most recognizable images. Over time, The Velvet Underground & Nico earned its place as a seminal work, proving that commercial success is not always a measure of artistic impact. Signature Tracks  "Heroin," “Venus in Furs,” "All Tomorrow's Parties"  Playlist  YouTube   Spotify  Full Album  YouTube Spotify

29 Jan 14min

Dave Stryker is a renowned American jazz guitarist with over 25 albums as a leader and collaborations with jazz greats like Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff, and Kevin Mahogany. Raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Stryker began playing guitar at ten, initially inspired by The Beatles and later drawn to jazz . By 17, he was performing jazz locally. After moving to Los Angeles in 1978 and then began working with Jack McDuff, touring with him in 1984–1985. Stryker spent a decade with saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and formed bands with Steve Slagle and Jared Gold. He also worked extensively with singer Kevin Mahogany as a sideman and arranger, performing at Carnegie Hall and internationally. An experienced educator, Stryker has taught at Indiana University, Montclair State, William Paterson University, and Rutgers University, as well as online via ArtistWorks. For More On Dave Stryker go to: https://www.davestryker.com/ https://www.davestryker.com/

23 Jan 33min

(S4 E7) Aretha Franklin -I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You (Atlantic)  Released March 10, 1967. Recorded January 10 – February 26, 1967  I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967) marked Aretha Franklin’s breakthrough as the "Queen of Soul," blending gospel, blues, and R&B into a revolutionary sound. Released by Atlantic Records, the album featured iconic tracks like Otis Redding’s reimagined “Respect,” which became a feminist and civil rights anthem, and the heartfelt title track, her first major hit. Recorded at Muscle Shoals and Atlantic Studios, the album showcased Franklin’s commanding vocals, her piano playing, and the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section's soulful backing. Its mix of original compositions and inspired covers, such as Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” elevated it as a timeless masterpiece. Topping R&B charts and reaching No. 2 on the Billboard 200, the album cemented Franklin’s legacy as a cultural icon. Its impact extended beyond music, symbolizing empowerment and resilience while inspiring generations of artists and shaping soul music's trajectory. Signature Tracks: "Respect,"  "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)," "Dr. Feel Good (Love is a Serious Business)" Playlist YouTube Playlist  Spotify Playlist  Full Albums  Full Album on YouTube   Full Album on Spotify

22 Jan 16min

(S4 E6) Miles Davis - Miles Smiles (Columbia)  Released February 16, 1967. Recorded October 24-25, 1966  Miles Smiles (Columbia) is a landmark album by Miles Davis' Second Great Quintet, featuring Wayne Shorter (tenor saxophone), Herbie Hancock (piano), Ron Carter (bass), and Tony Williams (drums). The album exemplifies post-bop innovation, blending modal jazz with freer rhythms and structures, referencing avant-garde without discarding form. The album’s compositions highlight the quintet's collective improvisation and chemistry, with Shorter contributing standout tracks like "Orbits" and "Footprints." Davis’s lyrical, introspective trumpet playing on "Circle" showcases his evolving style, while Hancock’s minimalist, right-hand-centric approach adds depth. Carter’s bass lines and Williams’s dynamic, experimental drumming propel the group’s sound. Tracks like "Footprints" and "Dolores" emphasize rhythmic complexity and harmonic exploration, solidifying the quintet's legacy as jazz innovators. Miles Smiles received critical acclaim for its groundbreaking sound, remaining a vital document of Davis's transition into more exploratory territories. Signature Tracks: "Footprints,"  "Freedom Jazz Dance," "Gingerbread Boy"  Playlist YouTube Playlist  Spotify Playlist  Full Album Full Album on YouTube  Full Album on Spotify

15 Jan 1h 25min