Cream - Disreali Gears

(S4-Ep5) Donovan Mellow Yellow  (Epic Records (U.S.), Pye Records (UK) Released March 24, 1967- Recorded between September and October 1966,  Mellow Yellow further highlights Donovan’s transition from folk troubadour to an eclectic innovator, blending folk, jazz, pop, and psychedelia. Produced by Mickie Most and featuring notable collaborators like Paul McCartney and John Paul Jones, the album captures the whimsical, colorful era of the 1960s counterculture. Its title track became a cultural anthem, with playful lyrics and a jazzy groove, while reflective pieces like “Writer in the Sun” and “Sand and Foam” showcase Donovan’s poetic lyricism and introspection. Tracks like “Sunny South Kensington” and “Hampstead Incident” illustrate his embrace of bohemian and psychedelic influences, creating a kaleidoscopic soundscape. With its genre-blurring innovation and artistic depth, Mellow Yellow solidified Donovan’s status as a key figure in the psychedelic movement and a pioneer of blending folk with modern rock, leaving an enduring impact on 1960s music. Signature Tracks "Mellow Yellow,"   "Writer In The Sun,"    "Sand and Foam"  Playlist   YouTube Playlist   Spotify Playlist  Full Albums Full Album on YouTube Full Album on Spotify

8 Jan 14min

(S4-Ep 5) The Byrds- Younger Than Yesterday (Columbia)  Released February 6, 1967, Recorded between November 28-December 8, 1966  Younger Than Yesterday marks pivotal in The Byrds’ evolution, blending folk-rock, psychedelia, and early country influences. While not as commercially successful as their earlier albums, it received critical acclaim for its musical innovation and experimental approach. The album features standout tracks like "So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star," which critiques the commercialization of rock music, and "My Back Pages," a reworking of Bob Dylan’s classic. The band’s experimentation with studio techniques, intricate guitar work, and contributions from Chris Hillman and David Crosby pushed boundaries within the folk-rock genre. The Byrds also explored jazz and country influences. Despite internal tensions and lineup changes, Younger Than Yesterday remains a key work, influencing the development of psychedelic rock and paving the way for future musical experimentation in the 1960s. Signature Tracks "So You Want To Be a Rock and Roll Star," "Have You Seen Her Face," "My Back Pages" Playlists   YouTube Playlist  Spotify Playlist Full Albums Full Album on YouTube , Full Album on Spotify

1 Jan 15min

S4-Ep. 4 Jefferson Airplane-Surrealistic Pillow (RCA) Released Feb 1, 1967, and Recorded between October 31-Nov 22, 1966  Surrealistic Pillow (1967) is a defining album of the 1960s psychedelic rock era, marking the debut of Grace Slick as Jefferson Airplane’s lead vocalist. The album blends folk, rock, and experimental sounds, with standout tracks like “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit,” which became anthems of the counterculture. With contributions from multiple band members, the album offers diverse vocals and songwriting styles, including Grace Slick’s powerful delivery, Marty Balin’s emotive ballads, and Paul Kantner’s folk-rock influences. The album’s success helped propel the band into mainstream recognition, while its psychedelic experimentation captured the spirit of the San Francisco scene. Produced with help from Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia, Surrealistic Pillow is considered a genre masterpiece, with its influence still felt today. The cover art further symbolized the album’s surreal, rebellious vibe, marking a cultural milestone in rock history. Signature Tracks "Somebody to Love," "Today,"  "White Rabbit" Playlist YouTube Playlist, Spotify Playlist  Full Album Full Album on YouTube Full Album on Spotify

24 Des 202414min

Donald Vega, a celebrated jazz pianist and composer from Nicaragua, continues to captivate audiences with his musical brilliance. His latest album, As I Travel, has garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album, showcasing his original compositions. Vega’s meticulous approach shines through, blending intricate grooves with masterful arrangements that offer structure and creative freedom to his ensemble, featuring John Patitucci, Lewis Nash, and Luisito Quintero.  In addition, Vega recently released All Is Merry and Bright, a festive Christmas album recorded with Clovis Nicolas and Pete Van Nostrand. This project, born from spontaneity and inspired by jazz greats, highlights Vega’s ability to reimagine timeless classics with fresh, vibrant interpretations.

20 Des 202446min

S4-Ep.3 The Supremes Sing Holland–Dozier–Holland (Motown) Release Jan 23, 1967, and Recorded 1964-1966 The Supremes Sing Holland–Dozier–Holland is a standout album that showcases the magic between The Supremes and the iconic Motown songwriting and production team Holland-Dozier-Holland (HDH). Released at the peak of their popularity, the album features classic hits like "You Keep Me Hangin' On" and "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone," reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. These tracks highlight Diana Ross's powerful vocals, backed by the impeccable musicianship of Motown's Funk Brothers. The album blends sophisticated pop with emotional storytelling, driven by HDH’s signature sound—tight harmonies, lush orchestrations, and an infectious rhythm. While the album is more a collection of singles than a cohesive concept, its polished sound and universal appeal helped solidify The Supremes as pop and R&B icons. Despite internal group tensions, including Florence Ballard’s eventual departure, their collaboration with HDH remains a cornerstone of Motown’s legacy. Signature Track "You Keep Me Hangin' On,"  "Love is Here and Now You're Gone," "It's The Same Old Song" Playlist YouTube Playlist, Spotify Playlist  Full Album Full Album on YouTube,   Full Album on Spotify

18 Des 202417min

S4-Ep.2 The Monkees-More of the Monkees (Colgems)  Released January 9, 1967. Recorded June 25 – November 23, 1966 More of the Monkees is the second studio album by The Monkees, which features a mix of pop-rock and folk influences. The album showcases the group’s emerging sounds, which had very little to do with the Monkees themselves. The manufactured group mainly performed songs by top songwriters as singers, while some of the most talented studio musicians handled the best.  More of the Monkees captured the sounds of pop music of the era with its catchy melodies and upbeat tunes. The album's themes often revolve around love and relationships; the album's commercial success solidified The Monkees' place in pop culture and set the stage for the Monkees to have enough clout to demand more creative control. What you get with this album is some finely crafted songs written by talented songwriters and performed by skilled session musicians.  Members sing the songs of the Monkees, and each has a distinct voice. Signature Track "Mary, Mary," ("I'm Not Your) Stepping "Stone, "I'm A Believer" Playlist   YouTube Playlist,  Spotify Playlist  Full Album Full Album YouTube  Full Album on Spotify

11 Des 202416min

S4-Ep.1 The Doors-Self-Titled Release (Elektra) Released January 4, 1967, Recorded August of 1966 Elektra Records  The Doors is a groundbreaking debut album that blends rock, blues, jazz, and psychedelia with a unique poetic sensibility, largely driven by Jim Morrison’s dark, introspective lyrics. Recorded in just six days, the album features a distinctive sound, notably Ray Manzarek’s Vox Continental organ, Robby Krieger’s flamenco-inspired guitar work, and John Densmore's jazzy drum style. Key tracks like "Light My Fire," with its iconic organ riff and extended solos, and "Break On Through (To the Other Side)," with its rebellious energy, set the stage for the band’s rise to fame. The album’s fusion of musical styles, alongside Morrison’s mysticism and philosophical themes, made it an instant classic, peaking at #2 on the U.S. charts. While not all tracks are equally memorable, The Doors established the band as one of rock music's most innovative and influential forces during the 1960s. Signature Tracks Discussed "Light My Fire," "Break On Through (To The Other Side)"   "The End"  Playlists: YouTube Playlist, Spotify Playlist

4 Des 202418min

Naomi Moon Siegel               Naomi Moon Siegel is an award-winning trombonist, improviser, composer, and educator committed to creating a positive, transformative music culture beyond conventional genre norms. Her original musical vocabulary draws on the richness of various global musical traditions. Siegel explores the trombone as a vehicle for sonic expression colored by breath, spit, and physicality. A longtime collaborator with Wayne Horvitz, Siegel has performed with such luminaries as Jessica Lurie, Matthew Golombisky, Carmen Staaf, March Fourth Marching Band, Allison Miller, Julian Priester, The California Honeydrops, Martha Scanlan, Stuart Dempster, Skerik, and Thione Diop. With saxophonist Kate Olson, Siegel formed the folk punk jazz duo Syrinx Effect, which has released four albums and performed around the United States. Siegel is a recipient of Chamber Music America’s Performance Plus Grant, Jazz Journalists Association’s Jazz Hero Award, Montana Art Council’s Artist Innovation Award, and Earshot Jazz’s Golden Ear Award for Emerging Artist of the Year. Siegel is an adjunct professor of trombone at the University of Montana and a dedicated music educator. Siegel is also a staunch advocate for intersectional gender justice in jazz and music settings, leading workshops to build awareness and work towards positive systemic shifts in our music culture.

19 Nov 202425min