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CHIC (Album of the Day)
New York session musicians Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards met in the early 1970s and, after working together under a couple of other names, launched Chic. The group's self-titled debut followed on Atlantic Records in 1977, and it displays the influence of such stylish rock bands as Roxy Music along with the disco sounds then in the air. This would be Chic's sole album with lead vocalist Norma Jean Wright, though her successor, Alfa Anderson, can be heard on backing vocals (along with Luther Vandross). Propelled by singles “Everybody Dance” and Top 10 hit “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah),” the collection was soon certified Gold. Drummer Tony Thompson was born on this day in 1954, and in his honor we'll give CHIC another spin.
LOOK AT US (Album of the Day)
“I Got You Babe” was one of the biggest hits of 1965 and when its success afforded Sonny and Cher the chance to cut an LP, they made the most of it. LOOK AT US was produced by Sonny Bono, whose experience working with Phil Spector is reflected in wall-of-sound influenced arrangements, the presence of several Wrecking Crew instrumentalists and such songs as “Then He Kissed Me.” Covers predominate but they're well chosen and joined by such fine Bono originals as “Just You” and “It's Gonna Rain” (which had nearly been picked over “...Babe” as the single A-side). For her part, Cher's lead and harmony vocals are wonderful; the chemistry between these two is plain to hear. If you have any interest in mid-1960s folk-rock, take a careful look at LOOK AT US.
RUNNING ON EMPTY (Album of the Day)
Released this month in 1977, RUNNING ON EMPTY is a concept album about touring – and one of the best and most unusual live albums ever made. None of these ten songs had appeared on any of Jackson Browne's previous albums, and in addition to concert performances, the collection includes impromptu recordings made backstage, on buses and in hotel rooms during one of the singer-songwriter's tours. With such old hands as guitarist David Lindley, bassist Leland Sklar and drummer Russ Kunkel in the band, the proceedings have a loose, easy feel to them, even when the material touches on the darker side of life on the road. RUNNING ON EMPTY brought Browne a pair of Grammy nominations (including Album of the Year) as well as commercial success; the anthemic title track and “The Load Out/Stay” were both hit singles, while the album reached #3 on the chart.
MINGUS MOVES (Album of the Day)
Among jazz history's most imposing figures, Charles Mingus blazed trails as a bassist, composer and bandleader. After a decade at other labels, he returned to Atlantic Records and producer Nesuhi Ertegun for MINGUS MOVES, which ranks as a late-career high point. His new combo on the 1973 collection included pianist Don Pullen, saxophonist George Adams and trumpeter Ronald Hampton, with drummer Dannie Richmond back in the fold after several years away – and they're firing on all cylinders throughout. The set pairs such outstanding Mingus originals as “Canon,” “Opus 3” and “Opus 4” with tracks by the rest of the group, all of which provide plenty of space for stellar instrumental work. Transferred from the original half-inch four-channel masters, the new Quadio issue of MINGUS MOVES sounds better than ever.
SPINNERS (Album of the Day)
Spinners had cut several records for Motown but the Detroit vocal group didn't really hit its stride until signing with Atlantic Records; the quintet's eponymous 1973 debut for the label was nothing less than a masterpiece. Recorded with producer Thom Bell, the album epitomized the “Philly soul” sound that would dominate airwaves for much of the decade - a seamless blend of passionate vocals and nimble orchestration. The set features impeccable harmonizing, with recent arrival Philippé Wynne leading the way on the classic “I'll Be Around.” Both that and “Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" were Top 10 singles, and in "One of a Kind (Love Affair)" and “Ghetto Child,” the group had two more signature songs. SPINNERS captures this great band at the peak of its powers, and the R&B chart-topper is now available in Quadio.
IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR (Album of the Day)
IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR would be Led Zeppelin's final studio album before the group announced – on this day in 1980 - that it was disbanding in the wake of drummer John Bonham's death. The collection shows the group adding Latin and country touches to their powerful blues-based rock, and John Paul Jones' synthesizers are as prominent here as Jimmy Page's riffing guitars. While the group members were exploring new directions, they never abandoned their core strengths – the set brims with classic rock radio anthems including “In The Evening,” “All My Love” and “Fool in the Rain." If one can't help but wonder where Led Zeppelin would have gone next, IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR is nonetheless a highly satisfying swan song for the legendary band.
THE AGE OF PLEASURE (Album of the Day)
Five years after the acclaimed DIRTY COMPUTER, Janelle Monáe returns to record stores with THE AGE OF PLEASURE. Setting a celebratory tone, the 14 originals on the new Atlantic collection had been play-tested at get-togethers with friends; as the performer noted, “if the songs can't work at the party, they're not going on the album.” Highlighted by such tracks as “Float,” “Lipstick Lover” and “Water Slide,” this garden of earthly delights is a seamless mix of Afrobeat, reggae and soul and finds Monáe joined by fellow revelers including the legendary Grace Jones. THE AGE OF PLEASURE has just been nominated for an Album of the Year Grammy, and we'll cue it up now to wish Monáe a happy birthday.
CHICAGO IX: CHICAGO’S GREATEST HITS (Album of the Day)
Chicago is the first American band to release Top 40 albums in five successive decades, and it certainly seems like they've been making hits forever. CHICAGO IX, the group's first best-of collection, topped the Billboard album chart this month in 1975 – it was their fifth No.1 album (and spent five weeks at that position). The set culls 11 highlights from the band's first five years, including “25 Or 6 To 4,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is” and “Saturday In The Park.” While the Peter Cetera-led balladry of the next decade would bring the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers even more Gold records, these are the hits that put Chicago on the musical map.
KYLIE CHRISTMAS (Album of the Day)
Australia's reigning pop princess, Kylie Minogue has sold more than 80 million records worldwide, and though it took her a while to get to a holiday album – KYLIE CHRISTMAS was her 13th studio set – the results were worth the wait. Co-produced by her longtime musical director Steve Anderson, the 2015 collection offers a little something for everyone, from time-honored classics (“It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” bookend the album) to more recent yuletide songs by The Waitresses, Pretenders and Coldplay to such originals as “Christmas Isn't Christmas 'Til You Get Here.” The arrangements are varied as well, and guest stars include Iggy Pop, James Corden and Frank Sinatra (via a vintage recording of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”). Have a Merry KYLIE CHRISTMAS this year!
DOUBLE VISION (Album of the Day)
Though half the band was British (hence the name), America embraced Foreigner with open arms in the late 1970s. Founded by journeyman guitarist Mick Jones and powered by Lou Gramm's strong vocals, the group was an immediate smash, its debut going multi-Platinum. Foreigner's follow-up was even more successful; DOUBLE VISION ruled the U.S. Top Ten for half a year thanks to the hit singles “Hot Blooded,” “Blue Morning, Blue Day” and the title track. While similar in ways to its predecessor, the collection has more of a hard rock feel and includes the group's only instrumental (“Tramontane”); with the departure of bassist Ed Gagliardi, the album would be the last from the original sextet. DOUBLE VISION remains an arena rock classic and we'll cue it up now to wish Jones a happy birthday.