John McLaughlin

 

Artist:  John McLaughlin

Born:  January 4, 1942.  Doncaster, West Riding Of Yorkshire, England

Genre:  Jazz Fusion, Ethno Jazz, World Fusion, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Electric Blues, Nuevo Flamenco, Jazz Rock, Global Jazz, Guitar Jazz, Post Bop, Chamber Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Indian Classical, Classical

Occupation:  Musician, Songwriter

Instruments:  Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizeer

John McLaughlin is an English Guitarist, Bandleader, and Composer.  A pioneer of Jazz Fusion, His music combines elements of Jazz, with Rock, World Music, Indian Classical Music, Western Classical Music, Flamenco, and Blues.  In 1970, he formed Electric Band, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, performed a technically virtuosic  and complex style of music Electric Jazz Rock with Indian Influences.  His solo album Miles Beyond from his live at Ronnie Scott's won the 2018 Grammy Award for the Best Improvised Jazz Solo.  He has been awarded multiple "Guitarist Of The Year" and "Best Jazz Guitarist" awards from magazines such as Downbeat and Guitar Player based on reader polls in 2003.  He was ranked 49th in Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time".

Title:  Industrial Zen (2006)

Genre:  Jazz Fusion, Ethno Jazz, World Fusion, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Electric Blues, Nuevo Flamenco, Jazz Rock, Global Jazz, Guitar Jazz, Post Bop, Chamber Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Indian Classical, Classical

Label:  Verve

Rating:  *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

 1.  For Jaco (5:15)

 2.  New Blues Old Bruise (7:14)

 3. Wayne's Way (7:06)

 4.  Just So Only More So (9:56)

 5.  To Bop Or Not To Be (6:41)

 6.  Dear Dalai Lama (12:28)

 7.  Senor C.S. (7:38)

 8.  Mother Nature (5:08)

Personnel:

John McLaughin:  Guitar, Synthesizer Programming, Drum Programming, Chant

Eric Johnson:  Guitar

Tony Grey:  Bass

Hadrien Feraud:  Bass

Matthew Garrison:  Bass

Bill Evans:  Saxophone

Ada Rovatti:  Saxophone

Dennis Chambers:  Drum Set

Vinnie Colaluta:  Drum Set

Mark Mondesir:  Drum Set

Marcus Wippersberg:  Drum Set

Gary Husband:  Drum Set, Keyboards

Zalir Hussen:  Tabla

Shankar Mahadevan:  Vocals

Otmaro Ruiz:  Synthesizer, Synthesizer Programming

Industrial Zen is a studio album by John McLaughlin, released on May 22, 2006 by Verve Records, featuring Eric Johnson, Bill Evans, Shankar Mahadevan and many more!.

Little Feat

 

Artist:  Little Feat
Origin:  Los Angeles, California, USA
Genre:  Southern Rock, Blues Rock, Roots Rock, Boogie Rock, Country Rock, Jam Rock, Americana, Jazz Rock, Funk Rock, Jazz Funk, Hard Rock, Contemporary Rock

Original line-up:

Lowell George:  Vocal, Guitar, Harmonica
Bill Payne:  Vocals, Keyboards
Roy Estrada:  Bass, Backing Vocals
Richie Hayward:  Drums, Backing Vocals

Little Feat is an American Rock Band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1969 by George Lowell (Guitar Ex Frank Zappa's Mothers Of Invention) and Bill Payne (Keyboards), along with Roy Estrada (Bass Ex Frank Zappa's Mothers Of Invention) and Richie Hayward (Drums).  The band's music style from Rock & Roll, Blues, R&B, Boogie, Country, Folk, Soul, Funk, Gospel and Jazz influences.  Jimmy Page (Guitar from Led Zeppelin) stated Little Feat was his favorite American Band in 1975 Rolling Stone Magazine interview.

Title:  Highwire Act - Live In St. Louis 2003 (2004) 

Genre:  Southern Rock, Blues Rock, Roots Rock, Boogie Rock, Country Rock, Jam Rock, Americana, Jazz Rock, Funk Rock, Jazz Funk, Hard Rock, Contemporary Rock

Label:  Hot Tomato

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

Disc 1:

 1.  Time Loves & Hero (5:58)

 2.  Day Or Nigh (9:47)

 3.  Cadillac Hotel (6:46)

 4.  Spanish Moon (8:25)

 5.  Skin It Back (6:40)

 6.  Cajun Gin (6:42)

 7.  Night On The Town (5:59)

 8.  I'd Be Lyin' (5:35)

 9.  The Blues Don't Tell It All (6:20)

Disc 2:

 1.  Old Folks Boogie (7:18)

 2.  Oh Atlanta (4:52)

3.  Dixie Chicken (17:44)

 4.  Tripe Face Boogie (7:18)

 5.  Fat Man In The Bathtub (11:44)

 6.  Let It Roll (9:29)

 7.  Willin' (8:06)

 8.  Feats Don't Fall Me Now (5:23)

Personnel:

Paul Barrere:  Vocal, Guitar, Slide Guitar
Bill Payne:  Vocals, Keyboards
Kenny Gradney:  Bass, Backing Vocals
Richie Hayward:  Drums, Backing Vocals

Sam Clayton:   Congas, Vocals, Percussion

Fred Tackett:  Guitar, Mandolin, Trumpet, Vocals

Shan Murphy:  Vocals, Tambourine

Highwire Act - Live In St. Louis 2003 is the fifth live album by Little Feat, released on April 20, 2004 by Hot Tomato, recorded live at the Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri, in August 2003.

Michael Lee Firkins

 

Artist:  Michael Lee Firkins
Born:  May 19, 1967.  Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Genre:  Blues Rock, Blues, Roots Rock, Rock, Jazz, Bluegrass, Country, Instrumental Rock, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock
Occupation:  Musician
Instruments:  Guitar

Michael Lee Firkins is an American Guitar Hero Player.  He was heavily influenced by the guitar stylings of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and Black Sabbath.  His music sound mixed with Bluegrass, Country, Blues, Rock and Jazz.

Title:  Yep (2013)

Genre:  Blues Rock, Blues, Roots Rock, Rock, Jazz, Bluegrass, Country, Instrumental Rock, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock

Label:  Magnatude Records

Rating:   *****

Format:   CD

Tracks:

 1.  Golden Oldie Jam (7:38)

 2.  Cajun Boogie (4:54)

 3.  No More Angry Man (6:42)

 4.  Standing Ovation (4:43)

 5.  Long Day (7:27)

6.  Wearin' Black (5:17)

 7.  Out Of Season (5:40)

 8.  Take Me Back (5:17)

 9.  Last Call (7:35)

10. No More Angry Man, Pt. 2 (5:13)

11. The Cane (4:49)

Personnel:

Michael Lee Firkins:  Vocals, Guitar

Chuck Leavell:  Organ, Piano

Andy Hess:  Bass

Matt Abts:  Drums

Yep  is the seventh studio album by Micahel Lee Firmkins, released on October 22, 2013 by Magnatude Records.

John Martyn

 

Artist:  John Martyn 

Birth Name:  Lain David McGeachy

Born:  September 11, 1948.  New Malden Surrey, England

Died:  January 29, 2009 (Aged 60).  Thomastown, Ireland

Genre:  Folk, Blues, Folk Blues, Folk Rock, Folk Jazz, Progressive Folk, British Folk, British Folk Rock

Occupation:  Musician, Songwriter

Instruments:  Guitar, Vocals

John Martyn was a Scottish Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist.  Over a 40-year career, he released 23 studio albums and received frequent critical acclaim.  His music blurred the boundaries between Folk, Rock, Jazz, and Blues.

Artist:  John & Beverley Martyn

Title:  The Road To Ruin Japanese (2021)

Genre:  Folk, Blues, Folk Blues, Folk Rock, Folk Jazz, Progressive Folk, British Folk, British Folk Rock

Label:  Island Records

Rating:  *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

 1.  Primrose Hill (2:55)

 2.  Parcels (3:25)

 3.  Auntie Avlator (6:00)

 4.  New Day (3:56)

 5.  Give Us A Ring (3:50)

 6.  Sorry To Be So Long (4:41)

 7.  Tree Green (3:09)

 8.  Say What You Can 3:03)

 9.  Road To Ruin (6:22)

Bonus Track:  Previously Unreleased

10. Here I Am (4:28)

Personnel:

John Martyn:  Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica, Keyboards

Beverey Martyn:  Vocals, Guitar

Dudu Pukwana:  Saxophone on Tracks:  6, 8, 9

Lyn Dobson::  Flute on Track 4, Saxophone on Track 8

Dave Pegg:  Bass on Tracks:  5, 8

Rocky Dzidzornu:  Congas

Paul Harris:  Keyboards

Wells Kelly:  Drums on All Tracks, except 3, 5

Mike Kowalski:  Drums on Track 3

Alan Spenner:  Bass on Tracks:  1, 6, 9

Ray Warleigh:   Saxophone on Track 1

Danny Thompson:  Double Bass on Track 4

The Road To Ruin Japanese is a 1970 album by John & Beverley Martyn, originally released on 1970 by Island Records, remastered and reissued on April 28, 2021 by Island Records.  For Music Lovers and Music Collectors.

Grant Green

 

Artist:  Grant Green
Born:  June 6, 1935.  St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Died:  January 31, 1979 (Aged 44).  New York City, New York, USA
Genre:  Jazz, Soul Jazz, Jazz Blues, Jazz Funk, Hard Bop, Jazz Instrument, Guitar Jazz
Occupation:  Musician, Songwriter
Instruments:  Guitar

Grant Green was an American Jazz Guitarist and Composer.  He performed in the Hard Bop, Soul Jazz, Bebop and Latin throughout his career.  He is one of the the great unsung heroes of Jazz Guitar.

Title:  Solid (Blue Note Classic Edition) (2025)

Genre:  Jazz, Soul Jazz, Jazz Blues, Jazz Funk, Hard Bop, Jazz Instrument, Guitar Jazz

Label:   Blue Note

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1.  Minor League (7:05)

 2.  Ezz-Thetic (10:41)

Side Two:

 1.  Grant's Tune (7:01)

 2.  Solid (7:23)

 3.  The Kicker  (6:23)

Personnel:

Grant Green:  Guitar

Joe Henderson:  Tenor Saxophone

James Spaulding:  Alto Saxophone

McCoy Tyner:  Piano

Bob Cranshaw:  Bass

Elvin Jones:  Drums

Solid  is an album by Grant Green, originally released in 1979, remastered and reissued on October 17, 2025 by Blue Note.  180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl.

Elvin Jones

 

Artist:   Elvin Jones
Birth Name:  Elvin Ray Jones
Born:  September 9, 1927.  Pontiac, Michigan, USA
Died:  May 18, 2004 (Aged 76).  Englewood, New Jersey, USA
Genre:  Jazz, Modal Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz, Hard Bop, Post-Bop, Jazz Blues, Free Jazz, Mainstream Jazz, Progressive Jazz
Occupation:  Musician Bandleader
Instruments:  Drums, Percussion

Elvin Jones was an American Jazz Drummer of the Post-Bop Era from Pontiac, Michigan.  He moved to New York City in 1955 and worked as a sideman for Charles Mingus, Teddy Charles, Bud Powell and Miles Davis.  From 1960-1966, he was a member of the John Coltrane Quartet (along with Jimmy Garrison on Bass and McCoy Tyner on Piano), appearing on such albums as A Love Supreme and Live At Birdland.  He also led several small group, sone under the name The Elvin Jones Jazz Machine.  His brothers Hank Jones and Thad Jones were also Jazz Musicians.  He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1995.

Artist:  Elvin Jones Trio

Title:  Puttin' It Together (Blue Note Classic Edition) (2025)

Genre:  Jazz, Modal Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz, Hard Bop, Post-Bop, Jazz Blues, Free Jazz, Mainstream Jazz, Progressive Jazz

Label:  Blue Note

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1.  Reza (7:14)

 2.  Sweet Little Maia (7:54)

 3.  Keiko's Birthday March (6:55)

Side Two:

 1.  Village Greene (5:13)

 2.  Jay-Ree (3:52)

 3.  For Heaven's Sake (5:10)

 4.  Ginger Bread Boy (5:18)

Personnel:

Elvin Jones:  Drums

Joe Farrell:  Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo

Jimmy Garrison:  Bass

Puttin' It Together is an album by Elvin Jones Trio, originally released on September, 1968 by Blue Note, remastered reissued on October 17, 2025 by Blue Note.  180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl.

Horace Silver

 

Artist:  Horace Silver
Born:  September 2, 1928.  Norwalk, Connecticut, USA
Died:  June 18, 2014 (Aged 85).  New Rochelle, New York, USA
Genre:  Jazz, Hard Bop, Mainstream Jazz, Soul Jazz, Jazz Fusion, Modal Jazz, Post-Bop, Piano Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Straight-Ahead Jazz
Occupation:  Musician, Composer, Arranger
Instruments:  Piano

Horace Silver was an American Jazz Pianist, Composer and Arranger.  He was the one of the pioneer in the Hard Bop Style in the 1950s.  He played with Stan Getz in 1950, with the Jazz Messengers, co-led by Art Blakey.  His most successful album was Song For My Father.

Artist:  Horace Silver Quintet

Title:  Doin' The Thing At The Village Gate (Collectors Edition) (2025)

Genre:  Jazz, Hard Bop, Mainstream Jazz, Soul Jazz, Jazz Fusion, Modal Jazz, Post-Bop, Piano Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Straight-Ahead Jazz

Label:  Blue Note

Rating:  *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1.  Filthy McNasty (11:02)

 2.  Doin' The Thing (11:16)

Side Two:

 1.  Kiss Me Right (9:18)

 2.  The Gringo...The Theme (12:03)

Personnel:

Horace Silver:  Piano

Blue Mitchell:  Trumpet

Junior Cook:  Tenor Saxophone

Gene Taylor:  Bass

Roy Brooks:  Drums

Doin' The Thing At The Village Gate is a live album by Horace Silver Quintet, originally released in 1961 by Blue Note, remastered and reissued on June 20, 2025 by Blue Note.  Collectors Edition 180 Gram Black Vinyl, Album Limited to 1,000 Copies Worldwide.