On This Day…
1966 Supergroup Cream released their debut studio album ‘Fresh Cream’ in the UK. The three piece of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker also released their second single ‘I Feel Free’ on the same day.
1977 Chic started a seven week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Le Freak.’ Nile Rodgers later stated that the song was devised during New Years Eve of 1977, as a result of him and bassist Bernard Edwards being refused entrance to Studio 54, in New York City, where they had been invited by Grace Jones, due to Jones’s failure to notify the nightclub’s staff. He said the lyrics of the refrain were originally “Fuck off!” rather than “Freak out!”
1988 According to a poll released in the US, the music of Neil Diamond was favoured as the best background music for sex, Beethoven was the second choice and Luther Vandross was voted third.
2000 U2 made their first-ever appearance on ‘Saturday Night Live.’ The band played ‘Beautiful Day’ and ‘Elevation.’
U2 Elevation from Julia Rose on Vimeo.
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Brand New Music
J. Cole | 4 Your Eyez Only
After talking a ton of trash on the two pre-release non-album tracks “False Prophets” and “Everybody Dies” last week, you’d forgive the public to expect a scathing record. Instead we get a record that sit directly within the J Cole style, pondering, introspective and conversational. Although J Cole is credited with production on all of the albums 10 tracks, prominent producers like Boi-1da and Childish Major did have a hand.
Post Malone | Stoney
After stalling for 10 weeks from the original release date, White Iverson finally has his first full length album of his very own. The singer, songwriter and rapper Post Malone goes for 14-tracks deep for about 50 minutes of pretty solid Hip Pop (patent pending) production which is worth a listen.
Neil Young | Peace Trail
After the turbulent year that has been 2016, it seems possible that Neil Young could perhaps rise above it all and create another great album. He hasn’t. Yet. His latest release (and 37th studio album!) is the 10-track, Peace Trail. Although it isn’t bad, it’s doubtful that this is what fans are hoping for. Now in his early 70s, Neil’s output has been pretty incredible – this is his 7th studio album this decade – though the quality in the work remains inconsistent. The whole album is stripped down (almost demo-like), middle of the road, and feels under-developed. Of course it gives Neil his chance to speak about the current state of the World. Let’s just hope things get better – for the World and for Neil’s next album.
