On This Day..
1968 – The Band released their debut album Music From Big Pink. The album, which features their first hit single The Weight, was recorded in studios in New York and Los Angeles in 1968, and followed the group’s backing of Bob Dylan on his 1966 tour (as The Hawks).
1983 – A New Jersey-based quintet calling themselves Bon Jovi signed to Phonogram’s Mercury records, although they had also been considering the name Johnny Electric. The group have since sold over 130 million records worldwide, and performed more than 2,600 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 34 million fans.
1995 – DJ Wolfman Jack died of a heart attack. Was the master of ceremonies for the rock ‘n’ roll generation of the ’60s on radio, and later on television during the ’70s.
2009 – The week after Michael Jackson’s death, The King Of Pop dominated the Top Ten of Billboard’s album chart. Leading the pack was Number Ones, followed by The Essential Michael Jackson at No.2, Thriller was No.3 and Off The Wall was No.4. The Jackson 5’s Ultimate Collection held the No.5 spot, Bad was No.6, Dangerous was No.7, Greatest Hits – HIStory – Vol. 1 came in at No.8 and Michael’s Ultimate Collection occupied the No.9 position. Collectively, Jackson’s solo albums sold 415,000 copies for the week, 58% of which were digital downloads. The week before his death, his titles sold a combined 10,000 units.
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Brand New Music
Maxwell | BLACKsummers’night
There’s nothing like a decent slow-jam LP. Laced in synthesizers and leaving himself room to breathe and croon, Maxwell has evolved into a truly new-aged R&B artist – cosmic, fluid, minimalist and fully satisfying.
Bat For Lashes | The Bride
One of the unspoken requirements for a concept album is that the main artist needs to have a sort of directors eye for plot, pacing etc. all the same requirements that, say, Wes Anderson needs to create “his world”. In her most cohesive and ambitious LP to date Natasha Khan has proven that she has the capability of vision to create this world. Downbeat, to be sure, there’s also a strength in record – relying the message that anybody can dig themselves out of the most tragic of situations.
Metronomy | Summer 08
Some of the things that Metronomy has relied upon throughout their entire run: wit, charm, consistency and likability – has been incredibly built upon with Summer 08. This nothing but a pure pop odyssey from start to finish. Glorious and fun!
