(S4 E6) Miles Davis - Miles Smiles (Columbia) Released February 16, 1967. Recorded October 24-25, 1966 Miles Smiles (Columbia) is a landmark album by Miles Davis' Second Great Quintet, featuring Wayne Shorter (tenor saxophone), Herbie Hancock (piano), Ron Carter (bass), and Tony Williams (drums). The album exemplifies post-bop innovation, blending modal jazz with freer rhythms and structures, referencing avant-garde without discarding form. The album’s compositions highlight the quintet's collec...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Transcript available on Metacast (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 anthe...
Jan 08, 2025•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast (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 ...
Jan 01, 2025•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 offer...
Dec 24, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 recent...
Dec 20, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 highligh...
Dec 18, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Dec 11, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Dec 04, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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, ...
Nov 19, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Warren Wolf’s History of the Vibraphone pays tribute to 11 legendary vibe players, including Lionel Hampton, Gary Burton, and Dave Samuels, presenting a deep dive into the vibraphone’s jazz legacy. Starting in classical music under his vibraphonist father’s guidance, Wolf trained on vibraphone, marimba, xylophone, drums, and piano from a young age in Baltimore. Influenced by his dad’s extensive jazz record collection and the local organ trio jazz scene, he eventually studied under Dave Samuels a...
Nov 12, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Charlie Burnham Interview Charlie Burnham is an accomplished American violinist, singer, and composer celebrated for his imaginative and eclectic style. Burnham traverses multiple genres, including bluegrass, folk, free jazz, blues, classical, and chamber jazz. His innovative use of the wah-wah pedal on the violin adds a distinctive flair to his performances. Burnham first gained prominence through his contributions to James "Blood" Ulmer's Odyssey album, highlighting his versatility and skill. ...
Oct 17, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Kurt Rosenwinkel, a Philadelphia-born jazz guitarist, is renowned for blending genres and using guitar effects innovatively in jazz. His latest release, The Next Step Band (Live at Smalls, 1996) , revisits the music from his acclaimed 2001 album The Next Step and features longtime collaborators Mark Turner, Ben Street, and Jeff Ballard. In addition to his album, Rosenwinkel has published Kurt Rosenwinkel’s Ultimate Book of Compositions , which includes scores, tabs, and commentary on his extensi...
Oct 10, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Summary Brian Bromberg, a virtuoso bassist, honors the legacy of Scott LaFaro with his latest album, LaFaro , and a series of live performances. LaFaro, who tragically died at 25, was a groundbreaking bassist with the Bill Evans Trio, inspiring Bromberg's tribute. Initially reluctant to take on the project due to the pressures of honoring a jazz legend, Bromberg eventually embraced it after realizing LaFaro's profound influence on his playing. Bromberg also shares personal connections to jazz gr...
Oct 01, 2024•2 hr 42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Mike Torres is a guitar student of host Jay Sweet and a Vietnam veteran (Air Force). In this discussion, Mike talks about the impact of music during the war and the songs that meant the most to him. Mike's List of Songs: 1. Sky Pilot The Animals 2. After the Gold Rush. Neil Young 3. Longer Boats. Cat Stevens (In memory of my good friend Tom Pat Widmer RIP) 4. Miles From Nowhere. Cat Stevens 5 Pride of Man. Quicksilver Messenger Service 6 Stairway to Heaven. Led Zeppelin 7. Easy Livin. Uriah ...
Sep 11, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast 30- The Who -A Quick One (Reaction Records in the UK and Decca in the U.S ) Released December 9, 1966, Recorded August 30- November -1966 The Who's A Quick One (1966) is the band's second studio album and marks a significant step in their evolution. The album showcases the individual songwriting talents of each member: Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon, with Townshend emerging as the standout composer. The title track, "A Quick One, While He's Away," is a nine-minute ...
Sep 08, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Buster Williams, a legendary jazz bassist, composer, and instructor, has played on numerous records with iconic musicians like Herbie Hancock, Chet Baker, Art Blakey, and Stan Getz, among others. Known for his work as both a sideman and a bandleader, Williams continues to inspire audiences with his performances and compositions. On September 28th, he will perform with his quartet at the Middlesex County Jazz Festival in New Brunswick. The quartet features Lenny White on drums, Steve Wilson on sa...
Sep 02, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast (S3-#29) Cream- Fresh Cream (Reaction) Released December 9, 1966. Recorded July-November 1966 Cream, formed in 1966, was one of the first supergroups. It consisted of three highly regarded musicians from the British blues and rock scenes: Eric Clapton (guitar, vocals), Jack Bruce (bass, lead vocals), and Ginger Baker (drums). Their debut album, Fresh Cream , released on December 9, 1966, blends blues covers and original compositions, showcasing the band's blues roots and groundbreaking sound. Fr...
Sep 01, 2024•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast #28-Buffalo Springfield-Self-Titled Original Released October or December 1966? Without “For What It’s Worth,” then Re-released in March 1967 - Recorded between July 18-September 11-1966 (ATCO) Buffalo Springfield's self-titled debut album, initially released by Atco Records in late 1966, introduced the world to the band's distinctive blend of folk, rock, country, and psychedelia. The original release, recorded between July and September 1966, lacked a major hit but gained significant attention ...
Aug 22, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Kinks -Face to Face Released October 28, 1966.Recorded mainly from mid-April to June 1966, except “I’ll Remember” (October 1965). (Pye Records in the UK and Reprise in the US) Face to Face (1966) by The Kinks marked a major shift in the band's style, moving from their earlier harder-driven sound to a more nuanced blend of baroque and pop music hall influences. This was the first album to feature only Ray Davies' compositions, showcasing his observational and satirical songwriting, which expl...
Aug 15, 2024•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Alvester Garnett Interview Alvester Garnett is a top-tier jazz drummer, celebrated for his swing, passion, and professionalism. His career began in Richmond, Virginia, where early influences included Ellis Marsalis and the jazz program at Virginia Commonwealth University. After moving to New York, Garnett quickly made a name for himself, working with legends like Betty Carter and Abbey Lincoln. He was the only drummer from the Thelonious Monk competition invited to Betty's Jazz Ahead program, wh...
Aug 13, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast #S3-26 Simon and Garfunkel -Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme Released October 24, 1966- Recorded Between December 1965 and August 1966 (Columbia Records) Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme is Simon & Garfunkel's third studio album, showcasing a blend of folk-rock, acoustic, and introspective songs. It includes classic tracks like "Homeward Bound" and "Scarborough Fair," as well as the lesser-known hit "The Dangling Conversation." The album highlights Paul Simon's songwriting craftsmanship,...
Aug 07, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast (S3-25) The 13th Floor Elevators - The Psychedelic Sounds Of The 13th Floor Elevators ( International Artists Label) Released October 17, 1966, Recorded between January 3rd and October 11, 1966 Formed in Austin, Texas, in December 1965, the 13th Floor Elevators were pivotal in the psychedelic rock movement. Their debut album, The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators (1966), is noted as one of the first to describe its music as "psychedelic." Featuring the hit single "You're Gonna Miss ...
Aug 01, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast #24- The Monkees-Self-Titled ( Colgems Record) Released October 10 and Recorded July 5-25 Formed in 1965 by television producers inspired by The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night," The Monkees—Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones—became a cultural phenomenon. Despite criticism for their prefabricated nature and reliance on studio musicians, their debut album, The Monkees , released on October 10, 1966, achieved commercial success. Featuring hits like "Last Train to Clarksville" a...
Jul 25, 2024•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast # 23- Otis Redding-Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul (Stax) Released October 1966, Recorded May-September 1966 Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul , recorded at Stax Recording Studios in Memphis, is a seminal work in Otis Redding's career and soul music. Produced by Jim Stewart, Isaac Hayes, and Booker T. Jones, the album features legendary Stax studio musicians like Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Al Jackson Jr., Booker T. Jones, an...
Jul 17, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Mindi Abair Interview Mindi Abair is a Grammy-nominated saxophonist and vocalist renowned for her dynamic blend of contemporary jazz, rock, and blues. Raised in a musical family, her early influences included her saxophonist father and opera-singer grandmother. After studying at Berklee College of Music, she moved to Los Angeles, where she played with high-profile acts like the Backstreet Boys and Aerosmith before launching a successful solo career. Known for her energetic performances and colla...
Jul 12, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast (S3-EP.22)The Animals- Animalization (MGM) Released August 1966. Recorded Jan 9, 1966 -July 4, 1966 Animalization by The Animals is a seminal album that exemplifies their blend of blues rock and R&B. Released during the British Invasion, it features Eric Burdon's powerful vocals, Hilton Valentine's distinctive guitar work, and Dave Rowberry’s skills on piano and keyboards. The album's raw sound and impactful tracks like "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Inside Looking Out" contributed to its commer...
Jul 09, 2024•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Don Braden Interview Don Braden, is a distinguished jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer, and educator. A Harvard graduate, Braden quickly became a sought-after sideman in New York, playing with legends like Betty Carter and Wynton Marsalis. As a bandleader, he has released numerous acclaimed albums, such as The Fire Within and Earth Wind and Wonder. Known for his rich tone and melodic inventiveness, Braden also excels as an educator, teaching at institutions like Harvard and the New Jersey Perfo...
Jul 06, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Guitarist James Popik brings a unique touch and repertoire to his music. From Acoustic Jazz to electrified Fusion Jams, classical Brazilian music and American songbook masters to reworked rock anthems, James has forged a unique voice. In this conversation James discusses his newest record Sourland Symphony and much more.
Jun 25, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Originally a duo in 2012, 9 Horses, a New York City chamber jazz group featuring mandolinist Joe Brent, violinist Sara Caswell, and bassist Andrew Ryan, has evolved into a critically acclaimed trio. Their 2015 debut album, Perfectest Herald , established their sound: Brent's original compositions intertwined with the group's improvisational fire. Known for pushing boundaries, they explore the frontiers of chamber jazz. Their latest release, Strum (2024), joins in showcasing their genre-b...
Jun 06, 2024•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Giorgi Mikadze Interview Giorgi Mikadze, a Georgian pianist and composer, blends his cultural heritage with diverse musical experiences. Born during the Soviet Union's collapse, he began playing piano at four and trained classically at Tbilisi State Conservatoire. His discovery of jazz, through a composition teacher, led him to Berklee College of Music and later the Manhattan School of Music, where he refined his jazz skills. Mikadze has collaborated with artists like Wang Leehom and Roy Hargrov...
May 21, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
