Our Favorite Albums (16 – 20)
16. Miles Davis – Bitches Brew [1970]
Nominated by DJ Deni of Lovin’ the 70’s, Psychedelic Rick of The Psychedelicatessen, and Andy Chatfield of Center for the Arts Radio Hour.
In August 1969, Davis gathered his band for a rehearsal, one week prior to the booked recording sessions. As well as his five-piece, they were joined by Zawinul, McLaughlin, Larry Young, Lenny White, Don Alias, Juma Santos, and Bennie Maupin. Davis had written simple chord lines, at first for three pianos, which he expanded into a sketch of a larger scale composition. He presented the group with some “musical sketches” and told them they could play anything that came to mind as long as they play off of his chosen chord. Davis had not arranged each piece because he was unsure of the direction the album was to take and that what was produced came from an improvisational process, “not some prearranged shit.” (wikipedia.org)
17. Joni Mitchell – Hejira [1976]
Nominated by Rob of Chocolate Cake, Richard Kamins of River Valley Rhythms, and Michael Benson of 75% Folk.
Rob says: I could put a dozen of Joni’s album’s on this list. So let’s go with one that has Jaco Pastorius on it.
Richard Kamins says: Ms. Mitchell moves on from “Free Man In Paris” into a folk-jazz wonderland aided by the amazing bass work of Jaco Pastorious.
Michael Benson says: Brilliant.
18. Pink Floyd – The Wall [1979]
Nominated by DJ Deni of Lovin’ the 70’s, Psychedelic Rick of The Psychedelicatessen, and DJ Cheshire Cat of Wonderland.
DJ Cheshire Cat says: The first time I spun this vinyl, I ended up with my arms around the speakers trying to get as close as possible to the amazing, electric sound that was overloading my brain. Inspired by Roger Water’s feeling of alienation from his audience and his childhood losses, the album is dominated by his strangled pain and anger. Well composed with leitmotifs signifying recurring emotional strains, the music is brilliantly performed by Waters, Mason, Wright, and especially Gilmour.
19. Fleetwood Mac – Rumours [1977]
Nominated by DJ McKenzie of Splitting Hairs & The Beatles: A Week in the Life, DJ Deni of Lovin’ the 70’s, and DJ Jagged Little Thrill of What the Funk & Word on the Street.
DJ McKenzie says: An album that’s just as interesting as the stories behind its recording.
20. Funkadelic – Maggot Brain [1971]
Nominated by DJ Jagged Little Thrill of What the Funk & Word on the Street, DJ Deni of Lovin’ the 70’s. and DJ Livor Mortis of Word on the Street.
According to legend, the 10-minute title track was recorded in one take when Clinton, under the influence of LSD, told guitarist Eddie Hazel to play as if he had been told his mother was dead: Clinton instructed him “to picture that day, what he would feel, how he would make sense of his life, how he would take a measure of everything that was inside him and let it out through his guitar.” Though several other musicians performed on the track, Clinton largely faded them out of the final mix so that the focus would be on Hazel’s guitar. Hazel utilized a fuzz and a wah effects, inspired by his idol Jimi Hendrix. (wikipedia.org)
