“Lazy Crazy Blues” by Sheena and the Rokkets (1979)
https://youtu.be/cjdlVLqau28?si
Rolling Stone Japan rated this album, Vacuum Pack, number 44 on their list of the “100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time,” and with one listen you can understand why.
This track is solid New Wave, and hits just right around 5:00 on this Friday afternoon.
“Tornado” by Minako Yoshida (1980)
https://youtu.be/aXtes0qFO40?si
You’d probably put this squarely in the category of Japanese City Pop, which is not normally in my wheelhouse, but this album is straight up 🔥
Don’t let format stop you from hearing this one. It’s up on a lot of the streamers.
“For My Little Bird” by Shigeharu Mukai Quintet (1975)
https://youtu.be/2euQaR_xkG4?si
Woke up with this melody in my head, not that I ever need an excuse to listen to #ShigeharuMukai. The Japanese #jazz trombonist is in rarified air in my opinion, and this album is one of his best.
“Ventura” by Lucinda Williams (2005)
https://youtu.be/spHCWVAHxmw?si
Fantastic live record from the fantastic #LucindaWilliams
🎶 I wanna watch the ocean bend
The edges of the sun then
I wanna get swallowed up in
An ocean of love 🎶
The recording is top shelf. Do what you can to hear this.
“Superstition” by Nobuo Hara and His Sharps & Flats (1976)
https://youtu.be/2zDqNZtn_iY?si
Superstitious on New Year’s? It seems most cultures have something, a bid for health, prosperity, good fortune, or improved relationships.
And why not? New beginnings, new opportunities.
So while I think on that, here’s #NobuoHara and His Sharps & Flats tearing through a blistering big band #jazz version of the Stevie Wonder classic.
Happy New Year, everyone!
“Midnight Driver” by Minako Yoshida (1980)
https://youtu.be/tp_ojywTBWE?si
Japanese soul-pop, not typically my taste, but this record is absolute 🔥
I’m a little under the weather on New Year’s Eve, and this may be the final spin of 2025, opting instead to venture an old fashioned or a sake, and stream a yakuza flick.
Like any year, 2025 brought challenges, but was pretty good on balance.
Here’s to more great music in 2026 - health, happiness and peace to you!
“All The Gifts I Need” by JD McPherson (2018)
https://youtu.be/opktLUqP2Ek?si
🎵 It’s beginning to look a lot like… 🎵
Yeah, the stores are in high gear, the commercials are on, it’s in the air, and I’m ready to spin the holiday tunes.
This one I’ve posted before, but it’s just such a great record. Wholly original, but it already feels like a timeless classic.
“Time Machine” by Sadistic Mika Band (1974)
https://youtu.be/fdHd6WuP3kg?si
Taken as a whole, this is a great Japanese progressive rock album that’s belied by the catchiness of this track.
Rolling Stone Japan rated this album Number 9 on its list of the 100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time.
“West Cabaret Drive” by Thee Michelle Gun Elephant (1998)
https://youtu.be/qRgapOwT7O0?si
Pretty great opening track from Japanese garage rock band #TheeMichelleGunElephant.
The unusual name supposedly originated when a friend mispronounced the title of an early jam session recording featuring songs of Thee Headcoats and from The Damned's album Machine Gun Etiquette.
“We Don’t Exist” by Meat Puppets (1994)
https://youtu.be/FH7ZUL5Czxg?si
Reminder to self. Patience is a virtue and (almost) everything gets a repress eventually.
Made my Friday to receive this fantastic album, its first release on vinyl since 1994.
This was nearly daily listening for me then.
The riffs. Those Kirkwood harmonies. Curt’s solos.
Man, this takes me back. Memories. Dusty feelings I’d forgotten. I swear, music is a Time Machine. 🎵 ❤️
