The Sharp Notes

12/17/2024

I know it’s a bit cliché to say, but it was a real pleasure talking to Roger Eno (Official) about his latest installment of his “skies” albums on Deutsche Grammophon - DG. Most people would consider this pretty “serious” music, but our conversation was full of a lot of fun. I hope you’ll join us at The Sharp Notes to read, listen, or watch!

It’s not always what we say, sometimes it’s more about what we leave out; the silence in between our words can speak volumes. The same can be said of music, particularly the music of Roger Eno who has recently released a companion piece of sorts to his last release titled, The skies, they shift ...

12/15/2024

Elton John – Caribou (MCA Records – MCA-2116, 1974 🇺🇸) Ah, sunset on the east coast; my favorite time of day when the family and I go from window to window to watch the skies for UAPs. Be safe out there, gang. What a strange time to be alive, and what better opportunity to play Elton John’s strangest album? And - by the way - is Elton currently entering his greatest chapter? Loved his work on the spectacular Tammy Faye on Broadway and looking forward to his documentary.

12/14/2024

This week, I learned that my childhood guitar teacher passed away. Though it’s been decades since I had seen or spoken with him, Edward Decker was a very important person in my life. I was suprised at the clear memories I have of him teaching me to play the guitar. He always knew that I wasn’t practicing as much as I should have been!

Eddie Knew I Wasn't Practicing My Mel BayMy first—and only—guitar teacher, Edward Decker, passed away this week. Eddie, as I called him, managed and (I guess) owned Musically Yours, a music store in Rochelle Park, New Jersey.Every musician goes through that phase where the musical passion burns ...

12/09/2024

Take a deep dive with Isaac Watters to find out about the ins and outs of his newest record, "New Space and Time" (hi-res records).

From set design to architecture and a new AAA analog album, dive into Watters' creative worldFrom set design to architecture and a new music album, dive into his creative world.When we talk about an individual being artistic, usually we’re referring to the visual or graphic arts field, and every s...

12/07/2024

The Doors - L.A. Woman (Rhino RHF1 75011, 2024 🇺🇸) Just digging into the the Rhino box now; I sort of let it sit and stare at me for a while before I opened it up, nervous that I’d be disappointed. Only listened to side one of LAW, but it sounds great so far.

12/07/2024

Miles Davis - Birth of the Blue (Columbia/Sony/Analogue Productions, APJ 172 2024) I’m digging into the new “Birth of the Blue” release tonight and contrasting (apples and oranges) with my 50th anniversary “Kind of Blue” (which sounds better than I recall). I’ve got some thoughts on this one and I’ll hope to share them later in the week. Until then…

12/06/2024

Throw a little acrylic into that vinyl collection…

Dubbed the Aurala120A, the system was designed by Bentolabs — a company founded by the Red Hot Chili Peppers' former production designer.

12/04/2024

Stop by and learn all about Nicolas Michaux and his new album - Vitalisme (Capitane Records). He joins us from Samsø off the coast of Denmark. How Shakespearean! Tune in...

Michaux's new album, Vitalisme explores common themes within the human experienceIs your passport up-to-date? If it’s not, now might be the right time to submit your application to ensure it’s valid. Because you’re going on a bit of an international trip: from Brussels to Denmark and right her...

12/03/2024

Revisit the work of Buddy Miles through “Biscuit Rouse’s (James Rouse) recently released tribute album, “Buddy & Me”. The entire chat with Evan Toth is available now at The Sharp Notes.

Behind the Biscuit: A Deep Dive into the Life and Career of James "Biscuit" Rouse and His Latest Tribute Album to Buddy MilesImitation is - as they say - the sincerest form of flattery. So - as a musician - to pay tribute to a performer or band that you admire is really one of the truest, most thoug...

11/30/2024

Scott Salyer discusses how to address repairs on a Wrensilva unit should the unthinkable happen. Watch our full chat at the following link:

https://www.thesharpnotes.com/post/scott-salyer-from-wrensilva-interview

11/30/2024

Today’s the day! Black Friday Record Store Day is here, and we’re thrilled to unveil TWO extraordinary releases that honor the legacy of jazz and blues giants.

⚪️ B.B. King – In France: Live at the 1977 Nancy Jazz Pulsations Festival
The “King of the Blues” captured live during a rarely documented chapter of his career. This previously unissued concert has been meticulously restored from the original ORTF tapes, offering a stunning window into his raw, electrifying artistry. The deluxe 180-gram 2-LP set includes essays by French jazz scholar Jean Buzelin and remarkable photographs from Jean-Pierre Leloir, Ozier Muhammad, and Jean-Marc Birraux.

⚪️ Bill Evans – In Norway: The Kongsberg Concert
An unforgettable 1970 performance from the Bill Evans Trio, now available for the first time ever. Presented in pristine stereo sound, this deluxe 180-gram gatefold 2-LP set includes a comprehensive booklet featuring unpublished photos, insightful essays, and a rare interview with Evans recorded the day after the concert.

These exclusive, limited-edition LPs are available today at your favorite record store. Don’t miss your chance to own a copy!

11/29/2024

Joe Bataan's "Riot!" can be found out there on your Black Friday Record Store Day excursions. Read about this exclusive Fania Records / Craft Recordings below. There are only 2,100 of them being released, so keep your eyes peeled if you love late 60s Boogaloo.

Joe Bataan - Riot! (Fania / Craft Recordings CR0085, 1968/2024, RSD Black Friday)This is a party record! It’s a city record, too. A party in the city, I guess. If you are familiar with a city, then you know what I mean. If you - however - have lived removed from urban locales, then you’ll have t...

11/28/2024

Today may be Turkey Day, but tomorrow is Record Store Day's Black Friday. One of the albums that will see a release is Charles Tolliver's "Live at the Captain's Cabin", and you can read a review by Evan Toth below and see if it's something you'll keep an eye out while you're shopping on Black Friday.

Charles Tolliver / Music Inc. - Live at the Captain's Cabin (Reel to Real, 2024)It starts off with a splash. Live at the Captain’s Cabin was recorded in Edmonton, Alberta on a warm June Canadian night in an underground jazz club located beneath a grocery store. Tolliver had a long jazz pedigree be...

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving, gang!

11/27/2024

On this day in 1967, The Beatles continued perfecting their pre-holiday release schedule. "Is it 'I buried Paul' or 'cranberry sauce'?, asks Evan Toth. Who knows? Happy Thanksgiving eve!

On this day in 1967, the Beatles continued perfecting their pre-holiday shopping release strategy.The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour - MAL 2835 / MAL-X-1-2835, 1967)Those Beatle boys sure knew how to take advantage of the pre-Christmas holiday shopping season (and still do). Released on this day in....

11/26/2024

I've been following Jula's bittersweet story for a while now, so I'm grateful to get the full story from The Guardian.

Jula began sampling albums from her father’s extensive collection on Instagram. Her ‘listening parties’ connected her with people who shared his passion

11/25/2024

Discover the story behind Wrensilva's reinvention of the stereo console with co-founder, Scott Salyer.

A conversation with one of the founders of Wrensilva, a company fixed on reinventing the concept of the stereo console.Who didn’t love hanging out in grandma’s basement? There were always a lot of fun things down there. If you were lucky, there might have been an old stereo console crafted out o...

11/23/2024

Which is which? One is an original and the other is from the box set. Which one do you think is which?