Traffic are one of those bands who somehow fell through the cracks of my musical journey. Consequently, Dave Mason was not a name that meant a great deal to me.

(more…)

Lou Reed’s song Ennui is the standout song of one his less acclaimed albums, Sally Can’t Dance, with music and lyrics that embody the title.

(more…)

Ernie Hines achieved belated recognition when Our Generation was famously sampled by Pete Rock and CL Smooth on their 1992 hip-hop classic Straighten It Out.

(more…)

Here’s some classic conscious reggae from Rod Taylor, produced by Mikey Dread, released back in 1978 and sounding just as great today.

(more…)

Patti Smith made her debut with this 1974 single pairing an improvised version of Hey Joe with her autobiographical poem Piss Factory.

(more…)

(more…)

The Dead Kennedys made an indelible mark on punk rock with their debut single California Über Alles in the summer of 1979.

(more…)

Earth, Wind & Fire recorded Happy Feelin’ as an album track back in 1975, a quarter of a century before it formed the basis of a hit single.

(more…)

Short-lived power pop band The Motors enjoyed their biggest hit in the summer of 1978 with Airport, which reached No.4 in the singles chart.

(more…)

Last night, at the last minute, I managed to blag tickets to see Lindisfarne – a band I thought had broken up decades ago.

(more…)