Steve Vai: Real Illusions: Reflections

On February 22, 2005, “Epic” label released “Real Illusions: Reflections”, the seventh Steve Vai studio album. It was recorded in 2004, at “The Mothership Studio” in Hollywood Hills, “The Harmony Hut” in Los Angeles, and “De Oosterpoort” in Amsterdam, and was produced by Steve Vai.

Personnel:

  • Steve Vai– lead vocals, guitar, instrumentation, engineer, mixing
  • Chris Opperman– piano
  • Billy Sheehan, Bryan Beller– bass
  • Jeremy Colson– drums, percussion
  • Gregg Bissonette– percussion
  • Dan Higgins– saxophone
  • Larry Williams – saxophone
  • Jerry Hey, Gary Grant – trumpet
  • Bill Reichenbach, Jr., Charlie Loper – trombone
  • Metropole Orchestra – orchestra
  • Pia Vai– harp
  • Fire Vai, Laurel Fishman, Ruby Birman, Len Birman, Jeff Mallard, Michael Mesker, Thomas Nordegg – spoken vocals
  • Stacy Ellis – backing vocals
  • David Kole – orchestration
  • Dick Bakker – conducting
  • Neil Citron, Paul Bliven – engineer assistant
  • Bernie Grundman– mastering

Track listing:

All tracks by Steve Vai.

  1. Building the Church
  2. Dying for Your Love
  3. Glorious
  4. K’m-Pee-Du-Wee
  5. Firewall
  6. Freak Show Exces
  7. Lotus Feet
  8. Yai Yai
  9. Midway Creatures
  10. I’m Your Secrets
  11. Under it All

Ben Lee: Awake Is The New Sleep

On February 22, 2005, “Inertia Distribution” label released “Awake Is the New Sleep”, the fifth Ben Lee album. It was recorded in 2004, at “Seagrass Studio” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Brad Wood. In October 2010, “Awake Is the New Sleep” was listed in the book “100 Best Australian Albums.”

Personnel:

  • Ben Lee- vocals, guitar, bass, percussion
  • Lara Meyerratken- vocals, drums, percussion, keyboards
  • McGowan Southworth – vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion
  • Rob Hann – bass
  • Brad Wood– vocals, drums, bass, drum programming; saxophone, percussion
  • Jason Schwartzman, Eric Gardner – drums
  • Chick Wolverton – percussion
  • Har Mar Superstar. Jenny Lewis, Jason Falkner, Scarlett Chorvatt, Melanie Sirmons, Sam Spiegel, Jason Boesel, Olivia Asta Wood, Gracie Garcia, Katie Mulcahy – party vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by Ben Lee except where noted

  1. Whatever It Is
  2. Gamble Everything for Love
  3. Begin
  4. Catch My Disease – Ben Lee, McGowan Southworth
  5. Apple Candy
  6. Ache for You
  7. Into the Dark
  8. No Right Angles
  9. Get Gotten
  10. Close I’ve Come
  11. The Debt Collectors
  12. We’re All in This Together
  13. Light
  14. I’m Willing

The Dirty Projectors: Same

On February 21, 2017, “Domino” label released the self-titled, seventh Dirty Projectors (The) album. It was recorded in 2016, and was produced by Dave Longstreth and Tyondai Braxton.

Personnel:

  • David Longstreth– vocals, beat, guitar, bass, rhodes, synths, piano, Wurlitzer, organ, string and horn arrangement, arp
  • Dawn Richard– vocals
  • Lamar “Mars” Edwards– Hammond organ
  • Tyondai Braxton– modular synth
  • David Ginyard – bass
  • Mike Daniel Johnson – drums
  • Francisco Javier Paredes – bongos
  • Mauro Refosco– percussion, marimba
  • Tracy Wannomae – alto, tenor and baritone saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute
  • Todd Simon – trumpet, euphonium , flugelhorn
  • Juliane Gralle – trombone, bass trombone, tuba
  • Elizabeth Lea – trombone
  • Rob Moose, Ben Russell – violin
  • Clarice Jensen – cello
  • Ryan Beppel – string arrangements
  • Daniel Luna – guira
  • Nadia Sirota– viola
  • Jimmy Douglass – additional vocals, engineer, mixing
  • Derek Bergheimer – vocal engineering
  • Mikaelin “Blue” Bluespruce, Ryan Tuttle – engineer
  • Sonny DiPerri – drums and percussion engineer, additional engineer, mixing
  • Jamie Walters – string quartet engineer
  • David Longstreth – mixing
  • Chris Athens – mastering
  • David Tolomei – additional mixing

Track listing:

  1. Keep Your Name – David Longstreth
  2. Death Spiral – David Longstreth
  3. Up in Hudson – David Longstreth, Ewan MacColl
  4. Work Together – David Longstreth
  5. Little Bubble – David Longstreth, Teresa Eggers
  6. Winner Take Nothing – David Longstreth
  7. Ascent Through Clouds – David Longstreth
  8. Cool Your Heart – David Longstreth, Solange Knowles
  9. I See You – David Longstreth

The Derek Trucks Band: Songlines

On February 21, 2006, “Columbia” label released “Songlines”, the sixth Derek Trucks and his group the Derek Trucks Band album. It was recorded in 2005, and was produced by Jay Joyce.

Personnel:

  • Derek Trucks – guitars, dobro
  • Kofi Burbridge – organ, piano, clavinet, flute, backing vocals
  • Jay Joyce – keyboards, recording, mixing
  • Mike Mattison – lead vocals
  • Todd Smallie – vocals, bass
  • Yonrico Scott – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Count M’Butu – vocals, percussion
  • Giles Reaves, Jason Hall – recording
  • Jason Hall – mixing
  • Jim Demaine – mastering
  • Josh Cheuse – art direction, design
  • Jeff Wood – design, illustrations
  • Yonrico Scott – setlist illustrations
  • James Minchin – photography

Track listing:

  1. Volunteered Slavery – Kirk
  2. I’ll Find My Way – Derek Trucks, Jay Joyce
  3. Crow Jane – Skip James
  4. Sahib Teri Bandi/Maki Madni – Khan
  5. Chevrolet – Young
  6. Sailing On – Hibbert
  7. Revolution – Jay Joyce
  8. I’d Rather Be Blind, Crippled and Crazy – Carter, Hodges, Robey
  9. All I Do – Derek Trucks, Mike Mattison, Todd Smallie, Yonrico Scott, Kofi Burbridge
  10. Mahjoun – Derek Trucks
  11. I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free) – Dallas, Taylor
  12. This Sky – Derek Trucks, Mike Mattison, Jay Joyce

Willie Nile: Streets Of New York

On February 21, 2006, “Reincarnate Music” label released “Streets of New York”, the sixth Willie Nile studio album.It was recorded in 2006, and was produced by Willie Nile, Rich Pagano, Andy York and Brad Albetta.

Personnel:

  • Willie Nile– vocals, guitar, piano, organ, rhodes
  • Andy York – guitar, piano, organ, mellotron, tambourine, backing vocals
  • Stewart Lerman– electric guitar
  • Eddy Nystrom – acoustic guitar
  • Bruce Brody– Hammond B3
  • Andy Burton – string box, organ, piano
  • Larry Campbell– mandolin, fiddle, citttern
  • Rob Hyman – Hammond B3, toy piano, keyboards
  • Rami Jaffee– Hammond B3
  • Brian Mitchell – Wurlitzer
  • Brad Albetta – electric and acoustic bass
  • Rich Pagano– drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Frankie Lee – drums, percussion, congas, backing vocals
  • Fred Parcels – tin whistle, trombone
  • Jakob Dylan, Jeff Tuel– backing vocals
  • Brian Fulk, Brad Albetta, Rich Lamb, Rich Pagano, Stewart Lerman, Michael Golub – engineer
  • Rich Pagano, Jamey Staub, Stewart Lerman – remix
  • Fred Kevorkian – mastering
  • Victoria Collier, Deborah Maniaci – art direction
  • Jeff Fasano – cover photo
  • Godis, Jeff Fasano, Luke Noonan, Bourdeau Brothers, Judy Finelly – photography
  • George Hecksher – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. Welcome to My Head – Willie Nile
  2. Asking Annie Out – Willie Nile, Frankie Lee
  3. Game of Fools – Willie Nile, Frankie Lee
  4. Back Home – Willie Nile
  5. The Day I Saw Bo Diddley In Washington Square – Willie Nile, Frankie Lee
  6. Best Friends Money Can Buy – Willie Nile
  7. Faded Flower of Broadway – Willie Nile, Frankie Lee
  8. When One Stands – Willie Nile, Frankie Lee
  9. Whole World With You – Willie Nile
  10. On Some Rainy Day – Willie Nile, Frankie Lee
  11. Cell Phones Ringing (In The Pockets Of The Dead) – Willie Nile
  12. Lonesome Dark-Eyed Beauty – Willie Nile
  13. Police On My Back – Grant
  14. Streets Of New York – Willie Nile

Bertie Higgins: Just Another Day In Paradise

In February 1982, “Kat Family” label released “Just Another Day in Paradise”, the debut Bertie Higgins album. It was recorded January – November 1981, at “Pyramid Eye Recording Studio” in Lookout Mountain, and “Southern Tracks Recording Studio” in Atlanta, and was produced by Sonny Limbo and Scott MacLellan.

Personnel:

  • Bertie Higgins: vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, cymbals, percussion
  • Ken Bell, Shelton Irwin, Barry Richmond: acoustic and electric guitars
  • Jeff Pinkham: acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin
  • Norman Blake: mandolin
  • John Healy: keyboardsand piano
  • Steve Nathan: keyboards, piano, organ
  • Gary Baker, Arch Pearson: bass
  • Owen Hale, Bill Marshall: drums
  • Mickey Buckins, Edward Higgins: congas, percussion
  • Ed Leamon: saxophone
  • Gloria Higgins-Burke, Doug Johnson, Mann & Phyllis Loiacono, Lu Moss, Dave Powell, Suzi Smith, Mike Sullivan, Cheryl Wilson: backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Just Another Day in Paradise – Bertie Higgins, C. Jones, Sonny Limbo
  2. Casablanca – John Healy, Bertie Higgins, Sonny Limbo
  3. Candledancer – Bertie Higgins
  4. Key Largo – Bertie Higgins, Sonny Limbo
  5. Port O’ Call (Savannah ’55) – Bertie Higgins
  6. White Line Fever – Bertie Higgins, Sonny Limbo
  7. The Heart Is the Hunter – Bertie Higgins
  8. She’s Gone to Live on the Mountain – Bertie Higgins
  9. Down at the Blue Moon – Bertie Higgins
  10. The Tropics – Bertie Higgins

Bad Brains: Same

In February 1982, “ROIR” label released the self-titled, debut Bad Brains album. It was recorded May – October 1981, and was produced by Jay Dublee.

Personnel:

  • R.– lead vocals, mixing
  • Know– guitar, backing vocals, mixing
  • Darryl Jenifer– bass, backing vocals, mixing
  • Earl Hudson– drums, backing vocals, mixing
  • Jay Dublee – recording, mixing
  • Wayne Vlcan – engineer
  • Stanley Moskowitz – mastering
  • Donna Parsons – cover art
  • Ira Kaplan– liner notes
  • Donnell Gibson; Jay Jones – logo design
  • Neil Cooper– cover concept
  • Laura Levine – photography

Track listing:

  1. Sailin’ On
  2. Don’t Need It
  3. Attitude
  4. The Regulator
  5. Banned in D.C.
  6. Jah Calling
  7. Supertouch/Shitfit
  8. Leaving Babylon
  9. Fearless Vampire Killers
  10. I
  11. Big Take Over
  12. Pay to Cum
  13. Right Brigade
  14. I Luv Jah
  15. Intro

Gamma: 3

In February 1982, “Elektra” label released “Gamma 3”, the third Gamma album. It was recorded in 1981, and was produced by Ronnie Montrose.

Personnel:

  • Davey Pattison: vocals
  • Ronnie Montrose: guitar
  • Mitchell Froom: keyboards
  • Glenn Letsch: bass guitar
  • Denny Carmassi: drums
  • Jim Gaines – engineer

Track listing:

  1. What’s Gone Is Gone – Ronnie Montrose, Mitchell Froom, Jerry Stahl
  2. Right the First Time – Ronnie Montrose, Mitchell Froom, Jerry Stahl
  3. Moving Violation – Ronnie Montrose, Mitchell Froom, Jerry Stahl, Denny Carmassi
  4. Mobile Devotion – Ronnie Montrose, Mitchell Froom, Jerry Stahl
  5. Stranger – Mitchell Froom, Jerry Stahl
  6. Condition Yellow – Ronnie Montrose, Mitchell Froom, Denny Carmassi
  7. Modern Girl – Ronnie Montrose, Mitchell Froom, Jerry Stahl
  8. No Way Out – Ronnie Montrose, Mitchell Froom, Jerry Stahl
  9. Third Degree – Ronnie Montrose, Mitchell Froom, Jerry Stahl

Animal Collective: Painting With

On February 19, 2016, “Domino” label released “Painting With”, the tenth Animal Collective studio album. It was recorded in 2015, at “EastWest Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Sonny DiPerri, Noah Lennox, David Portner and Brian Weitz.

Personnel:

  • Panda Bear (Noah Lennox)
  • Avey Tare (David Portner)
  • Geologist (Brian Weitz)
  • John Cale– drone
  • Colin Stetson – saxophone
  • Sonny DiPerri – recording, mixing
  • Brendan Dekora, Jeremy Miller – engineer assistant
  • Remi Barbot – mixing assistant
  • Dave Cooley – mastering
  • Brian DeGraw – artwork
  • Rob Carmichael – design

Track listing:

All tracks by Noah Lennox, David Portner and Brian Weitz.

  1. FloriDada
  2. Hocus Pocus
  3. Vertical
  4. Lying in the Grass
  5. The Burglars
  6. Natural Selection
  7. Bagels in Kiev
  8. On Delay
  9. Spilling Guts
  10. Summing the Wretch
  11. Golden Gal
  12. Recycling

Mavis Staple: Livin’ On A High Note

On February 19, 2016, “Epitaph” label released “Livin’ on a High Note”, the Mavis Staples studio album. It was recorded in August 2015, at “Agoura Borealis” in Agoura Hills, California, “Kingsize” in Los Angeles, and “CRC” in Chicago, and was produced by Matthew Ward.

Personnel:

  • Mavis Staples – vocals
  • Donny Gerrard – vocals
  • Rick Holmstrom – guitar
  • Tucker Martine – tambourine, mixing
  • Matthew Ward – guitars, organ, synthesizer, backing vocals
  • Jeff Turmes – bass
  • Stephen Hodges – drums
  • Alex Budman – tenor saxophone, flute
  • David Moyer – baritone saxophone
  • Sean Billings – trumpet
  • Nathaniel Walcott – trumpet, clavinet, horn arrangements
  • Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews – trumpet, trombone
  • Humberto Ruiz – trombone
  • Vicki Randle – backing vocals
  • Pierre de Reeder, Josh Kvale, Mat Lejeune – engineer
  • Adam Ayan – mastering
  • Masaki Koike – art direction, design

Track listing:

  1. Take Us Back – Benjamin Booker
  2. Love and Trust – Ben Harper
  3. If It’s a Light – Charity Rose Thielen
  4. Action – Merrill Garbus
  5. High Note – Valerie June
  6. Don’t Cry – Matthew Ward
  7. Tomorrow – Jon Batiste, Aloe Blacc
  8. Dedicated – Justine Vernon, Matthew Ward
  9. History Now – Neko Case, Donny Gerrard, Laura Veirs
  10. One Love – Aaron Livingston
  11. Jesus Lay Down Beside Me – Nick Cave
  12. MLK Song – Martin Luther King Jr., Matthew Ward