Nina Simone-Sings The Blues

Dave Stryker is a renowned American jazz guitarist with over 25 albums as a leader and collaborations with jazz greats like Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff, and Kevin Mahogany. Raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Stryker began playing guitar at ten, initially inspired by The Beatles and later drawn to jazz . By 17, he was performing jazz locally. After moving to Los Angeles in 1978 and then began working with Jack McDuff, touring with him in 1984–1985. Stryker spent a decade with saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and formed bands with Steve Slagle and Jared Gold. He also worked extensively with singer Kevin Mahogany as a sideman and arranger, performing at Carnegie Hall and internationally. An experienced educator, Stryker has taught at Indiana University, Montclair State, William Paterson University, and Rutgers University, as well as online via ArtistWorks. For More On Dave Stryker go to: https://www.davestryker.com/ https://www.davestryker.com/

23 Jan 202533min

(S4 E7) Aretha Franklin -I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You (Atlantic)  Released March 10, 1967. Recorded January 10 – February 26, 1967  I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967) marked Aretha Franklin’s breakthrough as the "Queen of Soul," blending gospel, blues, and R&B into a revolutionary sound. Released by Atlantic Records, the album featured iconic tracks like Otis Redding’s reimagined “Respect,” which became a feminist and civil rights anthem, and the heartfelt title track, her first major hit. Recorded at Muscle Shoals and Atlantic Studios, the album showcased Franklin’s commanding vocals, her piano playing, and the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section's soulful backing. Its mix of original compositions and inspired covers, such as Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” elevated it as a timeless masterpiece. Topping R&B charts and reaching No. 2 on the Billboard 200, the album cemented Franklin’s legacy as a cultural icon. Its impact extended beyond music, symbolizing empowerment and resilience while inspiring generations of artists and shaping soul music's trajectory. Signature Tracks: "Respect,"  "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)," "Dr. Feel Good (Love is a Serious Business)" Playlist YouTube Playlist  Spotify Playlist  Full Albums  Full Album on YouTube   Full Album on Spotify

22 Jan 202516min

(S4 E6) Miles Davis - Miles Smiles (Columbia)  Released February 16, 1967. Recorded October 24-25, 1966  Miles Smiles (Columbia) is a landmark album by Miles Davis' Second Great Quintet, featuring Wayne Shorter (tenor saxophone), Herbie Hancock (piano), Ron Carter (bass), and Tony Williams (drums). The album exemplifies post-bop innovation, blending modal jazz with freer rhythms and structures, referencing avant-garde without discarding form. The album’s compositions highlight the quintet's collective improvisation and chemistry, with Shorter contributing standout tracks like "Orbits" and "Footprints." Davis’s lyrical, introspective trumpet playing on "Circle" showcases his evolving style, while Hancock’s minimalist, right-hand-centric approach adds depth. Carter’s bass lines and Williams’s dynamic, experimental drumming propel the group’s sound. Tracks like "Footprints" and "Dolores" emphasize rhythmic complexity and harmonic exploration, solidifying the quintet's legacy as jazz innovators. Miles Smiles received critical acclaim for its groundbreaking sound, remaining a vital document of Davis's transition into more exploratory territories. Signature Tracks: "Footprints,"  "Freedom Jazz Dance," "Gingerbread Boy"  Playlist YouTube Playlist  Spotify Playlist  Full Album Full Album on YouTube  Full Album on Spotify

15 Jan 20251h 25min

(S4-Ep5) Donovan Mellow Yellow  (Epic Records (U.S.), Pye Records (UK) Released March 24, 1967- Recorded between September and October 1966,  Mellow Yellow further highlights Donovan’s transition from folk troubadour to an eclectic innovator, blending folk, jazz, pop, and psychedelia. Produced by Mickie Most and featuring notable collaborators like Paul McCartney and John Paul Jones, the album captures the whimsical, colorful era of the 1960s counterculture. Its title track became a cultural anthem, with playful lyrics and a jazzy groove, while reflective pieces like “Writer in the Sun” and “Sand and Foam” showcase Donovan’s poetic lyricism and introspection. Tracks like “Sunny South Kensington” and “Hampstead Incident” illustrate his embrace of bohemian and psychedelic influences, creating a kaleidoscopic soundscape. With its genre-blurring innovation and artistic depth, Mellow Yellow solidified Donovan’s status as a key figure in the psychedelic movement and a pioneer of blending folk with modern rock, leaving an enduring impact on 1960s music. Signature Tracks "Mellow Yellow,"   "Writer In The Sun,"    "Sand and Foam"  Playlist   YouTube Playlist   Spotify Playlist  Full Albums Full Album on YouTube Full Album on Spotify

8 Jan 202514min

(S4-Ep 5) The Byrds- Younger Than Yesterday (Columbia)  Released February 6, 1967, Recorded between November 28-December 8, 1966  Younger Than Yesterday marks pivotal in The Byrds’ evolution, blending folk-rock, psychedelia, and early country influences. While not as commercially successful as their earlier albums, it received critical acclaim for its musical innovation and experimental approach. The album features standout tracks like "So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star," which critiques the commercialization of rock music, and "My Back Pages," a reworking of Bob Dylan’s classic. The band’s experimentation with studio techniques, intricate guitar work, and contributions from Chris Hillman and David Crosby pushed boundaries within the folk-rock genre. The Byrds also explored jazz and country influences. Despite internal tensions and lineup changes, Younger Than Yesterday remains a key work, influencing the development of psychedelic rock and paving the way for future musical experimentation in the 1960s. Signature Tracks "So You Want To Be a Rock and Roll Star," "Have You Seen Her Face," "My Back Pages" Playlists   YouTube Playlist  Spotify Playlist Full Albums Full Album on YouTube , Full Album on Spotify

1 Jan 202515min

S4-Ep. 4 Jefferson Airplane-Surrealistic Pillow (RCA) Released Feb 1, 1967, and Recorded between October 31-Nov 22, 1966  Surrealistic Pillow (1967) is a defining album of the 1960s psychedelic rock era, marking the debut of Grace Slick as Jefferson Airplane’s lead vocalist. The album blends folk, rock, and experimental sounds, with standout tracks like “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit,” which became anthems of the counterculture. With contributions from multiple band members, the album offers diverse vocals and songwriting styles, including Grace Slick’s powerful delivery, Marty Balin’s emotive ballads, and Paul Kantner’s folk-rock influences. The album’s success helped propel the band into mainstream recognition, while its psychedelic experimentation captured the spirit of the San Francisco scene. Produced with help from Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia, Surrealistic Pillow is considered a genre masterpiece, with its influence still felt today. The cover art further symbolized the album’s surreal, rebellious vibe, marking a cultural milestone in rock history. Signature Tracks "Somebody to Love," "Today,"  "White Rabbit" Playlist YouTube Playlist, Spotify Playlist  Full Album Full Album on YouTube Full Album on Spotify

24 Dec 202414min

Donald Vega, a celebrated jazz pianist and composer from Nicaragua, continues to captivate audiences with his musical brilliance. His latest album, As I Travel, has garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album, showcasing his original compositions. Vega’s meticulous approach shines through, blending intricate grooves with masterful arrangements that offer structure and creative freedom to his ensemble, featuring John Patitucci, Lewis Nash, and Luisito Quintero.  In addition, Vega recently released All Is Merry and Bright, a festive Christmas album recorded with Clovis Nicolas and Pete Van Nostrand. This project, born from spontaneity and inspired by jazz greats, highlights Vega’s ability to reimagine timeless classics with fresh, vibrant interpretations.

20 Dec 202446min

S4-Ep.3 The Supremes Sing Holland–Dozier–Holland (Motown) Release Jan 23, 1967, and Recorded 1964-1966 The Supremes Sing Holland–Dozier–Holland is a standout album that showcases the magic between The Supremes and the iconic Motown songwriting and production team Holland-Dozier-Holland (HDH). Released at the peak of their popularity, the album features classic hits like "You Keep Me Hangin' On" and "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone," reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. These tracks highlight Diana Ross's powerful vocals, backed by the impeccable musicianship of Motown's Funk Brothers. The album blends sophisticated pop with emotional storytelling, driven by HDH’s signature sound—tight harmonies, lush orchestrations, and an infectious rhythm. While the album is more a collection of singles than a cohesive concept, its polished sound and universal appeal helped solidify The Supremes as pop and R&B icons. Despite internal group tensions, including Florence Ballard’s eventual departure, their collaboration with HDH remains a cornerstone of Motown’s legacy. Signature Track "You Keep Me Hangin' On,"  "Love is Here and Now You're Gone," "It's The Same Old Song" Playlist YouTube Playlist, Spotify Playlist  Full Album Full Album on YouTube,   Full Album on Spotify

18 Dec 202417min