Stories

Such beautiful music fills the grooves of Momi's Borne in a Faint Streak of Light. Released in 1979 on CRI Recording (a private label?), the LP is layered with swaying horns, crisp drumming, delicate harping and Momi's child-like, angelic voice. Each track sounds like it descended upon Earth via a falling cloud. Not that the music moves slowly, but Momi and her band of divine messengers play with the warming energy of the sun and the gentle touch of the breeze. Like I said, it's a beautiful thing to hear. Momi (Diane Leimomi Riley) was about 23 when Borne was...

"Sweet Love" by Phase VII, from their Windjammer album. From what I know, this song is part of a self-titled album by the band. Definitely released after Playtime. Maybe their 3rd album? Here's the tracklist: 1. Sweet Love 2. Girl, It's Up To Me 3. Show Me Your Magic 4. Angels Around You 5. Live It Up, Love It Up 6. Itchy Fingers 7. This Time 8. Don't Girls Get Lonely 9. Say The Word 10. Say It, Say It Again Anyone wanna confirm this? Anyone wanna share some audio clips with me?

While surfing a few weeks ago, I came across another Phase VII album I hadn't heard of, Windjammer. At first, I thought it read "Phase VIII". Maybe it was a spin-off/new lineup of the original Phase 7? Hmm. The cover art wasn't as intriguing Playtime either, so I gave it little attention and passed on. Last night, I looked again and realized it really was Phase 7, not 8! (I must need glasses). Windjammer was their 2nd album, apparently. But what's a "Windjammer"? Google hadn't helped me a few weeks back... but as luck would have it, just last week...

I'll say without a doubt that Japanese record collectors are probably the most diligent collectors in the world. Not only do they have deep knowledge of what's good, but they've got the good stuff in great condition: Nothing goes "uncollected". At least in my opinion. I still remember reading this post years ago and thinking two things: 1 Thankfully, many stores in the USA still price their rock (Led Zep, The Who, Beatles) high and the funky stuff low. 2 Record stores in Japan are nothing like America's, with plenty of specialty shops that carry specific kinds of music. Need...

When you live in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, you wake up everyday and it's beautiful outside. When you live in the Pacific Northwest, summer stops by for two months or so. The rest of the year you wake up and it's gray, dreary and rainy outside. That's why I like Babadu. His music is sunny (do I use that term too much?), and it's reminiscent of the happy, heavenly sound of Stevie Wonder, whose songs are always full of joy (or joyous sorrow). Babadu even grunts and shouts, just like Stevie. One listen and I feel like smiling—even...