un-#MWE May 2023

I know them, I might love them, and I sometimes want some more of them

Fewer un-#MWE tweets this past month, largely because I was traveling for a week. But for June, a) there will be a lot more, and b) they’ll all be what I’m calling Queer Classics, in celebration of Pride Month. This month’s retro Pick Hits are the pair from the ‘70s, both jazz-adjacent: Angela Bofill and Return to Forever.

1. Klaxons, Myths of the Near Future (2007): 15+ yrs later, this debut still thrills, mixing meat & potatoes rock w/ pulse & throb of club music in a manner rarely matched. Does it make it for 36 min? No. But the high highs (“Skans,” “Interzone,” “Rainbow”) are astounding.
   1b. A Flock of Seagulls (1982): I want to love their debut, but a lot of it’s just average new wave that we wouldn’t’ve blinked twice at, if not made on synths. “Space Age Love Song” is for the ages & the other singles are good, but much of the rest just sits there.

2. Angela Bofill, Angie (1978): Her debut was on GRP & co-helmed by Dave Grusin, & those details are key, b/c this is really more a jazz vocal than R&B LP (cf Rapture, 8 yrs later). Bofill caresses songs like a dream; her voice is wondrous. Great songs & prod, too. 

3. Chris Whitley, Living with the Law (1991): Listening for 1st time in decades I thought, like Jason Isbell x Jeff Buckley, prod by Lanois - & Lanois assoc Malcolm Burn helmed it! Roots blood runs deep in his veins; songs, singing, playing are all immaculate. RIP.

4. Heart (1985): Is this slick ‘80s makeover particularly great? Nope. Does it feat way too many synths for a Heart LP? Yep. Yet is it still occ v entertaining? Absolutely. Overblown hits “Never,” “What About Love?” & esp triumphant “These Dreams” are Velveeta treasures.

5. Return to Forever feat. Chick Corea, Where Have I Known You Before (1974): The essence of electric jazz fusion, this is likely the most shit-hot version of RTF, w/ not just Corea on keys but Al Di Meola (at 19!), Stanley Clarke, & Lenny White. All steak, nonstop.

6. Tanita Tikaram, Ancient Heart (1988): Her debut was a UK smash, but in the US just VH1-core w/ some college radio play. 10-15 yrs later, this might’ve been as big as Norah Jones, as Tikaram hits that same folky-jazzy smart-songs sweet spot. & that smoky voice! Mmm.