Retro Music Review | Oldies, Reissues and New Releases with a Retro Sound

T-Bear & The Dukes of Rhythm - Let The Sweet Talk Flow (El Toro; El Toro R&B 205)

Dukes of Rhythm guitarist and vocalist “T-Bear” would be one of the finest young blues players in Chicago, if not for this simple fact: he’s not from Chicago. He’s from Sweden. His real name is Torbjörn Solberg, and he plays like a cross between B.B. King and Chuck Berry. His blues wail has a bit of an Elvis growl in it and his original songs are as badass as any of the classics… READ MORE

Gust Spenos Quartet - Swing Theory (Swing Theory LLC)

Hearing musicians play for the sheer fun of it is always a kick. And the Gust Spenos Quartet kicks like a mule. Deans of their own College of Musical Knowledge, tenor saxman Gust Spenos, pianist Marvin Chandler, bassist Frank Smith, and drummer Kenny Phelps lay down some deliciously vintage sounds on Swing Theory. Ably assisted by special guests Wycliffe Gordon, Eric Schneider, and Everett Greene, the Quartet takes on ten standards and two originals, addressing each tune with verve and style… READ MORE

Neil Diamond - Velvet Gloves And Spit (Rev-Ola; CR REV 238)

Neil Diamond has always been an interesting character. Too tough to be a pop guy, too pop to be a tough guy, he falls somewhere in between. His love songs have an edge. His edged songs are tempered by romance. This delicate balance is all over his brilliant 1968 LP, Velvet Gloves And Spit… READ MORE

Buzzcocks - Auf Wiedersehen (Cherry Red Films DVD; CRDVD003N)

The Buzzcocks have always been more pop than punk, a melodic anomaly on the late 1970s and early ’80s punk rock scene. This live set from 1981 shows them at the height of their popularity and power, singing songs of love and hate, fear and loathing, romance and madness. Pete Shelley’s sweet and sour vocals are fabulous, ripping through each tune. Ditto for Steve Diggle, who attacks every one of his songs with a fury… READ MORE

New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra - Grace And Beauty (Delmark; DE-214)

The New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra is a thing of Grace And Beauty indeed. Swedish pianist Lars Edegran hit upon a simple but brilliant idea, when, in 1967, he put together an ensemble to play ragtime with a New Orleans sensibility. The resulting sound was unique, charming, and altogether new… READ MORE

The Slammers Maximum Jive Band - Jive Time! (El Toro; ETCD 2036)

Lovers of old fashioned, swingin’ rhythm and blues, never fear — The Slammers are here! From across the pond comes one of the finest jive outfits in decades. There just aren’t enough superlatives in the English language to properly describe the immense cool of this group and this disc. A simple “wow” is way too little. A simple “holy mother of pearl this band is so good it’s criminal” doesn’t even do the job… READ MORE

Vince Seneri (on the Hammond B3 Organ) - The Prince’s Groove (Prince V Records; PVR-007)

There ain’t nothin’ like the real thing, and Hammond B3 master Vince Seneri is as real as they come. On The Prince’s Groove he not only grooves — he also swings, sways, and lays down some truly funky sounds. This marvelous set of Seneri-arranged standards and originals is bound to make any Hammond B3 fan stand up and shout… READ MORE

Michael Nesmith - The Wichita Train Whistle Sings / Timerider (Edsel; EDSS 1007)
Michael Nesmith - Tropical Campfires (Edsel; EDSS 1008)
Michael Nesmith - Live At The Britt Festival (Edsel; EDSS 1009)
Michael Nesmith - From A Radio Engine To The Photon Wing / Infinite Rider On The Big Dogma (Edsel; EDSD 2005)

Michael Nesmith has always been much more than a Monkee. A genuinely unique talent, Nesmith is responsible for some of the most intriguing songs released under the Monkees brand. In 1967, at the height of Monkees mania, Nesmith took 10 of his intriguing songs and turned them into an even more intriguing instrumental piece, The Wichita Train Whistle Sings… READ MORE

Henry Mancini - Touch Of Evil (Original Soundtrack) (El; ACMEM134CD)

Henry Mancini’s pulsing Latin flavored score for the 1958 film noir classic Touch Of Evil is further proof of Mancini’s total mastery of nearly every musical form. From the white knuckle intensity of the unrelentingly dark main title theme to the sweet cocktail sway of “Susan,” from the bongo-driven swing of “Borderline Montuna” to the doo wop slow dance sound of “Rock Me To Sleep,” Mancini doesn’t just ape all these styles, he embraces them with a passion. Most remarkably, he captures the essence of 1950s rock and roll, demonstrating he was in touch with everything going on in the music scene at the time… READ MORE