Left Lane - To And From (1985) [Jazz Pop / Fusion]



A strange yet captivating tune from an enigmatic '85 release that only saw circulation in Japan and was left in complete obscurity until it received a re-release on CD and other formats in 2018.

Sonically, this is Pat Metheny / ECM-styled vocal jazz with an avant-garde sensibility at times. When you couple this rather good music with some stoic, insightful lyrics and a capering melodic sense, you've got something with a strong aesthetic appeal that supersedes the time of its making.

Supertramp - Even In The Quietest Moments (1977) [Art Pop / Rock]



I have a love-hate relationship with Supertramp. Crime Of The Century and Breakfast In America leave me cold, but for some reason Even In The Quietest Moments... comes across as extremely well constructed as far as album experiences go...maybe the one time where they really "clicked" for an entire record. There's melodic depth here (see title track above) that gives these cuts a certain timeless sheen that makes one think of Brian Wilson gone Elton John but without the things that annoy me about the latter.

Basically, if your in the mood for some theatricality with some meat to it, this will do it and then some.

Even in the Quietest Moments... is my favorite Supertramp record.

The live collection Paris would be perfect if it included Give a Little Bit which is my favorite Supertramp song.

Imo all their records from Crime to Breakfast have great songs and then some camp that keeps them from being the band they should’ve been. But man, when they’re good they’re really ****ing good.

^ Agreed. I might spend more time with their first few albums and see how they strike me today. Had no idea you were a Supertramp fan though - cool! :clap:


Gino Vannelli - Rhythm Of Romance (1990) [Hi-Tech AOR / New Wave]



I think Gino might have been some kind of prophet. Eerie.

Steve Hiett - Down On The Road By The Beach (1983) [Ambient, Proto-Shoegaze Beach Pop]



Unassailable. This is an experimentally sunburnt guitar-pop gem that sounds (in part) like The Beach Boys as done by MBV or maybe early 00's Boris. The brainchild of famed photographer-guitarist Steve Hiett, his travels and connections somehow got his music into the hands of Steely Dan sessionmaster Elliot Randall and one of Japan's leading rock groups Moonriders, resulting in this sublime release that only saw the light of day in Japan before it sunk beneath the waves for the next three decades, touted as a major collector's item but never really getting any critical recognition.

Give it a few spins and you'll see why I'm heaping praise. It sounds out of time but somehow perfectly at home in 2020.

New Year...moar tunes. Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa


Pat Metheny Group - To The End Of The World (1995) [MBP / Jazz Fusion / Worldbeat]



Haunting yet beautiful languor in the face of an inevitable environmental apocalypse, whatever form such a thing might take. Certainly doesn't hurt that some of Metheny's best ever melodies are littered throughout the dreaming wreckage.

Portal - Enemy (2014) [Alternative / Prog / Metal]



One of those proggy metal underground acts that crosses over into the hookiness and polish of the post-grunge world but does it well. What elevates these guys is their strong lyricism and at times rather unusual melodic progressions that go to choruses you don't quite expect.