It's fascinating that an album as arcane as Soul Explosion was an integral part of the vintage soul/funk revival. It’s even more fascinating that the “hustle” feels as authentic as the music that it was inspired by.
Read moreSir Mix-A-Lot’s Debut Album ‘Swass’ Turns 35 | Album Anniversary
Sir Mix-A-Lot’s debut album launched a very interesting career trajectory for the Seattle-based emcee, whose path to eventual mega-stardom wasn’t a straight line.
Read moreThe Rolling Stones’ ‘Goats Head Soup’ Turns 50 | Album Anniversary
While not as raw and cohesive as its predecessor ‘Exile on Main St.,’ ‘Goats Head Soup’ has its own charm. The band’s musicianship is exceptional and the production quality is solid.
Read moreThe Breeders’ ‘Last Splash’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
As evidenced throughout their sophomore album, the Deal sisters’ DIY approach inadvertently positioned themselves as folk heroes to any woman in a band being eclipsed by her male counterparts.
Read moreMarvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It On’ Turns 50 | Album Anniversary
Where ‘What’s Going On’ was a sanctified, state-of-the-world proclamation, ‘Let’s Get It On’ was a smorgasbord of sexual desires that helped Gaye launch new dimensions of soul music.
Read moreDevo’s Debut Album ‘Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!’ Turns 45 | Album Anniversary
Produced by Brian Eno and assisted by David Bowie, Devo’s debut long player is an ambitious, seamless and refreshing synthesis of alt-punk and new wave.
Read moreMica Paris' Debut Album 'So Good' Turns 35 | Album Anniversary
Paris’ debut affair is driven by her voice which confounds with its maturity and class. It seems impossible for her to have been a teenager and deliver work with such casual aplomb.
Read moreSolange’s ‘Sol-Angel and The Hadley St. Dreams’ Turns 15 | Album Anniversary
Reflecting the totality of her experiences and interests, Solange’s second LP deftly (and movingly) touches on her marriage, divorce, motherhood, and black social concerns.
Read moreXzibit’s ’40 Dayz & 40 Nightz’ Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
Though not an overwhelming commercial hit, Xzibit’s second studio album was a critical success, and put him on a path toward stardom.
Read moreElliott Smith’s ‘XO’ Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
Smith’s first album with a major label production budget, his fourth LP finds him occasionally dipping into a fuller sound, but it plays as earthy and lush, never synthetic.
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