Rhythm Machine - Rhythm Machine (Lulu Records - 1976)

Now Again Records already reedited this album in 2006 and released it again a few weeks ago with a few bonus tracks. I have posted today the 2006 reedition. If you want te 2012 reedition, well, just buy it. Rhythm Machine had made a reputation as a solid touring band in their native Indiana, born on the ashes of The Highlighters (The Funky 16 Corners anyone ?). They recorded their sole album, Rhythm Machine, in 1976, delivering the kind of album you wouldn't expect from a touring band. Instead of going only the energetic tight hard funk way they're good at, they plaid a smooth spacey soul and funk as well that made me think of Roy Ayers or Earth Wind & Fire works of the same time. It's clear those guys could handle their instruments but their were very inspired as well. A brilliant album.

 Download => Rhythm Machine - Rhythm Machine

Moby Grape - Moby Grape (San Francisco Sound - 1967)

The guys of The All Music Guide qualified Moby Grape as "one of the finest (perhaps the finest) album to come out of the San Francisco psychedelic scene, brimming with great songs and fresh ideas while blessedly avoiding the pitfalls that pockmarked the work of their contemporaries." With such a critic, I was consequently pretty happy to find this  album in the sales bin of a French famous cultural goods retailing chain. I have always had a mixed feeling with West Coast albums from the Summer of Love era. The psychedelic scene especially often disappointed me. Much albums just don't live up to their reputation, once you pass their most obvious hits:  for example, would you have believed that listening to a Jefferson Airplane complete album was such a boring experience? So what's about the Moby Grape first album? If their bluesy numbers, based on catch guitar riffs, sounds very 60's and will brings tears in the eyes of grey haired boomers (Hey Grandma, Mr. Blues, Fall On You), the band could teach a trick or two on harmony and melodies  to Fleet Foxes and they never let senseless experimentation overcome their tightly written songs and their happy energy. A masterpiece? I don't know. A pretty good album? Yes indeed.

 Download => Moby Grape - Moby Grape

Jorge Ben - Bem -Vinda Amizade (Som Livre - 1981)

I'm just unable to say anything bad about my favorite Brazilian artist. This guy churned out masterpiece after masterpiece during nearly 20 years. On Bem-Vinda Amizade, Jorge Ben sticks to his usual recipe with talent: catchy samba funk with a light electronic twist. Every single song is a scorcher and can could make dance the next Vatican council. Jorge Ben seemed to have fun to try to find the longest song titles possible, from O Diam Em Que O Sol Declarou O Seu Amor Pela Terra to Era Una Vez Um Aposentado Marinheiro passing by Ela Mora Em Matogrosso Fronteira Com O Paraguai, they are pretty hard to remember if you are not lusophone. This LP has already been posted several times in a few other blogs but if you have miss it, here it is.

Download =>  Jorge Ben - Bem - Vinda Amizade