The Mahavishnu Orchestra was a multinational jazz-rock ensemble headed by English guitarist John McLaughlin, who led two lineups during their original six-album run. The first incarnation was a five-piece band with Czech keyboardist Jan Hammer, Irish bassist Rick Laird, and two Americans: violinist Jerry Goodman and drummer Billy Cobham. They released the 1971–73 Columbia albums […]
Sister Sledge was an American soul group from Philadelphia comprised of sisters Debbie, Kim, Joni, and Kathy Sledge. They cut three 1973–74 singles on ATCO, which issued their 1975 debut album Circle of Love. On Cotillion, they cut six albums between 1977 and 1983, including their 1979 Chic-backed mega-seller We Are Family. Members: Debbie Sledge […]
Narada Michael Walden is an American jazz-funk/soul musician and producer who drummed in the second lineup of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, which made the 1974/75 albums Apocalypse and Visions of the Emerald Beyond. In 1976, he played on jazz-rock albums by Weather Report, Jaco Pastorius, Jeff Beck, Allan Holdsworth, and Nova. As a solo artist, Walden […]
Nova was an Italian jazz-rock band that released four albums between 1975 and 1978 on Arista. They formed around saxophonist Elio D’Anna and guitarist Corrado Rustici, blending rock instrumentation with jazz and fusion textures. After a debut that emphasized technical interplay, the band expanded into more polished, keyboard-driven arrangements with international session players. Wings of […]
Visions of the Emerald Beyond is an album by the Mahavishnu Orchestra, released in February 1975 on Columbia. The album is the fourth chronological studio release under the Mahavishnu nameplate and the second to feature the mark II lineup with violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and drummer Narada Michael Walden. A1. “Eternity’s Breath – Part 1” (3:10) […]
Black Market is the fifth studio album by multinational jazz-rock ensemble Weather Report, released in 1976 on Columbia Records. Tracklist: A1. “Black Market” (6:30) A2. “Cannon Ball” (4:35) A3. “Gibraltar” (7:45) B1. “Elegant People” (5:02) B2. “Three Clowns” (3:14) B3. “Barbary Coast” (3:05) B4. “Herandnu” (6:35) Credits: Joe Zawinul — synthesizer, rhodes electric piano, grand […]
Starchild is the sixth album by American soul/funk musician/vocalist Teena Marie, released in 1984 on Epic. Tracklist: A1. “Lovergirl” (4:50) A2. “Help Youngblood Get to the Freaky Party” (5:42) A3. “Out on a Limb” (6:36) A4. “Alibi” (5:23) B1. “Jammin’” (5:47) B2. “Starchild” (5:34) B3. “We’ve Got to Stop (Meeting Like This)” (5:05) B4. “My Dear […]
Garden of Love Light is the debut solo album by jazz-funk/soul musician Narada Michael Walden, released in 1976 on Atlantic. Tracklist: A1. “White Night” (4:57) A2. “Garden of Love Light” (4:55) A3. “Delightful” (4:51) A4. “First Love” (5:52) B1. “Meditation” (1:38) B2. “The Sun Is Dancing” (9:29 — 3:47–6:20) B3. “You Got the Soul” (3:22) […]
All American Girls is the fifth album by American soul/funk vocal act Sister Sledge, released in 1981 on Cotillion. Tracklist: A1. “All American Girls” (4:42) A2. “He’s Just a Runaway” (3:57) A3. “If You Really Want Me” (4:37) A4. “Next Time You’ll Know” (3:57) A5. “Happy Feeling” (3:35) B1. “Ooh, You Caught My Heart” (4:25) […]
Oneness (Silver Dreams-Golden Reality) is an album by Latin-jazz/rock guitarist Carlos Santana, released in 1979 on Columbia. Tracklist: A1. “The Chosen Hour” (0:38) A2. “Arise Awake” (2:05) A3. “Light Versus Darkness” (0:48) A4. “Jim Jeannie” (3:30) A5. “Transformation Day” (3:47) A6. “Victory” (1:09) A7. “Silver Dreams Golden Smiles” (4:09) A8. “Cry of the Wilderness” (3:10) […]
The Dance of Life is the fourth solo album by American jazz-funk/soul musician Narada Michael Walden, released in 1979 on Atlantic. Tracklist: A1. “You’re Soo Good” (6:02) A2. “I Shoulda Loved Ya” (6:34) A3. “Lovin’ You Madly” (5:15) A4. “Crazy for Ya” (3:51) B1. “Tonight I’m Alright” (5:14) B2. “Why Did You Turn Me On” […]
Wired is an album by English guitarist Jeff Beck, produced by George Martin and released in 1976 on Epic. Tracklist: A1. “Led Boots” (3:59) A2. “Come Dancing” (5:54) A3. “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” (5:26) A4. “Head for Backstage Pass” (2:41) B1. “Blue Wind” (5:49) B2. “Sophie” (6:27) B3. “Play With Me” (4:06) B4. “Love Is […]
Apocalypse is the third studio album by multinational jazz-rock ensemble the Mahavishnu Orchestra, produced by George Martin and released in April 1974 on Columbia Records. A1. “Power of Love” (4:36) The album opens in subdued form as strings from the London Symphony Orchestra establish a slow, pulsing atmosphere. McLaughlin contributes lightly voiced acoustic guitar figures […]
I Cry, I Smile is the second solo album by American R&B musician/vocalist Narada Michael Walden, released in 1977 on Atlantic. Tracklist: A1. “I Need Your Love” (3:41) A2. “Better Man” (4:19) A3. “Soul Bird” (4:32) A4. “I Remember” (4:30) A5. “Oneness-Cry” (4:57) B1. “Mango Bop” (4:43) B2. “Rainbow-Sky” (1:17) B3. “I Cry, I Smile” […]
