(S4 EP23) Moody Blues - “Days of Future Past” (Derem Records)

Released November 17, 1967. Recorded May 9-Nov 3, 1967

Days of Future Passed (1967) by The Moody Blues is a landmark concept album that fused rock with orchestral music, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of progressive rock. Initially commissioned by Decca Records to showcase stereo sound with a rock adaptation of Dvořák’s New World Symphony, the band instead created an original work that follows a symbolic day from dawn to night. Featuring the London Festival Orchestra and pioneering use of the Mellotron by Mike Pinder, the album blends lush orchestration with introspective songwriting. Highlights include Justin Hayward’s “Nights in White Satin” and “Tuesday Afternoon,” both emotionally resonant and enduringly popular. The album's innovative structure, poetic lyrics, and seamless integration of classical elements redefined the LP as an artistic format. Days of Future Passed remains a foundational piece in the history of progressive music, influencing bands like Genesis and Yes, while solidifying The Moody Blues’ legacy as sonic visionaries.

Signature Songs: "Dawn: Dawn is A Feeling", "The Afternoon: Forever Afternoon" "The Night: Nights In White Satin"

Full Album: YouTube, Spotify

Playlist: YouTube, Spotify

(S4 Ep22) Cream - Disreali Gears (Reaction Records)

Released November 2, 1967, Recorded May 11-15 (1967)

Released in November 1967, Disraeli Gears marked a pivotal moment in Cream’s evolution from a blues-based trio to psychedelic rock pioneers. Recorded in just three and a half days at Atlantic Studios in New York, the album blends surreal lyrics, experimental sounds, and distorted guitar tones into a cohesive and groundbreaking work. Produced by Felix Pappalardi (from Mountain), the record features standout tracks like “Sunshine of Your Love,” with its iconic bass riff, and “Tales of Brave Ulysses,” one of the first songs to feature a wah-wah pedal. The album was a commercial breakthrough, reaching No. 5 in the UK and No. 4 in the U.S., eventually selling over 6.8 million copies worldwide. Its vibrant, psychedelic cover art by Martin Sharp became as iconic as the music itself. Tracks like “Dance the Night Away” and “SWLABR” highlighted the band’s willingness to experiment, while “Outside Woman Blues” and “Take It Back” maintained their blues roots. The synergy of Eric Clapton’s innovative guitar work, Jack Bruce’s powerful vocals and bass, and Ginger Baker’s inventive drumming made Disraeli Gears a defining album of the era. Its legacy is a cornerstone of psychedelic rock and a testament to Cream’s lasting impact on modern music.

Signature Song "Strange Brew." "Sunshine of Your Love," Tales of Brave Ulysses

Full Album YouTube Spotify

Playlist YouTube Playlist

(S4 EP 21) Wayne Shorter’s -Apple Apple (Blue Note)

Released October 1967 - Recorded February 3 and 24, 1966

Wayne Shorter’s Adam’s Apple (1967) is a landmark post-bop album that captures the saxophonist at his creative peak. Recorded in 1966 at Van Gelder Studio, the album features Herbie Hancock (piano), Reggie Workman (bass), and Joe Chambers (drums)—a quartet that delivers both lyrical subtlety and rhythmic daring. The record blends blues, modal jazz, Latin grooves, and impressionistic balladry, showcasing Shorter's sophisticated yet accessible compositional voice. Tracks like the iconic “Footprints” and the soulful title track highlight his melodic clarity and harmonic depth. Hancock’s intuitive comping and soloing add dimension throughout, while Workman and Chambers bring texture and flexibility. This was the first recorded version of “Footprints,” later made famous by Miles Davis. Produced by Alfred Lion for Blue Note, Adam’s Apple is one of the finest examples of mid-’60s jazz, balancing structure and exploration. It remains a timeless, essential entry in Shorter’s catalog and the post-bop era..

Signature Song: "Adam's Apple," "El Gaucho, “"Footprints"

Full Album: YouTube Spotify

Playlist: YouTube

(S4 Ep 20) Love -Forever Changes (Electra)

Released Nov 1967- Recorded June 9-Sept 25 1967

Love’s Forever Changes, released in 1967, is a psychedelic rock masterpiece and one of the most hauntingly beautiful albums of its era. Fronted by Arthur Lee, Love was a groundbreaking, racially integrated band that fused folk-rock, orchestral pop, and surreal lyricism. Though not a commercial hit at the time, Forever Changes later earned acclaim for its lush arrangements, introspective themes, and emotional depth. Songs like “Alone Again Or” and “You Set the Scene” highlight the album’s fusion of poetic melancholy and orchestral grandeur. Recorded during a period of personal turmoil and cultural upheaval, it captures both the hope and anxiety of the late 1960s. Internal conflicts and drug use soon fractured the band, but the album's legacy endured, eventually earning recognition from the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress. Forever Changes stands as a timeless artistic statement and a high point of the psychedelic era.

Signature Songs Alone Again Or “Maybe the People Would Be the Times or Between Clark and Hilldale”. Live and Let Live

Full Album YouTube Spotify

Playlist YouTube Spotify

Sam Sadigursky is widely recognized as one of the most talented clarinetists and reed doublers of his generation. He has released eleven acclaimed albums as a leader and appears on over sixty recordings as a sideman, including numerous Grammy-nominated and Grammy Award-winning projects. A member of the Philip Glass Ensemble, he has also toured and recorded with Brad Mehldau, David Byrne, Bruce Hornsby, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, the Mingus Orchestra, and U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky. From 2017 to 2019, Sadigursky was the onstage clarinetist in the Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Award-winning Broadway production of The Band’s Visit, and he has performed in over twenty other Broadway productions.

Blending Jewish spiritual and Klezmer music with post-minimalist classical, jazz, and elements of American folk, Sadigursky and accordionist/multi-instrumentalist Nathan Koci recently released Volumes IV and V of The Solomon Diaries on Adhyaropa Records. This five-album series reflects on the Borscht Belt—the once-thriving Jewish resort region that helped shape 20th-century American culture—while also exploring contemporary experiences of immigration and Jewish identity.

The Solomon Diaries Volume IV .⁠https://open.spotify.com/album/6aueHALAzKJf0eDoo048ek?si=LVmkM3hhQiSBUJJBb1egAw⁠

The Solomon Diaries Volume V

⁠https://open.spotify.com/album/6dkN03M2qai0xXNC38VTSa?si=bBjX0IVXQQyJO4J1hjKtVA⁠

Buffalo Springfield -Again (Atco)

Released October 30, 1967, and Recorded January 9-September 18

Buffalo Springfield Again is a landmark album that captures both the brilliance and dysfunction of one of rock’s most influential short-lived bands. Recorded during a turbulent period marked by Neil Young’s departures, Bruce Palmer’s deportation, and rising tensions within the group, the album still delivers remarkable artistry. Each member shines: Stephen Stills’ dynamic guitar work and songwriting drive tracks like “Bluebird,” Neil Young brings depth and experimentation with “Mr. Soul” and the ambitious “Broken Arrow.” At the same time, Richie Furay adds warmth and a country-rock flavor with “A Child’s Claim to Fame” and “Sad Memory.” Despite its fragmented nature, the album’s eclectic sound helped define the era. Though it only reached #44 on the charts, its critical reputation has grown over time. Following the release of the album, internal struggles led to the band’s breakup, but its members went on to shape the folk and country rock genres through groups like CSNY and Poco. This record remains a vital, underrated piece of 1960s rock history.

Signature Songs: "Mr Soul," "Bluebird" "Broken Arrow"

Full Album YouTube, Spotify
Playlist YouTube Spotify

(S4 Ep18) The Real McCoy (Blue Note) with guest Steve Myerson

October 1967, Recorded April 21, 1967

The Real McCoy (1967) is a landmark album by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner, marking his first solo release after leaving John Coltrane’s legendary quartet. With a stellar lineup featuring tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Elvin Jones, the album showcases Tyner's unique modal jazz style, blending African rhythmic influences and his signature wide interval voicings. The album’s compositions, all written by Tyner wrote, demonstrate his incredible range as a pianist and composer, with tracks like "Passion Dance" and "Contemplation" now regarded as jazz standards. The interplay between the musicians is dynamic, with Henderson's fluid solos, Carter's solid bass work, and Jones's explosive drumming providing a perfect backdrop for Tyner's improvisations. The album balances uptempo tracks, like "Four by Five," with slower, more meditative pieces, such as "Search for Peace," highlighting Tyner’s ability to navigate diverse moods and textures. The Real McCoy is widely praised for its deep emotional resonance and technical brilliance, solidifying McCoy Tyner as one of his generation's most influential jazz pianists.

Signature Tracks: "Passion Dance", "Contemplation", "Four By Five"

Full Album YouTube Spotify

Playlist YouTube Spotify

Endea Owens is a jazz talent known for her unique bass playing, compositions, and dynamic performances. She has gained widespread recognition as a member of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert band, where her versatile bass playing has captivated a broad television audience. Her 2023 debut album, Feel Good Music, blends intricate arrangements with an accessible, feel-good vibe, appealing to casual listeners and jazz critics.

Owens' roots in Detroit and her diverse musical background inform her distinct style, which blends jazz with other genres like house music and soul. She has collaborated with major artists such as Jon Batiste and Juicy J, and her work with Batiste’s band earned her Grammy recognition.

Beyond her musical success, Owens is also committed to philanthropy. In 2020, she founded the Community Cookout project, which provides meals and connects with underprivileged communities. Looking ahead, Owens will perform new material at venues like the South Orange Performing Arts Center, continuing to push the boundaries of jazz while deepening her community impact.