His first show certainly sounds like an idol’s iconic origin story, but it didn’t look that way to Hendrix at the time. Mid-act, the band let Hendrix go for “too much showing off.” In many ways, this failed gig foretold the continuously rocky start to his live music career. 

Hendrix identified music as his path early on, using it as a sanctuary from his stormy home life and a place of revelation for his creative spirit. At 16, Hendrix’s father bought him his first guitar, a right-handed acoustic that Hendrix taught himself to play upside down. His longstanding love for blues and rock quickly grew into a desire to create his own sound. Hendrix dropped out of high school to pursue music full time. But despite his passion and talent, Hendrix struggled to break into the music scene. He worked odd jobs to support himself while searching for opportunities.  

In 1961, Hendrix ended up enlisting in the U.S. army, training as a paratrooper at Ford Ord in California. While in training, Hendrix put together a band called The King Casuals, keeping his musicianship in practice even during bootcamp. But The King Casuals only lasted a year; the army honorably discharged Hendrix in ‘62 after an injury. After leaving the army, Hendrix was still only booking as a session musician, playing backup for performers such as Little Richard, B.B. King, and Sam Cooke under the name Jimmy James. But in 1966, Hendrix signed a management contract with Animals bassist Chas Chandler, who took him to London. There, Hendrix was introduced to bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, forming the Jimi Hendrix Experience band. 

And that’s when Jimi takes off.  

Hendrix becomes a guitar legend – earning admiration from fellow icons such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton. He released three albums in two years, each soaring to the top of the charts. He played the most iconic festivals of the decade – both Monterey Pop and Woodstock – and led the psychedelic rock wave. Crowds screamed for his experimental sound and awe-inspiring tricks – including playing his guitar with his mouth and behind his head. And, famously, he sets his guitar on fire! Hendrix was on top of the world, leaving his rainy hometown of Seattle and synagogue basements behind. 

But as fast as Hendrix was to ignite, his flame was put out even faster. Hendrix passed away in September of 1970 at the age of 27. Gone too soon can’t even begin to describe the loss his death represents. The world lost an incomparable artistic talent, but Hendrix lost the chance to grow old, to embark on new adventures, to explore all the highs and lows life can give past the age of 30. Jimi Hendrix is an icon of rock and roll, the face of an entire decade of music, but it can never be forgotten just how much of his true legacy, his own breath and joy, was stolen. 

Looking back on his life and career, it’s difficult to say how instrumental Hendrix’s first performance was in making him the musician he became. Perhaps it put a chip on his shoulder, a confirmation that he had something special, even if the synagogue basement crowd couldn’t see it. Perhaps the experience haunted Hendrix in his early years, no matter how much he tried to move on.  

Hendrix, when reflecting on being fired from his first gig years later, simply remarked: “I was trying to play from the soul, and the other band members thought I was showing off.” So maybe that was all it was, Hendrix bearing his soul to the wrong crowd. Now, it’s easy to see that his soul belonged on only one stage – the eternal one.  

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The label Cryo Chamber marks its tenth anniversary, while another label named Cyclic Law marks its twentieth. I consider both labels the foremost in the dark ambient scene. Many talented artists have year-long stays with them and have produced many brilliant albums.

Cyclic Law, the elder label, was founded in 2002 in France and features many European artists. They boast plentiful merch, ranging from intricately detailed CDs to books to even incense. To commemorate the anniversary, the label hosted a concert in a chateau in southern France, a fitting location for a dark ambient concert. Artists and fans alike had a great time.

Many of Cyclic Law’s albums I’ve listened to delve into occult and esoteric themes. Others cover topics like mythology, fantasy, and historical events. One of my personal favorites is The Architecture of Melancholy by Peter Bjärgö. The album feels like wandering across a desert at twilight, searching for something, someone, but never finding it. Nevertheless, you march on, searching amidst the infinity.

Another favored album is Hypnosis by Desiderii Marginis. The album is a long journey of dreams and nightmares, flowing from peace to horror and back. Chock-full of surreal soundscapes and macabre voices, it will keep you on edge from start to finish.

Simon Heath, known by his artist’s name Atrium Carceri (Latin for “prison hall”), founded Cryo Chamber in 2012. The label is based in Oregon. Heath was motivated to start the label to restore the genre’s structure after a previous label, Cold Meat Industry, went under, taking much of the dark ambient scene with it. Thanks to Heath’s work, the genre is experiencing an American audience.

Most of Cryo Chamber’s artists also come from Europe, but the label features members from across the globe, including North America, Brazil, Iran, and Australia. Its American artists include Council of Nine and God Body Disconnect, both of whom are prominent contributors to the label. Council of Nine’s music features themes from religion to overcoming loss, while God Body Disconnect’s work sticks to his name, covering the separation of body and mind, spiritual connections, and transitions from this world to the next.

Many of Cryo Chamber’s albums have sci-fi themes, showing us just how scary space can be. One of their best albums from this year is “Sundown” by Beyond the Ghost. It is a dark album in a wider series about Europe falling into war and anarchy in the distant future. Another excellent album is “Exo” by Tineidae. It tells the story of an astronaut exploring an abandoned mothership and delving deep into the mysteries of the cosmos.

Cryo Chamber is also notable for its annual Lovecraftian collaboration albums, which has been ongoing since 2014 with “Cthulhu,” named after one of H.P. Lovecraft’s deities. Different artists each make sections of the project, and the label strings them together for an hours-long album. The 2022 collaboration will release later this month.

Both of these labels are instrumental in the dark ambient scene and have helped this very niche genre grow and thrive. If you are interested in hidden, obscure, or strange genres, dark ambient is for you, and these labels are your guide. Cyclic Law and Cryo Chamber have many years of music under their belts and will produce many more in the years to come.

The post This Week in Music History: 10 & 20 Years of Dark Ambient appeared first on KRUI Radio.

The issue featured John Lennon on the cover, dressed in uniform for his role in the film “How I Won the War.” The lead article covered the Monterey Pop Festival. Copies of the bi-weekly magazine originally cost 25 cents, equal to $2.22 today.

Rolling Stone was founded by Jann Wenner and Ralph Gleason. The first print included a message from Wenner explaining the title and mission of the magazine. “You’re probably wondering what we’re trying to do. It’s hard to say: sort of a magazine and sort of a newspaper,” Wenner wrote.

The message continued, “The name of it is Rolling Stone which comes from an old saying, ‘A rolling stone gathers no moss.’ Muddy Waters used the name for a song he wrote. The Rolling Stones took their name from Muddy’s song. ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ was the title of Bob Dylan’s first rock and roll record.”

“We have begun a new publication reflecting what we see are the changes in rock and roll and the changes related to rock and roll,” Wenner wrote.

Rolling Stone gained a strong following for its combination of “street” and professional journalism. Their initial focus on the rock world quickly broadened into more diverse topics. Wenner wrote that the magazine “is not just about the music, but about the things and attitudes that music embraces.”

Iconic releases such as “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” by Hunter Thompson in 1971 further defined Rolling Stone as a politically involved organization and a voice for the student population. Today, Rolling Stone’s interconnection with the entertainment industry is undeniable. A spot on the cover and a featured article are major landmarks in any celebrities career.

Rolling Stone is an institution of the upmost influence in the entertainment world and has changed in countless ways since its first issue. The magazine is a great example of a publication maintaining their relevancy despite changing political and social landscapes. Congratulations to Rolling Stone on 55 years of news, politics, and loving music.

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Little Stevie, as he was formerly known, built a history with Motown, pumping out single hits year after year. Some examples are “For Once In My Life” in 1967, “My Cherie Amour” in 1968, and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” in 1970. But at 22, Wonder was growing weary of the label’s focus on singles rather than artistic expression. He began to experiment with independent projects like “Music Of My Mind” in early 1972, where he leaned into new instruments, most notably the clavinet, to create a unique sound. But these were only stepping stones into perhaps his true magnum opus, “Talking Book,” released in late October of 1972.

A Closer Look

“You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” opens the album strongly. A unique mix of Fender Rhodes and congas turns what could’ve been a middling ballad into a soothing experience. Wonder, along with guest singers Jim Gilstrap and Lani Groves, start mellow, joyous, and hopeful, and finish explosively. It sets up the listener for grittier tracks like “Maybe Your Baby” and, most notably, “Superstition.”

On these two songs, the clavinet, drums, and soaring vocals dominate. The contrast to his work a mere three years earlier is stark. Especially in “Superstition,” layers upon layers of funk perfectly encapsulate the album’s majesty. Starting first with a solo drum beat, a sharp clavinet interjects. Bassy synths sit underneath, where a second clavinet harmony strikes. After everything settles, Wonder starts his first verse: simple, clever, and designed for more layering. Horns are introduced. Each instrument deviates from its original pattern and builds to a climax toward the chorus. While most artists would collapse under such a clutter, Wonder manages to make every piece function, and creates a masterwork thumping through five decades.

“Big Brother” is an underappreciated piece in “Talking Book.” It features a unique background African drum, a new usage of the clavinet, and riveting harmonica. Wonder’s lyrics here also got quite political. He alludes to government spying, working class outrage, and deceitful politicians. The song is yet another building block toward his future work, where he would get more controversial in tunes like “Livin’ For The City,” “You Haven’t Done Nothin,” and “He’s Misstra Know-It-All.”

Not a single song can be brushed under the rug in the album. “You and I” brings a perfect ballad to the mix, inspired by his wife at the time, Syreeta Wright. “Tuesday Hearbreak” is the funky mix of Stevie and saxophone we never knew we needed. “I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)” mixes somber with hope, supplemented by strong and sweeping synths. Everyone can appreciate something in “Talking Book,” whether it’s the slower, more somber tones of ‘Blame It On The Sun’, or the mildly eerie mood of “Lookin’ For Another Pure Love.”

Fifty Years Later

Wonder continued to strive with his newfound style for the rest of the decade, releasing back to back genre-defining albums. Critical acclaim accompanied his entire so-called “golden” period, and “Talking” Book” was no exception. “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” and “Superstition” peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and earned spots on Rolling Stones’s “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” The album itself ranked 59 on a similar Rolling Stones list. Wonder took home three of his first Grammy awards for the album.

In 1973, many children got their first experience of Wonder’s magic on Sesame Street, where he performed “Superstition” and spoke with Grover. Much later in 2011, George Michael gifted a cover of “You and I” in honor of the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. In the cover’s reveal, he told CNN’s Piers Morgan, “I used to dream of singing it in a school assembly hall.” Morgan responded by saying he “wooed his wife” with the song. Allegedly, President Obama did the same with his wife.

Clearly, “Talking Book” by Stevie Wonder has not lost any of its luster or influence in the 50 years since its release. From American presidents to awkward undergraduates, it changed lives and inspired a renaissance in R&B production. It’s an album that did not merely release to be catalogued. It was released to be remembered, to inspire, and to permeate. In 2072, when critics think back to the previous century, “Talking Book” should undoubtedly still be on the radar.

The post This Week in Music History: Talking Book – Stevie Wonder (1972) appeared first on KRUI Radio.

The day of the famous New York City blackout.

A day that is typically remembered for the 1,600 stores that were robbed, the 1,000+ fires reported and the 3,000+ citizens that were arrested (Source: https://www.checkpeople.com/arrest-records). A day that is not so often remembered for its significance in helping to expand hip hop during its early years.

In the year of 1977 hip hop was still in its very early stages. This type of music was generally only being created, performed and spread by a few of the hip hop originals such as DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Caz. This changed following the night New York City lost power.

The blackout began around 8:37 pm on July 13th when lightning struck a substation at Buchanan South. As the hour passed, more and more lightning struck the city, knocking out numerous transmission lines. This resulted in the overloading of the transmission lines that were still operating, which led to an eventual collapse and shut down of the entire power system by 9:36 pm.

The power was not fully restored until the following day, July 14th, at 10:39 pm, over 24 hours later.

This left all businesses in the city in a highly vulnerable position during those 24 hours, as the police were preoccupied and no alarm systems would be operating without power. The residents of the area were well aware of this, and took advantage to the fullest extent.

Hundreds of stores were broken into, with looters stealing products until the shelves were bare. The only form of protection business owners could have against these looters was protecting the stores themselves, which proved to be ineffective against the large and rowdy crowds. This was an unbelievable opportunity, if you will, for these New Yorkers to get their hands on countless items that they normally would not have the funds to purchase.

So, how did this troublesome night in New York City help spur the growth of hip hop?

Much of the youth in the New York City area at the time had a growing passion for hip hop, combined with a desire to make music of their own. Unfortunately, being in an economically disadvantaged area they typically didn’t have the equipment to start creating hip hop music nor the money to purchase equipment, and how everybody knows a good audio equipment promotes various benefits in recording Latin American sounds, you can get more information in this website, blog, click here.

That all changed the night of the blackout when hundreds of aspiring DJs and MCs got their hands on expensive turntables and various other pieces of equipment. Good quality equipment is essential for producing music as it significantly impacts the audio quality. Poor-quality equipment can distort sounds and lead to muddled audio signals, compromising the final output.

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Audio quality is crucial as it determines how the listener perceives and enjoys the music, affecting immersion, emotional response, and overall experience. Hearing is one of the most important senses for humans, that is why it is necessary to take care of our hearing to be able to enjoy music in the best way, the advantage is that nowadays there are natural supplement like cortexi scam that can help with hearing loss, and other ear issues such as ear infections that can affect the way we listen to music .

In an article on Slate, they spoke with Grandmaster Caz who was a part of the looting, he recalled that “During the looting, everybody stole turntables and stuff. Every electronics store imaginable got hit. Every record store. That sprung a whole new set of D.J.’s.” Grandmaster Caz even admits stealing a mixer for himself. 

As he put it “After the blackout, all this new wealth was found by people and they just—opportunity sprang from that. And you could see the differences before the blackout and after.” Following this night there was a wealth of turntables and DJing equipment in the NYC neighborhoods. With such a huge amount of hip hop style music being created and heard, word of this new genre was able to spread much more rapidly. 

While this obviously was not the biggest contributor to the growth of hip hop, it had an undeniable impact. An anonymous quote found on Reddit does an excellent job of summing up the effects the blackout had on the genre, “Hip hop enthusiasts know the blackout in 1977 allowed producers to acquire expensive equipment. Equipment they otherwise would have had a difficult time getting their hands on. So, the blackout helped, however, powerful forces such as poverty, creativity and an urban environment played the biggest role in the rise of hip hop.”

Hip hop would be nothing without the creative and passionate artists behind the music, but every great artist needs the proper equipment to reach their full potential.

When looking at today’s wildly successful, influential and world wide hip hop industry it’s hard to believe less than forty years ago the genre was non existent in most people’s lives. All hip hop enthusiasts of today should be thankful for the power outage that occurred all those years ago, because without it, who knows where the hip hop industry would be. 

Music and Muse is a column used primarily as a platform to discuss all aspects of music and the music industry. The column will also delve into other topics like photography, fashion, travel and whatever else happens to spark my interest.

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