Watching Aerial FX

When you put together remarkable musicians who can write compelling songs filled with potent riffs, spell binding solos, and captivating vocals you get an outstanding album. Let this majestic composition of stalwart metal fill you with the glory and eternal power of heavy music.

In 1990, when most of the original members of Yes were working under the name Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe for legal reasons, Jon Anderson recorded a batch of demos for what would have been the second ABWH album. When the band reunited with Chris Squire under their original moniker, the ABWH project was abandoned, and the songs fell between the cracks. This collection preserves those demos as a part of Yes history. The arrangements are fairly bare-bones, mostly electronic, but one can imagine the elaborate sonic garments of the Yes men being draped over the skeletons of these songs without too much effort.

The King's Singers are one of the best vocal ensembles - in every incarnation they've had. The tone changes with new members, but each regrouping presents itself and the music with integrity and intelligence. This compilation is one of their best. My personal bias is that this kind of music is their forte.

Braxton Cook’s new album, Who Are You When No One is Watching?, showcases his depth as an artist. Already named to OkayPlayer’s “23 Albums OkayPlayer Can’t Wait to Hear in 2023” and BET’s “Most Anticipated Albums of 2023,” the album features elegant, saxophone-driven instrumental tracks like “Indie” and smooth, progressive R&B songs like “90s” feat. Masego. Listeners will realize themes of love and relationships throughout the album, juxtaposed with songs inspired by the journey of an independent artist and the everyday violence and struggles Black men and women face in America. This body of work is a strong statement reflective of Braxton’s life experience and inspirations.

Watching The World Upon The Wall represents the silver debut of Pink Floyd’s June 16th, 1981 performance of The Wall at Earl’s Court in London, which was both the next to last of the tour as well as Roger Waters’ penultimate with the band (until the Live 8 reunion some 24 years later).