Wednesday, February 11, 2026
VA - SOMEWHERE BETWEEN: Mutant Pop, Electronic Minimalism & Shadow Sounds Of Japan 1980 - 1988 2LP 21
Main post to bring together all the Valentine's Day posts for 2026--a bit of a theme stretch but I know the old time DU blog followers will completely eat this one up as it is amazing per the title/genre. Artists featured: Noriko Miyamoto, Mishio Ogawa, Yoshio Ojima, Mkwaju Ensemble, R.N.A-Organism, Naoki Asai, Takami Hasegawa, Mammy, Dip In The Pool, Wha Ha Ha, D-Day, Perfect Mother, Neo Museum, and Sonoko with the final track: Wedding With God (A Nijinski). Enjoy!!!
COLE PORTER DU blog Collection: Can-Can mpst LP w Ginny Simms & Orchestra & Singers - An Hour Of Cole Porter Tunes LP w John Eaton - Indiana On Our Minds CD 89 w Mabel Mercer w Cy Walter & Stan Freeman - Sings Cole Porter LP 55 w Michel LeGrand AHO - The Columbia Album Of Cole Porter 2LP 58 w Music From CAN-CAN And Other Cole Porter Favorites LP w VA-Anything Goes (Cast Album) LP 62 w VA - The Best Of Jerome Kern/The Best Of Cole Porter LP 67 w VA - The Pajama Game (Cast Album) LP 54 w VA - The Best Of The Great American Composers Vol. 5 CD 88
Just showing the new added complete GEMS of records I am adding to past posts that were related--giving you a more complete picture of this outstanding American Composer. The first and best for songs with lyrics is the top photo and excellent for your Valentine's Day celebrations by Ginny Simms & Orchestra & Singers with such song classics: You're The Top, Easy To Love, My Heart Belongs To Daddy, I've Got You Under My Skin, I Get A Kick Out Of You (all time classic!), What Is This Thing Called Love, Just One Of Those Things, Night And Day (of course!), All Through The Night, I Love You, Love For Sale, You Do Something To Me and Don't Fence Me In. WoW, then the compositions by Michel LeGrand AHO for hifi double album from 1958 "The Columbia Album Of Cole Porter". Next week for Mardi Gras I will do similar with a Stephen Foster post so stay tunin'. Leaving other added album in place with some may have expired posts so this is back up for that.
101 STRINGS - A WORLD OF ROMANCE 2LP 61 w Bonus THE MIDNIGHT STRINGS QUARTET - UNFORGETTABLE LOVE SONGS 1 of 2 LP 72.mp3
Dr. Strangely Strange - Kip Of The Serenes CD 69 w Heavy Petting CD 70 -cc
COLLECTOR'S CHOICE: Makes a fine selection for Valentine's Day posts this week like the next one. Per Discogs: Dr. Strangely Strange is an experimental/psychedelic Irish folk group formed in Dublin in 1967, recording two albums and touring widely before splitting up in May 1971. The band has reunited a number of times for tours and one-off live performances and also recorded a third album in 1996.
Founded by Tim Booth and Ivan Pawle in Dublin in 1967, Humphrey Weightman (guitar) played with them for their first show, in October 1967. Brian Trench (keyboards, vocals) played shows through 1968 until multi-instrumentalist Tim Goulding joined. Caroline "Linus (15)" Greville (percussion/vocals) was a member 1968-69. Gary Moore often augmented the band live on various instruments 1968-69, and also played lead guitar on the second album, in 1970. Drummer Neil Hopwood joined in 1970. Goulding left in early 1971, replaced by Gay Woods and Terry Woods for a 6-week European tour, after which the group dissolved.
Tim Booth led a new lineup through 1973. All other reunion lineups have have included Tim Booth (2), Tim Goulding, Ivan Pawle, and - since 1980 - Joe Thoma, sometimes augmented by other players as well.
Dr. Z - Three Parts To My Soul (Spiritus, Manes Et Umbra) CD 71 01 -cc
Bob Watkins, the drummer and percussionist, first had drumming lessons at the age of eleven, and subsequently played all styles of music from symphonic orchestral music to the theatre pit-band and Pop. Some of the main influences on his playing have been the Big Band Jazz sound of Buddy Rich and in Pop the drumming of Bobby Colomby. Between 1967 and 1970 he was at University where he graduated with an Honours degree in Geography. It was there, whilst taking part in University musico-dramatic productions that he met the other musicians who were to form Dr. Z. in
1969. Since leaving university Bob Watkins (apart from playing with Dr. Z.) has devoted a year to developing and improving his already highly proficient drumming technique, an example of which appears in the drum-cadenza in the title track of the L. P. - "Spiritus Manes et Umbra"
The last member of Dr Z. is Bob Watson, one time mortuary attendant, computer operator and plumbers mate. Rob, has an Honours degree in Chemistry and is also a fully qualified scientific librarian. Increasingly during the past two years since joining Dr. Z. he has exchanged the quiet of the reading room for the excitement and concentration of the stage and recording studios. Rob, who can play lead and piano when required, provides the inventive and controlled bass which underpins the structural drumming and keyboard playing in the sound of Dr. Z.
https://bestfile.io/en/6iuNsXhodcZhJz3/file
THE WORLD'S GREATEST OLD-TIME RADIO SHOWS #7 - SAM SPADE
This was the closest in this series that I could get for Valentine's Day and I do apologize for the link mix up last week for Duffy's Tavern so going to repeat it here (Thanks to RK). Also someone had said they have a boatload of these but haven't heard back. If interested leave a comment maybe they will see it. By the way that Duffy's Tavern really came alive for me on second listen (first is to record and I usually listen very closely as I record seated in front of the equipment).
SAM SPADE: https://bestfile.io/en/ZS5jUBZxuhtjdCK/file
DUFFY'S TAVERN: https://bestfile.io/en/4Le9y8mNbkdlo5E/file
SANTA ESMERALDA Starring Leroy Gomez - DON'T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD LP 77
Finally got an album from this band (from Goodwill and no cover) so I can add a couple of past post comp tracks to it which will give you some context for what they achieved...good stuff for VD day!
https://bestfile.io/en/kHGksvTyqi8aGwq/file
I put their two tunes and covers for these reposts inside:
VA- Thank God It's Friday 2.5 LP 78: https://bestfile.io/en/ibaywnbC2j9liYt/file
VA - K-tel Presents DISCO FIRE 2LP: https://bestfile.io/en/3Z3bx2Vd9xyfDZJ/file
RANDY - LADY LUCK LP 74
This was a suggestion in a comment from Josef (Austria) along with what he described as a Masterpiece that I have slated to post next week during Mardi Gras celebration at the blog. I must apologize as I thought the Aspen Flyers post last week was at first FMR then Josef but was someone else so I left blank.
Here are the players on this from Discogs: Mark Hankins - guitars, vocals
George Lloyd - guitars, vocals
Wally Wallis -bass, vocals
Neil Coleman - drums, percussion
Jonathan Glempser - pedal steel guitar
STEVE & ANNIE CHAPMAN - SECOND HONEYMOON LP 82
This is cool Jesus Music selection and per the back cover (which I already brought home a couple of days ago) they were leaders in the genre. Has some really cool private press type songs that we all enjoy.
L'TRIMM - DROP THAT BOTTOM LP 89
One of a couple per below where a fave of mine, Atlantic Records tries to keep up with the NOW SOUND hip hop, etc. and let me tell you it is bad ass and a keeper in my book! Per Discogs: Lady Tigra (Rachel de Rougemont) and Bunny D. (Elana Cager) met in high school, and regularly attended Skylight Express, a teen-night dance club in Kendall that featured live performances by national hip-hop artists (including LL Cool J and Salt-N-Pepa), as well as local Miami bass music and artists such as The 2 Live Crew and the Gucci Crew II. They were featured dancers on the syndicated TV show Miami Teen Express that was taped and aired every week throughout South Florida, Atlanta, Metro New York and was produced by Douglas Productions which produced a string of local and syndicated cable programs. The girls quickly struck up a friendship when they discovered their shared love of all things hip-hop. Tigra was an amateur graffiti artist, poet and break-dancer who wrote rhymes. Bunny D was a classically trained dancer and performer who also wrote hip-hop lyrics. The duo formed a group called XTC and would battle boys during their lunch period. Female emcees were a rarity at the time and the girls soon gained the attention of local rapper Mighty Rock of the group Double Duce (2), who used to drive them home from school. One afternoon, Mighty Rock needed to stop by the Hot Productions studios. During the meeting, Tigra and Bunny went into a recording booth and began rhyming for fun. Paul Klein of Hot Productions caught the girls and employed Larry Davis to construct some hook-oriented tracks for the group, around the girls' pre-written rhymes. Tigra was 15 years old and Bunny was 17 years old when the girls signed with Hot Productions.
FRANK PELLICO - st LP 76
This is an album as a collector, I didn't know I needed as first song is a fine rendition of the Love Unlimited Orchestra's "Love Theme" then it gets into some 'Super Bad' covers like I have a request for for next week (I will post all I have some three albums or so) like Shaft! Now as I read the Discogs this morning it makes perfect sense: Real Name: Frank Joseph Pellico, born: 11 April, 1941, Chicago, IL
Played the stadium organs for both the Cubs (Wrigley) and the Blackhawks (United Center).
COLLEEN MURRAY - BEHOLD, WHAT MANNER OF LOVE LP 70
Another for the Valentine's Day posts, I encourage you to read from the back cover.
BOB STEWART - LET'S TALK ABOUT LOVE LP 56
Well I've tried countless times to find this on Discogs for background but I knew it was worded goofy off a later release but anyway a kind of cool crooner (most are throw away for me from Goodwill but I do love the over-the-top crooners like this guy!). A fine pick for VD day as my older sister used to call it. Per Discogs I did find this on the Mat Mathews (take note Richard!): Real Name: Mathieu Hubert Wijnandts Schwarts
Profile: Dutch jazz accordionist, born 18 June 1924 in The Hague, died 12 February 2009. Married actress Paulette Girard (Married July, 1951, divorced).
After playing in the Dutch group De Millers 1947-1950 and performing on BBC radio, Mathews moved to New York in 1953, recording several albums with Mat Mathews Quintet and working in studios in New York before returning to the Netherlands in 1964, where he worked for television, radio, and films. He worked with De Millers again from 1968.
CRAIG DUNCAN - COUNTRY MOUNTAIN MELODIES tape 95
This hillbilly theme of cassettes mainly have the rest few like this with single artist over compilation but I also will add the vinyl I have like I've been doing to keep the theme going. Hope to start a new theme soon of DECADES in music up to the 70's starting in the 20's. Enjoy as very good sound!
DeGARMO & KEY - COMMUNICATION LP 84
A key artist in the Jesus Music theme per Discogs: Pioneering Christian rock act founded by Memphis, Tennessee natives and lifelong friends Eddie DeGarmo, the band's keyboard/organ player and occasional lead singer and guitarist/frontman Dana Key.
The pair met at Graves Elementary School and in fifth grade formed their first band. While attending Hillcrest High School they and a friend Charles "Buddy" Abbott formed a band Globe that wrote and recorded for Hi Records. After both underwent a religious conversion while seniors, the group ejected them and they formed the eponymous Christian rock band, signing with Pat Boone's Lamb & Lion Records and releasing debut THIS TIME THRU in 1977. Drummer Greg Morrow and bassist Tommy Cathey, whose stage attire was a fedora and gangster zoot suit, rounded out the lineup.
During a 17 year span, the group was nominated for seven Grammy Awards and seventeen Gospel Music Association Dove Awards and landed their music video for "Six, Six, Six" on MTV. In 1987, they formed ForeFront Records.
After disbanding in 1994, Key went on to record several solo albums, co-found the Ardent Records (2) label, perform in Christian supergroup Mesa (10) and pastor a Cordova, Tennessee church while DeGarmo continued as a producer/label executive.
The group accepted the Vision Award at the 29th Annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards and played a handful of reunion shows after that. The band dissolved for good after the 2010 death of Key.
VA - THE MEN IN A COUNTRY GIRL'S HEART LP 66
Pulled out this Valentine's Day looking fine entry for the Country Comp theme and a step above the others I might add (but I say that almost every week). Features: Roger Miller, Don Gibson, Floyd Cramer, Johnnie And Jack, Hank Locklin, Hank Snow, Homer & Jethro, Boots Randolph, George Hamilton and Porter Wagoner. Dig in!
NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN - CONFIDENCE LP 82
Love the history on this guy--definitely worth exploring per discogs:
Real Name: Narada Michael Walden né Michael Walden Profile: Prolific American record producer, arranger, drummer, multi-instrumentalist musician, and former singer-songwriter (* 23 April 1952 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA). Currently resides in San Rafael, California.
Walden was given the name Narada by guru Sri Chinmoy in the early 1970s. His musical career spans three decades, in which he has been awarded several gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards. His career began when he replaced Billy Cobham in John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra, he continued it as a drummer in Tommy Bolin Band.
Besides his solo career, that started around 1976, he has (initially under contract from Arista Records under Clive Davis) written, produced, and arranged hits for a wide array of artists, such as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Mariah Carey, Al Jarreau, Stacy Lattisaw, Pointer Sisters, Phyllis Hyman, et al.
He also owns recording studio Tarpan Studios, and is the owner of Tarpan Records. Some of his works are published by his own Gratitude Sky Music publishing entity. He is brother in law to Wanda Walden, ex-husband to Lisa Walden, and husband of Katie Merserea.
WINTLEY PHIPPS - I CHOOSE YOU AGAIN LP 84
Starting out the Valentine's Day posts today. Per Discogs: Wintley Augustus Phipps, Sr. (born January 7, 1955) is a Trinidadian-American singer, songwriter, record producer, minister, and founder of the U.S. Dream Academy, Songs of Freedom Publishing Company, and Coral Records Recording Company. He features a booming bass-baritone voice, usually singing inspirational gospel music. He is an ordained Seventh-day Adventist minister.
Phipps was born in Trinidad and Tobago, but at an early age moved to Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He attended Mount Royal High School in Town of Mount Royal. He attended Kingsway College in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, a Seventh-day Adventist academy, and later Oakwood College, a Seventh-day Adventist college (university since 2007) in Huntsville, Alabama, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology. Phipps would go on to earn a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University, a Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Wintley Phipps served as senior pastor to several churches in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, including the Capitol Hill and Seabrook Seventh-day Adventist Churches. He currently serves as pastor of the Palm Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church in Palm Bay, Florida. Wintley is married to Linda Galloway, whom he met at Oakwood.[4] They have three sons: Wintley II, Winston Adriel, and Wade Alexander.





