Billy Cobham & George Duke Band: Live On Tour in Europe

So in my last entry, I wrote about my "time on the town" wife my wife on Monday. I had mentioned that i had picked up some nice finds at CD Depot. The vinyl above, Billy Cobham & George Duke Band, is one of my luckiest finds yet, and for just $3.99. I through it one last night while having a few beers and was blown away. Every second after the needle drop was pure enjoyment.

First off, it's hard to believe that this album is a live analog recording from 1975. It stands the test of time really really well. The band seamlessly moves from harder funk and rock beats to jazzier fusion sections with unbelievable ease. The first tune, "Hip Pockets" is filled with clavinet and synth that just drips from the speakers. Cobham's drums are tight and push the beat forward at all times.

In buying the LP purely for knowing Cobham's name on the cover, my listening came with a shock when i heard a very distinct and personal guitar tone; John Scofield. I love it....

I listen on in the album, I am consistently surprised with what comes my way. There is certainly no linear shape to the LP. From the monologue/spoken word/ avant jazz approach with "Space Lady" or the opening synth sequence on "Frankenstein Goes to the Disco". While these aren't my favorite tracks, it certainly breaks up the monotony and builds great suspense towards the more accessible tunes.

Man, what a find!

Lindemans: Kriek

Belgium Fruit Lambic
Brouwerij Lindemans Brewery
Vlezenbeek, Belgium
ALC/VOL: 4.5%

It's the day before my 28th birthday and it's been great so far. My wife Caitlin called off from work today to spend some time with me. We slept in late, finally stirring around 10am. We headed out around 11am with a whole list of things to accomplish. We dropped off some donations at Goodwill and then headed to CD Depot, the record store I visit the most frequently. I had been there rather recently, so I had already picked over most of the collection. I still got my hands on a few nice old R&B and Jazz vinyls. (I'm sure the posts to come will include these selections.)

Feeling rather unfulfilled, we decided to head down the street to Record & Tape Traders. I used to come here a lot more. However, while their vinyl selection is far more attuned to my taste, it is a lot more expensive here. For example, i picked up my version of Little Feat Waiting for Columbus at CD Depot for $6 and Record & Tape Traders had it for $59. Big difference. I picked up a few more old rock LPs as well as a 180gm version of Diamonds on the Inside by Ben Harper (hells yeah!)

Then we headed over to JoS A Bank to get a bow tie for my upcoming chamber concert. Then a quick jump over to the Natural Brothers Cafe in Timonium. Amazing little place with great sandwiches. Then on the way back home we stopped at Beltway Fine Wine to pick up an assorted six pack. Awesome day!!!

So here's the first of those selections. I was diggin the Lambic from the last entry, so I thought I would find another. This is a Kriek Lambic, which is fermented with black cherries. and you would know that too as soon as you pour it. The taste is overpowering, almost all cherry. I'm usually a sucker for "punch you in the face" beers, but this is not my speed. Like I posted in my last entry, I find most lambics too sweet. And this falls right in line. One saving grace though; I can chug through this lambic in no time at all to get to the next beer.....

Lindemans: Faro

Belgium Lambic
Brouwerij Lindemans Brewery
Vlezenbeek, Belgium
ALC/VOL: 4%

Just a relaxing Saturday morning. I don't often get a Saturday off, so what better way to relish the moment then with a beer or two. With my buddy Mark, my roommate from college and hetro-life mate, getting engaged this year, I thought I would show a little tribute to the celebration. He's in Brussels this week, so I thought I would try my hand at a few rare Belgium brews.

Never been much of a Lambic fan. I like the idea of them, but they just always end up too sweet for my taste. The smell of this lambic from the bottle doesn't have that same sweet tinge right away. It has more of that "winey" aroma I've come to expect with the lambic taste. However, usually the aroma is intoxicatedly sweet. This is much dryer on my senses, which bodes well.

This beer goes down unbelievably smooth. The Belgians can sure make the shit out of a beer. This is one of those great beers that doesn't take an acquired taste to enjoy. Anyone can tell this beer is quality.