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04/19/2026

Graham Central Station - Ain't No 'Bout-A-Doubt It (1975).

Ain't No 'Bout-A-Doubt It is the 3rd studio album by funk band Graham Central Station (GCS). This album is considered by many to be the band's best and most complete work. Everything GCS had worked up to at this point, came together with this record. It brings forth the raw funk energy of the debut and the gospel textures of the sophomore album (Release Yourself), only this time more refined. GCS functions as a tighter unit this time around, with the band being fully locked into the groove and with each other. Ain't No 'Bout-A-Doubt It also adds in a rock and blues edge that's heard on several songs. By this time, Larry Graham had perfected his slap bass technique, which in turn, had changed the sound of funk music as a whole.

04/16/2026

Graham Central Station (GCS) - Self-titled (1974).

Graham Central Station is the self-titled debut album of the band of the same name; started by bassist Larry Graham after his departure from Sly and The Family Stone. GCS was initially a band called Hot Chocolate (not the British pop band), put together for vocalist Patryce "Choc'Let " Banks, that Larry Graham was producing. Larry then joined Hot Chocolate and rechristened them Graham Central Station; a play on the Grand Central Terminal ("Grand Cental Station") in New York City. The album was recorded live in the studio which gives it the raw energy and organic feel. While the album does take some influence from Sly and The Family Stone, GCS chose to focus on funk and groove, while also adding in a gospel element to their sound. The album includes one of GCS's most popular songs, the third track called "Hair."

04/14/2026

Sly Stone - High on You (1975).

High on You is the debut solo album from singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sly Stone. It was his first album to be released after the disbandment of Sly and The Family Stone. Despite the break-up, a few members of The Family Stone chose to stay with Sly and contribute to this album. Most of the instruments were performed by Sly himself, a method he had started with There's a Riot Goin' On! (1971). Unlike The Family Stone albums, High on You contains a stripped-down sound, focusing mainly on deep funk and groove. High on You was a moderate success upon release, but didn't reach the commercial heights of Sly and The Family Stone. However, High on You is well respected by diehard fans and funk enthusiasts.

04/13/2026

Graham Central Station (GCS) - Mirror (1976).

Mirror is the 4th studio album by funk band Graham Central Station. Mirror continues the fun and energetic funk of prior albums, but also brings in a heavy gospel influence. Many consider Mirror to be GCS's most religious album. This is due to the overt Jehovah's Witness teachings in the lyrics. Bandleader Larry Graham had become a Jehovah's Witness around 1974. He started to slightly implement Witness teachings on the previous record Ain't No Bout-A-Doubt It (1975). According to vocalist Patryce "Choc'Let" Banks, this is what led to the demise of the original GCS band after this album.

04/07/2026

Aurra - A Little Love (1982).

A Little Love is the 3rd studio album by R&B/funk band Aurra. The album contains one of Aurra's biggest hits, "Make Up Your Mind", which charted at No. 6 on Billboard. Another single, "Checking You Out", also charted on the Billboard as well. A Little Love is a transitional record in Aurra's discography. Still keeping the traditional funk sounds of the first 2 records, A Little Love is where synths and drum machines started to become more prominent. It marked a turning point in not only Aurra's sound, but the beginning of a shift that would define 1980's funk.

*Sidenote: The version pictured is the 2019 remaster that includes 5 bonus tracks.

04/02/2026

Slave - Stone Jam (1980).

Stone Jam is the 5th studio album by funk band Slave. The album would the band's highest charting with their self-titled debut in 1977. Stone Jam includes one of Slave's biggest hits, "Watching You", which entered the Billboard Hot 100. Over 40 years later, "Watching You" is still a staple on radio and has been interpolated by Snoop Dogg twice (Gin & Juice, Let's Get Blown). Stone Jam balances Slave's hardcore funk style of earlier records, with melodic smooth R&B and Soul. The album has often been described as sophisticated funk. Stone Jam has been praised by many fans and critics, as one of the best funk albums of all time. At the time of it's release, Stevie Wonder called it the best album he'd ever heard.

03/21/2026

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Texas Flood (1983).

Texas Flood is the debut studio album by blues rock band Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. The album was recorded within 3 days at Jackson Browne's studio in Los Angeles. The album was a huge success upon it's release and brought a renewed interest in the blues. With the success of Texas Flood, the blues saw an increase in sales during the 1980's. The album also helped to introduce a younger generation of music fans to the blues, which would have a profound influence on the modern blues era that would spark.

03/13/2026

AC/DC - Flick of the Switch (1983).

Flick of the Switch is the 9th studio album by hard rock band AC/DC. It was the band's 3rd album with lead vocalist Brian Johnson and the last with drummer Phil Rudd, until his return on Ballbreaker (1995). Flick of the Switch was produced by the band themselves, and was a return to the raw stripped-down sound of their earlier records. Upon it's release, Flick of the Switch was a commercial disappointment and marked a decline in the band's popularity. However, most fans praise Flick for being a return to AC/DC's raw sound and consider it a underappreciated classic.

03/08/2026

Ace Frehley - Trouble Walkin' (1989).

Trouble Walkin' is the fourth studio album by former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley. Trouble Walkin' featured a stripped down and grittier sound, as opposed to the more polished direction of the two Frehley's Comet records. The album is very guitar-driven and arguably has some of Ace's heaviest moments on a record. It also featured contributions from Peter Criss, who performed backing vocals on several songs and provided percussion. Members of Skid Row can be heard providing backing vocals on the song "Back to School." The only single "Do Ya", is a cover by English rock band The Move. The song "Hide Your Heart" was written by Paul Stanley and Desmond Child. The song first appeared on Bonnie Tyler's album of the same name, then later on Kiss' Hot in the Shade, released fours days after Trouble Walkin'. Many fans cite Trouble Walkin' as one of Ace's best solo albums, and it is often compared to his 78 Kiss solo record.

*Sidenote: The version pictured is the reissue released in 1998.

02/24/2026

Gary Moore - After Hours (1992).

After Hours is the 9th studio album by Irish guitarist Gary Moore. In the 1990's, Gary Moore decided to move away from the hard rock/heavy metal style of his 80's output, and made a return to his roots in the blues. This first began with his 8th studio album, Still Got the Blues released in 1990. Still Got the Blues showed Gary's amazing ability to play the electric blues, filtered through his hard rock/heavy metal style. After Hours shows Gary further embracing the blues. He uses more restraint on the guitar, as opposed to the hard rock attack of the previous album. After Hours also leans into soul music, best represented in the tracks "Separate Ways" and "Jumpin' At Shadows." After Hours peaked at No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart, making it Moore's highest charting album in the UK.

*Sidenote: Blues icons B.B. King and Albert Collins contribute to the album, appearing on the songs "Since I Met You Baby" and "The Blues Is Alright", respectively.

02/22/2026

Hall Aflame - Guaranteed Forever (1991).

Guaranteed Forever is the debut studio album by hard rock/heavy metal band Hall Aflame. The band was started by guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, after he took a break from Metal Church due to tour burnout and to work behind the scenes as a producer. Unlike Metal Church, Hall Aflame takes a more hard rock approach, althought there are moments where they crossover into heavy metal. If you're a fan of the late 80's-to-early-90's hard rock/heavy metal bands right before grunge exploded, then this album comes highly recommended. Guaranteed Forever was released on I.R.S. Records, a label best known for alternative rock and new wave acts. After this album, Hall Aflame would disband and Kurdt Vanderhoof would later reassemble Metal Church, who had disbanded in 1994. More than 30 years later, Hall Aflame would reunite and release their sophomore album Amplifire in 2024.

02/18/2026

Sheila E - S*x Cymbal (1991).

S*x Cymbal is the 4th studio album by musician/recording artist Sheila E. The album title is a play on the words "s*x symbol" and is a reference to Sheila being a drummer. It was her first album without any creative input from Prince, as Sheila and her brother Peter Michael, produced the album themselves along with David Gamson. The album takes a lot of influence from house and dance music, blended with R&B, pop and funk. The album produced three singles, "S*x Cymbal", "Droppin' Like Flies"(top 40 dance hit), and "Cry Baby."

*xCymbal

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