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The Rotation, #28

stack of lp records close up

The primary way I build my digital music collection is by maintaining a playlist called, “The Rotation.” On this list, I load albums of artists I’m interested in hearing; mostly new-to-me artists or albums. Because I need some organizational principle to conduct this survey, I go by the alphabetical listing of the artist. I typically move from earlier records to later records, although there are exceptions. If I’m excited to hear a new album by a favorite artist I’ll add it in an apparent random placement to hear it sooner than later. From this list I’ll select tracks to add to my collection. It’s rare that I DNF a record, and uncommon for me to not select a single track from it. I’ve been doing this for a while and am currently on my 9th trip around the alphabet. Below are the albums heard in a given session and what thoughts, if any, I have about them. These are mostly first impressions, so don’t expect in-depth analysis.

Asterisks (*) after the album title indicate that it is a new-to-me record.

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: MAKE IT HAPPEN (1967)*

It’s Smokey, y’all.

A big part of this process is finding deep cuts to add. We all know Smokey’s music, but there’s so much of it that all the songs we know are only a small portion of them.

Collected Tracks

  • I’m on the Outside (Looking In)
  • Don’t Think It’s Me
  • My Love Is Your Love (Forever)
  • More Love
  • Tears of a Clown

Solomon Burke: IF YOU NEED ME (1963)*

Solomon Burke is one of a class of legacy artists that the average American white person is simply unaware of, but whom the black population has held in high regard for all time. I would never have thought of him except that in my love of all things Otis Redding I hear him name-check his “cousin Solomon Burke.” I had to dive in after that.

Collected Tracks

  • If You Need Me
  • Stupidity
  • I Said I Was Sorry
  • It’s All Right

Spandau Ballet: DIAMOND (1982)*

…And now for something completely different. This is one of those groups I think of as being a one hit wonder, “True.” But I’m curious enough to see what else is our there. This impetus had had mixed results with the most successful being Simple Minds.

Collected Tracks

  • Instinction

The Specials: THE SPECIALS (1979)*

I don’t love Ska, but there are a few fun ones by The Specials, and I’m curious enough to stick with them.

Collected Tracks

  • A Message to You Rudy
  • Nite Klub
  • Skinhead Symphony…

The Spinners: NEW AND IMPROVED (1974)*

I love The Spinners, but generally this is just a blah record. I did take their duet with Dionne Warwick, though.

Collected Tracks

  • Then Came You

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