Tomorrow
Psych-rock underground phenom Tomorrow was born in London at the height of the Brit pop era, with Steve Howe, Keith West, John "Junior" Wood, and John "Twink" Alder at its helm. Guitarist Howe would go on on to join rock-giant ensemble YES. Tomorrow released only one treasure project durings its late '60s run, and it's a joyride. Discover "White Bicycle," from their 1968 release Tomorrow.
Buy: Lala.com
Genre: Rock
Artist: Tomorrow
Song: White Bicycle
Album: Tomorrow
Josh Pyke
Sydney singer/songwriter and engineer/producer Josh Pyke was born December 18, 1977. Josh started his first band at 12 and went on to make his bones in various local groups. By 2005, Pyke began his recording career with the self-produced Feeding the Wolves. Four projects and four ARIA Awards later, he's become an Aussie fan favorite. Collaborations include Wayne Connolly, Matt Lovell, and Chris Joannou. Pyke brims with harmonic whimsy. Download "Where Two Oceans Meet," from his 2008 Chimney's Afire.
Buy: iTunes
Genre: Rock
Artist: Josh Pyke
Song: Where Two Oceans Meet
Album: Chimney's Afire
Harry James & His Orchestra
Swing king Harry James was born in Georgia in 1916, the son of circus performers. As a youth, Harry played trumpet in dance bands throughout the South. In 1935, he joined Ben Pollack's orchestra, and by 1939, after two years with Benny Goodman, he founded his own orchestra, with Frank Sinatra at the mic. James became an iconic hit-maker during WWII and even married the era's glamour girl, Betty Grable, in 1943. After the war, film and television beckoned, and ultimately the band leader made his way to Vegas, where he performed for the rest of his life. James passed away in 1983. Remember him with "The Lamp Is Low," from The Complete Recordings 1939 - Harry James and His Orchestra Featuring Frank Sinatra.
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Genre: Swing
Artist: Harry James & His Orchestra
Song: The Lamp Is Low
Album: The Complete Recordings 1939 - Harry James and His Orchestra Featuring Frank Sinatra
? & The Mysterians
Garage rockers ? & The Mysterians were formed by brothers Rudy and Robert Martinez, Frank Lugo, Bobby Balderrama, and Frank Rodriguez in Bay City, Michigan, in 1962. Best known for their 1966 Vox-organ thumprint hit "96 Tears," the group has appeared on countless compilations and is still together. Their classic work has been immortalized by Iggy Pop, Aretha Franklin, Modern Lovers, Big Maybelle, and Garland Jeffries. Check out "Do Something to Me," from Cameo Parkway: The Best of ? & The Mysterians, 1966-1967.
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Genre: Rock
Artist: ? & The Mysterians
Song: Do Something to Me
Album: Cameo Parkway: The Best of ? & The Mysterians, 1966-1967
The Grasshoppers
New York retro-rock ensemble The Grasshoppers was founded in the early '90s by troubadors Marco Joachim (son of legendary actress/director Barbara Loden), Jason Appleton, and David Hamburger (bass); Chris Wilford (drums) joined in 1994. The Grasshoppers produced three full-length albums before disbanding in 1999. Currently, all are forging solo projects. Enjoy the majestic timelessness of "As Love Rolls On," from their 1993 debut The Grasshoppers (graced by Fab Faux drummer Rich Pagano).
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Genre: Rock
Artist: The Grasshoppers
Song: As Love Rolls On
Album: The Grasshoppers
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
Philadelphia soul royals Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes originated in the early '50s as the Charlemagnes. By 1954, the renamed group included Melvin, Roosevelt Brodie, Jesse Gillis Jr., Franklin Peaker, and Bernard Williams. In the '60s, the lead vocalist became John Atkins. In 1970, the Cadillacs' drummer/vocalist Teddy Pendergrass signed on and brought the band new fame, pairing his velvety baritone with Gamble & Huff hits including "If you Don't Know Me By Now." Discover the heavy heart of "It's All Because of a Woman," from their 1975 album To Be True.
Buy: Lala.com
Genre: Soul
Artist: Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
Song: It's All Because of a Woman
Album: To Be True