Groove Orbit

Groove Orbit drifts through the stranger frequencies of jazz and vinyl culture—deep cuts, defunct labels, dusty grooves, and the stories behind them. It’s a column for crate-diggers, midnight listeners, and anyone chasing the echo of something hidden beneath the layers of memory. Off the beaten track but always tuned to the groove.

A Time Capsule in Sound: Jim Pugh’s New American Symphonies

by Kyle Simpler
September 25, 2026

On the surface, Jim Pugh's New American Symphonies might seem like just another interesting new album release, but there is much more involved here. Behind the album cover lies a story of experimentation, loss, and rediscovery that adds a fascinating dimension to this well-crafted recording. To get the full picture, however, we have to go back several decades. By the late 1930s, swing bands dominated American popular music, and Tommy Dorsey had established himself as one ...

How John Coltrane Changed Rock Music: Santana

by Kyle Simpler
August 18, 2026

When the Santana band first started in the San Francisco area in the late 60s, hardly anyone outside of the Bay Area was familiar with the group. This changed after their performance at the Woodstock festival in 1969. Seemingly overnight, everyone knew about Santana, and the band, under the leadership of its namesake, Carlos Santana has since maintained a strong presence in rock music. Of course, many people familiar with Santana's work know that he has a strong affinity ...

How John Coltrane Changed Rock Music: The Grateful Dead

by Kyle Simpler
June 24, 2026

The Grateful Dead, probably more than any other rock band that emerged from the 1960s, tapped into the full scope of American musical tradition. From their earliest days, they were an eclectic rock band, blending elements of blues, r&b, country, bluegrass, and jazz. But rather than trying to replicate particular genres exactly, the band's goal was to allow their music to amalgamate these influences in a natural and unpretentious manner. The Dead's broad musical foundation, although something of ...

More Than Inventory: How Euclid Records Built a Community Through Music

by Kyle Simpler
June 3, 2026

Vinyl seems to show up everywhere these days. Department stores, clothing outlets, and even bookstores now carry small selections of records. Yet serious music fans still seek out independent record stores, and the reasons are fairly obvious. It takes much more than inventory to make a great record store. Although many factors are involved, three things stand out. An exceptional record store needs a welcoming atmosphere, a unique personality, and a genuine sense of community. The employees should ...

How John Coltrane Changed Rock Music: Eight Miles High

by Kyle Simpler
May 16, 2026

In a 1969 interview, Miles Davis said, “I could put together the greatest rock 'n' roll band you ever heard." In many ways, Davis did just that, though it remains a point of contention among many of his fans, who might argue otherwise. Davis himself later made the point that his music from the late sixties and seventies was not rock music. But whether you consider it rock or not, artists like Davis, Herbie Hancock and Larry Coryell laid the foundation for ...

You Have to See It to Believe It: The Addictive Eccentricity of Angine de Poitrine

by Kyle Simpler
April 24, 2026

Normally, whenever someone mentions something we can't unsee, they mean it in the worst possible way. In many cases, this brings to mind an unpleasant or shocking image or moment that lingers longer than we ever wanted it to. Fortunately, this is not always the case. For example, the Canadian duo Angine de Poitrine intentionally shocks audiences with their unusual appearance and sound, but this is a different kind of experience. You can't unsee, and wouldn't want to. There ...

How John Coltrane Changed Rock Music: Beyond Psychedelia

by Kyle Simpler
April 6, 2026

Something happened to me Something oh so groovy Something happened to me yesterday These lines are from The Rolling Stones' 1967 song, “Something Happened To Me Yesterday." Although not one of The Stones' most memorable hits, it does hint at some important considerations. First, and possibly foremost, this song is often interpreted as reflecting the era's fascination with LSD, and shortly after the release of this song, psychedelia quickly became part of the mainstream. Second, ...

The !!!!Beat: The Rise And Fall Of The "Hippest Show On Television"

by Kyle Simpler
February 25, 2026

During the mid-1960s, American television programming often featured syndicated music variety shows. While many of the programs featured country and western artists, performers like Porter Wagoner and The Wilburn Brothers did not completely dominate the airwaves. In fact, there were plenty of rock and roll programs like Sump'n Else, Shivaree or Upbeat, showcasing rock and pop artists who were getting airplay on radio stations. While some r&b and soul musicians made appearances, the artists featured were predominantly white.

Ralph "Bigfoot" Hamilton: The Lost Legend Behind Two Guitar Pioneers

by Kyle Simpler
December 26, 2025

Nowadays, every move we make is recorded in some way, and wherever a person goes, whatever they do or say is often captured. Of course, this has not always been the case, and in fact, many details concerning historical events frequently rely on speculation based on the evidence at hand. This is undoubtedly the case with many blues and jazz musicians during the early twentieth century, such as Charlie Christian and T-Bone Walker, two of the most influential ...

The Mystery of "The World’s Greatest Pianist"

by Kyle Simpler
June 19, 2025

Introduction In the mid-1970s, a 16-year-old kid walked into the recording studio where Roberta Flack was working on her latest album, Feel Like Makin' Love (Atlantic 1975). No one recognized him or knew why he was there, but he stormed in like a man on a mission. When they asked him who he was and what he wanted, he told them with absolute confidence that he was the greatest pianist in the world. Not surprisingly, this amused everyone in the ...