Articles by Kyle Simpler

Groove Orbit

801 Live at 50: A Short-Term Experiment with a Long-Lasting Legacy

by Kyle Simpler
October 31, 2026

By the mid-seventies, live albums were a mainstay of the record industry, and 1976 seemed a particularly active year for live recordings. Several major releases such as Peter Frampton's Frampton Comes Alive! (A&M), Paul McCartney and Wings' Wings Over America (Capitol) and Led Zeppelin's The Song Remains the Same (Swan Song) generated massive sales, not to mention equal doses of media hype. However, alongside these heavy hitters, another 1976 live album slipped under the radar, unnoticed by many listeners. The album ...

Album Review

Bobby Wiens: Live at Dazzle

Read "Live at Dazzle" reviewed by Kyle Simpler

by Kyle Simpler
October 27, 2026

A really good live jazz album captures something that even the finest studio recording often struggles to reproduce: the interaction of musicians responding to each other in real time before an audience. There is an interaction between the players and the audience that is difficult to replicate in a studio setting. With Live at Dazzle, drummer Bobby Wiens and his ensemble demonstrate that chemistry throughout the album. Denver's Dazzle is an ideal location for recording a live jazz ...

Groove Orbit

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 ...

Groove Orbit

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 ...

Album Review

Cindy Blackman Santana: Coherence

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by Kyle Simpler
July 29, 2026

Some musicians communicate their passion almost before they ever play a note, and drummer Cindy Blackman Santana is one of them. Whether performing jazz, rock, soul, or world music, she approaches each style with the conviction that music ultimately transcends categories. Coherence is possibly her clearest statement of that philosophy. Blackman Santana's broad musical perspective comes naturally. She began busking on the streets of New York during the 1980s before quickly moving onto major stages, performing with jazz ...

Album Review

Frank Swart: This Is The One! (Raison D'êTre)

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by Kyle Simpler
July 27, 2026

There is a common misconception that musical artists who release albums usually tour to promote them. While this may be true for the most part, there are exceptions. San Francisco-based bassist and composer Frank Swart is quick to point out that artists such as The Beatles were more focused on spending time in the studio creating albums than taking the show on the road. Swart's project Funkwrench Blues uses the studio to full effect, and this is evident on This Is The ...

Album Review

Zacc Harris: American Reckoning

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by Kyle Simpler
July 13, 2026

Americana originally developed from folk and country music, but in recent decades it has grown to incorporate other musical genres. For example, jazz artists such as Bill Frisell and Pat Metheny frequently incorporate elements of Americana into their work. With American Reckoning, guitarist Zacc Harris follows their lead, drawing from sources ranging from traditional folk songs and Stephen Foster compositions to Brian Wilson and Bob Dylan. Harris, a Minneapolis-based guitarist and composer, established a reputation for his expressive ...

Groove Orbit

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 ...

Album Review

Bobby Wiens: Focus

by Kyle Simpler
June 18, 2026

Even though a recording is a finished product, it still captures the feeling and intensity of the session. When players have a good working rapport, everything translates through the music. Clearly, the musicians assembled by drummer Bobby Wiens for his second album, Focus, share a strong rapport, and that chemistry is evident throughout the recording. Originally from Calgary, Wiens grew up surrounded by music. He developed an interest in drums during middle school, which ultimately led to years ...

Groove Orbit

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 ...