Bassist Luke Stewart is an insanely prolific DC musician. It’s hard to keep up with his prodigious catalog. I’m spinning this one from a few years ago for a third time today…it just keeps pulling me back. Which reminds me: need to check into his 2025 output. lukestewart.bandcamp.com/album/luke-s...

Happy 20th bday to one of the best records of ALL TIME! 20?!

Last nights “we should watch one of the Oscar nominated films” inclination worked out REALLY well. Bugonia! Holy freaking cow! Justice for Jessie Plemons tho! giphy.com/gifs/topherm...

As free as the day is long! This isn’t one of Sam Rivers’ more heralded titles…but look at that cover, that typeface! Joined only by Cecil McBee (bass) and Norman Connors (drums), Sam spends some time first on tenor sax, then flute, then piano and finally soprano sax. Show off!!!

Since I can’t find official record of the Public Enemy show I saw there in Winter 91, I’ll instead go with the time my cousin and I saw George The Animal Steele, Brutus Beefcake, Ricky Steamboat, Bam Bam Bigelow, King Kong Bundy and pre embarrassment HH. prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/WWF_Hou...

The thing about London is you can walk in off the street and two minutes later, be standing in front of this

No *you’re* taking a joyful jazz fusion rock odyssey with Sting’s 1986 live release…

My fave piece of written sports content has gone away…for now. Help Handsome Rich bring it back!!

Getting caught up on The Power Fantasy @kierongillen.bsky.social. Just in time for its break/finale(?) next month. This shit is bonkers (complementary) good sir! #latepass

Also I didn’t have to extend my ears very far to confirm the greatness of the newest and justifiably hyped Clipse, Earl Sweatshirt and billy woods records.

Every now & then I remind myself to get my ears OUT there and FIND some exciting NEW hip hop. In this case the discovery of Dublin’s producer The Expert did more than the trick. This one’s from 2023 but he also put out a great lp last yr. Stik Figa is from the hip hop hotbed of Topeka, KS.

One of the GOATs writes about another who has very sadly passed…

Newish reader here but don’t let that undermine the fact that Everything Dead & Dying plumbs a level of sadness and emotionality matched by few comics. Amazing work @tatebrombal.bsky.social @thatjacobphillips.bsky.social .

My pal and comics spirit guide @kevinalvir.bsky.social with the full page promo in the latest and penultimate issue of Beneath The Trees — which 🤯! YAY!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have just finished my first X-Men book.

Lamenting having to pack away your Vince Guaraldi record for another 11 months? This piano bass drums release from last year will do just the trick. 💿 Easy like Sun am: okonski.bandcamp.com/album/entran...

Sometimes sequels do not disappoint. The continuation of what has to be one of my very favorite I Have No Idea What They Are Singjng albums and perhaps my overall MPB crown jewel.

The phases of true Grateful Dead fandom are: I like a handful of these songs > ok I like a lot of these songs *but only the ones that Jerry sings* > ok ok I actually like all of these Bobby songs now too > ok ok ok I even like the cowboy Bobby songs now too #rip #thatsitfortheotherone

Honestly this guidance is so good it’s transferable to any industry.

What are your favorite albums, songs, films, comics, and books of 2026? Who’s working on their Best Of 2026 lists?

It's Jan 2nd - time to start Get Back Day by Day for 2026. Rewatch each day in (sort of) real time. #getbackdaybyday

Fell asleep in middle of the Stranger Things finale. Missed how they dealt with all of the monsters, woke up in time to see how they dealt with the characters. Might or might not go back to see what was missed…feels like an apt review in/of itself? Music budget for this one must’ve been infinite!

Gimme more Vish + Levon in 2026 pls

Anthology but for the real ones…YES!!!

IT’S DENIZ SEASON!!! Every year a masterclass in data-viz…

What a thrill to meet and chat with THE @lordretail.bsky.social and relieve his AMAZING shop (Acme Comics in Greensboro, NC) of these copies of two of 2025’s best. And many thanks for the @ashcanpress.com bonus!!!

Inspired by @reiddossinger.com / @tunemine.com ‘s yearly mix, here’s a playlist containing one song from each new cd/lp/7 I bought released in 2025: music.apple.com/us/playlist/...

🤔

May be testing this theory! 🎅🏄❄️☀️

It’s still very much Xmas! The overlords at @bluenoterecords.bsky.social saw fit to include this lesser known 1969 Duke session as part of their Classic Series…a wise move as this is certainly up there with yr Guaraldi, Burrell, Ella, etc!

I don’t really know why Ella put a unicorn on the cover to this absolutely goated *Is* Exactly Xmas Music classic.

One daughter gave me Absolute Superman…the other daughter gave me the Tone Poet pressing of Wayne Shorter’s Schizophrenia. 👍🎄🎅But check the name of the first song on side 2! 😮 Merry Xmas you beautiful fiends!

Much respect to the nightmare fuel-y alternate cover of this acknowledged *Is* Exactly Xmas Music classic. 🔫🎅

*Is* Exactly Xmas Music, duh Part 2

Dusting off an old Xmas playlist and a little jarring to hear the FULL ALBUM versions of both Last Christmas and Wonderful Christmastime, two songs that tbf essentially make their full respective cases in under a minute.

My favorite* Beatles album*? That’s easy; it’s Sea Of Green. (*not actually my favorite) (*not actually a Beatles album)

Tis the season!

*Is* Exactly Xmas Music, duh

No *you’re* breathlessly anticipating @bloody-disgusting.com’s Best Horror of 2025 cornucopia!

Fairport Convention’s 2nd album (and first with the magical Sandy Denny) “What We Did On Our Holidays” fits the Not Exactly Christmas Music But Certainly Adjacent descriptor. It’s not a UK pink Island but still sounds mighty fine. Xmas card mailing soundtrack!

Dear Santa… 🎷🪈🎹🥁

Gather round kiddies for a round of I Vant To Bite Your Finger!

I largely tune out the end of year listmania because its so overwhelming and my tastes are sadly pretty stubborn and sorta immune from suggestion. But I do make an exception for RSTB!

I was just 8 when John Winston Ono Lennon was senselessly murdered. Wish I could say I understood exactly its impact, what it all meant then etc but all I actually remember is really really loving this song. youtu.be/YtW9k85sYwE?...

One of my fave genres is Not Exactly Christmas Music But Certainly Adjacent. The sisters’ album from 1978 (their last as a duo and Shirley’s last before a loooong hiatus) features an actual Xmas number in German Tune. Don’t see many OG Topic Records in the bins here, btw! Proper winter tunes!

Very unusual opportunity to crack open the seal of this 1970 UK jazz classic. (Excerpts from the weighty tome Galactic Ramble)

The widest possible delta exists between the energy expended to create Blueshammer style rock music and my enjoyment of Blueshammer style rock music.

It’s dangerous to go alone…take this:

I can’t tell you why it took me two years(?) to finally PLAY this record but WOWEE is it doing it for me. Like the Cocteau Twins were a UK folk band. Yeah this is gonna be glued to my turntable this winter.