Boz Scaggs

"Silk Degrees"
(Columbia)

Somewhere in the sweaty chest hair of the nadir of the ’70s, there was a most moist and sleazy sound where pop, disco and jazz met. My friend Savoir Faire used to call it "Jacuzzi Jazz." I believe the kids today refer to it as "Yacht Rock." This movement provided a soundtrack for men and women who got together in hot tubs to drink wine coolers, inhale cocaine and have orgies.



Boz Scaggs hit his artistic peak — at which point, it must be noted, he still sucked — around 1976’s Silk Degrees, a flaccid mixture of Philly disco and Southern roadhouse rock. A former member of the Steve Miller Band who’s presumably trying to sound like Otis Redding via Eddie Hinton, one can assume that this is a comedy record and not necessarily be wrong. It could’ve
been worse — his name could’ve been Scoz Baggs.

c. 2007 LEO Weekly

!!!

Myth Takes
(Warp)

opening - cinematic - Massive Attack meets Morricone.

"All My Heroes Are Weirdos" -
very largely indebted to '80's Clash and Gang of Four, ESG and
Blondie; they try to fix the Clash (capturing the best elements of the
beating-on-trash-can rhythms, the thickly plucked peak funk and
post-punk guitars and bass; stylized and stylish if too
fashion-conscious vocals which betray deeply middle-class Western
roots) while not repeating the mistakes (i..e., sides of "Sandanista")

"Must Be the Moon" –
phone call and response, implied cowbell.
sense of urgency - tightened, if not focused.

"A New Name" and "Heart of Hearts" –
Miami sweaty disco diva.



"Sweet Life" - Meters in Nigeria chicken scratch riffs 'n' grooves,
lots of letters (musical notes?)
post-Beck falsetto.

"Yadnus" -
implied industrial sounds / subway car.
T. Rex crashes car into John Barry James Bond theme.

"Bend Over Beethoven" –
Is this a different song? For realz?

"Break in Case of Anything" –
Breakin' 3: Electric Dub Vegas.

"Infinifold" -
end credits. Grab yr jacket and toss your popcorn bag.

C. 2007 LEO Weekly