Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 “Stillness” (1971)

This is not one of your parent’s radio-friendly Brasil ’66 LP’s (although we love those too). Here the group seamlessly blend folk, Brazilian pop and psychedelic rock for some surprising results. The often sampled, funky version of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” is a definite highlight along with the quiet title track, the jazzy version of Joni Mitchell’s “Chelsea Morning,” Caetano Veloso’s “Lost in Paradise” and the absolutely breath-taking arrangement of Blood, Sweat and Tears’ “Sometimes in Winter.” This often over-looked LP is a Jive Time staff favorite and one we play in the store year-round. Surprisingly scarce for a Brasill ’66 title so grab it when you see it! -David

Monday, September 28, 2009

The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band "Part One" (1966)

Who needs drugs when you have the West Coast Pop Art Psychedelic Band?! Be prepared to take a trip with one of the greatest psych debuts of all time. Although recorded way back in '66, some of the experimental tracks here remind me of recent Radiohead. –David

"The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band's first album for Reprise was the best of the group's career, in large part because it was the most song-oriented. It still has plenty weird moments, almost to the point of stylistic schizophrenia" -allmusic.com

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Magnetic Fields

Tapedeck.org is a project of neckcns.com, built to showcase the amazing beauty and (sometimes) weirdness found in the designs of the common audio tape cassette. There's an amazing range of designs, starting from the early 60's functional cassette designs, moving through the colourful playfulness of the 70's audio tapes to amazing shape variations during the 80's and 90's.

Jive Time carries cassettes! Check out our large selection of classic rock and more above our CD's, all only $1. New arrivals weekly!

Kraftwerk “Autobahn” (1974)

A hugely important record that saw Krautrock outfit Kraftwerk switch direction and ditch the sound of the time for the sound of the future. It was to prove a great move as some of the records that followed this landmark LP were stunning. But what of Autobahn? Well it is always going to be talked about for the title track which was like nothing else of its time. Taking up the whole side of an LP but totally removed from most music coming out of the Krautrock scene and relying on a simple groove and trance-like quality to keep the attention. It's still too long in my opinion and could have done with ten minutes shaving off but it is a classic for sure. This is of course the LP where the electronics start to take over and side 2 sees Hutter and Shneider really starting to experiment with mixed results. It is almost as they are learning about their new sounds and toys while in the studio. It doesn't really work that well to be honest but does lay the foundation for the likes of The Man Machine & Computer World. –Jon

Student Discounts

A warm welcome to our new neighbors at SPU and UW! As always, receive 10% off all used LP's, CD's, DVD's and more at Jive Time Records with student ID. All Washington State school ID cards apply.

New to the area? Learn more about our store here.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Back in Black!

Our black and grey logo tees are back by popular demand. We currently have all sizes, S, M, L and XL. Now you can sport our logo in it's original electric pink and orange glory on a classic white OR a more sinister grey on black.

Send us a pic of you in a Jive Time T-Shirt that we can feature on our blog, Facebook or website and we'll send you a gift certificate!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Brian Auger “A Better Land” (1971)

An overlooked gem and a long-time Jive Time favorite, “A Better Land” is the perfect blend of psychedelic rock, jazz and folk and is unlike anything else we’ve heard by Brian Auger - it’s a far cry from the progressive jazz-rock he’s usually associated with. –JT

“A Better Land is one of the more enduring pop records from the era, with its ultra-sophisticated compositioning and arrangement skills. It's as if the Oblivion Express wanted to reveal themselves as capable of anything, which, of course, they were. This is a fantastic place to start any Brian Auger collection.” -allmusic.com

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Sparks “Kimono My House” (1974)

I have to admit I hated this record the first time I heard it. Thankfully I've since come around! Weird, manic, loud and completely addictive glam rock with insanely over-the-top production: welcome to the world of Sparks! If you haven’t listened to them, start with this great LP (just give it a few listens). I guarantee it’s like nothing else you’ve heard come through your speakers! –David

Gene Clark “No Other” (1974)

Gene Clark's “No Other” deserves its near mythical status today. A sprawling, ambitious work that brings elements of country, folk, jazz, gospel, blues, and rock together to reflects the mid-’70s better than anything from that time, yet sounds hauntingly timely even now. This album’s commercial failure in 1974 remains one of life’s great mysteries. –David

Jive Time Tweets!

Follow us on Twitter and you’ll be glad you did. We’re already dreaming up sort of special offers for our followers and we’ll feature an album of the day chosen from our huge inventory of always-revolving stock, store news & updates (including the arrival of new collections!) and who knows what else?! So, go on, click here!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

The Soul Searchers “Salt of the Earth” (1974)

The Soul Searchers were a large funk outfit from Washinton DC that were held in high regard in the seventies despite their limited output. This LP is perhaps their best known as it has been plundered heavily by hip hop artists such as Eric B & Rakim, Ice Cube, LL Cool J and Public Enemy. It is this use of the material that makes many of the tracks sound extremely familiar on first listen. The uptempo funkier tracks such as "Blow Your Whistle" and "Ashley's Roachclip" highlight what a great horn section the band had and are the pick of the cuts. Things slip a little on the ballads which do sound a little dated. The exception is the strangely compelling cover of Bacharach's "Close to You." –Jon

Monday, September 21, 2009

Faces "A Nod Is As Good As A Wink" (1971)

How in the world do you pick favorite Faces record? Ask us tomorrow and it might be the equally fantastic “Long Player” or “Ooh La La.’ Regardless of which album we choose to pay these guys always put us in a great mood! “A Nod” boasts the group’s only significant hit, the superb, fiery rocker “Stay With Me” and numerous other highlights, including the strutting “Miss Judy's Farm,” a rollicking cover of Chuck Berry’s “Memphis,” and the piano-driven hard rock of “Too Bad”...every track is worth a listen, actually. This album rocks like very few other records of the early seventies proving what a great, underrated rock n’ roll outfit the Faces were. –JT

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Hall & Oates “Abandoned Luncheonette”

Some of our favorite albums were discovered in the 99¢ bin and “Abandoned Luncheonette” is one of them! Philly soul meets FM rock perfectly on this early Hall & Oates album. I know some of you are skeptical, but really, give this a listen! –JT

“Daryl Hall and John Oates’ second album remains, even after thirty-plus years, their masterpiece. Here they created a masterpiece of blue-eyed soul which captured a sense of innocence, wistfulness and nostalgia.” -allmusic.com

Get into the Groove

We could spend hours at Dusty Groove drooling over their exotic selection of rare soul, funky jazz and tropicalia and reading their short and strangely addictive decriptions without actually buying a thing. If you do buy though you can't beat their great prices!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Robert Wyatt “Rock Bottom” (1974)

I’m drawn to recordings that defy categorization and this is definitely one of them! Sometimes I love “Rock Bottom” and sometimes I’m not sure if I like it at all but I keep coming back to it regardless. There’s something mysteriously compelling here. –David

"Rock Bottom" has been deservedly acclaimed as one of the finest art rock albums. Several forces surrounding Wyatt's life helped shape its outcome. First, it was recorded after the former Soft Machine drummer and singer fell out of a five-story window and broke his spine. Many of Rock Bottom's songs are very personal and introspective love songs. In 1974, it won the French Grand Prix Charles Cros Record of the Year Award. It is also considered an essential record in any comprehensive collection of psychedelic or progressive rock." -allmusic.com

Where The Music Matters

As always 90.3 listeners receive 10% of at Jive Time Records with KEXP member card! KEXP & Jive Time; where the music matters!

Monday, September 07, 2009

Crack The Sky “Crack The Sky” (1975)

The greatest album you’ve never heard! Although “Crack The Sky” was named “Album of the Year” by Rolling Stone in 1975 they have become almost completely forgotten and unforgivably overlooked today. Glam meets progressive rock and fusion with incredible harmonies (Surf City, A Sea Epic) and infectious power pop (She’s a Dancer) that holds up incredibly well. –JT

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Jive Time Records


Thanks for visiting the Jive Time Records blog! If you live in Seattle or plan to visit The Northwest we hope you stop by and see us in person. If you're a vinyl enthusiast we promise you won't be disappointed! Click on the picture or visit www.jivetimerecords.com for additional photos and more information about our store.