“Born in the ’90s, I grew up listening to CDs. Though I was always aware of vinyl’s existence, it wasn’t quite as accessible to me as CDs were. However, as I grew older, I began to explore life and soon expanded into the understanding of their raw and intimate sound quality.”
“Brief snapshot, I was 18 to be exact. I had just concluded my first meeting with a musical offer that allowed me to put together a 7 piece band and develop a residency that would be called “The Soul Train Revival.” Immediately after, I took a bus down to Haight Street and walked into a record store called, Rooky Ricardo’s Records to do some setlist preparation. Everything I discovered in that store was “reviving” in itself. Records from artists like Donny Hathaway, Chic, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Marvin Gaye, Prince, and many others are where I parked my imagination through the in-store record player.
In conclusion, I walked out of there with more than a setlist and a free Stevie Wonder record (Talking Book) from the store owner. Thereafter, vinyl symbolized the timeless nature of music that resonated with me in an organic way.”
Prince, For You | “This is Prince’s first album and probably my most favorite one of them all. He wrote the lyrics, produced the music, and played all the instruments on the record (except “Soft and Wet”) while 17 years young.
I’d always been a Prince fan, but no records were as influential upon me as this record—I considered him at this stage a “peer.” Prince set the bar high coming fresh out the gate in his career which is super inspiring. The title track “For You” and the last track “I’m Yours” are my favorite on the record.”
Stevie Wonder, Talking Book | “This record for me has nostalgia embedded all in it. Primarily because of my favorite track on this record, “Maybe Your Baby.” The first show I’ve ever performed in S.F. was at The Boom Boom Room when I was 18. In the midst of the night that changed my life forever, was me joining the band in singing the chorus of this song. It was stuck in my head non-stop for the next week.
When I returned a week later, I congratulated the band members for writing such catchy lyrics and melody, and immediately they pointed me in the direction of this record. EVERYTHING about this song is so raw and sexy to me! From the clavinet that sounds like the cracking of a whip, to the searing guitar solo, layered with the impassioned pitch-shifted background vocals (which was very eye-opening for me), and coated with Stevie’s gritty vocal delivery. Not to mention, “Superstition,” “You and I,” and many others. I LOVE this era of Stevie. It makes me feel like Zorro riding on love through the desert of the Wild Wild West. A lot of this is due to the timelessness of the vinyl recording.”
Led Zeppelin, II | “I’d heard about Led Zeppelin for quite a while, but it wasn’t until I was on the road with Con Brio that I was truly exposed to their power through the vastness in the voice of Robert Plant. Though the whole of the band sounds colossal, it’s Plant’s unflinching voice that pierced right through my chest instantly.
This is by far my favorite album by them, and my favorite song on this album is “Whole Lotta Love”—which is pretty expected from a cat like me. I love their experimental nature in this record as well. It’s more than an audio experience, it’s like cerebral cinema.
Marvin Gaye, What’s Goin On | This record I believe is on everyone’s top 10 list who’s at least aware of it in the US. From its gentle bravery, to its trance-induced melodies, and even the journey that he went through with Berry Gordy to be granted to the masses is a triumphant tale. Marvin Gaye was one of the many artists who I grew up listening to on CDs, so when I got the chance to experience his journey via vinyl, I felt like I’d struck gold.
I’ve listened to this record from start to finish on MANY occasions. A few of them being, alone (and another time with a former girlfriend) in the kitchen cooking, cleaning the house on a Saturday afternoon, and countless times after the death of my father. I’ve also covered songs from this record countless times up until today, which is a reflection is its timelessness. “What’s Goin On” in my opinion was a lighthouse of hope for such an influential time period in American culture and its impact I believe will continue to transcend the times.”
Fleetwood Mac, Rumors | “This is a recent gem that I’ve found unique fascination with. Though I’ve nostalgic memories of listening to “Edge of Seventeen” on repeat while biking home 10k from work at night when I was 17, it wasn’t until about 3 months ago that I rekindled the “Stevie Nicks flame.” I only really know two songs from this record, (“Go Your Own Way” and “Songbird”) but these two songs were all I needed to start my day for a month straight about 2 months ago.
I used to listen to this every morning because these two songs played back to back, so the uptempo to the downtempo made me feel really balanced. “Songbird” has a melody that is so delicate and volatile that I feel like I’m floating when listening to it. “Go Your Own Way” is like an anthem for me. Though the intent in the song may be slightly different, in my opinion, the chorus almost feels like the spirit of “Kiss the Sun” as they both possess the nature of one carving their own path. Which is a message that will resonate with me regardless of the artist or genre of music. I highly recommend anyone listen to this at the start of their day. Well, after they listen to “Kiss the Sun” of course.”
—Ziek McCarter, vocals
Con Brio’s single “Give It All” from their debut EP “Kiss The Sun” was released February 4, 2015 via Burning House Records.
