Sam Cooke - "Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964" (2003)

This collection of music is so appropriately named Portrait of a Legend in that Sam Cooke completely deserves that title. Not only is he one of the most influential Soul singers, he's one of the founders and pioneers of the genre. And like so many other legends, his life was brief, surviving only to the age of 33 after being shot in a Los Angeles hotel in 1964. But his heavenly voice lives well beyond that day and pure emotion remains wrapped in every note he sang . -- Chris Baginski

1. "Touch the Hem of His Garment"
2. "Lovable"
3. "You Send Me"
4. "Only Sixteen"
5. "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons"
6. "Just for You"
7. "Win Your Love (For Me)"
8. "Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha"
9. "I'll Come Running Back to You"
10. "You Were Made for Me"
11. "Sad Mood"
12. "Cupid"
13. "Wonderful World"
14. "Chain Gang"
15. "Summertime"
16. "Little Red Rooster"
17. "Bring It on Home to Me" *
18. "Nothing Can Change This Love"
19. "Sugar Dumpling"
20. "(Ain't That) Good News"
21. "Meet Me at Mary's Place"
22. "Twistin' the Night Away"
23. "Shake"
24. "Tennessee Waltz"
25. "Another Saturday Night"
26. "Good Times"
27. "Having a Party"
28. "That's Where It's At"
29. "A Change Is Gonna Come"
30. "Jesus Gave Me Water"

Belle & Sebastian - "Dear Castastrophe Waitress" (2003)

Scottish Indie Poppers Belle & Sebastian took their name from a children's book which was later turned into a 1980's Nickelodeon cartoon and when you hear their music, you'll see the Saturday morning connection. There's an innocence to Dear Catastrophe Waitress that's pretty bubblegum and the seven members of Belle & Sebastian have no problem embracing that. The music has an airy quality to it that's delicate and breezy and comes from the band in soft effortless breathes. Makes for a nice audio addition to your coffee and paper on a weekend morning. -- Chris Baginski

1. "Step into My Office, Baby" (4:12)
2. "Dear Catastrophe Waitress" (2:22)
3. "If She Wants Me" (5:05)
4. "Piazza, New York Catcher" (3:03)
5. "Asleep on a Sunbeam" (3:22)
6. "I'm a Cuckoo" (5:26)
7. "You Don't Send Me" (3:08)
8. "Wrapped Up in Books" (3:34)
9. "Lord Anthony" (4:14)
10. "If You Find Yourself Caught in Love" (4:15)
11. "Roy Walker" (2:57)
12. "Stay Loose" (6:41)

Charlie Hunter Quintet - "Right Now Move" (2003)

Here's a summertime jazz album I'd like to thank Rob Adamski for turning me on to. Its breezy and boppy flavors perfectly garnish your patio party and the mediterranean salad you'll be serving. Following a summer tour in 2002, eight-string guitar master Charlie Hunter took his touring band into the studio to lay down the tracks they perfected in the previous months. The quintet was in such top form it only took one evening, and in most cases one take, to record the whole album. With a break in there for dinner of course. -- Chris Baginski

1. "Mestre Tata" (4:36)
2. "Oakland" (6:10)
3. "Changui" (3:46)
4. "Try" (7:12)
5. "Whoop-Ass" (4:23)
6. "Interlude 1" (0:55)
7. "Wade in the Water" (5:02)
8. "20th Century" (5:46)
9. "Interlude 5" (0:53)
10. "Winky" (6:02)
11. "Freak Fest" (4:40)
12. "Mali" (6:58)
13. "Le Bateau Lvre" (5:50)

Charlie Hunter Tour Dates