#NowSpinning: Melvern Taylor

#NowSpinning is a regular feature in which we ask local musicians what’s up next on their playlist! Stay tuned to meet more local artists and find more songs for your library. 

If you know the Lowell music scene, then Melvern Taylor needs no introduction. For those who who don’t, Taylor’s catchy but sophisticated pop songs with a surf flavor should be on your next playlist. You’ll also want to check out his work with Pinto Loco, an L.A. supergroup. Lowell Area, that is. You can read a profile of Taylor in Merrimack Valley Magazine here.

If you want to see Pinto Loco live, head to Jamaica Plain on Oct. 27 when they storm the Midway Cafe. Or, follow them on Facebook to get gig updates and learn more.

Taylor sent us five records he’s currently digging, in no particular order.

Frank Sinatra: At the Sands (live)

1966. Count Basie Orchestra. Quincy Jones arrangements. Sinatra and the band are on FIRE. I think the place held a crowd of like 345 people. What???? Great stage banter. It’s unlikely that anyone who was there ever witnessed anything as good again in their lifetime. One of the best live albums ever.

The Panturas: Mabuk Laut

Indonesian surf/garage/indie? I heard about them through one of the surf rock groups I belong to on Facebook (dork alert). This album is spectacular. A couple of songs are in English but most of it is Indonesian (I presume). Turns out that totally doesn’t matter. People who whine that there is no good new music just don’t bother to look. This album makes me super happy. They’ve got a new one coming out soon. And they are KIDS. So we have so much future stuff to look forward to. YAY!

Peter Frampton: Somethin’s Happening

One day during lock down I heard “Frampton Comes Alive” and realized I had never listened to any of his pre- “Comes Alive” albums. I assumed there must have been a reason the record label decided a live album was in order. JIMINY CRICKETS. The pre-_”Comes Alive” records are FANTASTIC. My favorite of these is “Somethin’s Happening.” Great songs. Great sound. And, of course, FRAMPTON. “Sail Away” is awesome.

Summer Salt: So Polite

I randomly discovered Summer Salt on Spotify. They are super good. Super chill. Great songs. I love the sound of their records. I picked this one because it’s the one I’m digging right now, but ALL their stuff is great. I think they are from Seattle maybe. Check them out.

The Figgs: Shady Grove

Again, all The Figgs stuff is awesome. This is just the one I’m digging the most right now. I’ve played gigs with The Figgs (I think) and I kinda know Mike, the guitarist, but I had never really dug into their records. During lockdown I checked them out and became totally obsessed. They are one of the best bands there is. ALL OF THEIR RECORDS ARE GREAT. You can just pick any Figgs album at random and put them on and be bombarded with rock and roll awesomeness.