I remember Kick Out the Jams from high school, but by the time I left for college in 1970, it was Live Dead got me through the first semester, that and a slab of Afghani hash. Saw Zach Nugent play lastThursday night with Sunshine Garcia Becker and Cheryl Rucker vocals, plus a friend of his on various bass. Zach stuck with his 1958 Martin D-28 the whole time, played some great solo breaks, pretty much what one might expect from their tenure with JGB. Standout for me was Catfish John and Run for the Roses, Simple Twist of Fate had particular resonance. His parents were in the audience, he's more or less quasi local, has played in the area a bunch. A small jazz jam scheduled this evening. Last Five: Frisell Nashville, Coig Five, Return of Grievous Angel Tribute Various, Zappa YCDTOSA, vol. 4, Metheny Moondial.

For whatever reason I found them "meh" after hearing the album Kick Out The Jams once or twice

I see they were explosive for 1968. That is obvious.

Maybe if I listened again I might reconsider the "meh" thing

Only Gong I know is "YOU"

great stuff, that

Simonrob - I think my post was a bit misleading. It was the music press - specifically the N.M.E. and even more specifically Mick Farren - hastily followed by Nick Kent and Charles Shaar Murray - who wrote off the big rock bands of the early 70's. I personally saw it very differently. I was 14-15 in 1972 when I first started going to gigs, and for me , seeing David Bowie, Black Sabbath and Hawkwind in particular was mind blowing. Life changingly so. But I was coming to it as someone very young who had no idea what had gone on before. The rock critics I mentioned, despite taking it upon themselves to represent the "the kids" were actually from a slightly older generation.

Manchester was a hot bed for punk - and as I liked The Stooges I gravitated towards it like a moth to a flame. The Electric Circus in some godforsaken area of the city was where it was all kicking off. Very different from seeing prog rock at The Free Trade Hall - home of the Halle Orchestra. I bought quite a few singles as well, charming little ditties with titles like "I'm Sick Of You" and "I'm A Fascist Dictator". A hoot at first - but quite a few punks seemed to adopt that world view for real. They all started looking the same, and were getting more and more antsy as they read in newspapers like The Sun that they were supposed to spit at bands and beat up hippies. As I looked like a member of Gong by 1977, I though it might be best if I moved on.

I remember as a 6th grader seeing a write up about it in Time magazine with a photo of Johnny Rotten thinking "wha'..."

GBH
Crass
The Exploited

Not sure if those count as mid 70s
Prolly not

Exploited created a ditty that sums up my current world view very nicely

Early 80s but never outdated

Leon Michels is the driving force behind El Michels Affair and a lot of other new soul where he appears as a player or behind the scenes as a producer. Some of the later El Michels Affair albums have a more international music flair. If Leon Michels is involved in something I usually consider it worth at least checking out. If you dig that modern stuff with the authentic retro feel then definitely check out Big Crown Records, Daptone Records and Colemine Records, they all have a bunch of modern soul in their catalogues.

Haven't found a lot of new jazz, but a couple of acts that tend towards that direction are Dave Guy, his new album Ruby is some cool stuff, and The Olympians self-titled album is cool as well, sort of jazz with some soul roots. The Olympians album is really great from start to finish.

Father time remains undefeated.

What were you expecting?

....shits rigged I tell ya!