PRICE:
$25.50
IN STOCK
ARTIST
TITLE
Jon Tabakin
FORMAT
LP+CD

LABEL
CATALOG #
TR 363LP TR 363LP
GENRE
RELEASE DATE
6/30/2017

LP version. Includes CD. 180 gram vinyl. Edition of 500. Tapete present the first reissue of Jon Tabakin's self-titled album, originally released in 1975. After spending his teen years in local bands, Tabakin had a motorcycle accident at the age of 19. This experience turned his attention inward, focusing on musical composition and poetry, rather than performing. After graduating, he wanted to sell the songs he had written during that time, which would become his sole record. He bought a Teac 4-track and laid down keys, guitar, and vocals himself, in his apartment. The rhythm section was added on later in the studio, with Tabakin overdubbing the bass. The record was pressed up under the banner of Larrow Records and sold a few copies locally, but ultimately went nowhere. Disheartened by the lack of interest, Tabakin switched his focus from pop writing to more classically-influenced piano improvisations. Tapes of these recordings ended up with RCA, who thought he was ready to "break-out" -- but his reluctance to tour as an improvisational pianist nixed the deal. After this second opportunity petered out, he all but turned his back on music and went on to graduate studies, eventually becoming a psychoanalyst. Tabakin's self-titled effort is one of the best kept secrets of pop music. Now a highly-coveted collector's album, the songs sit together and mesh so perfectly, despite each track having its own distinct personality. It's an ode to pop music, all-encompassing and intensely personal at the same time. Some internet comments about Jon Tabakin: "I can't tell you how happy I am to own this LP. It's fantastic lo-fi, very authentic Todd Rundgren inspired pop. His voice isn't perfect, but that's fine, his passion is infectious. This is not a record filled with radio ready pop songs but it's a grower; it has a slow burn. It's a perfect expression of one guy's musical enthusiasm." "Incredible and super obscuro homemade 70s outsider folk rock singer songwriter. Hard to classify, especially because the instrumentation varies from song to song. There's a strong Brian Wilson west coast 60s sunshine pop recluse undercurrent throughout, with the strange addition of prominent 70s progressive keyboard/organ moves on several tracks. This guy obviously spent many hours orchestrating this material, and there's plenty here to keep things interesting for repeated listens."