more straight forward than his previous projects. But there is still plenty of room for experimentation. Gross paints splashes of twee, psych and folk throughout his lush pop landscape. Songs: Ohia - Didn’t It Rain ALT-COUNTRY/FOLK - 2002 Sure, Molina’s originally from Ohio. But the singersongwriter behind Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co (the groups are one and the same, generally and confusingly) was the cornerstone of Bloomington’s Secretly Canadian, and spent quite a bit of time living in Indianapolis — it was, in fact, his home when he passed away last year at the age of 39. Didn’t It Rain is as potent, desperate and howling as Molina gets — not quite as bleak as 2000’s Ghost Tropic, but dark all the same. The additions of Jim Krewson and Jennie Benford (Jim & Jennie & The Pinetops) add close harmonies as Molina breaks and rebuilds songs again and again.
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The Sound Defects - The Iron Horse ELECTRONIC/HIP-HOP/PSYCH - 2008 A stunning set of atmospheric instrumental hip-hop beats with a strong psychedelic slant. There’s a cinematic quality to The Iron Horse that recalls groovy late ‘60s soundtrack work by composers like Ennio Morricone and John Barry. An exceptionally listenable and soulful LP. Turner Bros. - Act 1 FUNK/SOUL 1974 The Turner Bros. recorded a couple R&B sides for Atlantic Records in the 1960s, but returned to Central Indiana to independently record and release this 1974 masterpiece. A legendary LP full of stunning soul music that stands up well against the best acts of the era. Twilight Sentinels - Meanwhile HIP-HOP - 2007
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Uncle Funkenstein - Together Again JAZZ - 1983 Saxophonist Russell Webster’s ambitious 1983 double album is a sprawling tribute to the glory days of the Indianapolis jazz scene. Uncle Funkenstein features an all-star cast of local players including Clifford Ratliff, Claude Sifferlen, Alonzo "Pookie" Johnson, Melvin Rhyne, Larry Ridley and James Spaulding. Uncle Funkenstein is probably most known for its outrageous price tag. A copy sold at auction for nearly $4,000, making it the most valuable Indiana LP ever. But musically the album is sought after for the two-part, 29-minute soul-jazz jam "Uncle Funkenstein.”
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Various artists - Dig That Rock & Roll From Indiana ROCKABILLY/ RECORDED 1950S - RELEASED 1980 A fantastic collection of early Indiana rock, from the frantic rockabilly of Ronnie Haig to the doo-wop vocals of the Five Stars.
Various artists - Indianapolis Jump BLUES - 1977 Comprised of field recordings made in Indianapolis by noted ethnomusicologist Art Rosenbaum in the 1960s, Indianapolis Jump collects work by seldom heard Indy blues players like Shirley Griffith, Pete Franklin and J.T. Adams. Various artists - Red Snerts COMPILATION - 1981 Famed compilation of Indiana new wave and punk. Vulgar Boatmen – You and Your Sister ROCK - 1989
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We Are Hex - Gloom Bloom GOTH/NEW WAVE/DARK ROCK - 2009 Wes Montgomery - Fingerpickin' JAZZ - 1958 Guitar wizard Wes Montgomery's debut solo release captures the sound of Indiana Ave. at its peak. Recorded in Indy with a cast of local legends like "Pookie" Johnson and a 17-year-old Freddie Hubbard. The Wooden Glass - Recorded Live JAZZ/FUNK - 1972 Vibraphonist Billy Wooten is probably best known for his tenure with Blue Note jazz guitarist Grant Green. But for his fans, this collection of funky, blunted-out jazz instrumentals stands as his best work. A remarkable cover of the Dramatics' "In the Rain" is the highlight here. The track has been extensively sampled by Madlib, driving up demand for original copies which routinely fetch over a $1,000. Recorded live at The 19th Whole, a now defunct Indy nightclub.
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Yank Rachell - Yank Rachell BLUES - 1973 Tennessee-born mandolin blues master Yank Rachell moved to Indy in the late 50s. Rachell began his recording career in 1929, but this collection dates from a 1973 session in Indy. You really can’t go wrong with any of Yank’s releases, but this tile catches the blues legend in fine form. The Zero Boys - Vicious Circle PUNK -1982 Zerfas - 700 West PSYCH ROCK - 1973
Mo Whittemore's 700 West record label released many records in the 1970s that are highly prized today, but none more than this 1973 release by the Zerfas brothers, Dave (drums) and Brian (keyboards). Recorded on an 8-track machine, the band used every technique they could to create what is a kind of Sgt. Pepper of their very own. Ambitious, well written and played, this is simply a great record by any measure. Reissues on vinyl exist but the LP has yet to see a CD reissue. — Stan Denski
A NOTE TO THE DISGRUNTLED There are way more than 100 excellent albums with origins in Indiana, so we’ve opened a forum for you on NUVO. net where you can submit your favorite. Find it at nuvo.net, along with a playlist of several of these artists. Just itchin’ to dash off some quick hate mail? That can go to music@nuvo.net. (But be creative, please, because we might decide to run a list of 100 best hate mail submissions in the near future.) NUVO // 100% RECYCLED PAPER // 04.09.14 - 04.16.14 // COVER STORY 15