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Bring Back The Real Don Steele (2009)
Bring Back The Real Don Steele, Mr. Smolin's 3rd official release, is a Los Angeles song-cycle recorded live and unrehearsed at the funky egalitarian art gallery Echo Curio on Sunset Blvd in the city's Echo Park neighborhood. On hand to contribute to the vibe are veteran L.A. musicians Probyn Gregory (of Brian Wilson's band) on guitar, Paul Lacques (of I See Hawks in L.A. and Double Naught Spy Car) raging away on lap-steel, Vince Meghrouni (of The Atomic Sherpas) blowing sax, flute, and harmonica, wunderkind bass monster Miles Mosley, drummer Brandon Jay (of Quazar & the Bamboozled and the TV series "Weeds"), as well Mr. Smolin's angelic choir of Harvey Canter, Patria Jacobs, and Chris Rael. Harking back to the days when boss jock The Real Don Steele ruled the AM airwaves on 93 KHJ but also very much steeped in the present and future of the city, the 13 songs on Bring Back The Real Don Steele attempt to capture the essence of Los Angeles, its sights, sounds, and smells, that permeating admixture of monoxide, tar, and taco sauce. Best heard while looking out the window of a moving car. Featuring recent Smolin favorites "Boss Radio," "Rainy Franklin Day," "Veronica Lake," "Scarecrow Jesus," "Welcome To Nowheresville" and a host of other Southland-themed ditties. Once again, Gary Baseman provides the album art. Bring Back The Real Don Steele is a digital-only release currently available for purchase online via download at CDBaby.com, the iTunes Music Store, and at Amazon.com Weeds: Music From The Series Vol. 3 (2008)
»>Buy Weeds: Music From The Series Volume 3 Mr. Smolin's song "The Earth Keeps Turning On" appears on the Weeds Season 3 Soundtrack Album, a compilation of the finest music from Season 3 of the popular Showtime television series The Crumbling Empire Of White People (2007)
An earth-answer to the outerspace journey of At Apogee, Mr. Smolin's second official release is Shmo's take on love and loss, politics, religion, and other burdens of our age. Dizzy with a world in retrograde, the only superpower teetering under the weight of its own excess, Mr. Smolin has applied his insightful mind and melodic grace toward concocting this latest batch of apocalyptic pop songs, a brain-tonic laced with luscious production and whopping awesome fun, the perfect soundtrack for those seeking illumination, mindfulness, wit, heart, and a real good time. Features the oft-requested "Mata Hari," "Face The World," "Tilting," "Knock This Gulag Down" and a bunch more Shmotunes as well. Once again produced by Stew. Album art by Gary Baseman. The Crumbling Empire Of White People is currently available for purchase online on CD or via download at CDBbaby.com, amazon.com or, for downloads only, at the iTunes Music Store At Apogee (2004)
Mr. Smolin's debut album. A lush, non-linear song-cycle produced by Stew and featuring a bevy of hitmen from L.A.'s indie-pop mafia. With its Kierkegaardian vibe and lonesome echoes, At Apogee is a story of distance giving way to proximity, of a disembodied hero succumbing to the gravity of Love. Highlights include Smolin favorites "The Earth Keeps Turning On," "Angels," "Casper," "The Rodeo" and many more. Village Voice music critic Richard Gehr has dubbed Smolin's style on At Apogee "psychedelic cabaret music." At Apogee is currently avaiable for purchase online on CD or via download CDBaby.com and at amazon.com or, for downloads only, at the iTunes Music Store |