matthew reed baker 🤘😇🤘
@matthewreedbaker.bsky.social
Writer, editor, Boston Magazine contributor, arts'n'music maven, photography amateur, Liverpool FC fan, mediocre pianist, husband, dad...but not in that order
Pinned
Today I received preview copies of my new book, "1970s Jazz Fusion"! It's a joyous overview of brilliant artists who made some of the most creative, cosmic & funky music, written for both big fans & the curious, out 5/1/2025. I can't wait for everyone to read it!
www.bloomsbury.com/us/1970s-jaz...
www.bloomsbury.com/us/1970s-jaz...
Now spinning at my house, a dark horse favorite album:
Savage (1987) by Eurythmics: 12 eclectic songs, delivered encased in ice-cold new wave synthpop, with Annie Lennox's voice at its most versatile...neither a big hit nor critically acclaimed, Savage is still a neglected masterwork that I love...
Savage (1987) by Eurythmics: 12 eclectic songs, delivered encased in ice-cold new wave synthpop, with Annie Lennox's voice at its most versatile...neither a big hit nor critically acclaimed, Savage is still a neglected masterwork that I love...
November 25, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Now spinning at my house, a dark horse favorite album:
Savage (1987) by Eurythmics: 12 eclectic songs, delivered encased in ice-cold new wave synthpop, with Annie Lennox's voice at its most versatile...neither a big hit nor critically acclaimed, Savage is still a neglected masterwork that I love...
Savage (1987) by Eurythmics: 12 eclectic songs, delivered encased in ice-cold new wave synthpop, with Annie Lennox's voice at its most versatile...neither a big hit nor critically acclaimed, Savage is still a neglected masterwork that I love...
Now spinning at my house, as my daughter & I are seeing her in concert tonight!
Bella Donna (1981) and Wild At Heart (1983) by Stevie Nicks, my daughter's musical hero, so much so that she has chosen to learn Fleetwood Mac's "Silver Springs" in her school vocal class...these solo LPs are also tops!
Bella Donna (1981) and Wild At Heart (1983) by Stevie Nicks, my daughter's musical hero, so much so that she has chosen to learn Fleetwood Mac's "Silver Springs" in her school vocal class...these solo LPs are also tops!
November 24, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Now spinning at my house, as my daughter & I are seeing her in concert tonight!
Bella Donna (1981) and Wild At Heart (1983) by Stevie Nicks, my daughter's musical hero, so much so that she has chosen to learn Fleetwood Mac's "Silver Springs" in her school vocal class...these solo LPs are also tops!
Bella Donna (1981) and Wild At Heart (1983) by Stevie Nicks, my daughter's musical hero, so much so that she has chosen to learn Fleetwood Mac's "Silver Springs" in her school vocal class...these solo LPs are also tops!
saturday night, hanover street
north end, boston, massachusetts
743pm sat 22 nov 2025
north end, boston, massachusetts
743pm sat 22 nov 2025
November 23, 2025 at 3:04 AM
saturday night, hanover street
north end, boston, massachusetts
743pm sat 22 nov 2025
north end, boston, massachusetts
743pm sat 22 nov 2025
Now spinning at my house, for Gary "Mani" Mounfield, who has passed away at 63:
Turns Into Stone (1992) by The Stone Roses, full of non-album singles such as 10 massive minutes of "Fools Gold" anchored by Mani's mountainous bass grooves that he would later bring to Primal Scream...he was a master 🙏
Turns Into Stone (1992) by The Stone Roses, full of non-album singles such as 10 massive minutes of "Fools Gold" anchored by Mani's mountainous bass grooves that he would later bring to Primal Scream...he was a master 🙏
November 20, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Now spinning at my house, for Gary "Mani" Mounfield, who has passed away at 63:
Turns Into Stone (1992) by The Stone Roses, full of non-album singles such as 10 massive minutes of "Fools Gold" anchored by Mani's mountainous bass grooves that he would later bring to Primal Scream...he was a master 🙏
Turns Into Stone (1992) by The Stone Roses, full of non-album singles such as 10 massive minutes of "Fools Gold" anchored by Mani's mountainous bass grooves that he would later bring to Primal Scream...he was a master 🙏
Now spinning at my house, an album as brilliant as sun shining down NYC avenues:
Eli And The Thirteenth Confession (1968) by Laura Nyro, wherein the pioneering singer-songwriter flows through Motown soul, Brill Building songcraft, jazz vibes, piano balladry...a warm joyous display of endless talent
Eli And The Thirteenth Confession (1968) by Laura Nyro, wherein the pioneering singer-songwriter flows through Motown soul, Brill Building songcraft, jazz vibes, piano balladry...a warm joyous display of endless talent
November 19, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Now spinning at my house, an album as brilliant as sun shining down NYC avenues:
Eli And The Thirteenth Confession (1968) by Laura Nyro, wherein the pioneering singer-songwriter flows through Motown soul, Brill Building songcraft, jazz vibes, piano balladry...a warm joyous display of endless talent
Eli And The Thirteenth Confession (1968) by Laura Nyro, wherein the pioneering singer-songwriter flows through Motown soul, Brill Building songcraft, jazz vibes, piano balladry...a warm joyous display of endless talent
porcupine // grass
knox county, maine
351pm sat 15 nov 2025
knox county, maine
351pm sat 15 nov 2025
November 15, 2025 at 9:59 PM
porcupine // grass
knox county, maine
351pm sat 15 nov 2025
knox county, maine
351pm sat 15 nov 2025
Now spinning at my house, as IT'S FRIDAY:
El Mocambo 1977 by The Rolling Stones...finally released in 2022, this 4-LP set has the full 5 March 1977 gig (plus 3 extra from the night before) from their legendary shows at this 300-person Toronto club...raucous and raunchy, vibrant and vigorous, YEAH!
El Mocambo 1977 by The Rolling Stones...finally released in 2022, this 4-LP set has the full 5 March 1977 gig (plus 3 extra from the night before) from their legendary shows at this 300-person Toronto club...raucous and raunchy, vibrant and vigorous, YEAH!
November 14, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Now spinning at my house, as IT'S FRIDAY:
El Mocambo 1977 by The Rolling Stones...finally released in 2022, this 4-LP set has the full 5 March 1977 gig (plus 3 extra from the night before) from their legendary shows at this 300-person Toronto club...raucous and raunchy, vibrant and vigorous, YEAH!
El Mocambo 1977 by The Rolling Stones...finally released in 2022, this 4-LP set has the full 5 March 1977 gig (plus 3 extra from the night before) from their legendary shows at this 300-person Toronto club...raucous and raunchy, vibrant and vigorous, YEAH!
Pigeon parliament morning.
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
732am Thurs 13 Nov 2025
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
732am Thurs 13 Nov 2025
November 14, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Pigeon parliament morning.
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
732am Thurs 13 Nov 2025
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
732am Thurs 13 Nov 2025
Now spinning at my house, as it reminds me of my mom, a retired Spanish professor:
Misa Criolla (1965), composed by Argentina's Ariel Ramirez, sung by Los Frontizeros...Mom raised me on this gorgeous music, wherein a Catholic Mass is set to Andean folk music...it's so beautiful and feels like home
Misa Criolla (1965), composed by Argentina's Ariel Ramirez, sung by Los Frontizeros...Mom raised me on this gorgeous music, wherein a Catholic Mass is set to Andean folk music...it's so beautiful and feels like home
November 14, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Now spinning at my house, as it reminds me of my mom, a retired Spanish professor:
Misa Criolla (1965), composed by Argentina's Ariel Ramirez, sung by Los Frontizeros...Mom raised me on this gorgeous music, wherein a Catholic Mass is set to Andean folk music...it's so beautiful and feels like home
Misa Criolla (1965), composed by Argentina's Ariel Ramirez, sung by Los Frontizeros...Mom raised me on this gorgeous music, wherein a Catholic Mass is set to Andean folk music...it's so beautiful and feels like home
So I had a 40-minute drive this morning, and I had an urge to put on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It's not my favorite Beatles record, but I was in the mood for it...and wow, to be able to spend uninterrupted time in the car taking in all the sounds and songs...it felt like a gift.
November 13, 2025 at 2:06 PM
So I had a 40-minute drive this morning, and I had an urge to put on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It's not my favorite Beatles record, but I was in the mood for it...and wow, to be able to spend uninterrupted time in the car taking in all the sounds and songs...it felt like a gift.
Now spinning at my house, the latest LP by a master of electronic music:
Public Works And Utilities (2025) by @warringtonruncorn.com ... another brilliant statement from Gordon Chapman-Fox, who melds the contemporary and retrofuturistic to create haunting soundscapes that evoke vast cityscapes
Public Works And Utilities (2025) by @warringtonruncorn.com ... another brilliant statement from Gordon Chapman-Fox, who melds the contemporary and retrofuturistic to create haunting soundscapes that evoke vast cityscapes
November 12, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Now spinning at my house, the latest LP by a master of electronic music:
Public Works And Utilities (2025) by @warringtonruncorn.com ... another brilliant statement from Gordon Chapman-Fox, who melds the contemporary and retrofuturistic to create haunting soundscapes that evoke vast cityscapes
Public Works And Utilities (2025) by @warringtonruncorn.com ... another brilliant statement from Gordon Chapman-Fox, who melds the contemporary and retrofuturistic to create haunting soundscapes that evoke vast cityscapes
Pet cemetery.
Methuen, Massachusetts.
315pm Fri 7 Nov 2025
Methuen, Massachusetts.
315pm Fri 7 Nov 2025
November 12, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Pet cemetery.
Methuen, Massachusetts.
315pm Fri 7 Nov 2025
Methuen, Massachusetts.
315pm Fri 7 Nov 2025
Now spinning, some of the warmest tunes inside my house, on a chilly day where snowflakes blow in the wind outside:
Greatest Hits (1974) and Greatest Hits Volume II (1977) by Al Green...both of these collections are masterclasses in rapturous soul...every home should have these to save on heat 🔥
Greatest Hits (1974) and Greatest Hits Volume II (1977) by Al Green...both of these collections are masterclasses in rapturous soul...every home should have these to save on heat 🔥
November 11, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Now spinning, some of the warmest tunes inside my house, on a chilly day where snowflakes blow in the wind outside:
Greatest Hits (1974) and Greatest Hits Volume II (1977) by Al Green...both of these collections are masterclasses in rapturous soul...every home should have these to save on heat 🔥
Greatest Hits (1974) and Greatest Hits Volume II (1977) by Al Green...both of these collections are masterclasses in rapturous soul...every home should have these to save on heat 🔥
Now spinning at my house, musical lightning on a stormy Monday:
Live In Tokyo (1972) by Weather Report...a double-LP that documents an early version of this jazz fusion supergroup (Zawinul, Shorter, Vitouš, Romão, Gravatt) so adventurously abstract, ferociously fiery, and massively mysterious
⚡️🎵⚡️
Live In Tokyo (1972) by Weather Report...a double-LP that documents an early version of this jazz fusion supergroup (Zawinul, Shorter, Vitouš, Romão, Gravatt) so adventurously abstract, ferociously fiery, and massively mysterious
⚡️🎵⚡️
November 10, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Now spinning at my house, musical lightning on a stormy Monday:
Live In Tokyo (1972) by Weather Report...a double-LP that documents an early version of this jazz fusion supergroup (Zawinul, Shorter, Vitouš, Romão, Gravatt) so adventurously abstract, ferociously fiery, and massively mysterious
⚡️🎵⚡️
Live In Tokyo (1972) by Weather Report...a double-LP that documents an early version of this jazz fusion supergroup (Zawinul, Shorter, Vitouš, Romão, Gravatt) so adventurously abstract, ferociously fiery, and massively mysterious
⚡️🎵⚡️
Behold, a kickass supergroup of random rockstar Funko Pops!
Mainestream Collectibles, Auburn, Maine.
1027am Sat 8 Nov 2025
Mainestream Collectibles, Auburn, Maine.
1027am Sat 8 Nov 2025
November 8, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Behold, a kickass supergroup of random rockstar Funko Pops!
Mainestream Collectibles, Auburn, Maine.
1027am Sat 8 Nov 2025
Mainestream Collectibles, Auburn, Maine.
1027am Sat 8 Nov 2025
Now spinning at my house, as it's Monday and it's chilly and it's windy and it's getting dark out too damn early:
C'est Chic (1978) by Chic, an irresistible 2nd LP by these disco funkateers, with the most bootyshaking rhythms & the most sleek sonics...as night comes early, make it sound awesome
C'est Chic (1978) by Chic, an irresistible 2nd LP by these disco funkateers, with the most bootyshaking rhythms & the most sleek sonics...as night comes early, make it sound awesome
November 3, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Now spinning at my house, as it's Monday and it's chilly and it's windy and it's getting dark out too damn early:
C'est Chic (1978) by Chic, an irresistible 2nd LP by these disco funkateers, with the most bootyshaking rhythms & the most sleek sonics...as night comes early, make it sound awesome
C'est Chic (1978) by Chic, an irresistible 2nd LP by these disco funkateers, with the most bootyshaking rhythms & the most sleek sonics...as night comes early, make it sound awesome
Now spinning at my house, because I'm seeing this jazz maestro *LIVE* tonight in Boston!
Speak Like A Child (1968), Mwandishi (1971), and Man-Child (1975), all by Herbie Hancock...Go ahead, grab any three records by this musical titan, and you'll be wowed by his lyricism, innovation & mighty funk!
Speak Like A Child (1968), Mwandishi (1971), and Man-Child (1975), all by Herbie Hancock...Go ahead, grab any three records by this musical titan, and you'll be wowed by his lyricism, innovation & mighty funk!
October 29, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Now spinning at my house, because I'm seeing this jazz maestro *LIVE* tonight in Boston!
Speak Like A Child (1968), Mwandishi (1971), and Man-Child (1975), all by Herbie Hancock...Go ahead, grab any three records by this musical titan, and you'll be wowed by his lyricism, innovation & mighty funk!
Speak Like A Child (1968), Mwandishi (1971), and Man-Child (1975), all by Herbie Hancock...Go ahead, grab any three records by this musical titan, and you'll be wowed by his lyricism, innovation & mighty funk!
Now streaming at my house, for a jazz giant who died yesterday at age 83:
Pictures (1977) by Jack DeJohnette, who drummed with all the greats like Charles Lloyd, Miles Davis, etc & had a sterling solo career...this is just him on drums/piano/organ, with John Abercrombie (gtr), inventive & beautiful
Pictures (1977) by Jack DeJohnette, who drummed with all the greats like Charles Lloyd, Miles Davis, etc & had a sterling solo career...this is just him on drums/piano/organ, with John Abercrombie (gtr), inventive & beautiful
October 27, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Now streaming at my house, for a jazz giant who died yesterday at age 83:
Pictures (1977) by Jack DeJohnette, who drummed with all the greats like Charles Lloyd, Miles Davis, etc & had a sterling solo career...this is just him on drums/piano/organ, with John Abercrombie (gtr), inventive & beautiful
Pictures (1977) by Jack DeJohnette, who drummed with all the greats like Charles Lloyd, Miles Davis, etc & had a sterling solo career...this is just him on drums/piano/organ, with John Abercrombie (gtr), inventive & beautiful
Today's drive: Maine to Boston.
Soundtracks: Innervisions (1973) by Stevie Wonder; What's Going On (1971) by Marvin Gaye; Quiet Fire (1971) by Roberta Flack; The Payback (1974) by James Brown.
Result: Four early 1970s soul masterpieces for me and my son on a glorious autumn Sunday
(photo by my son)
Soundtracks: Innervisions (1973) by Stevie Wonder; What's Going On (1971) by Marvin Gaye; Quiet Fire (1971) by Roberta Flack; The Payback (1974) by James Brown.
Result: Four early 1970s soul masterpieces for me and my son on a glorious autumn Sunday
(photo by my son)
October 26, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Today's drive: Maine to Boston.
Soundtracks: Innervisions (1973) by Stevie Wonder; What's Going On (1971) by Marvin Gaye; Quiet Fire (1971) by Roberta Flack; The Payback (1974) by James Brown.
Result: Four early 1970s soul masterpieces for me and my son on a glorious autumn Sunday
(photo by my son)
Soundtracks: Innervisions (1973) by Stevie Wonder; What's Going On (1971) by Marvin Gaye; Quiet Fire (1971) by Roberta Flack; The Payback (1974) by James Brown.
Result: Four early 1970s soul masterpieces for me and my son on a glorious autumn Sunday
(photo by my son)
Tonight's drive: Boston to Maine.
Soundtracks: Head To The Sky (1973) by Earth Wind & Fire; Rumours (1977) by Fleetwood Mac; Station To Station (1976) by David Bowie; Avalon (1982) by Roxy Music.
Result: Four late-night classics as my daughter and I headed from the city lights to the darkened lanes
Soundtracks: Head To The Sky (1973) by Earth Wind & Fire; Rumours (1977) by Fleetwood Mac; Station To Station (1976) by David Bowie; Avalon (1982) by Roxy Music.
Result: Four late-night classics as my daughter and I headed from the city lights to the darkened lanes
October 25, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Tonight's drive: Boston to Maine.
Soundtracks: Head To The Sky (1973) by Earth Wind & Fire; Rumours (1977) by Fleetwood Mac; Station To Station (1976) by David Bowie; Avalon (1982) by Roxy Music.
Result: Four late-night classics as my daughter and I headed from the city lights to the darkened lanes
Soundtracks: Head To The Sky (1973) by Earth Wind & Fire; Rumours (1977) by Fleetwood Mac; Station To Station (1976) by David Bowie; Avalon (1982) by Roxy Music.
Result: Four late-night classics as my daughter and I headed from the city lights to the darkened lanes
Now spinning at my house, because thank god it's Friday:
Once Upon A Time (1977) by Donna Summer, her concept double-LP that retells the Cinderella story...packed with joyous disco, lush ballads, symphonic funk & the chilly synthpop of "Working The Midnight Shift," it adds up to a pop masterpiece
Once Upon A Time (1977) by Donna Summer, her concept double-LP that retells the Cinderella story...packed with joyous disco, lush ballads, symphonic funk & the chilly synthpop of "Working The Midnight Shift," it adds up to a pop masterpiece
October 24, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Now spinning at my house, because thank god it's Friday:
Once Upon A Time (1977) by Donna Summer, her concept double-LP that retells the Cinderella story...packed with joyous disco, lush ballads, symphonic funk & the chilly synthpop of "Working The Midnight Shift," it adds up to a pop masterpiece
Once Upon A Time (1977) by Donna Summer, her concept double-LP that retells the Cinderella story...packed with joyous disco, lush ballads, symphonic funk & the chilly synthpop of "Working The Midnight Shift," it adds up to a pop masterpiece
Portrait of a cat at play with fake bird.
Somerville, Massachusetts.
957am Fri 24 Oct 2025
Somerville, Massachusetts.
957am Fri 24 Oct 2025
October 24, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Portrait of a cat at play with fake bird.
Somerville, Massachusetts.
957am Fri 24 Oct 2025
Somerville, Massachusetts.
957am Fri 24 Oct 2025
Now spinning at my house, proof that the lesser albums by a musical treasure are still gold:
Encontros e Despedidas (1985) by Milton Nascimento, whose songs & majestic voice have nourished me my whole life...this one has dated 1980s overproduction, but the glory of Milton's artistry shines through
Encontros e Despedidas (1985) by Milton Nascimento, whose songs & majestic voice have nourished me my whole life...this one has dated 1980s overproduction, but the glory of Milton's artistry shines through
October 23, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Now spinning at my house, proof that the lesser albums by a musical treasure are still gold:
Encontros e Despedidas (1985) by Milton Nascimento, whose songs & majestic voice have nourished me my whole life...this one has dated 1980s overproduction, but the glory of Milton's artistry shines through
Encontros e Despedidas (1985) by Milton Nascimento, whose songs & majestic voice have nourished me my whole life...this one has dated 1980s overproduction, but the glory of Milton's artistry shines through
Now spinning at my house, one of the best rainy-day albums of the 1980s, as it is indeed rainy today:
Café Bleu (1984) by The Style Council, the debut LP by Paul Weller's next band after The Jam...it glides on jazz, soul, retro Europop...I wish I were in a Parisian café rather than my home office
Café Bleu (1984) by The Style Council, the debut LP by Paul Weller's next band after The Jam...it glides on jazz, soul, retro Europop...I wish I were in a Parisian café rather than my home office
October 22, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Now spinning at my house, one of the best rainy-day albums of the 1980s, as it is indeed rainy today:
Café Bleu (1984) by The Style Council, the debut LP by Paul Weller's next band after The Jam...it glides on jazz, soul, retro Europop...I wish I were in a Parisian café rather than my home office
Café Bleu (1984) by The Style Council, the debut LP by Paul Weller's next band after The Jam...it glides on jazz, soul, retro Europop...I wish I were in a Parisian café rather than my home office
My new Boston Globe Magazine cover feature just came out today! It's in honor of the 100th birthday of the Wang Theatre, one of the most historic & opulent theaters in the United States. The @bostonglobe.com made it look beautiful, & you can read it online here:
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/15/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/15/m...
October 19, 2025 at 4:47 PM
My new Boston Globe Magazine cover feature just came out today! It's in honor of the 100th birthday of the Wang Theatre, one of the most historic & opulent theaters in the United States. The @bostonglobe.com made it look beautiful, & you can read it online here:
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/15/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/15/m...