As expected, we have some quiet as the labels and PR folk begin to shut down for the upcoming holidays. Still, we managed to uncover some news that leads into 2009, if a little deeply. But I'm quite glad that we were able to get as much as we have and doing it on a fairly consistent basis.

I do have a bit of an interactive request today as we move into 2009. I'm thinking of limiting reviews to music that I uncover and reissues, stuff that I think that you may be interested in. The reasoning behind this is a load of music coming in the door and my inability to cover it all. I believe that many of my readers are in the 40-70 age group, and therefore have an interest in music that relates to that group. I know I do. Even so, we run in to great new music all of the time and we'll still continue to bring those to your attention. But the bottom line is...I might be wrong. Perhaps I have a group of younger readers that appreciate a different view of music that they relate to. If so, I would like to know that. Bottom line? Write me and let me know what appeals and what doesn't. And I'll work to make MusicTAP a reflective site that you can get some use out of and enjoy. Send me your emails and let me know what you think.

We have three reviews today that include two from me (Lakeherst - Euan Aura; FEMI - Sweet Water Soul), and another great review from Mark Squirek of Alive by The Richie Furay Band.

Enjoy your weekend. Remember...there are six more shopping days until Christmas so get out there and finish up. Thanks to the music that you have sent me. Remember, we'll be on break between December 25 and January 5. We'll have two more posts before then. See you on Monday.

For the long promised Albums You MUST Hear Before You Die! list (#23), I will be posting a letter each post until exhausted (there were only 17 21 25 27 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 emails).  Some were only a few titles, some only one.  But there were more than a few that were massive and a few extended, well-detailed lists.  I’ll post them as I received them.  For today's post, we have a short list of five, provided by Jeff.

Todd Rundgren: Something/Anything

Gary Wright:  The Light of Smiles

Jude Cole:  A View From 3rd Street

Utopia:  Adventures in Utopia

Star Trek: The Motion Picture Soundtrack (Possibly Jerry Goldsmith’s best work)

We're going to keep the Best Album of ALL Time up for a long while as we continually update it. But I'll say this: The Beatles took the lead with not only The White Album but also the fact that they have been selected with two albums. Like The Albums You MUST Hear Before You Die! run, which does not show signs of stopping (I'm still getting emails, which I have no problem with and encourage - Send Them In), I'm hoping that this new thing stays strong. Send in your selection (one only, please) for the album that is the ruler of all.

If you have missed the last As The Disc Spins (updated), check it out here.

To access the previous site and catch up, click here.

Eagle Rock Entertainment has a Blu-ray disc on the calendar for The Cure called Trilogy.  The BD is planned for February 3.

Island has a Digital Download (DD) prepping for KISS Alive: The Millennium Concert (2000) for December 23.  Island Records will release B is for Bob, an album for Bob Marley & The Wailers, on February 10 in both CD and DD.

For the first of the year, Polydor Records will release a collection set for ABBA (no doubt due to the success of the film based on their songs – Mamma Mia).  The compilation will be called The Albums and is planned for both CD and DD on January 20.  More info to follow.

Hollywood Records will release a Pop title, as yet untitled, for Ballas Hough Band.  The album is slated for March 3.  Hollywood Records will also release Speed of Light by Corbin Bleu on March 10, and an as yet untitled work by Marie Digby, who is distantly scheduled for May 12 of 2009.

There are a few Jazz titles in the pipeline from several labels for the first quarter of 2009.  First off, GRP Records will release Chapter Two: Hasta Siempre from Gato Barbieri on April 14, and Treasure Island from Keith Jarrett, also on April 14. Following their lead will be issues from Verve Records, who will release a batch of albums that include Used to be Duke (Johnny Hodges); He’s Coming (Roy Ayers); Soul Finger (Art Blakey); Ella in Hollywood (Ella Fitzgerald); Stan Getz at the Shrine (Stan Getz); Swing is Here (Terry Gibbs); and Dizzy on the French Riviera (Dizzy Gillespie), all releasing on April 14.  Other Jazz issues include Blueprints of Jazz, Vol 1 (Mike Clark) from Talking House Records, and planned for February 3; At Last (Ann Hampton Callaway) from Telarc Records on the calendar for February 3; and a Ray Charles comp called Greatest Hits, planned for release by Concord Records on March 17.

Jazz knows no sleep – and why should it?  It is a nocturnal affair.  The genre continues to get music released with two editions (released on CD and as DD) of Amparo coming from Dave Grusin/Lee Ritenour, released by Decca USA on February 3; along with two sets of The Moon Came Last Night Dropping Its Clothes in the Streets by Jon Hassell, and released by ECM Records on February 10 in both CD and DD formats.

Eagle Rock Entertainment will reissue six Ted Nugent titles that include Full Bluntal Nugity; If You Can’t Lick ‘Em…Lick ‘Em; Little Miss Dangerous; Nugent; Penetrator; and Spirit of the Wild.  All titles will be released on February 3.

Mercury Nashville looks way ahead with a planned release for Holly Williams, as yet untitled.  This album is expected on May 5.

Epic Records will release the debut album, The Fray, from The Fray on February 3.  This 10-track album will be available as both a CD and 180g LP.  I’m sure DD as well.

Razor & Tie plans the release of The Greatest Hits from Simply Red in celebration of their 25th Anniversary.  Hence, the true title will be Simply Red 25: The Greatest Hits.  The compilation will contain 17 tracks including the big hits, “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” and “Holding Back the Years.”  This album is scheduled for February 3.

Majordomo Records (Shout! Factory) will release Love Hate and Then There’s You from The Von Bondies, planning the album to be in stores on February 3.

Richie Furay is a legend whose name is well recognized in many circles. His latest album, Alive, is a live document continues that legend.

This debut release is a self-released album from a band known as Lakeherst. Their effort is a good one with a glimpse at how much better they can become. Euan Aura is a good debut.