Digging for Something with Joi Katskee of Electric Radio Club
Overlooked, underrated, over-hated or regionally specific gems.
I’m reaching out and asking writers, band members and music curators to tip us all off to their favourite underrated albums, overlooked or unfairly obscure gems… even the downright over-hated. Hopefully it’s another fun way for you to find some new-to-you music to love.
Joining me today is Joi Katskee, a multi-hyphenate artist, writer and host of a weekly radio show called Electric Radio Club—featuring music across all genres.
Electric Radio Club airs Mondays 8pm EST and Saturdays 11am EST on ElectroMagnetic Radio and is available for streaming on Mixcloud.
For more information on Joi's art projects and newsletter, go to www.electricradioclub.com
And now, let’s get to their album recommendations:
Donna Summer - On The Radio Hits (1979, Casablanca)
Genres: Disco, Pop Soul, Electro-Disco, Hi-NRG
Joi says:
This compilation album is like having a personal DJ in your living room.
I inherited this record from my friend's mom over twenty years ago. Upon first listening, I sat in awe and thought, OMG! This is why I love 80s synth/new wave so much!
Many music fans despise disco. But this compilation I think is responsible for the synth/new wave sounds that came out of the eighties.
Yes, Donna Summer is the queen of disco but I see her more as a rock star. And her songwriters Pete Bellotte and Giorgio Moroder and their drum machine beats are true music innovators that I don't think get enough praise for inspiring the new wave of music composition.
I encourage any music fan of 80s synth to give it a spin. Best listened to on vinyl and with good company.
Dan says:
Not sure anyone could come up with much of a convincing argument against this collection of absolutely enormous tunes. What an amazing stack of songs, here.
The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Survival Sickness (2000, Burning Heart)
Genres: Garage Punk, Garage Rock, Post-Punk Revival, Art Punk
Joi says:
Being a big fan of the band Refused, I immediately followed singer Denis Lyxzen to his next music project, The (International) Noise Conspiracy.
It’s peppered with jazz influences and similar to the Refused records, it takes you on a journey. Unlike most punk albums that sound repetitive and the same three chords, this one is more upbeat with a dance twist.
Considering this record was released in the year 2000 during the rise of pop punk bands, each song is uniquely composed while remaining lyrically a punk album. The songwriting is so good and diverse that I think it deserves a bit more attention in the spotlight.
Dan says:
I remember friends who were die-hard fans of Refused being pretty disappointed with T(I)NC when they started releasing albums. I was never too much of a snob about this kind of stuff, and mostly I was aware of the band (aside from their music video) thanks to their inclusion on some of the Punk-o-Rama albums circa Vol. 6 or 7 or so.
I felt like their songs were a welcome respite from the bashed-out punk on there; “Smash It Up” for example is a nice little tune when sandwiched between Millencolin and Vision.
Generally, I think this stuff has aged remarkably well, all said.
The Best of Dope Folks Records: Rare and Unreleased Tracks from the U.S. Hip Hop Underground 1991-1999 (2023, Dope Folks Records)
Genres: Boom Bap, Hip Hop, Jazz Rap
Joi says:
Having grown up in the 90s at the height of hip hop with icons like Tupac and Biggie, it’s challenging for me to get into “newer” hip-hop. I appreciate new hip-hop artists but I just always gravitate back to the 90s hip-hop. What can I say? Sometimes the words just hypnotize me.
And then!
This record crossed my path. My friend’s friend runs the Dope Folks record label and put out this underground hip-hop record. To say that it's a true gem from start to finish is an understatement.
It sounds so "new" considering it was recorded 20 plus years ago.
Dan says:
This was totally new to me and exactly the kind of release I love. The lead-off cut from Lord Aaqil “Check It Out” sets the tone wonderfully and the rest of the album matches it.
Mr. Airplane Man - Self-Titled (1998)
Genres: Garage Rock, Blues Rock, Electric Blues, Punk Blues
Joi says:
A newly discovered gem of a record that recently crossed my path and wish I discovered sooner. Better late than never! Raised on The Rolling Stones, I naturally gravitate towards all forms of the blues.
With the bluesiest-garage-rock flair, this duo (Margaret and Tara) bring the rock n’ roll flair of the Black Keys, Led Zeppelin, Detroit Cobras mixed with Stooges energy that any blues lover cannot resist.
It raw, it’s edgy, it’s gritty electric blues at its finest.
Not enough women get credit for their take on the blues and to me this album deserves more praise.
Dan says:
Bluesy garage rock was never totally my thing, though I dabbled in it here and there. This is a perfect kind of pick for this experiment because a) it’s a debut album that was shelved and released at a later date and b) it has likely flown under the radar after other bands went on to popularize the genre around the same time (i.e. White Stripes, the Black Keys, etc.)
What stood out to me here is the atmosphere, particularly on songs like “Moanin’ for My Baby” and “You Left Me Cold”. This isn’t the kind of album that is content with being a raucous, noisy kind of garage blues, thankfully. I much prefer this to many of the bands you normally see name checked in the genre.
David Bowie - Reality (2003, ISO Records)
Genres: Pop Rock, Alternative Rock, Art Rock, Art Pop
Joi says:
Bowie’s early records get all the praise (naturally, cuz they are amazing!)
Besides his last record Blackstar, rarely do I see music lists mention his later work.
As a Bowie fan, I think Reality deserves a little more credit as I think Reality is “his last album.”
There’s just an energy to the album that feels more magnetic…..also it was his modeling days in those Tommy Hilfiger campaigns. Huzzah!
In the documentary, Five Years, I learned that during the Reality tour, Bowie's band members exclaimed that Bowie was at his best and served the most vibrant performances compared to any other tour. It was also the tour before his cancer diagnosis.
It’s got some incredibly catchy rock tracks like “Never Get Old”, dark ballads like “Bring Me the Disco King” and unique covers like Johnathan Richman’s “Pablo Picasso” that sounds like a version the Goblin King would sing during a scene from Labyrinth.
Maybe that’s why I’m a little more attached to this album because it's so upbeat and lively and that Star Man energy shines through on this record.
Dan says:
Have to admit, though I’m very familiar with a good run of Bowie albums, this one has escaped me until today. I think a lot of “legacy acts” in the 2000s started borrowing textures from varying types of alternative music (see also: Elvis Costello on When I Was Cruel [“Bring Me the Disco King” almost has a Costello thing going on] and to some degree Paul Simon on Surprise.) and upon first glance this seems to fit into that category. It’s a bit all over the place but I think this is a fine example of an artist adapting to a new era.
That’s it, that’s all. Be excellent to one other.
I appreciate the Punk-o-Rama mention -- I had so many of those compilations. Thanks again for including my albums.
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