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, 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...
Now spinning at my house, as today this Bostonian found a haul of LPs by our beloved soul-disco goddess, for $5 apiece:
I Remember Yesterday (1977) by Donna Summer...here she moves through musical time from the big-band title track to the robot-erotic "I Feel Love" that still sounds like the future
I Remember Yesterday (1977) by Donna Summer...here she moves through musical time from the big-band title track to the robot-erotic "I Feel Love" that still sounds like the future
October 18, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Now spinning at my house, as today this Bostonian found a haul of LPs by our beloved soul-disco goddess, for $5 apiece:
I Remember Yesterday (1977) by Donna Summer...here she moves through musical time from the big-band title track to the robot-erotic "I Feel Love" that still sounds like the future
I Remember Yesterday (1977) by Donna Summer...here she moves through musical time from the big-band title track to the robot-erotic "I Feel Love" that still sounds like the future
Industrial pigeons.
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
729am Fri 17 Oct 2025
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
729am Fri 17 Oct 2025
October 17, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Industrial pigeons.
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
729am Fri 17 Oct 2025
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
729am Fri 17 Oct 2025
Now spinning at my house, as I work into the wee hours:
Dis (1977) by Jan Garbarek, who plays saxes & wood flute, joined by Ralph Towner on guitars, and the eerie drone of a windharp "played" by North Sea gusts blowing off the Norwegian coast...haunting, gorgeous...an all-time late-night listen.
Dis (1977) by Jan Garbarek, who plays saxes & wood flute, joined by Ralph Towner on guitars, and the eerie drone of a windharp "played" by North Sea gusts blowing off the Norwegian coast...haunting, gorgeous...an all-time late-night listen.
October 17, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Now spinning at my house, as I work into the wee hours:
Dis (1977) by Jan Garbarek, who plays saxes & wood flute, joined by Ralph Towner on guitars, and the eerie drone of a windharp "played" by North Sea gusts blowing off the Norwegian coast...haunting, gorgeous...an all-time late-night listen.
Dis (1977) by Jan Garbarek, who plays saxes & wood flute, joined by Ralph Towner on guitars, and the eerie drone of a windharp "played" by North Sea gusts blowing off the Norwegian coast...haunting, gorgeous...an all-time late-night listen.
solitude // summit
mount washington, new hampshire
1238pm tues 14 oct 2025
mount washington, new hampshire
1238pm tues 14 oct 2025
October 16, 2025 at 5:40 PM
solitude // summit
mount washington, new hampshire
1238pm tues 14 oct 2025
mount washington, new hampshire
1238pm tues 14 oct 2025
Now spinning at my house, in honor of a sheer genius, gone now at only age 51:
Voodoo (2000) by D'Angelo...79 minutes of smoky soul & rumbling funk & haunting jazz blended into a whole new genre...I've been listening to this album for 25 years, always with wonder, but today with sadness & gratitude
Voodoo (2000) by D'Angelo...79 minutes of smoky soul & rumbling funk & haunting jazz blended into a whole new genre...I've been listening to this album for 25 years, always with wonder, but today with sadness & gratitude
October 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Now spinning at my house, in honor of a sheer genius, gone now at only age 51:
Voodoo (2000) by D'Angelo...79 minutes of smoky soul & rumbling funk & haunting jazz blended into a whole new genre...I've been listening to this album for 25 years, always with wonder, but today with sadness & gratitude
Voodoo (2000) by D'Angelo...79 minutes of smoky soul & rumbling funk & haunting jazz blended into a whole new genre...I've been listening to this album for 25 years, always with wonder, but today with sadness & gratitude
zusammen, am Ende der Welt
bretton woods, new hampshire
633pm sun 12 oct 2025
bretton woods, new hampshire
633pm sun 12 oct 2025
October 13, 2025 at 9:43 PM
zusammen, am Ende der Welt
bretton woods, new hampshire
633pm sun 12 oct 2025
bretton woods, new hampshire
633pm sun 12 oct 2025
Now spinning at my house, as I've read too many thinkpieces about pop stars & diss tracks this week:
Rocket To Russia (1977) by Ramones...I love reading about pop stars & diss tracks, but eventually I just want a big ½ hour blast of classic punk with fast loud guitars paired with awesome hooks!
Rocket To Russia (1977) by Ramones...I love reading about pop stars & diss tracks, but eventually I just want a big ½ hour blast of classic punk with fast loud guitars paired with awesome hooks!
October 7, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Now spinning at my house, as I've read too many thinkpieces about pop stars & diss tracks this week:
Rocket To Russia (1977) by Ramones...I love reading about pop stars & diss tracks, but eventually I just want a big ½ hour blast of classic punk with fast loud guitars paired with awesome hooks!
Rocket To Russia (1977) by Ramones...I love reading about pop stars & diss tracks, but eventually I just want a big ½ hour blast of classic punk with fast loud guitars paired with awesome hooks!
wrong way out
cambridge massachusetts
tues 7 oct 2025
cambridge massachusetts
tues 7 oct 2025
October 7, 2025 at 12:06 PM
wrong way out
cambridge massachusetts
tues 7 oct 2025
cambridge massachusetts
tues 7 oct 2025
Now spinning at my house, even if the Internet wants me to hate it:
The Life Of A Showgirl (2025) by Taylor Swift...a 5-star record? a toxic disaster? Neither. The lyrics are an uneasy mix of goofy & nasty; the melodies are solid; her voice is great. It's far from her best, but hey I'm enjoying it.
The Life Of A Showgirl (2025) by Taylor Swift...a 5-star record? a toxic disaster? Neither. The lyrics are an uneasy mix of goofy & nasty; the melodies are solid; her voice is great. It's far from her best, but hey I'm enjoying it.
October 6, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Now spinning at my house, even if the Internet wants me to hate it:
The Life Of A Showgirl (2025) by Taylor Swift...a 5-star record? a toxic disaster? Neither. The lyrics are an uneasy mix of goofy & nasty; the melodies are solid; her voice is great. It's far from her best, but hey I'm enjoying it.
The Life Of A Showgirl (2025) by Taylor Swift...a 5-star record? a toxic disaster? Neither. The lyrics are an uneasy mix of goofy & nasty; the melodies are solid; her voice is great. It's far from her best, but hey I'm enjoying it.
Purple Line polyptych.
Concord to Cambridge, Massachusetts.
914am train, Mon 6 Oct 2025
Concord to Cambridge, Massachusetts.
914am train, Mon 6 Oct 2025
October 6, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Purple Line polyptych.
Concord to Cambridge, Massachusetts.
914am train, Mon 6 Oct 2025
Concord to Cambridge, Massachusetts.
914am train, Mon 6 Oct 2025