iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

This has been an excellent week and I cannot believe I only just now saw the magnificence of Roma.

Letterboxed recent activity displaying the covers for the films Rome, Open City, La Notte, A Woman Under the Influence, and Roma

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Numbers don’t lie…

Chart from the Distilled Spirits Council of the US showing the 2025 Q2 exports vs 2024 throughout the EU, Canada, the UK & Japan, all with declines in the tens of millions except for Japan, which was still down about 22%

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Poor scan of snowy rooftops. Hasselblad 500 / Tri-X #filmphotography

Black and white photo from atop a snowy rooftop overlooking other snowy rooftops at night.

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

As was the case with Vol. 1 of the Sam Records reissue of the earliest Sun Ra LPs, I wasn’t going to miss out on pressing #2 of Vol. 2, aka Sound of Joy. Cut from the original masters and beautifully packaged on heavyweight vinyl.

Vinyl sleeve of the Sam Records reissue of Jazz by Sun Ra Vol. 2, aka Sound of Joy sitting in the cubby of a record storage shelf.

#jazzsky
#sunra

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Next , another infinitely cool comp and an early contender for “first cool Christmas record” is this triple split from The Sonics, The Galaxies & The Wailers (the PNW garage band) that hops between sincere and sarcastic but all-in-all catchy rocking tunes on either flip.

Vinyl sleeve for the split LP between The Sonics, The Galaxies, & The Wailers titled “Merry Christmas” sitting in the cubby of a record storage shelf.

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Kicking off the festivities with a very cool and quirky comp from Analog Ghost Recordings back in 2013 to benefit homeless youth charity Covenant House. Wild mix of tunes from a wilder lineup of artists including Mike Watt, Terry Riley, Quasi, Wooden Wand, Ida and Rob Crow of Pinback to name a few.

Vinyl sleeve of the charity Christmas compilation “Comfort & Joy” sitting in a vinyl record storage cubby.

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

I regrettably passed on this reissue of Sun Ra’s debut because of the price tag and my preference to finding an earlier pressing, but the hype and feedback got the best of me and when they did a 2nd run this year I grabbed it. It’s a beaut, but at quite the price.

Screen printed sleeve of Sun Ra’s “Jazz by Sun Ra Vol. 1” in a record storage cubby.

#sunra
#nowplaying
#vinylsky

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Another stellar outing on this late 70s session with a Chet Baker Quartet featuring Duke Jordan, whose compositions are featured, as well as Danish bass-master Niels-Henning Ørsted Peterson and Norman Fearrington on drums. So much under appreciated Steeplechase gold.

Vinyl sleeve of the Chet Baker Quartet’s album “No Problem” sitting in a record shelf cubby.

#nowspinning
#jazzsky

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Steeplechase has also been repressing select titles like this beautiful set from the duo of Archie Shepp and Horace Parlan taking on some traditional blues numbers. A follow-up to their magnificent “Goin’ Home” album, also a Steeplechase release.

Vinyl cover of Archie Shepp & Horace Parlan’s album “Trouble in Mind” tucked inside a record storage shelf cubby.

#nowplaying
#jazzsky

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Johnny Griffin’s Blues for Harvey is inarguably one of the highlights of Steeplechases catalogue. Scorching lineup

Vinyl copy of Johnny Griffin’s album “Blues for Harvey” sitting in the cubby of a record shelf.

#nowspinning
#jazzsky

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Sorting through the Steeplechase section, which is full of interesting nuggets like this pairing of powerhouses.

Vinyl sleeve of Jackie McLean featuring Gary Bart’s album “Ode to Super” nestled in the cubby of a vinyl record shelf.

#nowplaying
#jazzsky

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Didn’t know anything about this but the J Jazz Masterclass label was clue enough it would be essential. Yasuhiro Kohno Trio + One - Song of Island

Yasuhiro Kohno Trio + One - Song of Island vinyl sleeve sitting in a record shelf cubby

#nowplaying
#jazzsky

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Master of the soprano Steve Lacy tackling some Monk (and a couple Ellington’s) on his fourth album featuring a hella tight crew: Don Cherry, Billy Higgins, & Carl Brown.

Vinyl sleeve of Steve Lacy’s album “Evidence” sitting in the cubby of a record storage unit.

#nowspinning
#jazz

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

I’m typically not one for reissues, but this recent (originally titled) Super-Sonic Jazz 2LP from Cosmic Myth was too good not to grab. Whole bonus slab of alternate takes and new linter notes from Yo La Tango Sun Ra super fan Ira Kaplan.

Vinyl sleeve of the 21st Century Expanded Edition of Sun Ra’s album Super-Sonic Jazz

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

This era, and album in particular, from Sun Ra is the most meaningful to me. While I gravitate towards the experimental free jazz, the hard bop/big band tunes remind me of listening to jazz with my grandpa when I was a teen. Much beloved ABC/Impulse reissue of Supersonic Sounds on tap.

ABC/Impulse issue of Sun Ra’s album “Super-Sonic Sounds”

#jazzsky
#nowspinning

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

RIP Martin Parr, documentarian of the earnest quirkiness of humanity.

Martin Parr photograph titled GLENBEIGH RACES, COUNTY KERRY, IRELAND

A crowd stands on a rocky beach watching a horse and jockey racing along the sand.

Martin Parr photograph titled GLASTONBURY TOR, SOMERSET, FROM ‘BEAUTY SPOTS’ where a backpacker can be seen ascending a hill toward Glastonbury while a woman rests overlooking the hill next to a cow.

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Gettin freaky this evening with a little Free LSD from John “Inzane Johnny” Olson’s psycho jazz outfit Crazy Doberman. 2017 via the Radical Documents label.

Vinyl sleeve of Crazy Doberman’s album “Free LSD”

#nowplaying
#psychojazz
#avantgarde

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Too many good suggestions already but I haven’t seen this one yet

Vinyl sleeve of Bowery Electric’s self-titled album.

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

A recent scoop for Sun Ra Sunday, a rare session with Sonny as a side man in the Walt Dickerson Quartet. Wonderfully chill keys and vibes combo with Ra on piano and harpsichord. Immaculate vibes both literally and figuratively.

Vinyl copy of The Walt Dickerson Quartet’s album “Impressions of A Patch of Blue” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable beside it. Sitting below is a record storage shelf decorated for Christmas.

#nowspinning
#sunra
#jazzsky

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Caught Alex G live this year, and it turned me into an Alex G guy. Can’t say I’d have been into this album had I not seen the songs live first, but it’s a pretty great spin.

Vinyl copy of Alex G’s album “Headlights” playing on a turntable. The sleeve sits in a velvet Victorian photo stand, which is perched atop a vinyl record shelf decorated for Christmas.

#nowplaying

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Righteous and complimentary split featuring the dark surf vibes of Ela Orleans and Dirty Beaches. From Shawn Reed’s screen-print-happy Night People label.

PVC sleeve with screen-printed cover of Ela Orleans and Dirty Beaches’ split LP “Double Feature” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable sitting on a festively decorated LP storage shelf.

#nowspinning

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Bodywash, Comforter. Shimmering electro-shoegaze. Potent stuff. From Luminelle.

Vinyl copy of Bodywash’s album “Comforter” playing in a turntable. The cover sits on a velvet Victorian photo stand.

#nowplaying
#shoegaze
#luminelle

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Jesus and Mary Chain posting, but going for the 2017’s quirky Damage and Joy.

Vinyl copy of Jesus and Mary Chain’s album Damage and Joy playing atop a seasonally-decorated record shelf. The sleeve is perched on a velvet Victorian photo stand and the record spins on a turntable beside it.

#nowplaying
#vinylsky
#shoegaze

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Here’s one that’s long been on my list of 2025 faves. Laurie Torres’ debut Après Coup. Gorgeous piano work that sways between ambient and quiet jazz. Thoughtful and delicate. On Tonal Union.

Vinyl copy of Laurie Torres’ album “Après Coup” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable beside it. Sitting below is a record storage shelf decorated for Christmas.

#nowspinning
#ambient
#jazz

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

A decade late to the party but just in time for the reissue of Rafael Anton Irisarri’s gorgeous and aptly titled “A Fragile Geography.”

Vinyl copy of Rafael Anton Irisarri’s album “A Fragile Geography” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable beside it. Sitting below is a record storage shelf decorated for Christmas.

#nowspinning
#ambient

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Happy birthday to these two, a couple of rapscallions from Rugby responsible for influencing eras of incredible music. Hands down a desert island pick for me. Especially if I am bringing one of the cd issues with Soul 1 on it. Pete and Jason, cheers to you.

Vinyl copy of Spacemen 3’s album “The Perfect Prescription” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable beside it. Sitting below is a record storage shelf decorated for Christmas.

#nowspinning
#shoegaze
#spacemen3

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Another Dwyer improv sesh, Endless Garbage also has Greg Coates, but this time with Ted Byrnes, Brad Caulkin, & Tom Dolas, allegedly the first time these folks ever jammed together. Jittery, percussive, angular wackiness (complimentary.

Vinyl copy of the John Dwyer collective’s album “Endless Garbage” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable beside it. Sitting below is a record storage shelf illuminated by a string of Christmas lights.

#freejazz
#nowspinning
#johndwyer

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

One of Osees front man John Dwyer’s improvised jazz-ish side projects featuring Ryan Sawyer, Greg Coates, Wilder Zoby, & Andres Renteria. Freaky fried grooves on JD’s Castle Face label.

Vinyl copy of the John Dwyer collective’s album “Gong Splat” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable beside it. Sitting below is a record storage shelf illuminated by a string of Christmas lights.

#nowspinning
#freejazz
#osees

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

On the outer fringes of free jazz sits this intimate collection from a simple Sun Ra quintet featuring John Gilmore, Marshall Allen, Art Jenkins & Ali Hasaan that follows the Strange Strings strategy of improving on unfamiliar instruments. Mind-opening percussion-heavy exploration.

Vinyl copy of Sun Ra’s album “Other Strange Worlds” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable beside it. Sitting below is a record storage shelf illuminated by a string of Christmas lights.

#nowspinning
#freejazz
#sunra

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Solar Meditations - Ascent to the Sun youtu.be/6PVEoz3xb3w?...

Screen grab of the Apple Music visualizer showing an atomic-like celestial explosion spawning golden orbs. The bottom left corner shows Henry Flynt's piece "Ascent to the Sun" is driving the visual generator.

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

Hot sesh from ‘69 from Don Cherry & George Gruntz and a host of heavy hitters like Sahib Shihab, Henry Texier and Eberhard Weber. Alongside traditional North African instruments from native players, it’s a fiery blend of African jazz and free expression.

Vinyl copy of the George Gruntz Group w/ Don Cherry’s album “Maghreb Cantana, 1969” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable beside the sleeve. It sits on a record shelf.

#nowplaying
#freejazz

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Slept on this one when it came out last year but have since remedied that. Mountain Movers were never really my jam, but Walking After Dark clicked for me. Dark, groovy, expansive and all within a rock record. One of many dozen Trouble In Mind albums that will stand the test of time.

Vinyl copy of the Mountain Movers album “Walking After Dark” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable beside it, illuminated by the glow of Christmas lights that adorn the record shelves the aforementioned are perched upon.

#nowspinning
#indie

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Wickedly under appreciated album from guitarist Steve Palmer. Useful Histories is one man’s sonic journey, a ship drifting in an ocean of psych, kraut, and experimental Americana; passively contemplative yet steadfast in its course. From Sunrise Ocean Bender & Deep Water Acres.

Vinyl copy of Steve Palmer’s album “Useful Histories” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record spins on a turntable beside it. A record shelve strung with Christmas lights is seen below.

#nowspinning
#psych

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Spiritual Unity, Albert Ayler knows. I think might’ve been the first non Sun Ra jazz record I bought. I’d say it was good instinct, but I’m pretty sure it was the cover & title.

Vinyl copy of the Albert Ayler Trio’s album “Spiritual Unity” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable beside it. A record shelf can be seen below.

#nowplaying
#freejazz
#vinylsky

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Sure is nice when the vibes are good. Ty Segall, Slaughterhouse. We rockin’ on a Tuesday.

Vinyl copy of Ty Segall’s album “Slaughterhouse” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable beside it. They sit atop a record shelf strung with Christmas lights.

#nowspinning
#garage

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

The biscuits. I was in a rush so they were hastily cut creating these leaning towers of deprecating appearance, though no less delicious.

A tray full of freshly baked, leaning flaky biscuits. They tower with fluffiness and are a little on the well-done side, to everyone’s delight.

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Another Sunday, another batch of biscuits and a Sun Ra slab full of tracks with unknown origin. Continuation has contradictory stories, unlikely personnel listings and credits for a studio that doesn’t exist. Can only assume this one came from another dimension.

Vinyl copy of Sun Ra’s album “Continuation” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable in the distance. They sit atop a record storage shelf strung with Christmas lights.

#sunra
#freejazz
#nowplaying

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Pretty much a daily vibe since I got it. M. Sage’s latest is possibly the height of his ambient-jazz powers, and with that catalogue, is saying a lot. Stunner. Absolutely one of the year’s best. From Rvng. Intl.

Vinyl copy of M. Sage’s album “Tender / Wading” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable beside it which is sitting on a record storage shelf lined with Christmas lights.

#nowspinning
#ambientjazz

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Getting freaky in here now… Pharmakon, Contact. A Sacred Bones joint.

Vinyl copy of Pharmokon’s album “Contact” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays in a turntable beside it, which is sitting in a record shelf strung with Christmas lights.

#nowplaying
#noise
#experimental

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Some fitting Marie Davidson jams, probably my favorite to boot.

Vinyl copy of Marie Davidson’s album “Un Autre Voyage” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record spins on a turntable beside it on top of a record shelf strung with Christmas lights.

#halloween
#nowspinning
#darkwave

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Obligatory. FWWM is especially great Halloween music. Angelo is the king. The black dog runs at night.

Vinyl copy of Angelo Badalamenti’s “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me” soundtrack sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable beside it. They both sit on a record storage shelf strung with Christmas lights.

#nowplaying
#twinpeaks

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Demon Fuzz, Afreaka! Essential UK psych-soul-jazz-funk drops.

Vinyl copy of Demon Fuzz's album "Afreaka!" sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable beside it.

#nowplaying
#fusion
#psychedelicsoul

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

A very well-worn copy of Sun Ra’s masterpiece in quadraphonic sound. Roots music weekend. Space IS the Place. Hardest cover in jazz history with a befitting sound.

Vinyl copy of Sun Ra’s album “Space Is The Place” sitting in a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable in the distance.

#nowspinning
#sunra
#freejazz

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Blake @blakerj.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Interesting copy of one of the greatest slabs of rock ’n roll, this version of The Velvet Underground’s White Light/White Heat is a 1991 Australian pressing from Modern Records. Gray printing of the “skull tattoo” cover on yellow w/ red blob wax.

Vinyl copy of The Velvet Underground’s “White Light/White Heat” sitting on a velvet Victorian photo stand. The record plays on a turntable in the distance.

#velvetunderground
#nowplaying
#sisterray

Close up of a transparent yellow colored vinyl with a red blob near the center label on The Velvet Underground’s “White Light/White Heat”. Red and yellow Modern Records label is in the center and a zoetrope slipmat can be seen beneath the record.

#nowspinning

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