Album Notes

"Bring Back The Real Don Steele," Mr. Smolin's 3rd official release, is a Los Angeles song-cycle recorded live and unrehearsed at the funky egalitarian art gallery Echo Curio on Sunset Blvd. in the city's Echo Park neighborhood. On hand to contribute to the vibe are veteran L.A. musicians Probyn Gregory (of Brian Wilson's band) on guitar, Paul Lacques (of I See Hawks in L.A. and Double Naught Spy Car) raging away on lap-steel, Vince Meghrouni (of The Atomic Sherpas) blowing sax, flute, and harmonica, wunderkind bass monster Miles Mosley, drummer Brandon Jay (of Quazar & the Bamboozled and the TV series "Weeds"), as well Mr. Smolin's angelic choir of Harvey Canter, Patria Jacobs, and Chris Rael.

Harking back to the days when boss jock The Real Don Steele ruled the AM airwaves on 93 KHJ but also very much steeped in the present and future of the city, the 13 songs on "Bring Back The Real Don Steele" attempt to capture the essence of Los Angeles, its sights, sounds, and smells, that permeating admixture of monoxide, tar, and taco sauce. Best heard while looking out the window of a moving car.

The pleasure is, as they say, all yours.