It’s 1967.  You record a debut album for an upstart record label.  It doesn’t sell in fantastic numbers when first issued, but it gains a very strong following.  The logical thing to do is to record a follow-up.  This is exactly what Roger Nichols has done–he has recorded a follow-up to his excellent and highly-regarded Roger Nichols & The Small Circle of Friends album on A&M, called Full Circle…

…a full 40 years later!

Roger Nichols’ catalog as a recording artist is woefully small, especially given how there is such a loyal following of fans for his original A&M album, long considered a prime example of sunny, California pop.  As a composer, though, Nichols’ compositions have appeared on many other artists’ albums.  Teamed up with lyricist Paul Williams, Nichols was half of the creative duo that created classics such as “Let Me Be The One,” “I Kept On Loving You,” and a song that nearly everyone knows: “We’ve Only Just Begun.”  He has written other memorable tunes with other lyricists.  After a lengthy hiatus spanning decades, the “Circle” is back!

…and Will Kennedy is back in the drum chair!  The latest news from Yellowjackets Online finds Marcus Baylor departing the Jackets after an impressive 10 year run, to further pursue his musical career.  Marcus began recording with the band on the Mint Jam album, and most recently appeared on the Lifecycle album which featured Mike Stern guesting on guitar.  Rudy’s Corner wishes Marcus all the best–he is incredibly talented and has a stellar career in front of him!

Filling the drum seat is none other than Will Kennedy.  No stranger to the Jackets, he joined the band back in the 80s, and left to pursue his own career after the Club Nocturne album.  Will comes on board as the Jackets depart tomorrow for Mexico for another in a long string of gigs around the world.  Welcome back, Will!

Have you gotten your Chumby yet?  A Chumby, as their site describes it, “…takes your favorite parts of the internet and delivers them to you in a friendly, always-on, always-fresh format. It’s a window into your internet life that lives outside your desktop…”  Basically, it is a small WiFi-connected device with a 3.5 inch LCD screen that feeds internet content wherever you want it.  It can play internet radio, display digital pictures, deliver news and weather feeds, and function as an alarm clock.  Chumby has an active developer network as well, and there are dozens upon dozens of widgets that will add more content to your unit.  You can order a Chumby through their site, or via our Amazon affiliate link.

You know that anything technological and novel appeals to my inner high-tech geek!  While researching Honda for a project, I discovered ASIMO, which Honda (ASIMO’s developer) bills as ” The World’s Most Advanced Humanoid Robot”.  In development since 1986, ASIMO indeed lives up to its “advanced” claims.  It is not so much a toy, as it is a electromechanical companion designed to assist humans in their daily tasks…more specifically, people who may be handicapped, disabled or elderly.  ASIMO is just over four feet tall–tall enough to help with daily tasks, and yet, not intimidating.  When a person is seated or sitting up in bed, ASIMO is at a proper eye level to that person.

If you view the videos on ASIMO’s website, you notice the gait looks slightly crouched over–this is done to assist with balance, and also permits ASIMO to climb stairs, run at nearly four miles per hour, and avoid obstacles.  ASIMO’s movements are also precise, especially in the hands which feature four very flexible fingers and an opposable thumb.  In one video, ASIMO conducts the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, of which Honda is a corporate sponsor.  ASIMO can be seen at Disneyland in a permanent display, as well as on tour at science centers and large events around the world.