2020: Word Music Silver Linings

y su Conjunto Tropical 

Ranil 

Amazing collection of upbeat Cumbia music from the prolific Ranil. Incredible that these beats were crafted and broadcasted from the deep Amazonian jungle in the early 70's. Another gem of a recording expertly released by Analog Africa. The vinyl pressing is gorgeous.

   

Rastilho

Kiko Dinucci 

Contemporary, but firmly rooted in tradition, Dinnuchi delivers this stunning mix of old and new Brazilian vanguard music.

   

Color De Trópico

Compiled By El Drágon Criollo & El Palmas

Stellar, curated compilation of late 60's/ early 70's Venezuelan music. Every track is a knock out, especially tracks 2 and 3. Some real history behind these tunes and I'm indebted to El Palmas for ensuring these tracks get heard.

   

Night Dreamer Direct​-​To​-​Disc Sessions

Seu Jorge & Rogê

Cool stripped down recordings between two Brazilian musical geniuses. A bit rough around the edges, I appreciate the imperfect sound and intertwined grooves.

    

The King Of Sudanese Jazz  

Sharhabil Ahmed

Wow! The Habibi Funk record label has to be one of my coolest discoveries of 2020. The whole catalog is full of a stunners and lost gems. It has lead me down the path to discover a wealth of middle eastern music including this collection of 60's western influenced jams. Great summer record that I'm so happy HF was able to dig up and share with us.

      

Aman!! #2

Aman!!

Bandcamp states "Acoustic hacked South Mediterranean tunes and noises." Perfect description of this nice trip into Greek rebetiko fitted with modern styling.

A Guide to the Birdsong of Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean

Shika Shika

Mesmerizing project to catalog and vocalize endangered bird calls into music. The use of the calls is intertwined with engaging music. Definitely one for critical headphone listening to experience the intricacies of this novel mix.

2019 Playlist

At the top of every year I create a Spotify playlist and add to it whenever I hear something of interest. It could be new, old, sentimental or apt for the time. It usually morphs into my soundtrack of the year. At years end I try to refine the list down to something more trim:

If your interested, here is 2018's mix:

 

Super bonus 2017:

A Year in Music 2019: Rest of the Best

Extraordinarily late. The rest of my favorite records from 2019:

Claude Fontaine

Reggae/Bossa split record that sounds incredibly authentic and sultry. Pretty much made for me.

5

Sault

Smooth beats and slick lyrics . Thoroughly modern with an anchor in the past. Favorite track: Why, Why, Why, Why, Why

Heavy Handed

Pixel Grip

Rita Lukea's voice twists and morphs over some top flight synth wave grooves. 

 

IV

K-X-P

I had a transcendent experience late one night listening to the first track on this record. I found myself flying through a capital ship graveyard passing too close to ancient, rotting hyper drive engines. No drugs needed.

Houmeissa

Hama

Planetarium music from a talented Nigerien.

 

Back to Mine: Jungle

Excellent compo curated by Jungle.

Goes West

William Tyler

Brilliant dulcet guitar work from Tyler.

Face Stabber

Osees

The ever fantastic Osees take on Afrobeat to great aplomb? Hell yaas. The rest of the record is pretty weak, but that 21 minute journey at the end makes me swoon.

Death Frequency

Frecuencia De Muerte (FDeM)

Killer hardcore punk. Perfect from drop to lift. 

2019: A Year in World Music

Some of my favorite world music records released in 2019:

La Dotu Lado

Coladera

A celebration of the Portuguese language, culture and rhythm. Threads of Bossa Nova mixed with more native sounds. Great vinyl to spin on Sunday mornings or late nights on the couch unless, like me, you drop the record hard and put a giant gouge across one of the best tracks.

Ep

Tres Souls

I fell head over heels for Bolero music in 2018. Just as 2019 was dawning, I was pointed to this incredible homage to the music that so enveloped me last year. You can tell that the band is passionate about preserving the heritage and spirit of Bolero music. The track "La Luna Eres Tu" was a shelter song for me in 2019.

Almadura

iLE

Immaculately produce, powerful protest record from Puerto Rican phenom iLe. If you have been following any of Puerto Rico's plight over the last few years you can understand iLE's angst. About half way through the record you will find Eddie Palmieri's stunningly beautiful "Mi Novia". Palmieri is a personal musical hero of mine and to hear this track embedded on such a great record was a highlight of 2019 for me.

Bahir

Dexter Story

Dexter intermingles the modern and traditional and runs it through the whole musical landscape of Africa. Very well produced record from the talented Story. Excellent record.

Onda

Jambinai

Traditional South Korean instruments mixed with a heavy dose of post-metal decadence. Rich, big and unique enough to warrant a listen.

 
Shlon

Omar Souleyman

Being a ardent fan of the Sublime Frequency music label I have been listening to the prolific Souleyman for a few years now. "Shlon" is his newest record and it falls in line with rest of his work: energetic grooves mixed with traditional instrumentation and Casio like club beats. Distinctively Syrian.

 

2019: A Year in Metal

2019 is the year I finally succumbed to Death Metal.  I feel I've improved as a human being.

Deserted

Gatecreeper

This full force sophomoric effort from sun stained Arizona pushed me into embracing Death Metal. Give me the track "Puncture Wounds" on repeat and I can rip through walls and drive past the limit. 10/10, will call them Gatekeeper at least 30 more times when searching in my music app to get my fix.

Apoptosis

Allegaeon

A dense, technical assault of an album with some brilliant science based lyrics. Its clear Allegaeon has crazy talent and songwriting chops to boot. Track 1 and 2 make for some of my favorite metal moments of the year.

Walk Beyond Dark

Abigail Williams

Soaring death metal with some prog roots. "My heart bleeds megadeath" quickly became one of my most favorite metal lyrics.

Angel of Light

Angel Witch

A new record from old school patrons of British new wave metal? Count me in. Sure its a bit poppy, especially the title track but, damn, if it isn't catchy. Solid record from front to back, this sounds like a return to form for Heybourne.

Achatius

Funereal Presence 

 

What a strange twisted record that I can't help but keep coming back to. Aptly described as "loose" by the greater community, upon first listen you may not hear much more than a cacophony of noise. Spend some more time and you can start to pick out the melodies and patterns that make this record stand out. Full points for the most wicked use of cowbell ever recorded. 

Primal Future: 2019

Toxic Holocaust

 

Brilliant old school thrash from the king of what was once the new wave. Absolute ripper of a record with some serious chops (Joel plays all the instruments on this record) and catchy apocalyptic lyrics.What a toxic filled treat.

Absolute Power

Wraith

 

Homage to t he above Joel Grind, its pretty awesome I was able to enjoy the new TH record and this back to back in one thrash filled evening for the first time. Fun lyrics and relentless thrash from these young bloods.

 

2019: A Year in Jazz

Roots. Often hidden, waiting knurled and thirsty, anchoring new growth.

2019 was a return to new jazz for me. Harbored in the safety of the classics for far too long, I set out to discover something new. Incredible fruits abound. Here are my favorites:

This Land Abounds with Life 

Fabian Almazan Trio

A sprawling record inspired by a trip to Cuba, Fabians birthplace. Torrents of frantic phrases followed by docile, contemplative ambient sounds. The trio succeeds in imitating the bird life Fabian was studying. Favorite tracks: "Benjamin" & "The Everglades". Bonus points to Fabian for willingly (or non-willingly) putting the DOOM PC game theme song into Everglades.

Diwan

Shahbaz Hussain and Helen Anahita Wilson

An interplay between east and west. The pulsing tablas of Hussain paired with clean, accomplished piano of Wilson. Achingly beautiful and drenched in middle eastern chord progressions, Diwan, sits among my very favorite records of the year. Favorite Tracks: "Neeleshwar" & "Azar"

Good Hope 

Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain & Chris Potter

Not one, but two amazing jazz records featuring tabla drum masters in 2019! Swoon. "Good Hope" is some great 3 piece straight ahead jazz that cooks all the way through.

First Meeting

Ronin Arkestra

A group of seasoned Japanese jazz vets met up to start Ronin Arkestra in 2017. I believe "First Meeting" is their first EP and its a scorcher. Tight drums, sprawling piano vamps and sweet breaks abound on the first track which, is firmly my favorite. "A Love Supreme" is a nice modern re-imaging of the storied Coltrane track. The Arkestra put a full length LP out this year as well, titled Sonkei which, did not grab me as much as this EP.

La La Lars II

La La Lars

Sounding at once both modern and old fashion, this album captured my attention early on in the year. Lars and his band hail from Sweden."Tillbaks Till Gothborgen" is by far my favorite track, with its ethereal theremin like thread and tight piano hooks.

Fly or Die II: bird dogs of paradise

Jaimie Branch

Channeling the Sun Ra Arkestra, Branch and crew create a cacophony of boisterous instruments and compelling protest lyrics. Sometimes weird, sometime melodic and definitely worth a listen.

Polyhmnia

Yazz Ahmed

Pretty much everything Yazz produces is golden. The self titled 'High priestess of psychedelic Arabic jazz’ Yazz is an accomplished trumpeter and music arranger. This record sprung out of a request to write a piece for "International Woman's Day" and joins multiple EPs relaeased by her this year, all of which are worth investing time in to.