Cheat Codes

Danger Mouse and Black Thought 

The world's most underrated MC, or is he the most feared MC when other MCs are considering guests in rhyme? I'm not sure, all I know is that this collaboration with Danger Mouse works from top to bottom. This duo started over 10 years ago with multiple false starts but, I'm glad it finally came to fruition. As you would expect: Deep vibey hip hop grooves create the bed for Black Thought's lyrical and rhythmic prowess. I'm never (not) in a mood to listen to this. 

This is a Photograph

Kevin Morby 

This is apparently Morby's 7th studio album but, the first one I've heard. Check out the lyrics on the title track which was inspired while he was looking through family photographs on the same night that his father suffered a medical collapse. This song alone, ranks him as a lyricist amongst the greats like Dylan and Springsteen. Other inspirations for this record include his fascination for Memphis and its social and musical history. Rumor has it that much of it was written while he visited that city.

His soul-gospel tinged, rock-Americana instrumental performances are on equal level to his lyric and songwriting skills. Possibly my favorite record of the year but that changes with my mood. 

Spell 31

Ibeyi

Ibeyi is a musical duo that consists of twin sisters,  Lisa-Kaindé Diaz and Naomi Diaz who grew up in Paris by way of Havana. This record is as eclectic musically as you might expect from reading the previous sentence. There are fusions of Afro-Cuban music, French Music and Yoruban music intertwined with their own creativity that creates a genre unto itself. I'd rather not try to describe it, Just listen. 

Terra Firma

Tash Sultana

Every time a track  from this record popped up in my playlist last year, it got my attention. Tash Sultana is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer from Melbourne Australia. This record includes beautiful harmonic structures with great melodies and a nice balance between electronic and more organic instruments. I hear slight hints of Prince and even Erykah  Badu in places but, don't expect a record that sounds like either of those artists. Tash takes the music into her own psychedelic/pop-soul directions and gives us grooves and soundscapes to chill to.  

Like Neptune

Son Little

Listed in Apple Music as an "alternative artist" Son Little is just that but, rooted in blues and R&B . This release is far from a retro or roots record. It pulls from the past but makes no apologies for digging into the present. Great grooves, melodies, chord progressions and creative (yet homespun sounding) production make the music on this record much more than the sum of the genres above. This is worthy of many repeat listenings.

Living Sky

Sun Ra Arkestra

This record, masterminded by 98 year old (yes 98) Altoist, Marshall Allen, features some new performances of some of Sun Ra's music as well as some new music in the style of the Man From Saturn (or more recently Germantown in Philadelphia). I like it because if features the side of Sun Ra that I gravitate toward the most: Not his jarring "Space is the Place" in-your-face free improv (although there is a time for that  as well)  but rather, his compositions that linger on the edge of outness while still maintaining a structure you can chew on for days. These are simply beautiful and soulful creations performed authentically by the "Arkestra" Sun Ra once lead.  Just a great vibe from top to bottom.

A Light for Attracting Attention

The Smile

This English rock band featuring Thom York and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead being joined by drummer, Tom Skinner from the jazz band, Sons of Kemet, is clearly an "art-rock" project. It maintains Radiohead textures but the addition of Tom Skinner takes things elsewhere. Creative guitar tones, synths, Yorks voice, Skinner's drums and adventurous compositions, make this a record that will keep your sustained interest in the timeless sort of way that Radiohead is known for.

Though not a proper Radiohead record, I like this much more than most of their Post Kid A releases.Having Nigel Godrich behind the glass for the whole thing doesn't hurt either. 

Black & Loud: James Brown Reimagined

Stro Elliot

I first experienced Stro Elliot years ago while he was enigmatically playing some odd beat machines with the Roots at one of their outdoor Philly events. I had no idea what he was doing but it looked cool. Fast forward to this release and it is starting to make sense. Here he takes the James Brown sound recordings into reimagined directions while still maintaining the funk and integrity of the Godfather. Stro is a remix wizard who did this project in collaboration with Universal, giving him access to James' music.

Deathfame

Quelle Chris

My introduction to this record came while listening to my favorite radio broadcast "Culture Cypher Radio" on Philly's WXPN hosted by John Morrison. Quelle Chris's blend of beats, samples and effects telegraph Madlib with a bit of dub and techno. This record will put you in a space that you won't want to leave anytime soon. 

NOT TiGHT

Domi and JD Beck

This young Jazz duo: Domi (22 keys) and Beck (19 drums)  is going to at least one place where jazz needs to go in the 2020s. Their list of guest performers reads like a who's who of jazz AND hiphop. Names include: Thundercat, Anderson.Paak, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dog, Kurt Rosenwinkel and Herbie Hancock. 

Musically they reach in multiple directions ranging from 70s fusion to avante-guarde drum&bass to video game music and many places in-between. The technical capabilities of these young players are astonishing.

Killing Nothing

Boldy James and Real Bad Man

Another feather in the cap for boom-bap or "real hip hop" is here to stay or...however you want to say you aren't a major trap/drill fan.  Griselda coalition rapper, Boldy James  does his second collaboration with... get this...the clothing production collective from LA, Real Bad Man. RBM provides killer, dark and vibey beats (I haven't seen their shirts or slacks so I can't comment)  for Boldy's  street scene reality, understated raps. This record should propel Boldy even further as one of the top MCs of the decade. 

Love, Damini

Burna Boy

Those of you who know me know that I'm no fan of auto-tune. Or, should I say that, 10+ years post T-Pain it's time for a new sound? However, in spite of the fact there there is a sufficient enough use of auto-tune on this record to make any boomer hater happy, this is a beautiful record. Nigerian singer-songwriter and producer Burna Boy, offsets this tech with infectious "Nigerian-Fusion" beats that are the foundation of just great, hear-felt, songs for any genre.

Chloë and the Next 20th Century

Father John Misty

So I'm just a die-hard Father John Misty Fan. I'm not quite sure why he went in this direction for this record but, daily micro-dosing might be the key. Here, he goes for a big band jazz/early (30s to 60s) pop style. The record seems to be the soundtrack for a fictitious movie that will most likely never emerge from the Criterion Collection. His band executes the vintage feels with brass and strings perfectly. I've seen this band live, they kill it. Interestingly this may be the most optimistic and romantic collection in his often times, cynical body of work. There are nods to Harry Nielsen and the film music of John Barry in places. This is a well constructed, modern concept record as are most of his.