2022 Album Roundup Series: October Showcase

Music I have had in rotation during October, including albums by:

Lindsey Buckingham - Lindsey Buckingham (2022) DOMi & JD Beck - NOT TiGHT (2022) Afrorack - The Afrorack (2022) Soul Glo - Diaspora Problems (2022) Skhivosani - დამწვრისები (2022) David Bowie - Scary Monsters (& Super Creeps) (1980)

Post on Hama's Houmeissa Post on Venetian Snares Traditional Synthesizer Music Post on Living Colour's Vivid Post on Fishbone's In Your Face

2022 Album Eliminations: Tier 6 Part 2

 

A couple of contentious decisions here, some of which probably run counter to all logic.  For example, earlier this year, I dismissed the Eastman Jazz Ensemble.  A return to the album, however, revealed a level of excitement in the recording that I didn’t remember from before.  That, along with a certain sense of personal connection with contemporary big band recordings that I have not felt in a while, edged it over the clear genius of Relaxin’.

The second, and the hardest, choice I had was with the black midi VS. Snail Mail showdown.  I have not connected with Hellfire in the same way as I have black midi’s previous recordings, but I still have the sense that I still just don’t quite "get it".  Like LIVE!, Valentine was eliminated in January and got a fresh start in the 5^th tier showdown, and with its return came a greater appreciation of Snail Mail’s unique songwriting strengths.  It really spoke to me at a time I still found myself confused by black midi, so I let Valentine pass.  Hellfire received a coveted Fall Save, though, and will return in the playoffs. 

Eastman Jazz Ensemble – LIVE! VS. Miles Davis – Relaxin’

Eastman Jazz Ensemble – LIVE!

Paul Slavens – Alphabet Girls V. 2 VS. Colleen Green – Cool

Paul Slavens – Alphabet Girls V. 2

 

Kate Bush – The Hounds of Love VS. Vanishing Twin – Ookii Gekkou

Kate Bush – The Hounds of Love

 

Bali Gamelan Sound – Otonan, Gender Wayang VS. Limina – Hidden Spaces

Limina – Hidden Spaces

 

black midi – Hellfire VS. Snail Mail – Valentine

Snail Mail – Valentine

 

Bjorn Riis – Everything to Everyone VS. Cardiacs – On Land and In the Sea

Bjorn Riis – Everything to Everyone

2022 Album Roundup Series: September, Triptychs, and Ecosystems

Some music I was listening to during the Solstice of 2022, including music from:

The Lickerish Quartet - Fables From Fearless Heights (2022) Alex Anthony Faide - Particles of the Infinite (2022) Nilufer Yanya - Painless (2022) Ibibio Sound Machine - Electricity (2021) Lemon Demon - Spirit Phone (2016) Loris S. Sarid - Seabed-Sunbath (2022)

Yes' Relayer: Remembering Alan White

A look back at Yes' seventh album, 1974's Relayer, with a special focus on the contributions of the late Alan White.

2022 Album Eliminations: Tier 6 Pt. 1

Tier 6 is framed by the albums that passed through Tier 5, the bracket consisting of eliminated entries from January.  These winners are now going against new music in the Fall.  This was a new approach this year that I found greatly rewarding.  It actually gave some of these entries new life and, in some cases, a shot at the Top 20.

Two difficult decisions this time around.  The first one was Kendrick Lamar VS. The Freestyle Fellowship.  There is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers is a groundbreaking album that innovates in unique ways.  I have a real soft spot for early 90s hip hop, and To Whom It May Concern is such a pristine and outstanding example of the style that I just couldn't eliminate it.  Lamar, however, received my first "save" of the Fall.

The second was Goro Yamaguchi VS. Tim Reynolds & Greg Howard.  Again, I feel confident in saying that Sticks & Stones is beautifully textured and constructed, especially since is was essentially a recording improvised in 1988 in Greg Howard's bedroom.  Conversely, Goro Yamaguchi's solo shakuhachi work is comparably monochromatic, his expressiveness is emotionally moving in ways that Sticks & Stones doesn't quite access.

Avalalanche Kaito – Avalanche Kaito VS. Leprous – Aphelion

Avalanche Kaito – Avalanche Kaito

Fantastic Negrito – White Jesus, Black Problems VS. Flying Lotus – Yasuke OST

Flying Lotus – Yasuke OST

Sault – Air VS. Juliana Barwick – Healing is a Miracle

Sault – Air

Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers VS. Freestyle Fellowship – To Whom it May Concern

Freestyle Fellowship – To Whom it May Concern

Tim Reynolds & Greg Howard – Sticks & Stones VS. Goro Yamaguchi – Kinkoryu Shakuhachi

Goro Yamaguchi – Kinkoryu Shakuhachi

Porcupine Tree – Closure/Continuation VS. Transatlantic -The Absolute Universe: Forevermore

Porcupine Tree - Closure/Continuation

2022 Album Roundup Series: Refining Styles & Broadening Palattes

Some albums I have had in rotation in the Fall of 2022, including:

Kate Bush - The Hounds of Love (1985) black midi - Hellfire (2022) Paul Slavens - Alphabet Girls v. 2 (2022) Bali Gamelan Sound - Otonan; Gender Wayang (2021) Miles Davis - Relaxin' with the Miles Davis Quintet (1958) Bjorn Riis - Everything to Everyone (2022)

A text post on Alphabet Girls V. 2 Another special post on Miles Davis' Kind of Blue

2022 Album Roundup Series: August - Summer's Last Stand

Here's what I had in rotation in August of 2022:

Porcupine Tree - Closure/Continuation (2022) Avalanche Kaito - Avalanche Kaito (2022) Sault - Air (2022) Goro Yamaguchi - Kinkoryu Shakuhachi (2006) Fantastic Negrito - White Jesus, Black Problems (2020) Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers (2020)

Here's a review of Sault's Untitled (Rise)