January 24, 2021
Listening selections for the week of January 24, 2021, best enjoyed with a French press of Stumptown Coffee Roasters’ French Roast, for beautifully pungent notes of bittersweet chocolate and clove.
Streaming Links:
Highlights include:
Kaleidoscopic 60s pop from Spanky & Our Gang, in honor of my grandfather’s 90th birthday
Hard-hitting boom bap, paired with a delicate, airy melody from west London creative NAYANA IZ
Sumptuous repetition from the loop daddy himself: Marc Rebillet
The pleasurable pairing of prolific masters of smooth Benny Sings and Tom Misch
Atmospheric, shape-shifting pop from South London singer Laura Groves
A glorious ambient dreamscape from Michael Rich Ruth
Melodic punk from Krautrock luminaries Neu!
The punishingly ethereal sonic wonder that is The National’s “Bloodbuzz Ohio”
Minimal, spacious vocal jazz from Dal and vocalist Leah Yeger
A beautiful piano-led tune from oft excellent, and sometimes esoteric, artist Duval Timothy
Sweeping, epic alternative from Manchester trio Doves
Gnarly, South African funk from the excellent 2019 Kwaito Kings comp
The building, mellow lead single from pianist Alfa Mist’s forthcoming, fourth solo album Bring Backs
Catchy, dreamy bedroom pop from Szymon Borzestowski
Brisk, immersive electronica from French producer Rone and Eisenberg Review favorite Georgia
The newest release from one of Wassoulou music’s leading singers, out on Awesome Tapes From Africa
A formless, yet compelling, exploration of groove as a musical language from Kalbells
Snarling blues revival from Swedish rock band Black River Delta
Reflective, Paul Simon-influenced pop from producer extraordinaire Ethan Gruska
A dark and vibey electro-jazz journey from producer duo The Colours That Rise and Yazmin Lacey
A stirring rendition of Black Pumas’ “Colors,” buoyed by jazz bad boys Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (Spotify Exclusive)
One of countless highlights from D’Angelo’s Voodoo, included in celebration of Questlove’s 50th birthday
The Chayla Hope Choice Find of the Week, spotlighting the Princess of R&B who would have turned 42 this month
Enrapturing house excellence from Bonobo and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
The Dave Brubeck Quartet at their most sublime, recorded by my grandfather at the University of Cincinnati in 1954