January 31, 2021
Listening selections for the week of January 31, 2021, best enjoyed with a French press of Ready Set! Coffee Roasters’ Lake Effect blend, for full-bodied notes of chocolate and orange zest.
Streaming Links:
Highlights include:
Pitter-pattering ambient house from Sweden’s Axel Boman
The droning title track from Fontaines D.C.’s slightly underwhelming A Hero’s Death
Bittersweet electronica from London-based duo Bicep new Isles
Aptly named, woozy psych-funk from King Pari
Dreamy disco pop from smoky-voiced Molly Burch and Wild Nothing
Slick aughts revival from HIRA
Hazy indie groove from English trio North Downs
The opening to Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids’ new spiritual jazz opus Shaman!
An exciting new collaboration between two musical savants
Bubbly electro-R&B from pioneer Steve Spacek’s latest album Houses
Oblique Franco-pop from Aksak Maboul
Hypnotic post-punk kraut from TRAAMS
Heavy jazz-rock fusion from German guitarist, bandleader and innovator JJ Whitefield
Spaced-out funk rock from the subgenre’s leading progenitors
The Chayla Hope Choice Pick of the Week, spotlighting a sublime collaboration between Daft Punk and The Weeknd
‘70s jazz-fusion helmed by trumpeter Donald Byrd
Soul ska from Lee “Scratch” Perry’s 1972 Africa’s Blood
A timeless lament just re-released by peerless archival record label The Numero Group
An 808-buoyed vibe from Amaarae that demonstrates the trendsetting sounds of Africa pop
Loose and colorful organ jazz from Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio and Colemine Records
Breathtaking hyperpop from innovative experimental songstress Charli XCX
A rousing, bass-driven ballad from Merrill Garbus and tUnE-yArDs
Tranquil modal jazz from Northeast Ohio musical stalwarts Nathan-Paul, HR3 and Joey Skoch
The pinnacle of Sly & The Family Stone’s early work