Here is a list of my favorite albums from the past month. Enjoy!
Not sure if this list is for you? My musical tastes vary widely, but you’ll generally always find hip-hop, jazz, funk, or a blend of each in the selections along with the occasional country, rock, and reggae album. I’m always looking for new (and old) music so any recommendations are welcome!
Want more? Check out my other favorite music posts.
Also, you can find a playlist of tracks that I love on my Right About Now playlist. š§
Flamingosis
Daymaker
Love this for any time of day. My beat tape instrumental groove pick of the month.
While Daymaker is inherently a solo project, the album includes collaborations with giants in the electronic and funk realm, with contributors ranging from keyboardist Borahm Lee [Pretty Lights], Jeff Franca [Thievery Corporation], Hunter Roberts and hip-hop funk duo Recess and Mike Tallman [Euforquestra].
Album Review: Flamingosis – Daymaker: https://www.magneticmag.com/2021/06/album-review-flamingosis-daymaker/
Rejjie Snow
Baw Baw Black Sheep
My hip-hop pick of the month. Reminds me of Mike Jenkins how it moves between styles and feelings.
Irish rapper creates a trippy companion soundtrack to his favourite childhood film, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Huh? š¤ Just listen, I promise.
Rejjie Snow ā āBaw Baw Black Sheepā review: a world of pure imagination: https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/rejjie-snow-baw-baw-black-sheep-review-2988768
Jaubi
Nafs at Peace
My jazz pick of the month (ok, maybe one of two jazz picks)
The album takes its title from the Qurāanās evocation of ānafsā, meaning the ego or self. The holy text describes three levels of nafs: the soul inclined to evil (an ego-dominated existence, serving temptation), the self-reproaching soul (an internal battle from sin to repentance), and the tranquil soul (the state of serenity, transcending sin). Across seven tracks, Jaubi effectively convey this journey of the self via shifts in musical character ā from a hip-hop swing to classical ragas and ferocious jazz improvisations ā and a subtle increase in pace and intensity.
Jaubi: Nafs at Peace review ā Pakistani band battle ego with improv: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/30/jaubi-nafs-at-peace-review-battling-the-ego-with-improv
Faye Webster
I Know I’m Funny hahah
Something different in the form of some sad/beautiful country songs. This one grew on me.
There is so much depth to Faye Websterās dazzling fourth album. It strikes a perfect balance between classic country stoicism and the sound of the saddest person you follow on social media.
Faye Webster I Know Iām Funny haha: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/faye-webster-i-know-im-funny-haha/
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
Bad Boys of Jazz
Afrobeats, jazz, and funk. Sign. Me. Up. š„
Even before clocking the Hypnotic Brass Ensembleās origin story, itās hard to shake its music, a collection of roiling big-band horn harmonies, hip-hop inflected rhythms, Afrobeat-styled percussion accents and wiry wah-wah guitar accompaniment. Itās almost the perfect summation of the past 70 years of brass and dance music.
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Bad Boys Of Jazz Review: https://downbeat.com/reviews/detail/bad-boys-of-jazz
Honorable mentions āļø
Vince Staples new album has a great bounce (“I’m a real beach boy, come around my way”). I’ve been discovering the beat tapes from Damu the Fudgemunk (see How it should sound vol 5). I’ve also been listening to Ahmad Jamal’s classic Poinciana after coming across the following performance:
Comments welcome!