(featured image illustration by Rich Ruth and Jordan Williams)
“The result is a kind of jam jazz rock where all of Ruth’s collaborators are encouraged to add their own improvisational spirit to the project. The immersive music ultimately reveals various potent patterns, yet the album thrives on presenting the unexpected and, at times, the unpredictable.”
Review of Rich Ruth’s Water Still Flows
I spent the past month deep in albums that mostly came out in 2024, courtesy of the KEXP DJs’ top 2024 lists. Enjoy!
Rich Ruth – Water Still Flows
An all instrumental rock jazz progressive album that brims with intensity. My favorite morning album in recent memory and my favorite find of the new year so far.
Teddy and the Rough Riders – Down Home
This country album just hits all the right things for me: good song writing, excellent musicianship, and hopeful vibes.
Sault – Acts of Faith
Sticking to the hopeful vibes theme, this album came out by surprise on Spotify after being released as one single mp3 sometime last year on Sault’s website. Now that I’ve actually listened to it, I get what all the fuss is about.
TV Girl & George Clanton – Fauxllennuium
I dig everything that George Clanton works on and this one doesn’t disappoint.
Damian Lazarus – Magickal
Great melodic dance/house feel to this one.
Scott Ballew – Rio Bravo
Another country find from last year, albeit very different in tone and feel from Teddy and the Rough Riders. The songs are slower and the material more weighty seeming, but this album still feels light enough and hits a groove all it’s own.
Other albums that found their way to me (and stayed) this month:
- Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few – The Almighty
- FKJ – 22_23 Live Sessions
- bad tuner – look at me but through me
- Tom Misch – Six Songs
- fat jon – Obscurity Continuum
- Benjamin Lackner – Spindrift
- Mac Miller – Balloonerism
- Jakob Bro – Taking Turns
- Skyzoo – Keep Me Company
I love discovering new music and hope sharing my finds inspires you to check out something different (and support the artists you love). Happy listening. ✌️
Comments welcome!