There was a flood of phenomenal music, so much that left me staggered this year. As with past years, I’ll write about the actual material in the playlist posts which should be out the week of the 22nd (looking to get Visual Art and Live Music written up this week), but I still like having what my favorite records were to look back on and see what still sparks me later and what didn’t hold up like I expected it to.
New:
- Jaimie branch, Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((world war))
- Jerry David DeCicca, New Shadows New Shadows by Jerry David DeCicca
- Missy Mazzoli, Dark With Excessive Bright https://bisrecords.lnk.to/2572
- Meshell Ndegeocello, The Omnichord Real Book https://store.bluenote.com/products/meshell-ndegeocello-the-omnichord-real-book
- Scowl, Psychic Dance Routine FSR69 – Psychic Dance Routine by Scowl
- Irreversible Entanglements, Protect Your LightIrreversible Entanglements by Irreversible Entanglements
- Esther Rose, Safe to RunSafe to Run by Esther Rose
- Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, Dynamic Maximum TensionDynamic Maximum Tension by Darcy James Argue's Secret Society
- Karol G, Mañana Será Bonito https://shopkarolg.com/products/manana-sera-bonito-digital-album
- James Brandon Lewis’ Red Lily Quartet, For Mahalia, With LoveFor Mahalia, With Love by James Brandon Lewis / Red Lily Quintet
- Joy Oladokun, Proof of LifeProof Of Life [Explicit] by Joy Oladokun
- B. Cool-Aid, Leather BlvdLeather Blvd. by B. Cool-Aid
- Kris Davis and Diatom Ribbons, Live at the Village VanguardDiatom Ribbons Live At The Village Vanguard by Kris Davis
- Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Keeping Secrets Will Destroy YouKeeping Secrets Will Destroy You by Bonnie "Prince" Billy
- Arooj Aftab/Vijay Iyer/Shazad Ismaily, Love in Exile https://shop.aroojaftabmusic.com/collections/love-in-exile
- Chris Potter, Got the Keys to the Kingdom: Live at the Village VanguardGot the Keys to the Kingdom: Live at the Village Vanguard by Chris Potter
- Lori McKenna, 1988 https://lorimckenna.merchmadeeasy.com/collections/1988-pre-order?ffm=FFM_7052cdd0b6472c234527ae46a83828d6
- Wadada Leo Smith and Orange Wave Electric, Fire IlluminationsFire Illuminations by Wadada Leo Smith and Orange Wave Electric
- Rhiannon Giddens, You’re the OneYou're The One by Rhiannon Giddens
- Say She She, SilverSilver by Say She She
Reissues/Archival Material/Compilations:
- King Louie Bankston, Harahan FatsHarahan Fats by King Louie Bankston
- Drive-By Truckers, The Complete Dirty SouthThe Complete Dirty South by Drive-By Truckers
- The Replacements, Tim: Let it Bleed Edition https://store.rhino.com/en/rhino-store/artists/the-replacements/tim-let-it-bleed-edition-box-set-4cd1lp/603497833115.html
- Various Artists, Written in their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos Written In Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos by Stax Records
- Joni Mitchell, Archives Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972-75) https://store.jonimitchell.com/en/joni-mitchell/music/archives-vol.-3-the-asylum-years-1972–19755cd/603497834303.html
- Sarah Davachi, Selected Works I and II Selected Works I & II by Sarah Davachi
- Various Artists, Ecuatoriana: El Universo Paralelo de Polibio Mayorga 1969-1981Ecuatoriana – El Universo Paralelo de Polibio Mayorga 1969-1981 (Analog Africa No. 37) by Analog Africa
- Prince, Diamonds and Pearls (Super Deluxe Edition) https://store.prince.com/product/5QCDPR068/diamonds-and-pearls-super-deluxe-edition-7-cd-bluray
- Various Artists, À moi la liberté: Early Electronic Rai – Algérie 1983-90A MOI LA LIBERTE – Early Electronic Raï – ALGERIE – 1983/1990 (SER014) by Various Artists
- Various Artists, Blacklips Bar: Androgyns and Deviants – Industrial Romance for Bruised and Battered Angels, 1992–1995Blacklips Bar: Androgyns and Deviants — Industrial Romance for Bruised and Battered Angels, 1992–1995 by Various Artists
- Sonic Youth, Live in Brooklyn 2011Live in Brooklyn 2011 by Sonic Youth
- Helene Smith, I Am Controlled By Your Love https://numerogroup.com/products/i-am-controlled-by-your-love
- Fred Davis, Cleveland Blues Cleveland Blues by Fred Davis
- Nokono Teles, Love Vibration Love Vibration by Nkono Teles
- Charles Mingus, The Lost Album from Ronnie Scott’sThe Lost Album from Ronnie Scott's by Charles Mingus
- Pharaoh Sanders, PharaohPharoah by Pharoah Sanders
- Emeralds, Does It Look Like I’m Here? (Expanded Remaster)Does It Look Like I'm Here? (Expanded Remaster) by Emeralds
Screen of Distance 