Category: Playlist

Playlist – October 2021

It feels like Fall, my favorite season, in more than one sense. And this marks a full year since I’ve been doing these – they helped keep me tethered to some sense of loving music and art and wanting to share that with people even as other outlets dried up in the depths of last year, and I’m grateful for anyone who pressed play, who said something kind or told me they found a song or an artist they didn’t hear before, or who read any of these notes. Thanks, as always.

Bandcamp links where available, courtesy of Hype Machine’s Merch Table function: https://hypem.com/merch-table/0BgevKbvPofQ0xMv6zweXs

Playlist record reviews

Playlist – September 2021

Post author By rsanford614
Post date October 20, 2021
No Comments on Playlist – September 2021

Stumbled hard a few times this month but righted the ship. Still struggling with some levels of burnout but I see the light, and I’ve started some habits that are showing some positive signs. And had some remarkable feelings of normality, in all the best ways – the first weekend I had to review three shows. First writing for a new outlet run by good friends.

Seeing other friends for the first time in person since before the pandemic and good lord, it’s amazing how much energy I’ve missed from those people it never would have occurred to see every week or anything but who bring something ineffable to my life. First Pink Elephant in 18 months, coupled with returning from Gonerfest and a full week of theater reviews led to this being a little more delayed than I’d like; back to the first week of the month next month.

And this, the year anniversary of these playlists which give me more joy than I expected when I started and I’ve gotten remarkably positive feedback about. Thanks for listening. Thanks for letting me know what you think. Thanks for being here. I love you.

For bandcamp links, courtesy of Hype Machine’s essential Merch Table feature: https://hypem.com/merch-table/4lo8VPqshOImwYp23tpQBD

Tags Aaron Lee Tasjan, Adia Victoria, amir el-saffar, Amy Allen, Amyl and the Sniffers, BB Seaton, Becca Stevens, Bolis Pupul, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Charlotte Adigery, Chet Doxas, Chris Potter, Circuit des Yeux, cory henry, Craig Taborn, Dori Freeman, Ego Ella May, El Alfa, Elena Setien, Errol Brown, Farruko, Gerald Clayton, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Jack DeJohnette, Jared Schonig, Jayson Gercyz, Jen Powers, Jesse Malin, Joe Armon-Jones, Joel Ross, Julia Bardo, K Wata, Lara Downes, Marissa Nadler, Mary Lattimore, Mathew Rolin, Michael Mayo, Mickey Guyton, moor mother, Moviola, Nao, Nate Smith, Nubiyan Twist, Pat Metheny, Playlist, Powers/Rolin Duo, PRB Label, Prism Quartet, PUBLIQuartet, Rachel Eckroth, Ravi Coltrane, recorded music, Rod Gator, Saje, Skepticism, Spread Joy, Steven Bernstein, Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra, Tems

"Hey, Fred!" Playlist record reviews

Playlist – August 2021

Had a hard time getting going, a hard time connecting for the first half of this month: to music, to relationships, to writing. Some of that was the lingering fallout from my COVID breakthrough case, part was in response to the overwhelming, oppressive heat beyond what Ohio’s used to in August, and some was just ennui, the wall I hit after rushing too hard to get things close to a normal we might not see again without making the proper allowances for stamina and change.

But I made it through, some interactions with old and new friends, a couple astonishing shows, some mind-blowing theatre as local troupes come back, and a handful of those moments where I was playing a new record while I’m on the treadmill at the gym or walking to the bus to work and a song felt like a lightning bolt going up and down my spine. They all reminded me why I do this and what I want to be. Thanks for listening and checking in. I hope you find something to enjoy here.

As usual, keep reading below for notes on the songs.

Bandcamp links courtesy of Hype Machine’s Merch Table: https://hypem.com/merch-table/671AAQ5TJFQzBboAqN20E6

Tags Arturo O'Farrill, Bela Fleck, Boohle, Booker Stardrum, Cameron Knowler, Carl Stone, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Clara Iannotta, Connie Smith, George Cables, Gunna, Jade Bird, James Gaiters, James McMurtry, Kamasi Washington, Kenny Garrett, Lady Du, Lingua Ignota, Lorde, Los Lobos, Los Psychosis, Manga Saint Hilare, Marc Anthony, Marina Sena, marisa anderson, Martha Wainwright, Molly Herron, Molly Tuttle, Munich Chamber Orchestra, music, Nathan-Paul and the Admirables, Nite Jewel, Oxygen Destroyer, Pamela Z, Pharez Whitted, Piotr Anderszewski, Playlist, Rauw Alejandro, recorded music, Roy Hargrove, Science Ficta, Shannon and the Clams, Sierra Hull, Southern Avenue, Taurus, The Bug, Theon Cross, Tim Easton, Wanda Jackson, William Parker, William Tyler, Yola

Playlist record reviews

Playlist – July 2021

Riding the wave of my return to New York but brought down by one of those breakthrough infections you hear about, and that colors the party we were planning to throw as I wrote this but held off a month considering the numbers as well as this playlist. The crushing heatwaves in both cities I wandered through this month also seep into the sticky party and the sweaty paranoid melancholy of this month’s selections. Hope you enjoy, as always. Continue reading for notes.

Bandcamp versions via Hype Machine’s merch table feature: https://hypem.com/merch-table/7u5B2p361qPgOG7JUcApPu

Tags Aaron Frazier, Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Annette Bowen, April March, Brandee Younger, Cadence Weapon, Charley Crockett, Corinne Sharlet, Countree Hype, curtis harding, Darsombra, Descember Bueno, DJ Manny, Durand Jones and the Indications, Gente De Zona, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Havard Volden, Henry Threadgill, Honey Dijon, Indio da cuica, ingrid laubrock, Intence, Jacques Greene, Jenny Hval, Jesse Malin, JG Thirlwell, Jitwam, Johanna Hedva, KC Jones, Keith Ganz, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Lala Lala, Ledisi, Leila Bordreuil, Les Filles de Illighadad, Lucy Gooch, Maykel Osorbo, Metropole Orkest, Mick Harris, music, Nene H, Nikki-O, Playlist, recorded music, Rodney Crowell, Rosie Turton, Scorn, Scott Reeves, Shenseea, Snoh Aalegra, Steve Dawson, Susan Alcorn, The Red Microphone, William Parker, Xordox, Yotuel, YUNGMORPHEUS

Playlist record reviews

Monthly Playlist – June 2021

Post author By rsanford614
Post date July 12, 2021
No Comments on Monthly Playlist – June 2021

As spring rounded its bend toward summer, Anne and I took our first extended vacation since prior to the pandemic and it was a good mix of doing things, seeing both strangers and friends, and chilling the hell out. Saw phenomenal sets of Reigning Sound, Chuck Mead, and The Veldt. I think that influenced this month’s selections – reacquainting myself with the rhythm of airports, planes, favorite roads and coffee shops in beloved cities but also the surprising kind of slowed-down vacation where my usual Friday’s sort through new records was done with coffee on the porch of a beach house I’d never done before.

Columbus is returning to life and most of what has my number so far has been jazz – Randy Mather leading the Joe Diamond tribute act Rhinestone Quartet getting a packed dancefloor to the hard bop anthem “The Sidewinder” was magic. Brett Burleson leading another quartet with the great Eddie Bayard on tenor moving from one of his slow-burn ballad originals into an eye-of-the hurricane stomping take on Monk’s “Rhythm-a-ning” almost knocked me out of my chair.

Also, as you can probably tell from the full-to-bulging nature of this list, a bounty of music to love. Continue reading for notes on the songs.

Bandcamp links courtesy of the Hype Machine’s Merch Table feature: https://hypem.com/merch-table/0o869LnrgxOKiD4yyxpvqi

Tags AJ Davila, Amaro Freitas, Amy Helm, Bill McKay, Broken Shadows, Ceramic Dog, Ches Smith, Chris Eldridge, Chris Thile, Cochemea, Cory Wong, Cynthia Hopkins, David Crosby, Declan O'Rourke, DMX, Dress the Dead, Emily Wolfe, FACS, Felinto, Fellwalker, Gabriel Cabezas, Gabriella Smith, Ghetto Priest, H.E.R, Huntertones, JD Allen, Jerry Douglas, John Hiatt, John Reischman, Joy Oladokun, Khruangbin, La La, Lauren Flax, Liminanas, Loraine James, Los Piranas, Lucy Dacus, Marc Ribot, Mariah the Scientist, marisa anderson, Mekka Don, Mereba, MonoNeon, moor mother, Mountain Goats, music, Nathan Bowles, Parks David, Playlist, Quantic, Rachel Baiman, Raphael Saadiq, retroPmaS, Richard Bacchus, Sarah Jarosz, Swizz Beatz, The LOX, tinashe, Todd Philips, Tony Joe White, Trent Freeman, Verterah, We all Break

Playlist record reviews

Playlist – May 2021

I spent April in an anxiety-ridden state of transition: a dash of survivor’s guilt, a splash of irrational exuberance, a sprinkling of always-remember-it’s-not-over-yet, and a magnum of remembering how my socialization muscles feel when they move.

May was better, even as my heart went out to friends still suffering – with a particular eye on the Hyderabad team who I work with every day and who have taken some horrific losses. Only time will tell, but I think this month’s selections reflect that. As always, thank you for reading, for commenting, for turning me onto stuff that made this list, and for being part of my life.

Bandcamp links where available, courtesy of Hype Machine’s Merch Table feature: https://hypem.com/merch-table/53h8NSehhgehtUqPtube5l

Continue reading for notes on each song:

Tags AJ Davila, Alex Chilton, Allison Russell, Andy Meyerson, Angel bat Dawid, Angel Olsen, Aoife O'Donovan, Aurelia Dey, Blue Cactus, Bobby Gillespie, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Chimurenga Renaissance, Chris Potter, Christopher Cerrone, Coco Maria, Colleen, curtis harding, Czarface, Dave Douglas, Donovan Woods, Earl Sweatshirt, Eddie Roberts, Eli "Paperboy" Reed, French Ship, Giant Claw, Goat Girl, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, India Jordan, james brandon lewis, Jeff Parker, Jehnny Beth, Joe Lovano, Johanna Samuels, Jon Batiste, Jorja Smith, KAMAUU, Kendra Morris, King Britt, Lainey Wilson, Lowell Liebermann, Lucy Dacus, Machel Montano, Masego, Matt Sweeney, Mdou Moctar, MF Doom, moor mother, Moses Sumney, Nadine Stoddart, Nidia, NTsKi, Peliculas Geniales, Quantic, Rachel Musson, Ralph Peterson, reigning sound, Robert Finley, Rosali, Ruby Parker, Sarah Jarosz, Sharon Van Etten, Sons of Kemet, Sunny Jain, The Alchemist, Tre. Charles

Playlist record reviews

Playlist – April 2021

Thank you, as always for reading and listening. Continue reading for notes on these songs. Bandcamp links courtesy of Hype Machine’s merch table functionality: https://hypem.com/merch-table/6VJZXb6W3X9LsAaHw7gCGo

Playlist record reviews

Playlist – March 2021

Spring feels good as it comes in fits and starts. Optimism leavened with more loss – most recently one of the best, kindest, most enthusiastic music fans I ever had the opportunity to know (and not know as well as I wish I had), Matt Bush. It’s hard to think of going back out to shows again and not seeing Matt’s face. Continue reading for notes on these songs.

Courtesy of the Hype Machine’s merch table function, links to Bandcamp for much of this: https://hypem.com/merch-table/57zbpIN0jYPAPewlwQJBE5

Tags Aida Lee, Andrew Bird, Aoife O'Donovan, Asher Bethune, AshK, Audrey Ochoa, AZITA, Ben Chasny, Billy Woods, Black Monument Ensemble, Blake Mills, Booker Stardrum, Brent Faiyaz, Cazzu, Chris Pierce, City Band, Claire Rousay, Corey Fonville, Dale Watson, Damon Locks, Dave Stryker, Dawn Richard, Don Bryant, Donovan Quinn, Eladio Carrion, Eli Njuchi, Eli Paperboy Reed, Fakazile Nikosi, Floating Points, Florence Price, Gabe 'Nandez, Garrison Starr, Genesis Owusu, GG King, Ghetts, Harlem Gospel Travelers, Huntertones, Israel Nash, Jane Monheit, Jane Rose and the Deadend Boys, Jane Weaver, Jimbo Mathus, John Paul Keith, Kacey Johansing, Kris Dever, Kris Tiner, Lake Street Dive, Lara Downes, Laura Mvula, Laura Taglialatela, Liesl, Logan Richardson, Louis Cato, Lucinda Williams, Lydia Luce, Lynda Dawn, Mayra Casales, Melissa Carper, Midnite Snaxxx, Mike Baggetta, Mndsgn, Molly Burman, moor mother, More Eaze, music, Naftali, Nicole Cabell, Num Bums, Pharaoh Sanders, Phoebe Bridgers, Pino Palladino, Playlist, Samantha Ege, Sharon Van Etten, Sibusile Xaba, Sofia Kourtesis, Soul Glo, The City Champs, The Sueves, Tin/Bag, WitchTit, Wolf Weston, Yandel

Playlist record reviews

Monthly Playlist – February 2021

Post author By rsanford614
Post date March 2, 2021
No Comments on Monthly Playlist – February 2021

Thinking a lot about absent friends lately, and I’m sure that colored these choices. But usual winter melancholy and spiraling showed up, so I tried to counteract that with as much dancing as possible. Courtesy of Hype Machine, a merch table for this playlist: https://hypem.com/merch-table/42OpOdyNgQoMcq1KHEqQ45

Continue reading for notes on these songs.

Tags Aaron Lee Tasjan, Adrian Younge, Alostmen, Amadou Kouyate, Archie Shepp, arlo parks, Becca Mancari, Betty Shirley and the Red Organ Trio, Bill Callahan, Black Coffee, Bodies of Water, Bomba Estero, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Carmen Castaldi, Cassie Berman, Chance the Rapper, Charles Lloyd, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Demoniac, Ebhoni, Emmet Cohen, ethan iverson, Eximperitus, Frankie Sunswept, Goat Girl, GUDFELLA, jason moran, Jefferson Hamer, Jeremy Pelt, Jillette Johnson, JKLOL, Joe Lovano, Joeboy, Joey Quinones, John Paul Keith, Katy B, Kid Congo Powers, Kristin Andreassen, La Perversa, Lara Downes, Laren Balthrop, Largemouth Brass Band, Lawson White, Levity, London Symphony Orchestra, Lost Horizons, Marilyn Crispell, Marissa Nadler, Maxine Ashley, Moses Boyd, Muni Long, Nahawa Doumbia, Nun Gun, Playlist, Pony Bradshaw, Quiet Child, Rob Noyce, Sarah Mary Chadwick, Senora May, Sohail Daulatzai, Stiff Richards, Sukihara, Sun-El Musician, The Staves, tinashe, Titus Underwood, Tokisha, Toumani Diabate, Vic Mensa, Villy, William Parker, Wyclef Jean, Yallin la Mas Viral, Yasmin Williams

Playlist record reviews

Monthly Playlist – January 2021

Post author By rsanford614
Post date January 31, 2021
2 Comments on Monthly Playlist – January 2021

Back again! January’s always a pretty slow month but I found a lot to like. A mix of things that hit my radar as I read other people’s year end lists, advance singles of Spring records I’m salivating over, and a smattering of new records.

Where to buy selections here available on Bandcamp, courtesy of Hype Machine’s Merch Table feature – https://hypem.com/merch-table/7BKaiIU7RORD4z0VEkLQEy

Read on for notes.

Tags Aaron Frazer, Ayelet Rose Gottlieb, Bilal, Bill Callahan, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Cassandra Jenkins, Corey Ledet, Cosmiq, El Michels Affair, Fly Anakin, Fox FAce, Frozen Soul, Gary Smulyan, George Xylouris, H.E.R, Jazmine Sullivan, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Jeff Fielder, Juana Molina, Kacy & Clayton, Kalbells, Landlady, Liliana Andrade, Luis Perdomo, Lydia Luce, Marlon Williams, Matt LaJoie, Menahan Street Band, Michael Beach, Miguel Zenon, Milly May, Mmzy, Mocky, Nao, Nick Waterhouse, Nikki Jean, Palberta, Patricia Brennan, Pink Siifu, Piya Malik, PJ Harvey, Playlist, recorded music, Richard Hell, Ronnie Cuber, Seun Kuti, Shame, Steve Earle, Sunburned Hand of the Man, Terminal Bliss, The Cavemen, The City Champs, The Notwist, Valerie June, Vast Aire, Wynton Marsalis