Tag: Playlist

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 – 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

Best Of Playlist

Best of 2020 Playlist – Spaces

Post author By rsanford614
Post date December 27, 2020
No Comments on Best of 2020 Playlist – Spaces

This encompasses freer-form work. I once set up two basic “things” I’m looking for in music, all credit to mentor and friend Rich Dansky for helping me get to this: either a shot of emotion, a story; or a landscape I want to come back to and explore again and again. These are some examples of the latter category I loved in the darkness of 2020.

Continue reading for notes on each piece, basically post-show cocktail talk because you’d never hear me playing 90% of these on a jukebox.

Where to buy what’s available on Bandcamp, courtesy of Hype Machine’s merch table: https://hypem.com/merch-table/1LcoH1YHihwDfw0XxlFvBD

Best Of Playlist

Best of 2020 Playlist – Parting Gifts

Post author By rsanford614
Post date December 26, 2020
No Comments on Best of 2020 Playlist – Parting Gifts

Every year I try to put together something for the artists who’ve died – frequently the last Pink Elephant, or the between Christmas and New Year’s Party we’ve thrown the last couple years, has a wide swath of these tributes. But this year felt like such a tidal wave of death it demanded a separate playlist.

The tidal wave of death didn’t spare me – two dear friends from long ago I hadn’t talked to much in years – but while I acknowledged that, it’s impossible to not also acknowledge how lucky I’ve been and hurt for my friends who’ve taken it much closer to them. Coupled with the continued out-in-the-open murderous criminality of the police and the increased (in volume, unabashedness and obviousness) indifference and vacuity of the minority rule party, it’s hard not to despair.

I believe things are going to get better because I have to believe that. I want to try harder to be part of the better. And a tiny sliver of that is paying tribute to the people we’ve lost. The person who passed away is listed in parentheses after the song.

Continue reading for notes on each piece.

Where to find what’s available on Bandcamp thanks to Hype Machien’s Merch Table Feature: https://hypem.com/merch-table/79cIhJlv1WNJNgrmafPU7x

Best Of Playlist record reviews

2020 Best Of Playlist – Songs

Post author By rsanford614
Post date December 18, 2020
No Comments on 2020 Best Of Playlist – Songs

I tried to break out this year’s playlist into a few zones to make them a little less unwieldy. What’s fun about this is it lets me make room for songs I played constantly, even if I didn’t love the whole record. Also putting these in different posts so it’s not too much to bite off.

Songs features tunes that lean a little more pop-oriented, usually with lyrics or dance beats.

Spaces deals in compositions and improvisations that are a little more abstract and usually instrumental.

Obviously, more than a few things could have fit on either.

Parting Gifts features people who’ve passed this year – heavier on jazz because it feels like COVID took a bigger bite out of living legends in that category, but obviously loss doesn’t miss any of us.

Here’s the first batch, mostly “songs.” For notes, basically, what I’d blather at you when I queued it up on a jukebox, continue reading below.

Merch Table Link courtesy Hype Machine: https://hypem.com/merch-table/3ENpeOuJ31RoF6c6CKkdjm