Six
Hermanos Guiterrez- Sonido Comsico
A recommendation from my friend Timmy Rush. Rich with mood, this Ecuador-Swiss brother duo extracted sounds that reminded me of the ambient production of 80’s U2. Soundscapes draped in latin/spaghetti western/Southwest America guitars.
No matter how spacey it all becomes, though, the human warmth of the Gutiérrez brothers’ playing continues to define their sound: their delicate approach to their instruments transforms string sounds into living voices, resonant in terms of both acoustics and emotions. Alejandro slides up and down his fingerboard on the melancholy opener “Lágrimas Negras” with veritable sighs; the brothers’ complementary lines on “Abuelita” make for a heartrending counterpoint – Pop Matters
In the long run this might end up being my most listened to album of 2024.
Seven
Ulysses Owens Jr. – A New Beat
This is one of those albums that came up in my Apple New Music algorithimed playlist. It touches all the spaces I love in jazz. Straight ahead enough to stay true to true jazz. Some fusion, but not enough to take away from the album as a whole. Accessible for the smooth jazz head who has an open mind or an expansive view of all jazz.
Recorded in the historic Rudy Van Gelder studio in Englewood, NJ, the musicality draws inspiration from jazz legends such as Mulgrew Miller, Roy Hargrove, and Jackie McLean among other notables. It seeks to occupy the space left by these titans with a quintet which exudes soul and blues. – All About Jazz
Without any hesitation, my favorite jazz album of the year.
Eight
Balance and Composure – With You In Spirit
Well. this discovery commenced on a trip to Minnesota in December with my boys. Having loved The Stone Roses, I felt like I was engaging a modern day version in some small way. All those fuzzy, moody, swirling guitars connected with me immediately.
Nine
NX Worries – Why Lawd?
Not the record Bruno and Anderson should have been. The record it could never be for this is just so more authentic and true. A treasure of an R&B release. One where if I still ran a music store I could get heads turning all day playing it in rotation.
The sumptuous Why Lawd? not only succeeds, it expands their vision. The beats are more ambitious, the lyrics more thoughtful on subjects of affection, rejection, and coital bliss. They sound as enamored with having loved and lost as with the future joys and miseries just over the horizon. – Pitchfork
Ten
Kendrick Lamar – GNX
The year of Kendrick. Will it get the same long time respect of GKMC or TPAB? I am not sure. On the surface it might seem absent of the radio friendly vibes of Damn. But, “Not Like Us” still strikes me as one of the most amazing hit records ever. An ongoing feud results in a catchy hook turned summer anthem.
With that as a precursor to this release I think we might not understand the greatness of this album in the moment. It was the album I had on repeat the most upon its’ debut. In the end, Kendrick’s releases are going to stand the test of time and are Smithsonian like.
For me Dr. Dre introing ‘Not Like Us’ live was my favorite music moment of the year.