Here’s some stuff I’ve been digging, with Songwhip links so you can listen wherever you listen:
Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine - I’m planning to tackle a Fiona song in Season Seven, and while I think it’ll be from an earlier album, Extraordinary Machine is still probably my favorite of hers. “Tymps (The Sick in the Head Song)” kills me every time.
Kenny Burrell - Midnight Blue - I’ve been listening to a lot of jazz guitar greats lately, and had never made enough time for Burrell. What a player.
John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman - In addition to his more searching (and more famous) quartet records, Trane recorded a collection of straight-ahead commercial records while he was on Impulse. I came back to this one while trying to pick a definitive version of Strayhorn’s “Lush Life” to talk about on the show. This might be the one.
Rick Springfield - Hard to Hold - Specifically the song “Bop ‘Til You Drop.” What is this? A bunch of Peter Gabriel’s dudes got together with Rick Springfield to make the hippest 80s jam you’ve never heard.
Rob Cope - Gemini - I recently guested on saxophonist Rob Cope’s jazz podcast, and we had a great chat. I checked out his record before talking with him, just to see what he was about, and it’s great!
St. Vincent - All Born Screaming - Is this album out yet? Apple Music seems to have most of it downloaded, but I think maybe it’s not quite out yet. Anyway, it’s a new one from one of the most interesting musicians going. It rules.
Tall Tall Trees - Stick to the Mystical I - A listener introduced me to Tall Tall Trees, and I’ve been loving this record ever since. A fascinating collection of… I don’t know. Progressive quest-folk? Genre is a cage. It’s an album with a profound sense of space. Everything is recorded beautifully. It’s good!
Blondie - Eat to the Beat - I didn’t wind up doing my Blondie episode on “Atomic” off of this record, but I ALMOST did. This album rocks, and that song rocks.
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever - My niece has recently gotten really into Billie, and she got me to check this record out. I’m sure lots of people have said this, but Billie Eilish is as much a jazz and soul singer as anything? I’m pretty excited for her new one.
Anna Tivel - Outsiders - I’ve loved Anna’s music for a while; Sam was in town recording with her when he stopped by to play on my Meshell episode. She’s remarkably prolific, and her albums all sound fantastic - this one is no exception. The drums sound like a waking dream.
Kishi Bashi - Lighght - Another listener recommendation. How had I never heard this guy? Just endlessly joyful, explosive pop music with, unsurprisingly, some real Of Montrealish energy. Delightful.
ee gee - SHE-REX - This was a listener pick from the Strong Songs Discord. I’d never heard ee gee’s music. Everything sounds so perfect? It’s kind of wild that this is just how albums sound now.
Austin McMahon w/ Troy Roberts, Nate Radley & Ana Petrova - Things are Looking Up - Austin (drums) and Troy (sax), both old friends who happen to be two of the best musicians I know. It’s cool to see them recording something together, and I hope to see them collaborate again!
Elsy Wameyo - Nilotic - This rec came from a listener from down under, and dang. Just a reminder that all around the world, there are young musicians pouring absolute lava every day, and I haven’t heard of ninety percent of them.
Elizabeth Cotten - Live! - My friend Kenji, a terrific guitarist himself, has long been telling me to listen to Elizabeth Cotten. She’s got one of the most fascinating stories of any musician… ever, I guess, and this live record is a beautiful artifact.