Score: 9/10
Genre: Cosmic Jazz, Instrumental Hip Hop, Sound Collage
Year: 2021

Much like Red Burns, NOW is a record I’ve had to sit with for years before I could even articulate what I loved about it. The first time I heard it, I felt it was rather a unassuming jazz/hip hop record. For some reason though, it wasn’t forgettable. I kept revisiting it to try and form an opinion, and each time, something new would jump out and make me rethink how I felt about it.

Continue reading →

My top 12 albums from this year! 12 only because it fits nicely in a 3x4 grid. Here’s a Spotify Playlist with a highlight from each album.

1. Curyman by Rogê

Arthur Verocai, arguably Brazil’s most acclaimed arranger, has been experiencing a carrer rennaisance lately. After he appeared on Mood Valiant by Hiatus Kaiyote and Talk Memory by BADBADNOTGOOD in 2021, I’ve been following him very closely. Usually his intricate, colourful arrangements can single-handedly save a song for me.

But when I first listenened to Curyman, I found I wasn’t listening to Verocai’s horns and strings. Rogê is an incredible singer and guitarist. He is as good, if not better than the 1970s samba-rock legends he is clearly inspired by. The acoustic guitar and percussion are so tight, I can’t sit still when I listen to this record. Rogê’s vocals are both delicate and rhythmic, fitting the music perfectly. The dry drum production sometimes remind me of modern neo-soul, but overall, Curyman perfectly nails the sound of 1970s Brazilian pop. Overall a gorgeous, fun record that has overcome the language barrier to become my favourite album of this year.

Genre: Música Popular Brasileira, Samba-Rock
Best track: “Existe Uma Voz”

Continue reading →

Score: 10/10
Genre: Neo Soul, Experimental
Year: 2017

The most intricate album I’ve ever heard. Red Burns is structured like a continuous story, fading between tracks like scenes of a documentary. The story feels like the account of an American folklorist exploring New York. Red Burns visits a wide variety of African and Latin American genres to paint a picture of the African Diaspora living in New York today. The album is led by a rotating cast of musicians, artists, and poets. Red Burns comes together as a collage of the personal histories and cultural identities of each of its artists.

Continue reading →