Music Wrap: The Best of January
- Jack Jones
- Feb 6, 2019
- 4 min read
I don’t really know how to start this article. I don’t know what constitutes a good month of music. I have no reference point. I have never really looked at music in terms of months, but see I figure if I do so on here it gives me eleven months of material before any end of year list. I guess now we insert the obligatory “it was a really interesting/good/quality month for music” statement here and get started.
Albums:
Ill Considered – Ill Considered 5 and Ill Considered 6
Ill Considered are a London jazz outfit that have been around for a few years now, but all that contextual stuff is meaningless, because I only discovered them this month. Anyhow, last month they put out the albums Ill Considered 5 and Ill Considered 6 which were released on the same day, following a Christmas album at the end of last year. Idris Rahman’s tenor saxophone is undoubtedly the centrepiece for the most part, but the bass work of Leon Brichard, and an array of percussion give Ill Considered their own unique, gripping, and surprisingly accessible sound. Recorded over only a few days, and mostly improvised the cohesive, yet bombastic and experimental nature of the albums displays a level of chemistry that would not be matched by most of their contemporaries. Despite being released as separate albums, there is a logical progression from the start of 5 until the conclusion of 6. That being said, both releases are highly-fulfilling, and while best heard together, are still quality projects apart.
Aesop Rock & TOBBACO – Malibu Ken
Aesop Rock’s profound and nearly unparalleled storytelling ability and TOBACCO’s futuristic, synth-heavy production proved to be a strong match on their debut collaborative project as Malibu Ken. The record combines trippy, psychedelic production and Aesop Rock’s usual sharp-as-a-knife lyricism, as his topics range from the braggadocios nature of ‘Suicide Big Gulp’ to the story of seventeen-year-old alleged Satanist and murderer Ricky Kasso. Despite the diverse themes throughout the album, it remains a very concise, cohesive project, and shows there is clear chemistry between the two musicians. Ultimately a very interesting collaboration, and one that makes me want more from the duo.
Greg Ward presents Rogue Parade – Stomping Off From Greenwood
My first introduction to this album came through my shitty laptop speakers, which prompted me to incorrectly comment that it sounded like Sims music. That statement was mostly untrue, but this album and Sims music do at least share one thing in comment: they are both very pleasant. The quintet is presented by Chicago-based saxophonist and composer Greg Ward who I was excited to read had worked with Makaya McCraven, who put out a highly-innovative and engaging jazz project, Universal Beings, last year. The record is structured around Ward’s saxophone and Matt Gold’s guitar, and there’s some enthralling interplay between the two throughout. In fact, it’s the overall interplay of progressive jazz and rock which gives this album a really memorable, yet strangely homely sound, that makes it worth returning to.
Warish -S/T
This 5-track EP is exactly what I like from my punk music: pure filth. At just over 11 minutes, the EP crams in 5 tracks of gritty, snarled riffs, heavy distortion, lo-fi vocals into a sweet, tasty little package. Disgustingly beautifully simple. As it turns out, this actually came out on the 1st of February. I knew that, who says I didn’t?
Tracks:
Resavoir – Escalator (Live at Co-Prosperity Sphere)
The demo for Escalator was apparently recorded in 2014, and finally released last month. They have a unique sound which is lead by frontman Will Murphy and his trumpet and keyboard. While the track itself is interesting, the extended live version proves Resavoir not only have an interesting and unique sound, but the collective is oozing with talent and is worth watching.
Cherushii & Maria Minerva – A Day Without You
Bubbly, lush poppy production meets catchy pop hooks. The production from Cherushii, whose life was tragically cut short by the 2016 Oakland fires, is what makes this track, and particularly the bouncy percussion. The second collaborative album from the two is due out this month.
G.S. Schray – Greyfield Envoy
I’m a sucker for spacey new age music, so it’s no wonder I love this. Surprising, however, is the louder, shimmering climax of this track, which really came from out of nowhere and blew me away.
Khana Bierbood – Plankton Bloom
Catchy, lo-fi psych/surf rock from the Thai psych outfit’s debut album Strangers from the Far East. The band definitely wear their influences on their sleeves, but this one has been stuck in my head for a few weeks now.
Sharon Van Etten – Seventeen
The clear standout track and single from singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten’s new synthpop effort ‘Seventeen’. Sharon really channels her inner-Springsteen here.
Stella Donnelly – Old Man
Familiar themes from Stella Donnelly, but a new approach. Donnelly’s unabashed honesty and confronting lyricism meets delightful instrumentation for a neat tune which makes me interested to see where she goes with her upcoming debut LP.
Medline – Relaxation Etiquette
Medline’s sound is largely rooted in jazz fusion, and he’s working on a tribute album to A Tribe Called Quest. Relaxation Etiquette is the first track off that project and it’s a very interesting approach to instrumental hip-hop.
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