Amoeba Music

However you feel about SIMPLY RED, you'd be hard-pressed to deny that "Money's Too Tight To Mention" isn't a banger Soul classic! Well, this man, Billy Valentine and his brother wrote that gem, and now he's assembled a cast of master Jazz performers to back him up as they weave their way through 8 tracks, each of which, like "Money's Too Tight..." have matured into "new" standards of conscious Soul-Jazz. He's backed up by, amongst others, guitarist Jeff Parker, veteran master-session bassist, Pino Palladino, Joel Ross on vibes, saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, bassist Linda May Han Oh, and trumpet-wielder Theo Croker. Billy's voice is strong and confident, landing somewhere in the mid-ground of Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield, while select tracks hint at a bit of Al Jarreau leaking through. His timing is artful and creative, and yet consistently appropriate. However, what really locks this album in place is the level of support that he's collected. I truly believe that this album is every bit as strong vocally and instrumentally. The arrangements are subtly shocking/delighting throughout. There's not a single track that falls below the level of near-perfection, though a few really ascend into the upper atmosphere: Mayfield's "We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue," Gil Scott-Heron's "Home Is Where The Hatred Is," Pharoah Sanders' "The Creator Has a Master Plan," and "Sign Of The Times" by Prince are stunning. On the traditional hymn, "Wade In The Water," Jeff Parker takes a blues turn that I wish had continued for 10 minutes. And, if there's any criticism, I'd just wished that some of these tracks had extended far beyond their allotted time. Guess I'll have to hope to hear that live. Read more

Gustavo Dudamel led our hometown orchestra in a stirring performance of composer Thomas Ades' "Dante", a ballet in three movements. New listeners should not be put off by the labels that piece has put upon it, as this is a massive orchestral work full of color, surprise and is at times just as cinematic as anything being written for films. Enjoy this one with a good pair of headphones!

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William Friedkin's pulverizing action classic has been somewhat lost to time due to not being available on streaming, amidst other reasons. But it's recent re-discovery on home video has proven that Friedkin made yet another action classic that stands up against his 70s output. Almost swapping the typical roles of protagonist & antagonist, William Petersen's Richard Chance straddles the law, not afraid to break it if it means taking down master counterfeiter Rick Masters (Willem Dafoe). With a pounding score by Wang Chung and a crazy car chase filmed through DTLA and the Harbor Freeway, you'll be kicking yourself for sleeping on this film for so long.

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This is well-written synth-pop, with intriguing melodies and lovely arrangements. It's been on repeat in my car for a while now, and the first two tracks, especially, have been living unobtrusively in my head. Read more

I am late to the game on this band, because I heard this album for the first time with its anniversary release. The songs are catchy and upbeat despite their occasional emo vibes, and the lyrics make me laugh. It's a cathartic album, meant to be sung loudly along to in the car. Read more

I really enjoyed the first two seasons of "The Wheel of Time." I'm just starting to read the books now, so I don't have the background knowledge, but I find it impressive on its own. Good characters and dialogue, convincing and fascinating worldbuilding, and a storyline with unexpected twists. Read more

This EP by the Cocteau Twins' Elizabeth Frazer and percussionist Damon Reece is gorgeous and mesmerizing. It goes without saying that the vocals are stunning, and the song "Underwater" especially makes me swoon. The remixes on the second disc add magical elements to these already otherworldly songs. Read more

MARO is a Portuguese artist, whom recently had an amazing moment this year at the Eurovision contest, which this song won multiple accolades. After giving the entire eurovision compilation a listen through spotify, I become so stricken with this song. If you're not aware, Saudade in Portuguese roughly translates to nostalgia, or the feeling of missing something that is no longer there. The entire mix, lyrics, and entire essence of the song screams escapism, and it fits that so well. As someone who doesn't speak Portuguese, I allowed myself to be filled with the vibe of the song and when I finally translated the lyrics, the meaning of the song fit so perfectly in what I had felt listening to it. She is so talented and deserves all the recognition from her music moving forward.

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This album spoke volumes to me. From beginning to end it is a timeless love story that has been a LONG time coming. Sufjan Stevens has recently given us yet another tear-filled album, except this time, with a story to back it up. He and his partner have been together for a very long time, and this last year, dealt with losing him. He had never let the world see the vulnerability of being so honest and open about that part of his personality, when he lost him, he felt like he deserved the world. Which is the exact message he gave through this album. The entire album kept me holding back tears, but some of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard were written for this album. I have streamed it and bought it both on vinyl and cd, and it has quickly become one of the most cherished albums that I have heard to date. Soul-crushing, with a twinge of beauty, and honesty.

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If you are looking for an amazing pop album, look no further. As a avid fan of everything Troye puts out, this really took me back to his roots of his early days of creating on his own. His ideas, lyrics, and use of new-age themes has really transcended this album to be right at the top of the pop charts. I feel as though a lot of his music doesn't receive the acclaim it so deserves, but every single song you can dance to, or cry while you dance too. Twinges of escapism, along with your four on the floor dance beat from the early 2000s pop that we've been missing in our current pop climate. Just puts me in such a good mood.

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Any classical composer that can upset French integralists enough to ban their performance in a church is alright by me. Having experienced the joy of hearing Malone perform her organ pieces at the First Congressional Church of Los Angeles back in 2022, one would surmise that the French Catholic conservatives never actually heard her music. Malone’s compositions can be dense, yet the layers of ravishing overtones wash over the listener unexpectantly. What feels like a drone soon permeates through the body, giving one a connection from earth to the heavens. Read more

I understand the disapointment of folks expecting this to be a rap album and it is not. I understand the folks who are inspired that an artist like Andre 3000 can grow and change direction. I have no opinion, either way. The thing that got me is that I cannot stop listening to this album. Granted, I am the “prototype” (Insert dad joke groans here) for an album like this. I dig artists like Laraaji and Alice Coltrane. I also enjoy projects produced by Carlos Niño, who collaborated with Andre 3000 on New Blue Sun. I would have liked this album if Andre 3000 were not on it, but the fact that he is makes him susceptible to criticism as well as praise from folks who do not usually listen to spiritual jazz influenced music as I do. As much as I enjoyed New Blue Sun, it was also an enjoyable cultural experience. I watched people slow their lives down for just a moment so that they could listen to something they normally would not have, and that rarely happens these days. Read more

That flow, that creativity! I hear the Hip Hop's early aught influences (Outkast, Busta Rhymes) but it’s just that; an influence, not a replication. I love where she is going with this. Read more

it would be hard pressed for Ruben Blades to mess up a classic like Siembra. The greatest Salsa album ever made. But do we really need a live version of it forty-five years later and without Willie Colon, the other half of the legendary duo? The answer is an overwhelming yes! Blades, along with his bandleader Robert Delgado just burn on this recording. The songs are still relevant, the energy is relentless, and Ruben’s voice still sounds as perfect as it was forty some odd years ago. Read more

Peruvian Percussionist, composer, and visual artist Monongo Mujica has been blending Peruvian Traditional music with avant-garde jazz since the mid-eighties. The blend of classical instruments with jazz and traditional Peruvian percussion conjures images of magnificent storm clouds over breathtaking Andean Mountain ranges where logic ends and spiritually begins. Read more

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It’s hard to believe that you may have never even heard of Ellington if it weren’t for this album, but it's true! Exciting and satisfying - hear about some of the highlights of this legendary performance before giving it a listen so you know what to look out for because this album is about as close as you can get to being a part of jazz history without time travel.

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