Best of August, September & October 2023
Oops, I did it again. Three months ago I said that I hoped to return to the monthly rhythm of publishing the best releases, but then I extended it to three months, and I'm even publishing it about ten days late. It seems that it's better not to promise anything.
A monthly list is definitely easier to put together, but this quarterly list is exceptionally rich in great albums. There are a total of 36 albums on the list - I couldn't and didn't want to round it up to another number. The best thing about it is that the artists come from 32 countries/regions. Enjoy lots of good music and write in the comments what you like best.
Adriana Calcanhotto - Errante (BMG 2023.)
Adriana Calcanhotto has been present on the Brazilian music scene for decades, and for this album she has surrounded herself with brilliant musicians and recorded an interesting journey through bossa nova, samba and other musical styles characteristic of Brazil. Mature, yet playful.
Al Bilali Soudan - Babi (Clermont Music 2023.)
Over the years, many interesting musicians have emerged from the Tuareg people, especially those playing desert blues/rock. However, Al Bilali Soudan, who are also Tuareg, perform their music exclusively on traditional instruments, specifically the tahardent, a precursor to the banjo, which has long been associated with griot masters. While artists like Tinariwen, Tamikrest, Bombino, and others have taken elements from tradition and added many embellishments, Al Bilali Soudan play without such adornments. This is their third album, and it is their most mature work to date.
Aly Eissa - Gouda Bar (Akuphone Records 2023.)
Aly Eissa is an Egyptian master of the oud, and increasingly agile publisher Akuphone Records released his new album "Gouda Bar." Eissa has surrounded himself with great musicians who create wonderful soundscapes that form the basis for his virtuosic playing. The last track on the album lasts over 20 minutes and is one of the best pieces you can hear this year.
Azmari - Maelström (Sdban Records 2023.)
The Belgian music scene has produced a large number of brilliant bands in recent years, drawing inspiration from traditional music influences from around the world and combining them with funk, jazz, groove, and various other musical styles. Azmari is one of the most prominent groups, first appearing on the scene in 2019 with their EP "Ekera" and wowing everyone two years later with their fantastic "Samā'ī" album. Azmari released their new album "Maelström" on Sdban Records, and it is a great mix of ethio-jazz, dub, funk, and much more. This is one of those albums that grows with every listen, and even on the first listen, it is great.
Bantu - What Is Your Breaking Point? (Soledad Productions 2023.)
The seventh album of the Nigerian afrobeat band Bantu closes, in a way, completes a trilogy that began in 2017 with the album "Agberos International" and continued with the 2020 release "Everybody Got Agenda." This 13-member band is led by the excellent singer Ade Bantu, who is also responsible for the lyrics that address all the current issues of Nigeria and all of Africa. Amidst the many European afrobeat bands, it is nice to have an excellent one working in Lagos. Bantu was founded in Cologne in 1996, but for quite some time, they has been active in Nigeria for some time now, since the start of this trilogy.
Batsükh Dorj - Ögbelerim (Music for my Ancestors) (Buda Musique 2023.)
Batsükh Dorj belongs to the younger generation of Tuvan throat singers. Regarding the international scene, he first appeared in 2017 on the compilation "An Anthology of Mongolian khöömii" released by Buda Musique, and the same record label has now released his first solo album "Ögbelerim - Music For My Ancestors." Impressive.
Bebel Gilberto - João ([Pias] Recordings 2023.)
"This album is a love letter to my father." With these words, Bebel Gilberto succinctly and effectively explains everything you need to know about this album. After her father, João, became one of the legends of Brazilian music as a true pioneer of bossa nova, Bebel established herself as a great singer, and it's interesting to note that she had never before recorded any of João's songs. However, everything changed after João passed away in 2019. Bebel decided to create a tribute to her father in the form of an album bearing his name. With no studio or production interventions, this album highlights her beautiful voice, and Bebel herself, as expected, approached the entire project with a multitude of emotions that can be heard in her interpretation. Touching and emotional, "João" is one of the best albums in the career of this 57-year-old singer and a true dedication to her famous father.
Bixiga 70 - Vapor (Glitterbeat Records 2023.)
Brazil is one of the countries where several third-generation afrobeat bands have emerged in recent years. Probably the best known among them is Bixiga 70, who first appeared on the scene in 2011 and recently released their fifth studio album entitled "Vapor" on Glitterbeat Records. A crazy, at times somewhat wild instrumental journey of afrobeat, ethio-jazz, and South American music, all with plenty of funk and groove. That's what you can expect on this album.
Black Market Brass - Hox (Colemine Records 2023.)
There are many layers in the music of Black Market Brass that go beyond just labeling them as another third-generation afrobeat band. This Minneapolis-based band builds their style on the Fela legacy, but other influences mentioned in the description of this album are also clearly audible - krautrock, free-jazz, doom metal. "Hox" is an exciting album on which all the musicians in this multi-member band come to the forefront. There are plenty of brilliant brass sections, hard and sometimes wild bass lines, varied percussive moments and delightful guitar melodies and rhythms. "Hox" is an album that I would recommend even to those who are not normally into afrobeat.
Bombino - Sahel (Partisan Records 2023.)
It has been five years since his last album “Deran”, but there is no sense of the passage of time in Bombino's music. He has long been known as one of the best (desert) blues-rock guitarists, but his skill as a musician is surpassed by his constant creation of beautiful songs. "Sahel" is full of such songs.
Cantares del Pacifico – Aguajes de Mar y Manglar (Selfreleased 2023.)
I really enjoy Colombian music from the Pacific coast, so it's not surprising that I was so impressed by Cantares Del Pacífico. This multi-member ensemble brings together six generations of musicians from the city of Buenaventura, and on the album 'Aguajes de Mar y Manglar,' they deliver a beautiful combination of harmonious singing and percussion.
Chief Adjuah - Bark Out Thunder Roar Out Lightning (Ropeadope 2023.)
The famous jazz trumpeter Chief Adjuah recorded the first album in his career in which he does not play the trumpet, but paid tribute to the Indian-black culture from New Orleans. It's not surprising when you know how he recently became the 'Chieftain of the Xodokan Nation of Maroons and Grand Griot of New Orleans'. Great album…
Chouk Bwa & The Ångstromers - Somanti (Bongo Joe 2023.)
The fantastic Haitian-Belgian combination Chouk Bwa & The Ångstromers is back with a new album. Haitian chants accompanied by percussion mixed with electronics first met us in this form in 2020 on the album "Vodou Ale" Now Chouk Bwa & The Ångstromers have released a new album titled "Somanti" for Bongo Joe. I can't remove this album from my players, and I've no desire to do so. I can definitely say that it's one of the best releases of the year.
EABS meets Jaubi - In Search of a Better Tomorrow (Astigmatic Records 2023.)
The Pakistani group Jaubi released an excellent album "Nafs At Peace" two years ago, and now a joint album with the Polish group EABS has been released. "In Search Of A Better Tomorrow" is a combination of modern jazz and raga music with some catchy sarangi parts played by Zohaib Hassan Khan.
Eje Eje - Five Seasons (Batov Records 2023.)
Şatellites is an Israeli band that released an excellent self-titled album last year, and Itamar Kluger, the band leader, guitarist and saz/baglama player, has released a solo album titled "Five Seasons" under the name Eje Eje. Musically, this album is based on the musical background of the Middle East and the Mediterranean, and Kluger has incorporated some 'modern' sounds such as funk, dub and psychedelic landscapes into the album.
El Mizan - Harba (Selfreleased 2023.)
El Mizan can be considered part of the growing 'Arabian fuzz' trend. This band hails from Switzerland and was founded by Algerian musician Anouar Kaddour Cherif. They describe themselves as a fusion of the mandola, Maghreb, and punk rock, and that's exactly how they sound. The album is one that you can easily surrender to for some intense fun.
Enji - Ulaan (Squama Records 2023.)
Mongolian music is mostly associated with throat singing, but Enkhjargal Erkhembayar, or Enji, shows that there is another approach to the music there. She incorporated the Mongolian tradition into jazz by combining the way of singing Mongolian Urtiin duu, very long songs performed at special ceremonies, with an improvisational jazz approach.
Eparapo - Take To The Streets (Wah Wah 45s)
If there is only one afrobeat album you should hear this year, it should definitely be this one! Eparapo is the band gathering numerous English musicians that we had a chance to meet in other bands and projects. "Take To The Streets" brings us six songs with amazing rhythm and engaging lyrics, out of which Dele Sasimi sang four. In my opinion, this album is the best release of the month.
Hiram Salsano - Bucolica (Selfreleased 2023.)
"Bucolica" is the debut album of Italian singer Hiram Salsano, another musician whose focus is on traditional music from southern Italy. Along with irresistible traditional rhythms, the album is also characterized by occasional brilliant vocal loop usage, which further enhances the dynamic of the material.
Humazapas - Sara Mama (Aya Records 2023.)
Humazapas come from Ecuador, and their debut album "Sara Mama" is a tribute to the music and dances of the Kichwa people from the Andes, of which the band members are of the same origin. Humazapas state that they spent ten years preparing this album, aiming to capture everything that Kichwa music holds within itself and present it in a modern context, and they have succeeded - this is definitely the best album to come from the Andes in the last few years.
Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids - Afro Futuristic Dreams (Strut Records 2023.)
For some artists, no description is needed; it's enough to say that they have released a new album. Idris Ackamoor and his band The Pyramids fall into that category. The new incarnation of the band has been together for a while, and this is, in a way, the third part of a trilogy that began with the album "An Angel Fell" in 2018 and continued with "Shaman!" two years later. "Afro Futuristic Dreams" doesn't bring anything we haven't already heard from Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids – it's still a mix of avant-garde jazz with African influences, but there's no need for any innovations because this is simply brilliant.
Idrissa Soumaoro - Diré (Mieruba Records 2023.)
Idrissa Soumaoro began his career as a member of the group Les Ambassadeurs led by Salif Keita, and he collaborated with Keita and other renowned Malian musicians throughout his career. He received a state award for his work and occasionally released solo albums. "Diré" is his third release in the last 20 years, and on this album, Soumaoro joined a wave of veterans who have released excellent albums this year. A true desert blues album that will delight all genre enthusiasts.
Jisr - Wah Wah! (Enja/Yellowbird Records 2023.)
Jisr comes from Munich, and it's a group assembled around Mohcine Ramdan, a brilliant gimbri musician who founded the group with the idea of creating a pan-oriental sound influenced by gnawa and maqam music, as well as Afrobeat, jazz, and various other musical traditions from around the world. "Wah Wah!" is their third album, their best one so far.
Laliboi & Spoek Mathambo - Siyalapha (Teka Records 2023.)
Spoek Mathambo is a well-known South African musician, and he has now teamed up with compatriot Laliboi to release the album "Siyalapha" on Teka Records. They have woven traditional musical elements through exciting and modern rhythms.
Las Lloronas - Out Of The Blue (Muziekpublique 2023.)
Las Lloronas could best be described as a cabaret band. The girls combine music with slam poetry, and the musical influences of traditional music from different parts of the world are clearly audible. Minimal but striking music, harmonious vocals and catchy lyrics. We heard this on their first album "Soaked", and they have perfected it on "Out of the Blue" It's wonderful that music like this exists.
Les Mamans du Congo & Rrobin - Ya Mizolé (Jarring Effects 2023.)
"Ya Mizolé" is the second album of a project in which mothers/singers from the Congo led by Gladys Samba have joined forces with the French producer Rrobin. Initially, they offered a fusion of Bantu lullabies with electronic music and hip-hop, but now they have expanded the themes to address all the issues faced by Congolese women. This album was preceded by the excellent EP "Kikento" released in March, and now we have six more songs that effectively mix tradition with the modern.
Luzmila Carpio - Inti Watana - El Retorno del Sol (ZZK Records 2023.)
Luzmila Carpio is a true legend of the Bolivian music scene with more than 25 albums released albums. Throughout her career, she has promoted the tradition of the Quechua and Aymara peoples and has become one of the most recognisable voices of Bolivia's indigenous peoples. For her new album, Carpio teamed up with Argentine producer Leonardo Martinelli, who mixed traditional music with modern electronic rhythms. This blend of modernity and tradition works beautifully on the album, which is released by ZZK Records.
Magalí Sare & Manel Fortià - re·tornar (Segell Microscopi 2023.)
Magalí Sare has a wonderful voice, which she has demonstrated in various musical ensembles, but she works best in combination with Manel Fortia, a double bass player who can even make the song "Guantanamera" fresh and interesting. "Re·tornar" is an album inspired by sea voyages and the cultural exchanges that have taken place through these voyages throughout history.
Mari Boine & Bugge Wesseltoft - Amame (Norse Music 2023.)
Mari Boine is one of the most famous Norwegian musicians, and she promotes Sámi joik singing through her work. In 2002, she collaborated with the renowned jazz musician Bugge Wesseltoft on the project "Eight Saeasons", and now they have met again, but under different circumstances. Wesseltoft was experimenting with electronics at that time, and on the album "Amame" he relies mainly on the piano with occasional electronic interventions and transitions to percussion. The voice and the piano created an intimate atmosphere in which both could give their best. "Amame" is a touching and emotional album.
Marta Gómez & Andrés Rotmistrovsky – Bajo & Voz (Selfreleased 2023.)
It is difficult to describe in words the beauty of Marta Gómez's voice, which has been delighting us with its musical challenges for years. For this album, she has teamed up with bassist Andrés Rotmistrovsky to create an intimate, minimalist album that casts a spell over you every time you listen to it. The voice and bass, 'Bajo & Voz,' can be listened to as a soundtrack to reading a book, having an afternoon coffee/tea, or anything else that relaxes you.
Maroulita de Kol - Anásana (Phantom Limb 2023.)
Maroulita de Kol has a beautiful voice that spans several octaves and has also studied classical piano. She has combined all of her musical talent with research into pre-Christian Greek rituals and customs, creating a new and exciting approach to music that combines ancient mythology with a contemporary perspective.
Moriah Plaza - Moriah Plaza (Batov Records 2023.)
On this album, Moriah Plaza has nothing else but the song "Mais Amor," it would be a good album because it's a true feel-good anthem with a Brazilian music influence and the beautiful vocals of Flavie Annechini. However, the rest of the album is not far behind (or not at all) from this song, so Moriah Plaza has introduced themselves as a new excellent band that bases their style, as they say, on Brazilian soul, jazz, bossa nova, and psychedelic music.
Nihiloxica - Source Of Denial (Crammed Discs 2023.)
"I just have a few simple questions, and we can move right on. Have you ever engaged in any other activities which might indicate that you might be considered not to be a person of good character?" Nihiloxica recorded the album "Source Of Denial" in reaction to the fact that the group's members from Uganda cannot obtain visas for the UK and some other countries. 'The album is a direct critique of the hostile immigration and freedom of movement policies implemented in the UK, as well as around the world', as stated by the band upon the album's release. "Source of Denial" continues with the frenetic rhythm that Nihiloxica has established since the beginning of their career. Although the fusion of African percussion and heavy electronics may seem like an idea that could quickly become monotonous, this is not the case with this band. They hit hard, just as they always do.
The Cyclist Conspiracy - Mashallah Plan (Subsound Records 2023.)
The Cyclist Conspiracy is one of those bands whose music is very hard to categorize. The easiest way to describe it would be to say that they play psychedelic rock with folk influences, but such a description would only scratch the surface of the amount of energy this Serbian band has. Their songs often dance on the edge of chaos, never crossing it, maintaining a constant sense of anticipation and a quest for a new listening experience. Influences of Balkan, African, and Middle Eastern music can be heard in their songs, and after a series of EPs, The Cyclist Conspiracy released an album titled "Mashallah Plan" for Subsound Records.
Various Artists – Lost In Tajikistan (Riverboat Records 2023.)
Riverboat Records occasionally releases compilations in the 'Lost in' series, and after China and Mali, it's now Tajikistan's turn. The album was produced by Lu, who traveled to Dushanbe and the surrounding area to record fantastic artists on traditional instruments such as setor, dotar, rubab or tanbur, but also those who mix tradition with a more modern sound. There are six artists on the compilation, each better than the last, and I personally like the group Samandar the best.
Yungchen Lhamo - One Drop Of Kindness (Real World Records 2023.)
Tibetan musician Yungchen Lhamo had to leave her homeland back in 1989, but she continues to interpret Tibetan music on her albums. This is her seventh studio release published by Real World Records. "One Drop Of Kindness" is an intimate and somewhat meditative album where Yungchen once again showcases the full richness of her vocal abilities. With restraint and without imposition, this album enters your world and makes it a more beautiful place.
You can listen all of these artists and 64 more on my Spotify/Tidal (click) playlist: