I'm curious what constitutes the best recording. Are you looking for audio quality and production values? Or just the quality of the music?
Also, you listened to 20 albums per week, or 4 per day (roughly). Do you know you're going to be compiling this list in January, and thus when you hear an album in, say, mid-February, you can say, "Yep, that goes on the best recordings list"? How does that work?
Good points. With so much listening, I wonder how many of these albums reward deep listening, or like you mention are these albums just listened to only once and then they are added (or not) to a list.
I’m interested in hearing more about your -- or really, any of your subscribers’ -- music discovery process (though I can’t hope to compete with the time and rigor you put into it!). Clearly, this isn’t a case of opening up Spotify and listening through its algorithmic curation of new “music”.
Where do you look? Do you have a filtering process (eg coarse selection, medium ranking and fine distinctions) to speed up your review? I assume you don’t put the same energy into every album but, in the case of the more promising releases, is it a bit like your reading process with copious notes?
I don’t have a specific style of discovering new music or music that had slipped through proverbial cracks but I usually go to musicians I like and listen to their side projects or others bands they’re playing / associated and go from there , usually on YouTube where I also get to read some suggestions from other listeners as well though as a disclaimer , I’m more into rock , blues , prog rock/ metal and it’s subgenres than any other style but I’ll listen to anything at least once haha 😂 anyways that s my personal way of doing things to discover new music
Jon Hassell/Further Fictions was previously released in 2014 as part of a 3CD set: https://www.discogs.com/release/5793503-Jon-Hassell-City-Works-Of-Fiction-. As a lifelong fan of Hassell's music, I'm still hoping that Warp will actually release something previously unheard after his passing, but so far hasn't done so.
Looks like a great list. I’m always looking for new music. Thanks 🙏 I’m starting at the top of the list. And I love Canto Ostinato. Hearing another version is great
Love that you included Haas by Natalie and Brittany Haas! Natalie's work with the cello always amazes me. I was so glad to find she collaborated with Brittany on this - what a fabulous fiddle player she is. 🕊💙📚🎶
...and thanks for introducing me to Bandcamp. I'm concerned about its future with new owners, but it has been wonderful to have access to such a range of incredible music.
I'm curious what constitutes the best recording. Are you looking for audio quality and production values? Or just the quality of the music?
Also, you listened to 20 albums per week, or 4 per day (roughly). Do you know you're going to be compiling this list in January, and thus when you hear an album in, say, mid-February, you can say, "Yep, that goes on the best recordings list"? How does that work?
Good points. With so much listening, I wonder how many of these albums reward deep listening, or like you mention are these albums just listened to only once and then they are added (or not) to a list.
Glad you liked Nicky Schrire’s record Ted! (I’m the bass player on that one)
Love the cover of "Heart Like a Wheel"
It’s lovely! I’m listening now.
Béla Fleck, Pat Metheny and John Zorn - wow. Thank you very much for including "Vol. 12"! :)
Heard = 0. Heard of = 7.
Confirming my official troglodyte status…
I’m interested in hearing more about your -- or really, any of your subscribers’ -- music discovery process (though I can’t hope to compete with the time and rigor you put into it!). Clearly, this isn’t a case of opening up Spotify and listening through its algorithmic curation of new “music”.
Where do you look? Do you have a filtering process (eg coarse selection, medium ranking and fine distinctions) to speed up your review? I assume you don’t put the same energy into every album but, in the case of the more promising releases, is it a bit like your reading process with copious notes?
I don’t have a specific style of discovering new music or music that had slipped through proverbial cracks but I usually go to musicians I like and listen to their side projects or others bands they’re playing / associated and go from there , usually on YouTube where I also get to read some suggestions from other listeners as well though as a disclaimer , I’m more into rock , blues , prog rock/ metal and it’s subgenres than any other style but I’ll listen to anything at least once haha 😂 anyways that s my personal way of doing things to discover new music
Jon Hassell/Further Fictions was previously released in 2014 as part of a 3CD set: https://www.discogs.com/release/5793503-Jon-Hassell-City-Works-Of-Fiction-. As a lifelong fan of Hassell's music, I'm still hoping that Warp will actually release something previously unheard after his passing, but so far hasn't done so.
Hear hear, some of my favourite music
Someone can recommend which ones inside the top 100 are modern wave? New sounds, rhythms?
Thank you Ted! You are a discerning listener and one of the best writers on the subject. Peace and blessings in the new year!
-michael feinberg
Out of curiosity, how do you feel about Joe Jackson and “Max Champion”? “What a Racket!” is knocking my socks off.
Wow, that is a lot of listening!
Looks like a great list. I’m always looking for new music. Thanks 🙏 I’m starting at the top of the list. And I love Canto Ostinato. Hearing another version is great
That Jon De Lucia album really hits the spot for me. Thanks, Ted!
Glad to see The Japanese House get a nod here.
Love that you included Haas by Natalie and Brittany Haas! Natalie's work with the cello always amazes me. I was so glad to find she collaborated with Brittany on this - what a fabulous fiddle player she is. 🕊💙📚🎶
I think I'll be getting the Jon Hassell album. Thanks for the pointer.
Thanks for your lists - and their amazing eclecticism! Very much appreciated.
...and thanks for introducing me to Bandcamp. I'm concerned about its future with new owners, but it has been wonderful to have access to such a range of incredible music.