top of page

INDISPENSABLE NEW MUSIC PICKS

December 2021

Kristine England

December 31, 2021 at 5:00:00 AM

Jesse Cook

Libre

The award -winning producer, composer, and guitarist Jesse Cook released his 11th studio album this month, showcasing his Spanish guitar in partnership with Algerian musician Fethi Nadjem. Nadjem is known for his talents on guitar, mandolin, and violin.


FEATURED TRACK: "Number 5"

Marissa Paternoster

Peace Meter

The frontwoman of the New Jersey group Screaming Females made her solo recording debut, highlighting her voice with somber and beautiful ballads. "...beautiful vocal performances and relaxed pace. The emotional effect rings just as loud as her heavier work, and it proves that Paternoster is far more than her six strings." (Pitchfork)


FEATURED TRACK: "White Dove"

Mike Block

Planispheres

A member of Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, Block's solo cello compositions are haunting expressions of his "vital rich-hued solo playing" (New York Times). The record is an assemblage of performances recorded live in a Brooklyn warehouse. Nearly every track is named for a celestial object, thus the apt album title.


FEATURED TRACK: "Alpha Centauri"

Nils Frahm

Old Friends New Friends

German pianist and composer Frahm spent many pandemic days excavating his archives to compile some of his favorite solo pieces, released on his new label LEITER. "This is a subtle, introspective album that encourages us to listen to the minutiae as much as the whole picture." (Pitchfork)


FEATURED TRACK: "4:33 (A Tribute to John Cage)"

Fela Kuti

Vinyl Box Set #5

Settle in for this 25 minute plus version of "Original Sufferhead" with four minutes of lost material, showcasing Fela’s exceptional keyboard stylings. The tracks were chosen by Kuti's son  Femi  a well-known and respected Afrobeat musiciain in his own right, and Coldplay's Chris Martin, of all people. The covers have been painstakingly recreated from the original vinyl pressings.


FEATURED TRACK: "Original Sufferhead"

bottom of page