Here's an accompanying playlist. I didn't include everything as it sounds great as it is, if I do say so myself.
Here's an accompanying playlist. I didn't include everything as it sounds great as it is, if I do say so myself.
Thanks for putting up with this self-indulgence over the last couple of months. It is a great reason to listen again to everything I have bought. Here is the full list for those who might be interested. It was supposed to be a top 50, but I must have messed up somehow as there are 52 LPs.
Thanks for putting up with this self-indulgence over the last couple of months. It is a great reason to listen again to everything I have bought. Here is the full list for those who might be interested. It was supposed to be a top 50, but I must have messed up somehow as there are 52 LPs.
1. Brigitte Fontaine - Est...Folle (1968)
This is a staggering piece of work. A collection of incredibly inventive songs with a Jean-Claude Vannier production that just blew the doors off French popular music. Easily on of the best albums I've ever heard, a true original that 1/2
1. Brigitte Fontaine - Est...Folle (1968)
This is a staggering piece of work. A collection of incredibly inventive songs with a Jean-Claude Vannier production that just blew the doors off French popular music. Easily on of the best albums I've ever heard, a true original that 1/2
2. Gal Costa - Gal Costa (1969)
The third Brazilian album in my top 10. If this is the kind of quality that a country produces under a dictatorship then I look forward to America's output over the coming years. This album is spellbinding. It has a classic 'tropicália' sound 1/2
2. Gal Costa - Gal Costa (1969)
The third Brazilian album in my top 10. If this is the kind of quality that a country produces under a dictatorship then I look forward to America's output over the coming years. This album is spellbinding. It has a classic 'tropicália' sound 1/2
3. Jorge Ben - A Tábua De Esmeralda (1974)
As my long suffering wife would attest, I don't really listen to much music that can be described as 'uplifting'. I've always been more drawn to the angry or sad end of things. However, this album is one of the most life-affirming I've heard 1/2
3. Jorge Ben - A Tábua De Esmeralda (1974)
As my long suffering wife would attest, I don't really listen to much music that can be described as 'uplifting'. I've always been more drawn to the angry or sad end of things. However, this album is one of the most life-affirming I've heard 1/2
4. Jim Sullivan - UFO (1969)
I had heard of this album and always assumed that it would sound really far out like Skip Spence's Oar album. I couldn't have been more wrong. It's incredibly well played (members of The Wrecking Crew backed Sullivan on this) and beautifully produced 1/2
4. Jim Sullivan - UFO (1969)
I had heard of this album and always assumed that it would sound really far out like Skip Spence's Oar album. I couldn't have been more wrong. It's incredibly well played (members of The Wrecking Crew backed Sullivan on this) and beautifully produced 1/2
5. Norma Tanega - Walkin' My Cat Named Dog (1966)
I adore this album. Tanega was working in a California mental hospital when she was spotted by a record exec singing some of her own songs to the patients. Her songs sound very stripped and straightforward, but she was already using 1/2
5. Norma Tanega - Walkin' My Cat Named Dog (1966)
I adore this album. Tanega was working in a California mental hospital when she was spotted by a record exec singing some of her own songs to the patients. Her songs sound very stripped and straightforward, but she was already using 1/2
6. Relatively Clean Rivers - Relatively Clean Rivers (1976)
A privately released album from a band from California, this sounds far more 1969 than 1976. Gently psychedelic country-rock with slightly odd religious overtones. The main man, Phil Pearlman refuses to allow a reissue 1/2
6. Relatively Clean Rivers - Relatively Clean Rivers (1976)
A privately released album from a band from California, this sounds far more 1969 than 1976. Gently psychedelic country-rock with slightly odd religious overtones. The main man, Phil Pearlman refuses to allow a reissue 1/2
7. Lô Borges - Lô Borges (1972)
A 19-year-old Brazilian kid is pressured by his record company to get an album done quickly & drops an absolute classic. Half an hour of funky psychedelic Latin folk-rock that just leaves you gasping for more. Endlessly inventive & damn near perfect.
7. Lô Borges - Lô Borges (1972)
A 19-year-old Brazilian kid is pressured by his record company to get an album done quickly & drops an absolute classic. Half an hour of funky psychedelic Latin folk-rock that just leaves you gasping for more. Endlessly inventive & damn near perfect.
8. Bridget St. John - Thank You For... (1972)
The fact that Bridget isn't a household name by now totally baffles me (this album doesn't even have a Wiki page). This is her third album & it's simply gorgeous. Understated beauty pours out of every tune, even the two covers.
8. Bridget St. John - Thank You For... (1972)
The fact that Bridget isn't a household name by now totally baffles me (this album doesn't even have a Wiki page). This is her third album & it's simply gorgeous. Understated beauty pours out of every tune, even the two covers.
9. Barry Booth - Diversions! (1968)
Imagine Paul McCartney going full music hall in 68 & hiring Alan Bennett as his singer & lyricist & you'd still only halfway there. Booth was an accomplished pianist who was once smuggled into the US in the boot of a car driven by Roy Orbison. 1/2
9. Barry Booth - Diversions! (1968)
Imagine Paul McCartney going full music hall in 68 & hiring Alan Bennett as his singer & lyricist & you'd still only halfway there. Booth was an accomplished pianist who was once smuggled into the US in the boot of a car driven by Roy Orbison. 1/2
10. Sidan - Teulu Yncl Sam (1975)
This is probably the most obscure album on my list. A Welsh language girl group who were all still in school at the time of this release. They wrote many of the songs themselves and managed to bounce between several genres with ease. 1/2
10. Sidan - Teulu Yncl Sam (1975)
This is probably the most obscure album on my list. A Welsh language girl group who were all still in school at the time of this release. They wrote many of the songs themselves and managed to bounce between several genres with ease. 1/2
As we enter the top 10, please forgive my overenthusiam. Ten stunning albums that I had never heard before this year.
🇺🇸 x 3
🇧🇷 x 3
🇬🇧 x 3
🇲🇫 x 1
As we enter the top 10, please forgive my overenthusiam. Ten stunning albums that I had never heard before this year.
🇺🇸 x 3
🇧🇷 x 3
🇬🇧 x 3
🇲🇫 x 1
Flamengo - Kuře V Hodinkách (1972)
I have only known this album for about three weeks, but it almost gatecrashed my top 10. A Czech band that sound like a massively funky King Crimson, McDonald & Giles or Gong. Huge thanks to @maryepworth.bsky.social for alerting me to this lost gem.
Flamengo - Kuře V Hodinkách (1972)
I have only known this album for about three weeks, but it almost gatecrashed my top 10. A Czech band that sound like a massively funky King Crimson, McDonald & Giles or Gong. Huge thanks to @maryepworth.bsky.social for alerting me to this lost gem.
12. Scientist - Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires (1981)
Grade A dub. The production on this album is as crisp as a ginger nut biscuit and the songs are clever and inventive. I have played this album to death over the last couple of months.
12. Scientist - Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires (1981)
Grade A dub. The production on this album is as crisp as a ginger nut biscuit and the songs are clever and inventive. I have played this album to death over the last couple of months.
13. Charles Mingus - The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady (1963)
I realise that everyone of you heard this album before I did and that you all know how amazing it is already. It is such a vivid sounding album, like a silent movie in reverse. Not a moment is wasted nor a note out of place.
13. Charles Mingus - The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady (1963)
I realise that everyone of you heard this album before I did and that you all know how amazing it is already. It is such a vivid sounding album, like a silent movie in reverse. Not a moment is wasted nor a note out of place.
14. Organic Pulse Ensemble - Zither Suite (2024)
Not an ensemble at all, just one Swedish guy multitracking all the parts of a modern day spiritual jazz masterpiece. To my novice jazz ears, this is as good as some of the 60s classics, he needs a wider audience. An incredible record.
14. Organic Pulse Ensemble - Zither Suite (2024)
Not an ensemble at all, just one Swedish guy multitracking all the parts of a modern day spiritual jazz masterpiece. To my novice jazz ears, this is as good as some of the 60s classics, he needs a wider audience. An incredible record.
15. Advance Base - Nephew in the Wild (2015)
Another @andrewmale.bsky.social tip-off, Advance Base is basically a man named Owen Ashworth who specialises in writing darkly humorous songs mostly about the everyday happenings of middle America. Lyrically up there with Berman & Jeff Lewis.
15. Advance Base - Nephew in the Wild (2015)
Another @andrewmale.bsky.social tip-off, Advance Base is basically a man named Owen Ashworth who specialises in writing darkly humorous songs mostly about the everyday happenings of middle America. Lyrically up there with Berman & Jeff Lewis.
16. Ann Peebles - I Can't Stand The Rain (1974)
The first time I played this, I wrongly assumed that it was a greatest hits album, it's that good. I'm guessing most of you know the title track, but there isn't a duff song on the whole album. This is peak mid-70s pre-disco/soul music.
16. Ann Peebles - I Can't Stand The Rain (1974)
The first time I played this, I wrongly assumed that it was a greatest hits album, it's that good. I'm guessing most of you know the title track, but there isn't a duff song on the whole album. This is peak mid-70s pre-disco/soul music.
17. Veronique Chalot - A L'Entrée Du Temps Clair (1979)
Achingly beautiful Breton folk music that sounds as though it was teleported from 300 years before. Her voice is that of an angel and the combination of medieval instruments is utterly hypnotic.
17. Veronique Chalot - A L'Entrée Du Temps Clair (1979)
Achingly beautiful Breton folk music that sounds as though it was teleported from 300 years before. Her voice is that of an angel and the combination of medieval instruments is utterly hypnotic.
18. Pharaoh Sanders - Karma (1969)
I've bought a fair amount of jazz albums this year with varying degrees of success, but this one clicked for me immediately. Only two tracks, but the groove instantly feels familiar, possibly a nod to A Love Supreme? Hypnotic, dreamlike & beautiful.
18. Pharaoh Sanders - Karma (1969)
I've bought a fair amount of jazz albums this year with varying degrees of success, but this one clicked for me immediately. Only two tracks, but the groove instantly feels familiar, possibly a nod to A Love Supreme? Hypnotic, dreamlike & beautiful.
17. Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - Again (1971)
I didn't know this album even existed until this year. Titled Did You Ever? in Europe with a different running order, this is every bit as great as their 1968 collaboration. It's gentle, funny & warm and contains some amazing tracks.
17. Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - Again (1971)
I didn't know this album even existed until this year. Titled Did You Ever? in Europe with a different running order, this is every bit as great as their 1968 collaboration. It's gentle, funny & warm and contains some amazing tracks.
18. Jean Claude Vannier - L'enfant Assassin des Monches (1972)
Legendary producer & arranger Vannier (he produced Melody Nelson for Gainsbourg) released this incredibly odd concept album in 72. It covers a lot of musical ground in a short space of time & is a deeply rewarding listen.
18. Jean Claude Vannier - L'enfant Assassin des Monches (1972)
Legendary producer & arranger Vannier (he produced Melody Nelson for Gainsbourg) released this incredibly odd concept album in 72. It covers a lot of musical ground in a short space of time & is a deeply rewarding listen.
19. Keith Cross & Peter Ross - Bored Civilians (1972)
Progressive with a small p, this LP has a West Coast feel, but the guys were both English. It reminds me of mid-period Traffic with even a touch of Steely Dan here & there. This should've been a huge album, but Decca fucked it.
19. Keith Cross & Peter Ross - Bored Civilians (1972)
Progressive with a small p, this LP has a West Coast feel, but the guys were both English. It reminds me of mid-period Traffic with even a touch of Steely Dan here & there. This should've been a huge album, but Decca fucked it.