If you missed previous posts in this series, here are the ones for January, February, March, April, and May.
This month, I again added twenty-three albums to my library. A few of them were from artists I’ve already appreciated and two were from a couple of my favorite bands of all time, but the majority came from musicians I’d never heard before.
Once again, I’ve put the albums I enjoyed the most at the top, those worth a second listen in the middle, and the ones I’m still trying to warm up to at the bottom.
My Favorite Album of June 2024
New Regency Orchestra
By New Regency Orchestra
Readers of this series know that @somewhere_soul on Instagram has become my musical spirit animal this year. Thanks to his influence, I’ve dug deep into the U.K. jazz scene, particularly African-influenced jazz.
New Regency Orchestra brings the Latin world into the mix. Featuring an ensemble of around 20 musicians, New Regency Orchestra fuses jazz with Afro-Cuban rhythms and Latin-based horn structures into a dynamic, energetic sound. They’re unique blend of styles and influences dares listeners not to get out of their chairs and dance.
Whenever I’ve wanted to put on music this month without knowing exactly which band I wanted to listen to, I defaulted to New Regency Orchestra and was never disappointed. I can’t recommend these folks enough.
On a personal note: My new job came with a stand-up desk. As a result, I spent the last three weeks dancing to New Regency Orchestra while onboarding into the new gig. These folks make the work hours fly by.
My Next Top Five Albums for June
This 2024 EP from Yuuf is a dreamy, instrumental album reminiscent of Khruangbin’s relaxed grooves. Composed by four musicians from four different countries, In the Sun weaves a tapestry of smooth guitar riffs, mellow bass lines, and ethereal percussion. It’s been a daily soundtrack in my house since its release, capturing a serene yet captivating mood. An extraordinary showcase of international collaboration and musicianship.
From the opening flutes on “Future Sand” to the summer strumming on the title track to the minimalist piano on “Pose Beams” to the driving dynamism of “The Big Clock,” this album is a lush, post-ambient, new-age exploration that melds musical styles in a deeply human and emotionally grounded way. It’s the perfect soundtrack for relaxation and reflection.
This 2017 album of groove-heavy jazz is characterized by spontaneity and improvisation crafted by organically evolving bass lines and plaintive saxophonic melodies. Rounded out with drums and percussion, Ill Considered’s music may be improvisational, but it also feels cohesive and well-designed, reflecting the band’s tight interplay and intuition.
You may remember that one of my favorite albums from last month was the 2022 album, Thought, Action, Reaction, Interaction, by the band Work Money Death. This 2017 album, titled Work Money Death, is where that band got its start. Ostensibly a solo album for Tony Burkill, a daring saxophonist from the U.K., the spontaneous celebration of musicianship captured on Work Money Death cannot be died.
This 1968 landmark is a seminal album for South African jazz. The quartet is led by tenor saxophonist Winston Mankunku Ngozi, with Lionel Pillay on piano, Agrippa Magwaza on bass, and Early Mabuza on drums. The album title and opening track, “Yakhal’ Inkomo,” translates to “Bellowing Bull,” and the music takes on that deep mournful bellow, communicating the pain and struggles of the 1968 apartheid era in South Africa. You don’t have to struggle to understand the comparisons to John Coltrane or Pharaoh Sanders. This is mid-century jazz the way it was meant to be played, couple with indigenous African sounds.
New Albums from old Friends
Love Changes Everything
I discovered Dirty Three in the mid-2000s when I first fell in love with the genre of post-rock. This Australian trio stood out due to Warren Ellis's lyrical violin, but his abilities don't overshadow his bandmates' skills. Love Changes Everything is their first album since 2012, and the wisdom and maturity shows.
Hot Sun Cool Shroud
A six-song EP from Wilco, Hot Sun Cool Shroud contains the full Wilco experience, from the folky "Hot Sun" to the pulsing drum and rocking noise-guitars on "Livid" (this one's gonna be great in concert!) to the acoustic love story of "Ice Cream." This six tunes make a nice addition to the band's oeuvre.
Red Hot & Ra: The Magic City
Meshell Ndegeocello captured my attention when John Mellencamp featured her on his cover of Van Morrison's "Wild Night" back in 1994. She seemed like the coolest chick on the planet. As the decades have passed, her music has confirmed that impression. On The Magic City, she partners with Red Hot Organization, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting AIDS, to delve deep into the music of Sun Ra.
Old Albums from Old Friends
Across the Borderline
Released in 1993, Across the Borderline by Willie Nelson is a remarkable album featuring duets with legends such as Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt, Sinéad O’Connor, and Bob Dylan. The album also includes Nelson’s distinctive covers of songs by Paul Simon, Lyle Lovett, Bob Dylan, Willie Dixon, John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, and Peter Gabriel. Special thanks to my friend Stuart for the excellent recommendation!
Albion
One of my top three albums is Midlake’s 2006 masterpiece, The Trials of Van Occupanther. After the band’s singer, Tim Smith, left and seemingly vanished, I thought we’d heard the last of his unique sound. However, this month I discovered he returned in 2023 under the band name Harp. Albion is an intriguing blend of vaporwave and British mythology, where the 1980s meets Camelot. It’s a fascinating album, and it’s wonderful to hear Tim Smith’s voice and distinctive songwriting style once again.
Mama's Gun
In June, my wife and I watched the second season of Loot, which has a fantastic soundtrack. One episode featured “Time’s A Wastin” by Erykah Badu. The song’s impact was immediate, prompting me to add this 24-year-old classic R&B/Soul album to my library. I absolutely love it, but it could use a remaster—the treble feels a bit too high for my 2024 ears.
If I Could Only Remember My Name
Near the end of the month, my brother-in-law recommended David Crosby’s first solo album, If I Could Only Remember My Name. It features (among others) Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, and Bill Kreutzmann, showcasing what the Grateful Dead might have sounded like with Crosby’s vocal talents. Oh, did I mention Jefferson Airplane contributes a bunch as well? It’s a beautiful and captivating album.
Recent Albums from Recent Friends
Eye to Ear
Categorizing Cosmo Sheldrake’s music is a challenge. You might remember his song “Come Along” from a fantastic iPhone XR commercial in 2018, which sparked my love for his unique sound. His newest album, Eye to Ear, released in April, is relatively mellow but undeniably Cosmo Sheldrake. It’s an intriguing listen that maintains his distinct, captivating style.
Chronicles of a Diamond
In my May wrap-up, I highlighted Black Pumas’ 2019 hit album, Black Pumas. Their 2023 follow-up, Chronicles of a Diamond, may not be as immediately mind-blowing as their debut, but it’s a solid sophomore effort from this talented duo. While it doesn’t capture the same initial impact, it showcases their continued growth and creativity.
You Can't Steal My Joy
In April, I discovered Ezra Collective, a UK band that masterfully blends Cuban rhythms with jazz. After falling in love with their 2022 album, I delved into their 2019 release, You Can’t Steal My Joy. The band is fantastic on this album, showcasing the early stages of what will become absolutely incredible in the years to come. Ezra Collective is quickly becoming one of my go-to bands.
Afrikan Culture
My devotion to all things Shabaka Hutchings continues with his 2022 release, Afrikan Culture, which features more of his jazz performances on flute rather than the saxophone that first made me swoon. I respect what Shabaka is doing—playing saxophone was a literal spiritual practice for him, making nightly performances incredibly taxing. However, while I admire his artistry, I find it hard to get as excited about the flute.
Completely New To Me
Musique Originale De Films: Deuxième Tome
Ahmed Malek was an influential Algerian composer, born in 1931 and active primarily in the 1960s through the 1980s. This is a collection of Malek’s film compositions that showcases his ability to create evocative and atmospheric soundscapes. The tracks capture a range of moods and themes, from dramatic and intense to reflective and serene.
Cyan Blue
This year’s Cyan Blue by Charlotte Day Wilson is an R&B/Soul album that showcases her unique talent. I first discovered her through a collaboration with BADBADNOTGOOD. This Canadian soul singer possesses a low, sultry voice paired with a minimalistic production style. I’ve found Cyan Blue to be perfect background music while at work, creating a soothing yet engaging atmosphere.
The Lucky One
I didn’t—and still don’t—know much about Cory Wong. What I do know is that he plays guitar and bass, creating funky songs filled with joy, tight grooves, catchy melodies, and vibrant arrangements. While certain moments in each song can feel a bit corny, if you ignore your cynical impulses and wait for his guitar solo to hit, there’s simply no mistaking the joy in your heart. I’ve let this album play on repeat several times, and it never fails to uplift my spirits.
Afreaka!
The band, comprised Caribbean musicians, is Demon Fuzz. The year is 1970. And music has no business sounding this forward-thinking. I dare you to listen to the opening track on this album and not think, “Holy shit! How have I never heard of Demon Fuzz before?” But then you’ll keep listening, and you’ll wonder, “Wait a second, wasn’t that bit sampled in some hip-hop song I heard once?” and “Hey, isn’t that an Electric Flag cover?” Though they only lasted a few years, this album is a cult classic.
Love Heart Cheat Code
Kendrick Lamar is a fan. Prince was a fan. And now I am as well. The future-soul, funk, and jazz band, led by the dynamic vocalist Nai Palm, hails from Melbourne, and their sound is tough to nail down. The diversity is almost as if Childish Gambino were led by a female vocalist. Hiatus Kaiyote’s innovative and eclectic style makes Love Heart Cheat Code a showcase of incredible musical versatility.
A Time for Healing
The Kahil El’Zabar Quartet blends traditional African rhythms with contemporary jazz elements and soulful vocals. Kahil El’Zabar’s use of percussion instruments, such as the African kalimba (thumb piano) and traditional drums, gives the music a distinctive and organic feel. It is a sound perfect for spiritual meditation (which, in my case, translates to writing). This album would have made my Top 5 Albums of the month if the ones that did weren’t so incredible.
June’s musical journey not only provided a soundtrack to my routines but also offered moments of introspection and inspiration, each album bringing a fresh perspective and enriching my daily life — not to mention my new 90-minute commute.
As we move through July, here’s to the continuous adventure of finding new sounds that move us and make life a little more vibrant.