Today's selection is inadvertently a dozen highlights from 2024, connected simply by virtue of incredible voices.
All of the albums, EPs and one-offs deserve a post in their own right, but suffice to say here that every single one is worth tracking down. It's been an embarrassment of riches these past twelve months, without a doubt.
Many of the artists here have become firm favourites thanks to the discerning taste and recommendations of my fellow travellers in the blogosphere. A shout out therefore for the following: HANN (C @ Sun Dried Sparrows), Humanist (Mike @ well, here pretty often), Nana Benz Du Togo (Ernie @ 27 Leggies) and Acid Klaus (Swiss Adam @ Bagging Area). Legends, all of you!
There's a connection to my birthplace Bristol, too, as three of the artists are based there: Emily Breeze, tor aka Tor Maries aka Billy Nomates and Katy J Pearson. I've been fortunate to see Emily and Katy live in concert. I was hoping to see Tor perform an intimate hometown gig last week at the wonderful Strange Brew, but unfortunately couldn't make it. One day, one day...
It was hard to narrow this selection down to a mere twelve, given the quality and quantity of great music. Criminal omissions include albums from Beth Gibbons, Ibibio Sound Machine, Isobel Campbell, Jane Weaver, Jo Bartlett, Sam Morton, Starless and Xan Tyler, and many more singles and EPs. Needless to say, I'm already thinking of a companion selection...
For today though, enjoy the next three quarters of an hour of subllime sounds.
1) Shade To The Sunshine: HANN (Forever In A Glance)
2) When I Look At You: Gates Of Light (Gates Of Light II)
3) Love You More: Humanist ft. Isobel Campbell (On The Edge Of A Lost And Lonely World)
4) Wicked Game (Cover of Chris Isaak): The Anchoress (Versions: Encore EP)*
5) Graceland (Single Version) (Cover of Paul Simon): Emily Breeze (Second Rodeo EP)
6) Tite (Kiledjian 'The Womb' Remix): Nana Benz Du Togo (Tite (Kiledjian Remixes) EP)
7) Aerodromes (Single Version): Acid Klaus ft. Philly Piper (P.T.S.D By Proxy EP)
8) Trance Stance (Single Version): Electric Blue Vision (Trance Stance EP)
9) wwid: tor (wwid EP)
10) In The Countryside: Kito Jempere ft. Lena Tronina (Part Time Chaos Part Time Calmness)
11) Sylvia (Album Version): Lisa Moorish (Divine Chaos)
12) Sky: Katy J Pearson (Someday, Now)
* Yes, I know that Catherine Anne Davies originally recorded and released Wicked Game as a standalone single during lockdown in 2020. However, the song received it's first physical release at the weekend, on the 6-track Versions: Encore, a limited edition of 500 12" EPs on eco-vinyl. Each 12" is manufactured from leftover wax pellets, resulting in a completely unique colour combination, and hand signed by Catherine. But hurry up, only 17 left at the time of this posting!
