The primary way I build my digital music collection is by maintaining a playlist called, “The Rotation.” On this list I load albums of artists I’m interested in hearing, mostly new-to-me artists or albums. Because I need some organizational principle to conduct this survey I go by the alphabetical listing of the artist. I typically move from earlier records to later records, although there are exceptions, and if I’m excited to hear a new album by a favorite artist I’ll add it in an apparent random placement to hear it sooner than later. From this list I’ll select tracks to add to my collection. It’s rare that I DNF a record, and uncommon for me to not select a single track from it. I’ve been doing this for a while and am currently on my 9th trip around the alphabet. Below are the albums heard in a given session and what thoughts, if any, I have about them. These are mostly first impressions, so don’t expect in-depth analysis.
Asterisks (*) after the album title indicate that it is a new-to-me record.
Michael Kiwanuka: SMALL CHANGES (2024)*
What can you say about Michael Kiwanuka? He makes some of the best music out there. Thoughtful. Soulful. This record is no different.
“Follow Your Dreams” may be the most poignant of the set.
Michael Penn: MARCH (1989)*
For years I had a vague notion that Sean and Chris Penn had a brother who was a musician, and later I learned that Michael Penn was married to Aimee Mann. I really could only identify him from the duet he did with Aimee on the Beatles’ song “Two of Us” on the I AM SAM soundtrack. It was much later that I learned he was the artist behind “No Myth,” a song I’d always loved but only heard fleetingly in stores or on the radio. Then it finally came up on my streaming services and I was able to identify the name and the artist of the record. Having liked what I’ve heard of him so far, it’s time to delve into his catalog.
Selected Tracks
- No Myth
- Brave New World
- Innocent One
Miles Davis & The Lighthouse All-Stars: AT LAST! (1953)*
It’s a long slog going through the Miles Davis catalog, and switching streaming services, like I did a few months ago, makes it even longer. Different services have different selections. I had to loop back for this one. This live recording is as pleasant as you’d expect and features a remarkable track featuring the extraordinary talents of Max Roach on drums.
Selected tracks:
- Infinity Promenade
- ‘Round Midnight
- A Night in Tunisia
- At Last
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