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My Music Albums of the Year

My Music Albums of the Year

January 2nd 2025

Gerry Hassan

 

Back by popular demand (from a few folk who like me love their music). Divided into three main sections: new, compilations and box sets, and older issues I have turned to for the first time. And a few minus and positive points about releases to round things up.

 

NEW ALBUMS

 

  1. Fine Art, Kneecap

The breakout musical sensation of 2024; a trio from West Belfast singing songs about the concerns of young people, drugs and the importance of the Irish language. All done with humour, wit and edge and their film ‘Kneecap’ was one of the joys of the year. Street-literate hip hop with a political intelligence which annoys across the political spectrum.

  1. This Could Be Texas, English Teacher

At a time when so much music is apolitical and about vague things here is a debut album, from a Leeds foursome which addresses the unhappy state of England and modern life. A surprise winner of the Mercury Prize and definitely one to watch.

  1. Rooting for Love, Laetitia Sadier

The main voice of Stereolab continues her journey of music combining electronica, dance, the esoteric and radical discontent. Am a just a succour for Laetitia’s voice and musical grooves.

  1. Cascade, Floating Points

Sam Shepherd continues to go where few people will dare combining jazz and ambient sounds and making music which sounds like no other. Maybe not as pioneering as his last album: a collaboration with Pharoah Sanders, but just wonderful and unique soundscapes.

  1. No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin, Meshell Ndegeocello

A fitting tribute to James Baldwin on the centenary of his birth utilising his words in a musical setting. This does not set out to grab you but is a moody, atmospheric grower combining soul, R&B and jazz touches.

  1. Fearless Movement, Kamasi Washington

The third album proper from Kamasi is another masterclass in this unique musician who burst onto the scene with the triple album debut ‘The Epic’ in 2015. It has less of a cosmic feel than previous releases and more a sense of dance and funk. Aided by a special appearance by George Clinton amongst others.

  1. Ensoulment, The The

Matt Johnson’s first proper The The album in 24 years. He still has anger, observations about the state of the world and an inner discontent, but older, he now has even more of a sense of thoughtfulness and observation than he did all those years ago on ‘Soul Mining’.

  1. The Fear of Standing Still, American Aquarium

An Americana album by a group taking on some of the big stuff: about how to live in the US, in the Deep South and be a decent man. Some standout brave tracks on this in a bitterly divided America such as ‘Babies having Babies’ on the abortion wars and a woman’s right to choose.

  1. Pull the Rope, Ibibio Sound Machine

Ibibio Sound Machine’s Afro-soul has been consistently brilliant, and this is no exception. This seemed to slip a bit under the radar, but this has a great funky vibe and attitude and stunning vocals from London born Nigerian Eno Williams.

  1. Small Changes, Michael Kiwanuka

A rare gem of a talent who yet again delivers a stunning album. This might not be as immediate as its predecessor: ‘Kiwanuka’ (a pre-lockdown sensation which won the Mercury), but it really grows and shows as a singer and composer his talents. An artist who is not afraid to be on a creative journey making wonderful music.

Bubbling Under

Proxy Music, Linda Thompson

Nonetheless, Pet Shop Boys

The Night, Saint Etienne

Sailors and Rolling Stones, Chloe Matharu

In This City They Call You Love, Richard Hawley

Lives Outgrown, Beth Gibbons

COMPILATIONS AND BOX SETS

  1. Hear My Song: The Collection 1966-1995, Laura Nyro

Laura Nyro was a one-off talent who brought together so much: soul, jazz, gospel and the heritage of the Brill Building. After breaking through in the late 1960s she consciously decided not to play the star game and withdrew from much of the music business. This is the box set she deserves: 19 CDs from the 1960s to her last stunning and posthumous ‘Angel in the Dark’. Hope its release brings her music to the attention of more people.

  1. The Complete Atlantic Recordings, The Rascals

A collection of all the albums of the Rascals of the 1960s on Atlantic showcasing that they were a band who were more than their hits: ‘Groovin’ and ‘How Can I Be Sure?’ And with stunning vocals and songwriting from Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati. Seven albums from the New York blue-eyed soul band who need to be more celebrated.

  1. One Hand Clapping, Paul McCartney and Wings

At last after only 40 years McCartney releases the ‘One Hand Clapping’ recordings of Wings for a film which finally saw the light in 2024. This is Macca in transition: from the laid back Wings of 1971 to the full band triumphalism of ‘Wings over America’. With lots of great deep cuts and takes.

  1. Southern Rock Opera, Drive-By Truckers

The DBTs are IMHO the great American rock ‘n’ roll band of this century and this is their great album from 2001 which brought them to wider attention and which they self-financed. Dealing with huge issues such as growing up as young men in the American South, the mythology of the South and power of rock, this album delivers all you want from a rock album. Memorable songs, guitar playing and singing from Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley.

  1. Archives Volume Four: The Asylum Years 1976-80, Joni Mitchell

The Joni archive programme goes on: this covering the studio years of ‘Hejira’, ‘Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter’ and ‘Mingus’. The first has always been my favourite Joni album, disparaged upon release, but now rightly loved. Wonderful to have this series and unlike say Neil Young Joni and her estate know how not to overdo archival releases!

  1. The Carnegie Hall Concert, Alice Coltrane

Alice Coltrane posthumous releases continue with this 1971 set. This features a stellar line-up including Pharoah Sanders and some superb jazz extended workouts including her late husband John’s ‘Africa’ and ‘Leo’.

  1. You Can Walk Across It on the Grass: The Boutique Sound of Swinging London

3 CDs of when London was swinging with the sounds of pop with so many groups and artists who never broke through.

  1. Miles ’54: The Prestige Recordings, Miles Davis

Miles with one of his great bands in a great year. Featuring the legends Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus, Horace Silver, Art Blakey and Thelonious Monk.

  1. LA is My Lady, Frank Sinatra

Frank in his twilight years approaching 70 in 1984. Quincy Jones and a superb orchestra who can really swing. Contains his last classic: a late version of ‘Mack the Knife’ (here in the 1984 and recut 1986 versions).

  1. Early Home Recordings, Sandy Denny

The early recordings of Sandy Denny. A talent finding her voice. All previous released on ‘A Boxful of Treasures’ epic set but great to have for those who did not succumb to it!

Bubbling Under

Live at Filmore East, 1969, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

I am the Linesman from the County: Glen Campbell Sings Jimmy Webb, Glen Campbell

Stephen de Bastion, Songs from the Piano Player of Budapest

Now Yearbooks 1977 and 1987

OLDER RELEASES REVISITED/PURCHASED THIS YEAR

  1. The UK Singles Collection, The Beatles

A collection of the 22 singles 1962-70 on CD format issued in 1992 (after a first one on 3” CD In 1989); never got round to it at the time.

  1. The UK EP Singles Collection, The Beatles

The second CD collection of the Fab Four beyond the albums; a 15 CD set issued in 1992 which I didn’t get then. Covering all their EPs from 1963-67 from “Twist and Shout’ to ‘Magical Mystery Tour’. Superb sound.

  1. Songs of Innocence and Experience, Marianne Faithfull

The most comprehensive overview of Faithfull’s musical career from the 1960s Decca recordings to her rebirth in 1979 with ‘Broken English’ covering her Island years and finding her unique and brave voice.

  1. Still, Joy Division, Japanese import

This odds and sods collection first released in 1981 has always had a place in my heart for the studio outtakes which have a real rawness. Japanese 2CD issue.

  1. B-Sides Collected, Pulp, MCA US Promo

At their peak Pulp’s B-sides rivalled the likes of Suede or Oasis but they were never rewarded with a collection bringing their best together. This 2CD set rounds up great tracks from the Island Years. Guess we will never see a commercial collection.

  1. Supersession, Michael Bloomfield, Al Kooper, Stephen Stills

A real find and gem of a discovery. Recommended by US muso Norman Maslov. A one-off supergroup from 1968 with a blues and rock attitude. Check out the out of this world version of Donovan’s ‘Season of the Witch.’

  1. Blast from the Past, Ringo Starr

A guilty pleasure. But who now remembers that post-1970 Ringo hit the ground running with a pile of hits? A mere ten tracks from 1975 but this is a more feelgood comp than any of the other Beatles managed (thinking of ‘Shaved Fish’ and ‘Wings Greatest’). And it contains the best Beatles song about their break-up from a Beatle: ‘Early 1970.’

  1. My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, Brian Eno/David Byrne, original issue

The original issue of this spellbinding album of hypnotic rhythms, ghostly voices and preachers. Upon first issue the track ‘Qu’ran’ was withdrawn after various issues.

  1. As and Bs: 1964-1967, Spencer Davis Group

The magnificent Spencer Davis Group were one of the great British bands of the 1960s and this collects their best and the great voice of Steve Winwood.

  1. Brazil USA 70: Brazilian Group Music in the USA in the 1970s, V/A

I love Brazilian music and adore Soul Jazz compilations (who also do great Brazilian comps such as ‘Tropicalia: A Brazilian Revolution in Sound’). This collects Brazilian musicians collaborating with American artists and mixes the commercial with music breaking boundaries.

Bubbling Under:

Tom Tom Club, Deluxe Edition

Underwater, Moses, Solo, Elizabeth Fraser, bootleg compilation

The Singles Collection 1964-1970, The Kinks, Japanese import

Jem Records Celebrates Ray Davies, V/A

And finally …

Minus Points:

The endless box set reissue programmes grind on and get more and more exclusive and expensive with ridiculous prices for supposedly deluxe editions. Worst offender by far was John Lennon’s ‘Mind Games’ (1973) which was always a patchy, mediocre album of second-rate songs and no remaster can change these basics. Similarly, George Harrison’s ‘Living in the Material World’ from the same year is a reissue of an indifferent album: preachy, other-worldly and a bit miserablist. Another reissue programme which has sadly lost the plot has been the once brilliant New Order. The past twelve months saw ‘Brotherhood’ (1986): another patchy album given the box set treatment – but with the CD/LP combo to justify inflated, ridiculous pricing. No thanks!

Plus Points:

The Japanese SHM-CDs of Paul McCartney’s 1970s albums sees ten reissues from ‘McCartney’ to ‘Wings Greatest’. The sound of ‘Ram’, ‘Wild Life’ and ‘Red Rose Speedway’ has never sounded better. I hope this series continues and maybe it will cover ‘London Town’ and ’Back to the Egg’ which people have been waiting years for in the Archive Collection.

A special mention for: Frank Sinatra, The Capitol Years, 20 album vinyl set, 1984 edition, which is a stunning remaster. Had long been waiting for this being reissued the way Frank was meant to be heard at his musical peak and eventually got a mint condition of a set 40 years old!

A final hat-tip to Jem Records and their wonderful tribute albums: this year: Ray Davies, Jagger and Richards; after doing: Pete Townsend, Brian Wilson and John Lennon. Let’s hope they keep up the series in 2025. They have a roster of younger, eager, hard rocking American bands who provide catchy and interesting takes on well-known and less well-known tracks. A great set of releases which might give a second life to the tribute album.

And here’s to championing and supporting physical releases in a week when the CEO of Spotify has just been valued as worth $4.8 billion. Much of that has been ‘earned’ on the back of exploiting musical artists.