Crate Digger’s Corner: 2017 Albums, Pt. 1!
Crate Digger’s Corner…by DJ Musically Rich
I’ve been going through some of my old notes, and I found a list I had made a little over a year ago about the 2017 albums I had heard (up to that point). It was going to be a blog post to hopefully turn some people on to some new albums, I forgot to do it at the time, so we’re in luck, a quick list of some of the highlights of my 2017 albums (this isn’t everything that I heard that I’d recommend, just some of the best and my faves). I may do a listening to some of the ones that I know I like, but want to revisit, before posting and do a second part to this list, or I may use that as an opportunity to review some of those as well or some of the ones I’m posting today as well (If there are any you see that you would particularly like to see a review of, leave a note). This list does not include reissues, live material or compilations.
Artist- Album (general genre)- and brief description
The Flaming Lips- Oczy Mlody (indie rock)- return to the vibe of “Yoshimi…”
Miles Mosley- Uprising (Funk/R&B/Jazz)- The bass player for Kamasi Washington and The West Coast Get Down brings out the gritty funk side of their music on his solo album.
Once & Future Band- self-titled (prog indie rock)- This album sounds a little like if The Flaming Lips went prog.
Tinariwen- Elwan (African Desert Blues)- This album by the guitar centric desert blues act from Mali brings more emphasis to their rock sound with guest spots from American rockers including Kurt Vile and Mark Lanegan.
Thundercat- Drunk (R&B/jazz)- The bass player who is Flying Lotus’ right-hand man, works with Kamasi Washington, Erykah Badu and many more puts out a soulful album that runs all around R&B and jazz.
King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard- put out numerous albums, I am listing 3 (I believe there were 5, and I think I’ve heard one more since this list. They are all very good to great prog/fusion leaning albums.)
1. Flying Microtonal Banana- a few of the members were asked to make some microtonal instruments and they wanted to try them out first, and cut an album with them.
2. Murder Of The Universe- Their heavy metal album
3. Sketches Of Brunswick East- w/ The Mild High Club is probably their most jazz fusion leaning album that I’ve heard.
Oddisee- The Iceberg (rap)- Another brilliant entry from the DC rapper that also features his excellent production skills!
Cameron Graves- Planetary Prince (jazz)- The West Coast Get Down pianist/keyboardist (one of them, and the one that plays on Miles Mosley’s album) puts out his expansive solo album that ranges from straight ahead jazz to electric jazz funk and so much more.
Here are 10 albums to keep an eye out for from 2017, there will be more from this list coming in the future, and this isn’t necessarily my top 10, just in the order that I was writing them down. I hope you enjoy and happy hunting!
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