Courtesy: Verve RecordsVer
From the mainstream to the underground, from the worlds of jazz and blues to the worlds of pop and rock, audiophiles have been given quite a bit this year to appreciate. Up-and-coming blues-rock band The Record Company and veteran jazz outfit Yellowjackets joined World Music act Yiddish Glory to prove to be some of this year’s best new music.
Experience Hendrix, LLC’s new Jimi Hendrix album Both Sides of the Sun, composer Klaus Schultz and veteran performers Elvis Costello & The Imposters also provided some memorable new music along with Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite, Ry Cooder and Femi Kuti.
Considering how many top notch records were released this year, developing this year’s list was not easy by any means. The acts noted previously all turned out some very impressive offerings.
After much analysis and consideration, this critic has placed atop the year’s top new albums list is the long-lost album from John Coltrane, Both Directions At Once. The record stands out as a shining beacon that music lovers across the board should hear at least once, regardless of their familiarity with Coltrane and his body of work.
Second in this year’s list is taken by Yiddish Glory’s new album The Lost Songs of WWII. Listeners learn some very important history about Jewish music, culture and history through this album that should be in so many listeners’ libraries.
Third place in this year’s list goes to composer Klaus Schultz and his new album Silhouettes. The otherworldly compositions featured in this record are stunning in their presentation. They conjure thoughts of some of Nine Inch Nails master mind Trent Reznor’s most powerful instrumental works crossed with just a touch of John Williams sensibility. It really is a powerful presentation that crosses genres and deserves so much attention.
The remainder of this year’s list features new albums from the likes of Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite, Femi Kuti and The Record Company just to name a few acts. As always, the list’s top 10 titles are the best while the five that follow are honorable mention titles. Without any further ado, here for your consideration is Phil’s Picks 2018 Top 10 Albums of the Year.
PHIL’S PICKS 2018 TOP 10 NEW ALBUMS
- John Coltrane — Both Directions At Once
- Yiddish Glory — The Lost Songs of WWII
- Klaus Shultz — Silhouettes
- Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite — No Mercy in this Land
- The Jamie Lawrence Sextet — New York Suite
- Jimi Hendrix — Both Sides of the Sky
- Femi Kuti — One People, One World
- Ry Cooder — Prodigal Son
- Yellowjackets — Raising Our Voice
- The Record Company — All Of this Life
- Billy Gibbons — The Big Bad Blues
- Elvis Costello & The Imposters — Look Now
- Onyx Collective — Lower East Suite Part Three
- Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats — Tearing at the Seams
- Joe Bonamassa — Redemption
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