Music Tracking 2018

These are 2018 releases that I've taken note of, listed alphabetically by artist, with VA comps at the bottom. My grades, where available, are in brackets at the end of the line (stars in B+ range). Lines in blue indicate that I have a physical copy (albeit sometimes just a promo CDR); in green are records that I graded based on a Rhapsody stream or other such source. Most records have release dates and a brief generic note (usually taken from AMG).

Unheard records are prioritized 0-3 (graded records are 4-5). The priotization is based subjectively on personal interests, reviews I've noticed, reviewers I particularly respect, what I know about the artists, etc. Roughly speaking: 0 is something I have no reason to consider (default page omits 0); 1 has been noted as having some cred somewhere; 2 is something I have some specific reason to search out; 3 is something I'll listen to ASAP.

Option selectors:

Genre switches (no data for Indie Rock, Pop, Singer-Songwriter):

New Releases

  • 3MA: Anarouz (Six Degrees) [05-18] - world
  • Alexander Abreu & Havana D'Primera: Cantor Del Pueblo (Patata Productions) [04-10] - Latin
  • P Adrix: Album Desconhecido (Principe) [02-23] - world
  • AKA: Touch My Blood (Beam Group) [06-15] - African rap
  • Gaye Su Akyol: Isrikrarli Hayal Hakikattir (Glitterbeat) [10-26] - Turkish
  • Alba Griot Ensemble: The Darkness Between the Lines (Riverboat) [09-28] - African
  • Amsterdam Klezmer Band & Sondorgo: Szikra (Vetnasj) [04-27] - klezmer
  • Anbessa Orchestra: Negestat (self-released) [03-30] - world
  • Anda: Do Worry Be Happy (Amoeba Culture -EP) [04-03] - K-pop
  • Huda Asfour: Kouni (self-released) [05-18] -
  • Anelis Assumpcao: Taurina (Pomm_elo/Scubidu Music) [02-16] - Brazil
  • Baloji: 137 Avenue Kaniama (Bella Union) [03-23] - Afrobeat [***]
  • J Balvin: Vibras (Universal Latino) [05-25] - Latin pop [**]
  • Bixiga 70: Quebra Cabeca (Glitterbeat) [07-20] - Brazilian
  • Ivar Bjornson & Einar Selvik: Hugsja (By Norse) [04-20] - Nordic folk
  • Black Uhuru: As the World Turns (self-released) [09-07] - reggae
  • BoA: WOMAN (SM Entertainment) [10-24] - K-pop
  • Bokante and Metropole Orkest: What Heat (Real World) [09-28] - world
  • Bombino: Deran (Partisan) [05-18] - African [***]
  • BTS: Love Yourself: Tear (Big Hit) [05-18] - K-pop [B]
  • BTS: Love Yourself: Answer (Big Hit) [08-24] - K-pop
  • Burna Boy: Outside (Atlantic) [01-26] - reggae [*]
  • Eduardo "Visitante" Cabra/Vicente Garcia/Trending Tropics: Trending Tropics (Sony) [10-19] - Latin
  • Rodrigo Campos: 9 Sambas (YB Music) [08-03] - samba
  • Centavrvs: Somos Uno (Casete Upload) [03-16] - Latin
  • Chungha: Blooming Blue (Stone Music Entertainment) [07-18] - K-pop
  • Diali Cissokho & Kaira Ba: Routes (Twelve/Eight) [06-29] - African [A-]
  • Hollie Cook: Vessel of Love (Merge) [01-26] - reggae
  • Fatoumata Diawara: Fenfo: Something to Say (Shanachie) [05-18] - African [**]
  • Dirtmusic: Bu Bir Ruya (Glitterbeat) [01-26] -
  • DJ Call Me: Marry Me (Highlife ) [04-20] - kwaito
  • Doctor Nativo: Guatemaya (Stonetree) [09-15] - Latin [A-]
  • Estelle: Lovers Rock (VP) [09-07] - reggae
  • Etran De L'Air: No 1 (Sahel Sounds) [10-01] - African
  • EXO: Don't Mess Up My Tempo (SM) [11-02] - K-pop
  • FAME: Maluma (Sony Music Latin) [05-18] - latin
  • Mylene Farmer: Desobeissance (Stuffed Monkey) [09-28] - French
  • Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita: Soar (Bendigedig) -
  • Romulo Froes: O Disco Das Horas (YB Music) [06-08] - Brazil
  • Kany Garcia: Soy Yo (Sony Latin) [05-18] - Latin pop
  • Giriboy: Graduation (Loen Entertainment-17) [2017-12-19] - K-hop
  • Adekunle Gold: About 30 (Afro Urban/Empire) [05-25] - African
  • Grupo Mono Blanco: ¡Fandango! Sones Jaroches de Veracruz (Smithsonian Folkways) [05-25] - Mexican [***]
  • Gurrumul: Djarimirri (Skinny Fish Music) [04-13] - Aboriginal
  • Francoise Hardy: Personne D'Autre (Parlophone France) [04-06] - French
  • Utada Hikaru: Hatsukoi (Sony) [06-27] - Japan
  • Koenji Hyakkei: Dhorimvishka (self-released) [07-11] - Japan
  • Imarhan: Temet (City Slang) [02-23] - tuareg [***]
  • Bert Jansch: Just a Simple Soul (BMG) - folk
  • Park Jiha: Communion (Tak:til) [03-02] - modern classical [**]
  • Anthony Joseph: People of the Sun (Heavenly Sweetness) [09-21] - [*]
  • JosyAra: Mansa Furia (Tratore) [08-24] -
  • Angelique Kidjo: Remain in Light (Kravenworks) [06-08] - international
  • Femi Kuti: One People One World (Knitting Factory) [02-23] - Afrobeat [*]
  • Seun Kuti & Egypt 80: Black Times (Strut) [03-02] - afrobeat [A-]
  • Natalia Lafourcade: Musas Vol 2 (Sony Mexico) [02-09] - Latin folk
  • Domenico Lancellotti: The Good Is a Big God (Luaka Bop) [05-04] -
  • Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares: BooCheeMish (Prophecy Productions) [05-25] - world
  • Lio: Lio Canta Caymmi (Crammed Discs) [03-30] - Brazilian
  • Loona: [++] (?Vlending) [08-20] - K-pop
  • Los Hermanos Cubero: Quique Dibuja La Tristeza (El Segell del Primavera) [04-27] - folk
  • Los Rolling Ruanas: Sangre Caliente (M3 Music) [05-04] -
  • Los Texmaniacs: Cruzando Borders (Smithsonian Folkways) [05-11] - Tejano
  • Kitty MacFarlane: Namer of Clouds (Navigator) -
  • Maluma: FAME (Sony Music Latin) [05-18] - Latin pop
  • Mariza: Mariza (Parlophone Portugal) [05-25] - Portuguese
  • Medhane: Ba Suba Ak Jamm (Grand Closing) [07-24] - world
  • Michaela Meise: Ich Bin Griechin (Martin Hossbach) [06-29] - pop
  • Hailu Mergia: Lala Belu (Awesome Tapes From Africa) [03-09] - Africa [***]
  • Mdou Moctar/Elite Beat: Mdou Moctar Meets Elite Beat in a Budget Dancehall (Boomarm Nation) [05-10] - saharan [A-]
  • Molly Tigre: Molly Tigre (Very Special) [05-18] - ethio-jazz [***]
  • Mr Eazi: Life Is Eazi Vol 2: Lagos to London (Universal Music) [11-09] - African
  • Munya: North Hatley (Winston Wolf) [05-04] - French pop
  • MXM: More Than Ever (Warner Music Korea) [08-14] - K-pop
  • Thiago Nassif: Tres (Foom) [04-13] - Brazil [A-]
  • Nidia: Nidia E Ma Nidia E Fudida (Principe -17) [06-30-2017] -
  • Nino De Elche: Antologia Del Cante Flamenco Heterodoxo (Sony Music) [02-23] - flamenco
  • Jackie Oates: The Joy of Living (ECC) -
  • Lisa O'Neil: Heard a Long Gone Song (River Lea) - world
  • Orquesta Akokan: Orquesta Akokan (Daptone) [03-30] - Cuban [***]
  • Gesu No Kiwami Otome: Suki Nara Towanai (Warner Music Japan) [08-29] - J-pop
  • Ozuna: Aura (Sony Music Latin) [08-24] - Latin
  • Eddie Palmieri: Full Circle (Ropeadope) [07-20] - Latin jazz [***]
  • Bamba Pana: Poaa (Nyege Nyege) [08-24] - African
  • Hermeto Pascoal & Big Band: Natureza Universal (Scubidu) [10-20] - Latin jazz
  • Perfume: Future Pop (Universal J/Perfume) [08-15] - J-pop
  • Popcaan: Forever (Mixpak) [07-20] - dancehall [**]
  • Protoje: A Matter of Time (Easy Star) [06-29] - reggae [*]
  • RAM: RAM 7: August 1791 (Willibelle) [07-13] - Haitian [B]
  • Red Velvet: The Perfect Red Velvet (SM Entertainment) [01-29] - K-pop
  • The Rheingans Sisters: Bright Field (RootBeat) -
  • Sheena Ringo: Reimport Vol 2: Civil Aviation Bureau (EMI) [12-06] - J-pop
  • Maria Rita: Amor E Musica (Universal Music) [01-26] - Brazil
  • Ava Rocha: Tranca (Circus) [06-06] -
  • Draco Rosa: Monte Sagrado (Sony Music Latin) [10-26] - rock en espanol
  • Mehdi Rostami & Adib Rostami: Melodic Circles: Urban Classical Music From Iran (ARC Music) - Iranian
  • San Cha: Capricho Del Diablo (Outside Insight) [07-13] - Latin
  • Hama Sankare: Ballebe: Calling All Africans (Clermont Music) [03-02] - Malian [***]
  • Sans: Kulku (Cloud Valley) -
  • Sauti Sol: Afrikan Sauce (self-released) [11-21] - African
  • Senyawa: Sujud (Sublime Frequencies) [11-02] - Indonesian [***]
  • Septeto Santiaguero & Jose Alberto El Canario: A Mi Que: Tributo A Los Classicos Cubanos (self-released) [05-25] - Latin
  • SHINee: The Story of Light (SM Entertainment) [09-10] - K-pop
  • Sly & Robbie Meet Nils Petter Molvaer Feat Eivind Aarset and Vladislav Delay: Nordub (Okeh) [04-06] - dub-jazz fusion [A-]
  • Small Island Big Song: Small Island Big Song (self-released) [09-06] -
  • Elza Soares: Deus E Mulher (Deckdisc) [05-18] - Brazil [A-]
  • Sonadores De Sinaloa: Lo Improvisado (Mayra Music) [03-02] - Latin
  • Sonido Gallo Negro: Mambo Cosmico (Glitterbeat) [04-06] - Latin
  • Soweto Gospel Choir: Freedom (Shanachie) [09-14] - African
  • Spanglish Fly: Ay Que Boogaloo! (Chaco World Music) - Latin jazz
  • Spice: Captured (Spice Official) [11-02] - reggae
  • Sting & Shaggy: 44/876 (A&M) [04-20] - reggae
  • Sting & Shaggy: 44/876 (A&M) [04-20] - reggae
  • Suchmos: The Ashtray (Sony) [06-20] - J-pop
  • Sunmi: Warning (MakeUs -EP) [09-04] - K-pop
  • Tal National: Tantabara (Fat Cat) [02-09] - African [***]
  • Tallawit Timbouctou: Hali Diallo (Sahel Sounds) [11-02] - African [***]
  • Ebo Taylor: Yen Ara (Mr Bongo) [04-06] - African [**]
  • Thabang Tabane: Matjale (Mushroom Hour Half Hour) [09-14] - African
  • Samba Toure: Wande (Glitterbeat) [05-25] - African
  • Sidi Toure: Toubalbero (Thrill Jockey) [03-23] - Afridcan [**]
  • Twice: Summer Nights (JYP -EP) [07-09] - K-pop
  • Twice: What Is Love? (JYP -EP) [04-09] - K-pop
  • Norma Waterson & Eliza Carthy With the Gift Band: Anchor (Topic) -
  • Wednesday Campanella: Galapagos (Warner Music Japan) [06-27] - J-pop
  • Youssoupha: Polaroid Experience (Bomaye Musik) [09-28] - African rap
  • Zoe: Aztlan (Universal) [04-18] - Latin
  • Congo Revolution: African Latin Jazz and Funk Sounds From the Two Congos (1957-73) (Soul Jazz) [04-21] - African

Reissues, Etc.

  • Gboyega Adelaja: Colourful Environment (1979, Odion Livingstone) [07-29] - afrobeat [**]
  • Kwi Bamba: Kwi Bamba & L'Orchestre De Gama Berema (1997, Ouch!) [11-14] - Afrian [***]
  • Basa Basa: Homowo (1978-79, Vintage Voudou) [02-13] - African
  • Deben Bhattacharya: Paris to Calcutta: Men and Music on the Desert Road (Sublime Frequencies -4CD) [11-02] - Indian
  • Jess Sa Bi & Peter One: Our Garden Needs Its Flowers (Awesome Tapes From Africa) [08-17] - Africa
  • Bonga: Angola 72 (Lusafrica) - African
  • Camarao: The Imaginary Soundtrack to a Brazilian Western Movie: 1964-1974 (Analog Africa) [02-20] - African
  • Stella Chiweshe: Kasahwa: Early Singles (1974-83, Glitterbeat) [09-21] - African [**]
  • Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar: Raga Yaman (Rudra Veena//Seattle//15 March 1986) (Ideologic Organ) [06-01] - Indian
  • Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar: Ragas Abhogi & Vardhani (Rudra Veena//Seattle//9 March 1986) (Ideologic Organ) [06-01] - Indian
  • Shams Dinn: Shams Dinn (Smiling C) [01-15] - Moroccan
  • Dur Dur of Somalia: Volume 1, Volume 2 & Previously Unreleased Tracks (Analog Africa) [09-14] - African [***]
  • Feeling Kreyol: Las Pale (Strut -EP) [11-30] - zouk [*]
  • Asnake Gebreyes: Ahadu (Buda Musique) [06-05] - Ethiopian [***]
  • The Gladiators: Symbol of Reality (1982, Omnivore) [04-20] - reggae [**]
  • Kitsos Harisiadis: Lament in a Deep Style 1929-1931 (Third Man) [06-08] -
  • Abu Obaida Hassan & His Tambour: The Shaigiya Sound of Sudan (Ostinato) [05-25] -
  • Kamal Keila: Habibi Funk 008: Muslims and Christians (Habibi Funk) [07-06] - African
  • Ali Hassan Kuban: From Nubia to Cairo (1981, Piranha) [11-16] - Arabic
  • Fela Kuti: Box Set #4 (Knitting Factory -17) [12-15-2017] - afrobeat
  • Cheikh Lo: I (World Circuit) - African
  • Orlando Cachaito Lopez: Cachaito (World Circuit) - Latin
  • Bob Marley: Kaya 40 (Island) - reggae
  • Les Maxel's: Le Retour De Toto (1976, Atagana) [06-22] -
  • Tommy McCook & the Agrovators: Super Star/Disco Rockers (1977, Pressure Sounds) [02-00] - reggae [**]
  • ERR: stream no grade: Joe McPhee/Mats Gustafsson: Brace for Impact
  • Oneness of Juju: African Rhythms (1975, Strut) [09-21] - African [*]
  • Orchestre Abass: De Bassari Togo (1972, Analog Africa -EP) [12-14] - African [***]
  • Professor Rhythm: Professor 3 (1991, Awesome Tapes From Africa -EP) [06-01] - African [A-]
  • John Renbourn: Live in Kyoto 1979 (Drag City) [06-22] - British folk
  • Roce: Par Les Damnees De La Terre: Des Voix De Luttes 1969-1989 (Hors Cadres) [11-02] -
  • The Scorpions & Saif Abu Bakr: Jazz Jazz Jazz (Habibi Funk) [11-09] -
  • Zamaan Ya Sukkar: Exotic Love Songs and Instrumentals From the Egyptian '60s (Radio Martiko) [09-07] - Arabic
  • Ali Farka Toure: The Source (1983, World Circuit) [03-30] - African
  • Asnakech Worku: Asnakech (Awesome Tapes From Africa) [11-16] - African [**]
  • African Scream Contest 2 (Analog Africa) [05-18] - African [***]
  • Antilles Mechant Bateau (Born Bad) [09-21] -
  • Disques Debs International Vol 1: An Island Story: Biguine Afro Latin & Musique Antillaise 1960-1972 (Strut) [06-29] -
  • Ernesto Chahoud Presents Taitu: Soul-Fueled Stompers From 1960s-1970s Ethiopia (BBE) [02-1l6] - African
  • Field Recordings From the Sahel (Sahel Sounds) [02-21] - African
  • Gumba Fire: Bubblegum Soul & Synth-Boogie in 1980s South Africa (Soundway) [03-09] - South Africa [**]
  • Heads Records: South African Disco-Dub Edits (Soundway -EP) [05-11] - African
  • I'm Not Here to Hunt Rabbits (Piranha) [04-27] - African [A-]
  • Listen All Around: The Golden Age of Central and East African Music (Dust-to-Digital) [06-15] - African
  • Natural High: The Bongo Man Collection (Studio One) [06-08] - reggae
  • Ocora: Le Monde Des Musiques Traditionnelles (Ocora) - world
  • Onda De Amor: Synthesized Brazilian Hits That Never Were (1984-94) (Soundway) [07-06] - Brazil [**]
  • The Rough Guide to Ethiopian Jazz (World Music Network) [04-21] - African jazz
  • Small Island Big Sound (self-released) [06-23] - world
  • Travailler C'est Trop Dur: The Lyrical Legacy of Caesar Vincent (Swallow) [10-12] - Cajun [*]
  • Two Niles to Sing a Melody: The Violins & Synths of Sudan (Ostinato) [09-14] - African [A-]
  • Un Mundo Raro: Las Canciones De Jose Alfredo Jiminez (Warner Music Mexico) [02-09] - Latin
  • Waystation Compilation: Sequence I (Nostro Hood System) [02-02] - reggaeton
  • Yiddish Glory: The Lost Songs of World War II (Six Degrees) [02-23] -

Priority Counts

  • Priority 1: 105
  • Priority 2: 27
  • Priority 3: 0
  • Priority 4: 49
  • Priority 5: 0

Total: 181

Grade Counts

  • A- : 10
  • *** : 17
  • ** : 13
  • * : 7
  • B : 2

Total: 49