Music Tracking 2014

These are 2014 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). When I first put this file together, I dropped records once I had rated them. On Aug. 25, I folded the year-end list back in, both to give a sense of context (what I've heard vs. what I haven't) and to weed out some errors.

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:

New Releases

  • 5 Seconds of Summer: 5 Seconds of Summer (Capitol) [07-22] - pop/rock [B]
  • 75 Dollar Bill: Olives in the Ears (self-released) [***]
  • Juhani Aaltonen: To Future Memories (TUM) [***]
  • Greg Abate Quartet: Motif (Whaling City Sound) - jazz [A-]
  • Ab-Soul: These Days . . . (Top Dawg) [06-24] - alt rap [**]
  • Actress: Ghettoville (Ninja Tune) [01-28] - electronic [*]
  • Kris Adams: Longing (Jazzbird) [B]
  • Ryan Adams: Ryan Adams (Blue Note) [09-08] - singer-songwriter [B]
  • Jason Adasiewicz's Sun Rooms: From the Region (Delmark) [08-26] - jazz [***]
  • Jaime Affoumado/Alex Blake/Arturo O'Farrill/Bill Ware: The Puppeteers (Puppet's) [**]
  • The Afghan Whigs: Do to the Beast (Sub Pop) [04-15] - indie rock [**]
  • Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra: Pulsion (Ubiquity) [08-26] - jazz [***]
  • Against Me!: Transgender Dysphoria Blues (Total Treble) [01-21] - punk rock [**]
  • Jhené Aiko: Souled Out (Def Jam) [09-09] - contemporary r&b [*]
  • Jason Ajemian: Folklords (Delmark) - jazz [A-]
  • Jason Ajemian/Tony Malaby/Rob Mazurek/Chad Taylor: A Way a Land of Life (NoBusiness) - jazz [***]
  • Ambrose Akinmusire: The Imagined Savior Is Far Easier to Paint (Blue Note) [B-]
  • Akrobatik: Built to Last (self-released)
  • Fatima Al Qadiri: Asiatisch (Hyperdub) [05-06] - electronic [**]
  • Yemi Alade: King of Queens (Effyzzie Music Group) [10-02] - afropop [**]
  • Damon Albarn: Everyday Robots (Parlophone) [04-29] - adult alt pop/rock [*]
  • Melissa Aldana & Crash Trio: Melissa Aldana & Crash Trio (Concord) [06-24] - jazz [*]
  • Ariel Alexander & Jon Bremen: Street Cries (self-released, EP) [*]
  • Dee Alexander: Songs My Mother Loves (Blujazz) [**]
  • Eddie Allen: Push (Edjallen Music) [**]
  • Lily Allen: Sheezus (Warner Brothers/Regal) [05-05] [A]
  • Tony Allen: Film of Life (Jazz Village) [10-14] - afro-beat [**]
  • Allo Darlin': We Came From the Same Place (Slumberland) [10-06] - alt/indie rock [A-]
  • Alt-J: This Is All Yours (Canvasback/Atlantic) [09-23] - alt/indie rock [B]
  • Dave Alvin/Phil Alvin: Common Ground: Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Play and Sing the Songs of Big Bill Broonzy (Yep Roc) [06-03] - country/blues [A-]
  • Alvvays: Alvvays (Polyvinyl) [07-22] - indie pop [*]
  • Rodrigo Amado: Wire Quartet (Clean Feed) - jazz [A-]
  • Rodrigo Amado Motion Trio & Peter Evans: Live in Lisbon (NoBusiness) - jazz [**]
  • Rodrigo Amado Motion Trio & Peter Evans: The Freedom Principle (NoBusiness) - jazz [**]
  • Marsha Ambrosius: Fvck & Love (2014, self-released, EP) [*]
  • Arild Andersen/Tommy Smith/Paolo Vinaccia: Mira (ECM) [***]
  • Angles 9: Injuries (Clean Feed) - jazz [***]
  • Jason Anick: Tipping Point (Magic Fiddle Music) [*]
  • Lotte Anker/Jakob Riis: Squid Police (Konvoy) [11-11] - jazz [*]
  • Laurie Antonioli: Songs of Shadow, Songs of Light: The Music of Joni Mitchell (Origin) [B]
  • Aphex Twin: Syro (Warp) [09-23] - experimental techno [A-]
  • Arc Iris: Arc Iris (Anti-Epitaph) [04-01] - singer-songwriter
  • Arca: Xen (Mute) [11-04] - electronic [B]
  • Clarice Assad: Imaginarium (Adventure Music) [B-]
  • Atmosphere: Southsiders (Rhymesayers Entertainment) [05-06] [***]
  • Allison Au Quartet: The Sky Was Pale Blue, Then Grey (self-released) [10-28] - jazz [**]
  • Auction Project: Slink (self-released) [*]
  • Audio One: An International Report (Audiographic) [05-15] - free jazz [***]
  • Audio One: The Midwest School (Audiographic) [05-15] - free jazz
  • Aurelio: Lándini (Real World) - world [***]
  • Bobby Avey: Authority Melts From Me (Whirlwind) [A-]
  • Avi Buffalo: At Best Cuckold (Sub Pop) [09-09] - alt pop/rock [*]
  • Omer Avital: New Song (Motema) [03-04] - jazz [*]
  • Iggy Azalea: The New Classic (Def Jam) [04-22] - alt rap [A-]
  • Iggy Azalea: Reclassified (Def Jam) [11-24] - alt rap [**]
  • Katy B: Little Red (Columbia) [***]
  • The Bad Plus: The Rite of Spring (Masterworks) [03-25] - avant-garde
  • The Bad Plus: Inevitable Western (Masterworks) [08-26] - modern creative [***]
  • BadBadNotGood: III (Innovative Leisure) [05-06] [**]
  • Mike Baggetta Quartet: Thieves and Secrets (Fresh Sound New Talent) [*]
  • Bahamas: Bahamas Is Afie (Brushfire/Island/Republic) [08-19] - alt singer/songwriter [**]
  • Marcia Ball: The Tattooed Lady and the Alligator Man (Alligator) [09-23] - blues [*]
  • Jeff Ballard Trio: Time's Tales (Okeh) [***]
  • Baloni: Belleke (Clean Feed) [**]
  • Billy Bang/William Parker: Medicine Buddha (2009, NoBusiness) - jazz [A-]
  • Azealia Banks: Broke With Expensive Taste (Prospect Park) [11-06] - rap [***]
  • Diego Barber + Craig Taborn: Tales (Sunnyside) - jazz
  • Mike Bardash Quintet: Polygon (Rhombus) [*]
  • Bobby Bare Jr's Young Criminals' Starvation League: Undefeated (Bloodshot) [B]
  • Courtney Barnett: The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas (Mom & Pop Music) [11-11] [*]
  • Darren Barrett dB Quintet: Live and Direct 2014 (dB Studios) [B]
  • Darren Barrett: Energy in Motion: The Music of the Bee Gees (dB Studios) [B-]
  • Kenny Barron/Dave Holland: The Art of Conversation (Blue Note) - jazz [***]
  • Bruce Barth: Daybreak (Savant) [**]
  • The Baseball Project: 3rd (Yep Roc) [***]
  • Basement Jaxx: Junto (PIAS) [08-25] - electronic [**]
  • Al Basile: Swing n' Strings (Sweetspot) [**]
  • Batida: Dois (Soundway) [10-20] - world [**]
  • Battle Trance: Palace of Wind (New Amsterdam) [08-26] - jazz [**]
  • Matt Bauder and Day in Pictures: Nightshades (Clean Feed) [***]
  • Beat Funktion: Voodooland (DO Music) [B-]
  • Beck: Morning Phase (Capitol/Virgin) [02-25] - alt/indie rock [B-]
  • Joe Beck: Get Me Joe Beck (2006, Whaling City Sound) [***]
  • Gerald Beckett: The Messenger (Summit) [B]
  • Drake Bell: Ready Steady Go! (Surfdog) [B-]
  • Tigger Benford & Party: Vessel of Gratitude (self-released) [*]
  • Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek to Cheek (Interscope) [09-23] - vocal pop [*]
  • Dierks Bentley: Riser (Capitol Nashville) [B-]
  • Benyoro: Benyoro (self-released) [***]
  • Kris Berg & the Metroplexity Big Band: Time Management (Summit) [*]
  • Jerry Bergonzi: Intersecting Lines (Savant) [04-12] - jazz
  • Beverly: Careers (Kanine) [07-01] - indie pop [*]
  • Eric Bibb: Blues People (Stony Plain) [11-04] - contemporary blues [*]
  • Big Freedia: Just Be Free (Queen Diva) [06-17] - r&b [*]
  • Big KRIT: Cadillactica (Def Jam) [11-11] - southern rap [A-]
  • Big Ups: Eighteen Hours of Static (Tough Love/Dead Labour) [A-]
  • David Binney: Anacapa (Criss Cross) - jazz [*]
  • Scott H. Biram: Nothin' but Blood (Bloodshot) [***]
  • Tyrone Birkett/Emancipation: Postmodern Spirituals: The Promised Land (Araminta Music) [**]
  • Todd Bishop Group: Travelogue (Origin) [B]
  • Andy Biskin Ibid: Act Necessary (Strudelmedia) [A-]
  • Raoul Björkenheim: Ecstasy (Cuneiform) [01-21] - guitar jazz [***]
  • Maggie Björklund: Shaken (Bloodshot) [10-14] - alt singer/songwriter [B]
  • Aloe Blacc: Lift Your Spirit (XIX/Interscope) [*]
  • Daniel Blacksberg Trio: Perilous Architecture (NoBusiness) - jazz [***]
  • Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band: Landmarks (Blue Note) [04-29] - modern jazz [*]
  • Rubén Blades: Tangos (Sunnyside) [06-24] - tango [B]
  • Michael Blake: Tiddy Boom (Sunnyside) [10-28] - jazz [A-]
  • Lena Bloch: Feathery (Thirteenth Note) - jazz [***]
  • Jane Ira Bloom: Sixteen Sunsets (Outline) [-2013] [**]
  • T.K. Blue: A Warm Embrace (Blujazz) [B-]
  • Fiorenzo Bodrato: Travelling Without Moving (CMC) - jazz [***]
  • Bolt: Shuffle (Driff) [***]
  • Benjamin Booker: Benjamin Booker (ATO) [08-19] - alt/indie rock [***]
  • Boozoo Bajou: 4 (Apollo) [04-01] - downbeat [A-]
  • Boris: Noise (Sargent House) [06-17] - post-rock
  • Janice Borla: Promises to Burn (Tall Grass) [*]
  • Itamar Borochov Quartet: Outset (Realbird) [**]
  • Kris Bowers: Heroes + Misfits (Concord Jazz) - jazz [B-]
  • Carla Bozulich: Boy (Constellation) [03-03] - slowcore [***]
  • Cory Branan: The No-Hit Wonder (Bloodshot) [08-18] - alt country-rock [*]
  • Anthony Branker & Word Play: The Forward (Towards Equality) Suite (Origin) [***]
  • Anthony Braxton/Tomas Fujiwara/Tom Rainey: Trio New Haven 2013 (New Braxton House) - jazz
  • Anthony Braxton: Duo (Amherst) 2010 (New Braxton House) - jazz
  • Toni Braxton & Babyface: Love Marriage & Divorce (Motown) [***]
  • Joshua Breakstone: With the Wind and the Rain (Capri) [*]
  • Patrick Breiner's Double Double: Mileage (Sulde) [04-01] - jazz [*]
  • Peter Brendler: Outside the Line (Posi-Tone) - jazz [***]
  • Sheela Bringi: Incantations (Black Swan Sounds) [**]
  • Bobby Broom: My Shining Hour (Origin) [**]
  • Peter Brötzmann/John Edwards/Steve Noble: Soul Food Available (Clean Feed) [11-21] - jazz [***]
  • John Brown: Quiet Time (Brown Boulevard) [**]
  • Otis Brown III: The Thought of You (Blue Note) [09-23] - modern jazz [B]
  • Kyle Bruckmann's Wrack: . . . Awaits Silent Tristero's Empire (Singlespeed) [**]
  • Buck 65: Neverlove (WEA Canada) [09-30] - rap [**]
  • The Budos Band: Burnt Offering (Daptone) [10-21] - instrumental rock
  • The Bug: Angels & Devils (Ninja Tune) [08-26] - electronic [*]
  • Dave Burrell/Steve Swell: Turning Point (NoBusiness) - jazz [A-]
  • Busdriver: Perfect Hair (Big Dada) [09-09] - rap [C]
  • Mark Buselli: Untold Stories (OA2) [**]
  • Bushwick Gospel Singers: Songs of Worship Vol 2 (The Church of Universal Knowing) [04-20] - gospel [***]
  • Henry Butler/Steven Bernstein: Viper's Drag (Decca) [07-15] - jazz blues [***]
  • Buzzcocks: The Way (1234) [11-18] - punk/new wave [B]
  • Jaki Byard: The Late Show: An Evening With Jaki Byard: Live at the Keystone Korner, Vol. 3 (1979, High Note) [**]
  • George Cables: Icons & Influences (HighNote) [***]
  • Call Super: Suzi Ecto (Houndstooth) [09-15] - electronic [A-]
  • Calle 13: MultiViral (El Abismo/Sony Music Latin) [***]
  • Ali Campbell: Silhouette: The Legendary Voice of UB40 (Cooking Vinyl) [10-07] - reggae-pop
  • Camper Van Beethoven: El Camino Real (429) [06-03] - pop/rock [**]
  • Laura Cantrell: No Way There From Here (Thrift Shop) [A-]
  • Steve Cardenas: Melody in a Dream (Sunnyside) - jazz [*]
  • Caribou: Our Love (Merge) [10-07] - indie electronic [**]
  • Malonie Carre: Forever (self-released) - vocal jazz [B]
  • François Carrier/Michel Lambert/Alexey Lapin: The Russian Concerts (FMR) [A-]
  • François Carrier/Michel Lambert/Alexey Lapin: The Russian Concerts Volume 2 (FMR) [10-14] - jazz [***]
  • Juan Pablo Carletti/Tony Malaby/Christopher Hoffman: Niño/Brujo (NoBusiness) - jazz [***]
  • Carlene Carter: Carter Girl (Rounder) [**]
  • Regina Carter: Southern Comfort (Sony Masterworks) [A-]
  • Rosanne Cash: The River & the Thread (Blue Note) [01-14] - Americana [**]
  • Mario Castro Quintet/Strings: Estrella de Mar/Promotional Edition (Interrobang) [B-]
  • Frank Catalano/Jimmy Chamberlin/Percy Jones/Chris Poland/Adam Benjamin: Love Supreme Collective (Ropeadope) [09-30] - jazz [*]
  • Causa Sui: Pewt'r Sessions 3 (El Paraiso) [08-00] - fusion [**]
  • Drew Ceccato/Adam Tinkle: Eidolon (Edgetone) [*]
  • The Cellar and Point: Ambit (Cuneiform) [10-14] - chamber jazz [B]
  • Alan Chan Jazz Orchestra: Shrimp Tale (Crown Heights Audio Network) - jazz [*]
  • Tom Chang: Tongue & Groove (Raw Toast) - jazz [**]
  • Brian Charette: Square One (Posi-Tone) [**]
  • Mark Charig/Georg Wolf/Jörg Fischer: Free Music on a Summer Evening (Spore Print) [*]
  • Charli XCX: Sucker (Atlantic) [12-16] - left-field pop [A-]
  • Sebastien Chaumont Quartet: Still Walkin' (ITI) [**]
  • Neneh Cherry: Blank Project (Smalltown Supersound) [02-25] - art pop [***]
  • Chicago Underground Duo: Locus (Northern Spy) - jazz [***]
  • Billy Childs: Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro (Sony Masterworks) [09-09] - jazz [B-]
  • Chingari: Bombay Makossa (Abstract Logix) [09-16] - jazz [*]
  • Chromeo: White Women (Big Beat) [***]
  • Chumped: Teenage Retirement (Anchorless) - punk revival [A-]
  • Eric Church: The Outsiders (Captiol Nashville) [02-11] - country; JG near pick [*]
  • Ty Citerman: Bop Kabbalah (Tzadik) - klezmer-jazz [***]
  • Cities Aviv: Come to Life (Young One) [*]
  • Gary Clark Jr: Live (Warner Bros) [09-23] - modern electric Texas blues [*]
  • Jack Clement: For Once and For All (IRS Nashville) [07-15] - country [***]
  • Nels Cline & Julian Lage: Room (Mack Avenue) [11-25] - jazz [*]
  • The Nels Cline Singers: Macroscope (Mack Avenue) [***]
  • Clipping: CLPPNG (Sub Pop) [06-10] - underground rap [**]
  • Cloud Nothings: Here and Nowhere Else (Carpark) [04-01] - indie rock [A-]
  • The Coathangers: Suck My Shirt (Suicide Squeeze) [A-]
  • Jimmy Cobb: The Original Mob (Smoke Sessions) [06-10] - jazz [***]
  • Avishai Cohen's Triveni: Dark Nights (Anzic) [10-27] - jazz
  • Leonard Cohen: Popular Programs (Columbia) [09-23] - singer/songwriter [A-]
  • Freddy Cole: Singing the Blues (High Note) - vocal jazz [**]
  • J Cole: 2014 Forest Hills Drive (RCA) [12-09] - rap [***]
  • Jeff Colella/Putter Smith: Lotus Blossom (The American Jazz Institute/Capri) - jazz [**]
  • Collier & Dean: Sleek Buick (Origin) [B]
  • Alessandro Collina/Rodolfo Cervetto/Marc Peillon/Fabrizio Bosso: Michel on Air (ITI) [07-24] - jazz [***]
  • Common: Nobody's Smiling (Def Jam) [07-22] - midwest rap [***]
  • Company Freak: Le Disco Social (Opus Label) [A-]
  • Wayne Coniglio/Scott Whitfield: Fast Friends (Summit) [**]
  • Kevin Conlon/The Groove Rebellion: In Transit (Blujazz) - jazz [*]
  • The Cookers: Time and Time Again (Motema Music) [09-16] - jazz [***]
  • Jack Cooper: Mists: Charles Ives for Jazz Orchestra (Planet Arts) [08-22] - jazz [*]
  • The Core Trio: The Core Trio With Matthew Shipp (self-released) - jazz [A-]
  • Chick Corea Trio: Trilogy (Concord, 3CD) [09-09] - piano jazz [***]
  • Cortex: Live! (Clean Feed) [A-]
  • Frankie Cosmos: Zentropy (Midheaven) [03-04] [*]
  • Sylvie Courvoisier/Mark Feldman Quartet: Birdies for Lulu (Intakt) [**]
  • Neil Cowley Trio: Touch and Flee (Naim Jazz) [09-09] - piano jazz [*]
  • Ian William Craig: A Turn of Breath (Recital) [08-05] [*]
  • Matt Criscuolo: Blippity Blat (self-released) [B]
  • Theo Crocker: AfroPhysicist (Okeh) [05-19] - jazz [*]
  • Rodney Crowell: Tarpaper Sky (New West) [04-14] - country [A-]
  • Eliana Cuevas: Espejo (ALMA) [08-05] - Latin [B]
  • Dagens Ungdom: Dagens Ungdom (Metronomicon Audio) [***]
  • Tim Daisy & Mikolaj Trzaska: In This Moment (Relay) [**]
  • D'Angelo and the Vanguard: Black Messiah (RCA) [12-16] [A-]
  • Barbara Levy Daniels: Love Lost and Found (Bidproductions) [***]
  • Dee Daniels: Intimate Conversations (Origin) [09-16] - vocal jazz [B-]
  • Tara Davidson: Duets (Addo) [10-07] - jazz [**]
  • Davina & the Vagabonds: Sunshine (Roustabout) [**]
  • Jeff Davis: Dragon Father (Fresh Sound New Talent) - jazz [***]
  • Keith Davis Trio: Still (LoNote) [**]
  • Kris Davis Trio: Waiting for You to Grow (Clean Feed) [A-]
  • Steve Davis: For Real (Posi-Tone) [**]
  • De Beren Gieren + Susana Santos Silva: The Detour Fish: Live in Ljubljana (Clean Feed) [11-21] - jazz [**]
  • Deena: Rock River (Verbena Music) [A-]
  • Deerhoof: La Isla Bonita (Polyvinyl) [11-04] - alt/indie rock [**]
  • The Delines: Colfax (El Cortez) [06-17] - alt-country [A-]
  • Lana Del Rey: Ultraviolence (Interscope) [06-17] - alt/indie rock [***]
  • Mac DeMarco: Salad Days (Captured Tracks) [04-01] - singer-songwriter [B]
  • Brigitte DeMeyer: Savannah Road (BDM Music) [**]
  • Jeff Denson & Claudio Puntin: Two (Pfmentum) [**]
  • Jeff Denson & Joshua White: I'll Fly Away (Pfmentum) [***]
  • Rob Derke & the NY Jazz Quartet: Blue Divide (Zoho) - jazz [***]
  • Jason Derulo: Talk Dirty (Warner Brothers) [A-]
  • Michael Dessen Trio: Resonating Abstractions (Clean Feed) [**]
  • Toumani & Sidiki Diabate: Toumani & Sidiki (World Circuit) [05-05] - world [**]
  • Laura Dickinson: One for My Baby: To Frank Sinatra With Love (Blujazz) [12-14] - vocal jazz [**]
  • Luther Dickinson: Rock 'N Roll Blues (New West) [*]
  • Paul Dietrich Quintet: We Always Get There (Blujazz) - jazz [*]
  • Jon Di Fiore: Yellow Petals (Third Freedom Music) [***]
  • Ani DiFranco: Allergic to Water (Righteous Babe) [11-04] - alt folk [*]
  • Digital Primitives: Lipsomuch/Soul Searchin' (Hopscotch, 2CD) [A]
  • Jorrit Dijkstra: Music for Reeds and Electronics: Oakland (Driff) [*]
  • Dirty Loops: Loopified (Verve) [08-19] - clubjazz [C+]
  • Mike DiRubbo: Threshold (Ksanti) [A-]
  • Ron Di Salvio: Songs for Jazz Legends (Blujazz) - jazz [B]
  • Diva: A Swingin' Life (MCG Jazz) - jazz [**]
  • Matthieu Donarier & Albert van Veenendaal's Planetarium: The Visible Ones (Clean Feed) [**]
  • Henrik Otto Donner & TUMO: And It Happened . . . (TUM) - jazz [**]
  • Dave Douglas/Chet Doxas/Steve Swallow/Jim Doxas: Riverside (Greenleaf Music) - jazz [A-]
  • Dave Douglas & Uri Caine: Present Joys (Greenleaf Music) [**]
  • Thom Douvan: Brother Brother (self-released) [B]
  • Andrew Downing/Jim Lewis/David Occhipinti: Bristles (Occdav Music) [*]
  • Dr John: Ske-Dat-De-Dat: The Spirit of Satch (Concord) [08-19] - Louis Armstrong tribute [C]
  • Jorge Drexler: Bailar en la Cueva (Warner Music Latina) [**]
  • Drive-By Truckers: English Oceans (ATO) [03-04] - southern rock [**]
  • Drumheller: Sometimes Machine (Barnyard) [*]
  • Dub Thompson: 9 Songs (Dead Oceans, EP) [06-10] - alt/indie rock [A-]
  • Benjamin Duboc: St. James Infirmary (Improvising Beings) [*]
  • Duck Sauce: Quack (Fool's Gold) [*]
  • Marc Ducret: Tower-Bridge (Ayler) - jazz
  • Chris Dundas: Oslo Odyssey (BLM, 2CD) [09-16] - jazz [***]
  • Open Mike Eagle: Dark Comedy (Mello Music Group) [06-10] - rap [**]
  • Eagulls: Eagulls (Partisan) [03-03] [*]
  • Justin Townes Earle: Single Mothers (Vagrant) [09-09] - alt-country [**]
  • East India Youth: Total Strife Forever (Stolen) [01-13] - art pop [B]
  • Rachel Eckroth: Let Go (Virgo Sun) [B]
  • Donald Edwards: Evolution of an Influenced Mind (Criss Cross) [02-18] - jazz [**]
  • Colin Edwin/Lorenzo Feliciati: Twinscapes (RareNoise) [***]
  • Mark Egan: About Now (Wavetone) - jazz [B-]
  • Mark Elf: Returns 2014 (Jen Bay Jazz) - jazz [**]
  • John Ellis & Andy Bragen: Mobro (Parade Light) [B-]
  • Robert Ellis: The Lights From the Chemical Plant (New West) [02-11] [B]
  • El-P/Killer Mike: Run the Jewels 2 (Mass Appeal) [10-28] - rap [**]
  • EMA: The Future's Void (Matador) [04-08] - art pop [***]
  • Emperor X: The Orlando Sentinel (self-released) [06-27] [***]
  • Brian Eno/Karl Hyde: Someday World (Warp) [05-05] [*]
  • Brian Eno/Karl Hyde: High Life (Warp) [07-01] - synth pop [A-]
  • The Equity & Social Justice Quartet: The Whisper of Flowers (Edgetone) [**]
  • The Wayne Escoffery Quintet: Live at Firehouse 12 (Sunnyside) [*]
  • Ethnic Heritage Ensemble: Black Is Back (Catalyst) [08-19] - jazz [***]
  • Orrin Evans' Captain Black Big Band: Mother's Touch (Posi-Tone) [**]
  • Orrin Evans: Liberation Blues (Smoke Sessions) [08-12] - jazz [**]
  • Ex Hex: Rips (Merge) [10-07] - indie rock [***]
  • Ex Cops: Daggers (Downtown) [11-11] - alt/indie rock [**]
  • Expansions: The Dave Liebman Group: Samsara (Whaling City Sound) - jazz [*]
  • Dave "Knife" Fabris: Lettuce Prey (Musea) [B-]
  • Marianne Faithfull: Give My Love to London (Dramatico) [09-29] - pop/rock [*]
  • Chet Faker: Built on Glass (Downtown) [04-15] - indietronica [**]
  • Far East Movement: KTown Riot (Interscope, EP) [10-28] - club/dance [*]
  • Farmers by Nature: Love and Ghosts (AUM Fidelity) [08-12] - jazz [A-]
  • Kali Z. Fasteau: Piano Rapture (Flying Note) [A-]
  • Fatboy Slim: Bem Brasil (Astralwerks) [06-10] - big beat
  • Fear of Men: Loom (Kanine) [***]
  • Scott Feiner & Pandeiro Jazz: A View From Below (self-released) - jazz [B]
  • Nir Felder: Golden Age (Okeh) [***]
  • Simone Felice: Strangers (Dualtone) [03-25] [*]
  • The Felice Brothers: Favorite Waitress (Dualtone) [06-17] - alt/indie rock [***]
  • Fennesz: Bécs (Editions Mego) [04-28] - ambient [*]
  • Lisa Ferraro: Serenading the Moon (Pranavasonic Universal) [***]
  • Violeta Ferrer/Raymond Boni: Federico García Lorca (Fou) [*]
  • Bryan Ferry: Avonmore (BMG) [11-18] - album rock [*]
  • Lee Fields: Emma Jean (Truth & Soul) [06-03] - r&b [**]
  • Jean Luc Fillon: Oboman Plays Cole Porter: Begin the Night . . . (Soupir Editions) - jazz [B]
  • Fire! Orchestra: Enter (Rune Grammofon) [05-14] - jazz [**]
  • First Aid Kit: Stay Gold (Columbia) [06-10] - alt singer/songwriter [B]
  • FKA Twigs: LP1 (Young Turks) [08-12] - alt r&b [B]
  • The Flaming Lips: With a Little Help From My Fwends (Warner Bros) [10-28] - neo-psychedelia [**]
  • Ben Flocks: Battle Mountain (self-released) [A-]
  • Flying Lotus: You're Dead (Warp) [10-07] - experimental electronic [**]
  • Sallie Ford: Slap Back (Vanguard) [10-14] - alt/indie rock
  • Four Year Strong: Go Down in History (Pure Noise, EP) [07-22] - pop/rock [B-]
  • Jean-Marc Foussat & Ramón Lopez: Ça Barbare, Là! (Fou) [**]
  • Jean-Marc Foussat/Simon Hénocq: Nopal (Fou) [**]
  • Jean-Marc Foussat, Sylvain Guérineau & Joe McPhee: Quod (Fou) [*]
  • Danny Fox Trio: Wide Eyed (Hot Cup) - piano jazz [***]
  • Roddy Frame: Seven Dials (AED) [05-05] - alt/indie rock [*]
  • Aretha Franklin: Sings the Great Diva Classics (RCA) [10-21] - adult contemporary r&b [***]
  • Carol Fredette: No Sad Songs for Me (Soundbrush) [**]
  • Free Nelson Mandoomjazz: The Shape of Doomjazz to Come/Saxophone Giganticus (RareNoise) [A-]
  • Danny Freyer: Must Be Love (Blue Bend) [B-]
  • Erik Friedlander: Nighthawks (Skipstone) [***]
  • Friends and Neighbors: Hymn for a Hungry Nation (Clean Feed) [11-21] - jazz [**]
  • David Friesen Circle 3 Trio: Where the Light Fails (Origin, 2CD) [11-17] - piano jazz [**]
  • Bill Frisell: Guitar in the Space Age (Okeh) [10-07] - jazz [***]
  • Ben Frost: Aurora (Bedroom Community) [05-27] - experimental electronic [**]
  • Fucked Up: Glass Boys (Matador) [06-03] - indie rock [**]
  • Satoko Fujii Orchestra New York: Shiki (Libra) [**]
  • Fujiya & Miyagi: Artificial Sweeteners (Yep Roc) [*]
  • John Fullbright: Songs (Blue Dirt) [05-27] - Americana [*]
  • Larry Fuller: Larry Fuller (Capri) [09-16] - piano jazz [***]
  • Fumaça Preta: Fumaça Preta (Soundway) [09-30] - Afro-Brazilian [A-]
  • Future: Honest (Epic) [04-22] - rap [**]
  • Future Islands: Singles (4AD) [03-25] - indie rock [*]
  • Alex G: DSU (Orchid Tapes, EP) [06-17] [*]
  • Richard Galliano: Sentimentale (Resonance) [09-30] - jazz [A-]
  • Hal Galper Trio: O's Time (Origin) [09-16] - piano jazz [**]
  • Paulinho Garcia: Beautiful Love (Shrinktunes) [**]
  • Ananda Gari: T-Duality (Auand) - jazz [**]
  • Bunji Garlin: Differentology (RCA/VP) [08-12] - soca [**]
  • Gato Libre: DuDu (Libra) - jazz [B]
  • Mary Gauthier: Trouble & Love (In the Black) [06-10] - Americana [A-]
  • Gazelle Twin: Unflesh (Last Gang) [09-23] - electronic [**]
  • Alice Gerrard: Follow the Music (Tompkins Square) [09-30] - old timey [***]
  • Get the Blessing: Lope and Antilope (Naim Jazz) - jazz [*]
  • Ghostface Killah: 38 Seasons (Tommy Boy) [12-09] - rap [***]
  • Paul Giallorenzo's GitGo: Force Majeure (Delmark) [***]
  • Freddie Gibbs & Madlib: Piñata (Madlib Invazion) [03-18] - hip-hop [***]
  • Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio: We're Back (Whaling City Sound) [09-09] - jazz [**]
  • Brantley Gilbert: Just as I Am (Valory) [05-20] - contemporary country [B]
  • GOAT: Commune (Sub Pop) [09-23] - alt/indie rock [A-]
  • Ben Goldberg: Worry Later (BAG Production) [05-20] - jazz [**]
  • Golem: Tanz (Discos Corason) [A-]
  • Brad Goode Quartet: Montezuma (Origin) [10-21] - jazz [**]
  • Sax Gordon: In the Wee Small Hours (Delmark) - jazz [**]
  • Grand Fatilla: Global Shuffle (self-released) [*]
  • Ariana Grande: My Everything (Island/Republic) [08-26] - pop [**]
  • Luther Gray/Jim Hobbs/Kaethe Hostetter/Winston Braman: Lawnmower II (Clean Feed) [***]
  • Danny Green Trio: After the Calm (OA2) [11-17] - jazz [**]
  • The Green Seed: Drapetomania (Communicating Vessels) [07-15] - rap [A]
  • Jimmy Greene: Beautiful Life (Mack Avenue) - jazz [*]
  • Grenier/Archie Pelago: Grenier Meets Archie Pelago (Melodic) [***]
  • Michael Griener/Rudi Mahall/Jan Roder/Christof Thewes: Squakk: Willisau & Berlin (Intakt) [A-]
  • Tom Griesgraber/Bert Lams: Unnamed Lands (self-released) [*]
  • Grieves: Winter & the Wolves (Rhymesayers Entertainment) [A-]
  • Johnny Griffith: Dance With the Lady (GB) - jazz [*]
  • Brian Groder Trio: Reflexology (Latham) - jazz [***]
  • Grouper: Ruins (Kranky) [11-04] - alt singer/songwriter [**]
  • Grünen [Achim Kaufmann/Robert Landfermann/Christian Lillinger]: Pith & Twig (Clean Feed) [11-21] - jazz [***]
  • David Guetta: Listen (Atlantic) [11-24] - club/dance [B]
  • Steve Gunn: Way Out Weather (Paradise of Bachelors) [10-07] - neo-psychedelia [*]
  • Tord Gustavsen Quartet: Extended Circle (ECM) [***]
  • Barry Guy: Five Fizzles for Samuel Beckett (NoBusiness, EP) [11-00] - jazz [**]
  • Andrew Hadro: For Us, the Living (Tone Rogue) [***]
  • Hail Mary Mallon: Bestiary (Rhymesayers Entertainment) [11-11] - hardcore rap [***]
  • Luke Haines: New York in the '70s (Cherry Red) [B]
  • Haitian Rail: Solarists (New Atlantis) [**]
  • Half Japanese: Overjoyed (Joyful Noise) [09-02] - alt/indie rock [***]
  • Rich Halley 4: The Wisdom of Rocks (Pine Eagle) - free jazz [A-]
  • Mary Halvorson/Michael Formanek/Tomas Fujiwara: Thumbscrew (Cuneiform) [01-21] - jazz [A-]
  • Mary Halvorson: Reverse Blue (Relative Pitch) - jazz [***]
  • Hamell on Trial: The Happiest Man in the World (New West) [**]
  • Scott Hamilton Quartet: Dean Street Nights (Woodville) [**]
  • Scott Hamilton: Live at Smalls (Smalls Live) [09-09] - jazz
  • Ross Hammond: Humanity Suite (Prescott) - jazz [***]
  • Craig Handy: Craig Handy & the 2nd Line Smith (Okeh) [A-]
  • Hard Working Americans: Hard Working Americans (Melvin/Thirty Tigers) [01-21] - Americana [***]
  • Hard Working Americans: The First Waltz (Melvin) [10-27] - Americana [*]
  • Curtis Harding: Soul Power (Burger) [05-06] - soul
  • Eric Harland's Voyager: Vipassana (GSI Studios) [B-]
  • Billy Hart Quartet: One Is the Other (ECM) [B]
  • Taylor Haskins: Fuzzy Logic (Sunnyside) [B-]
  • Elias Haslanger: Live at the Gallery (Cherrywood) - jazz [*]
  • Hat: Twins (Hot Blues) [***]
  • Phil Haynes: No Fast Food: In Concert (Corner Store Jazz, 2CD) - jazz [***]
  • David Hazeltine: For All We Know (Smoke Sessions) - jazz [***]
  • Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott: What Have We Become (Virgin) [A-]
  • Tim Hegarty: Tribute (Miles High) [***]
  • David Helbock's Random/Control: Think of Two (Traumton) - jazz [**]
  • Jerry Heldman: Revelation(s) (Origin, 2CD) [09-16] - jazz [B]
  • The Heliocentrics & Melvin Van Peebles: The Last Transmission (Now-Again) [10-07] - jazz/spoken word [***]
  • Arve Henriksen: Chron + Cosmic Creation (Rune Grammofon) - experimental electronic [B]
  • Joe Henry: Invisible Hour (Work Song) [06-03] - adult alt pop/rock [*]
  • Hercules & Love Affair: The Feast of the Broken Heart (Moshi Moshi) [B]
  • Benjamin Herman: Trouble (Dox) [07-15] - jazz [*]
  • Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas: Secret Evil (Instant) [08-19] - indie rock [***]
  • Vincent Herring: Uptown Shuffle (Smoke Sessions) - jazz [**]
  • Maggie Herron: Good Thing (self-released) [10-21] - vocal jazz [**]
  • Fred Hersch: Floating (MRI) [07-09] - piano jazz
  • John Hiatt: Terms of My Surrender (New West) [07-15] - roots rock [A-]
  • Kevin Hildebrandt: Tolerance (Summit) - jazz [**]
  • Lisa Hilton: Kaleidoscope (Ruby Slippers) [**]
  • Hiss Golden Messenger: Lateness of Dancers (Merge) [09-09] - alt pop/rock [*]
  • Eric Hofbauer: Prehistoric Jazz Volume 1: The Rite of Spring (Creative Nation Music) - jazz [***]
  • Eric Hofbauer: Prehistoric Jazz Volume 2: Quintet for the End of Time (Creative Nation Music) - jazz [**]
  • Holly Hofmann: Low Life: The Alto Flute Project (Capri) [*]
  • The Hold Steady: Teeth Dreams (Razor & Tie/Washington Square) [A-]
  • John Hollenbeck/Alban Darche/Sébastien Boisseau/Samuel Blaser: JASS (Yolk) [A-]
  • Will Holshouser/Matt Munisteri/Marcus Rojas: Introducing Musette Explosion (Aviary) [11-01] - jazz [**]
  • Homeboy Sandman: White Sands (Stones Throw, EP) [03-04] - underground rap [***]
  • Homeboy Sandman: Hallways (Stones Throw) [09-02] - underground rap [A-]
  • Honeyblood: Honeyblood (Fat Cat) [07-15] - alt/indie rock [B]
  • William Hooker & Liudas Mockunas: Live at the Vilnius Jazz Festival (NoBusiness) - jazz [A-]
  • Hookworms: The Hum (Weird World) [11-11] - alt/indie rock [***]
  • Horse Meat Disco: Horse Meat Disco IV (Strut) [06-24] - post-disco [**]
  • Wayne Horvitz: 55: Music and Dance in Concrete (Cuneiform) - jazz [B]
  • The Hotelier: Home, Like No Place Is There (Tiny Engines) [02-25] [*]
  • How to Dress Well: What Is This Heart? (Weird World) [06-24] - alternative r&b [B]
  • Jennifer Hudson: JHUD (RCA) [09-23] - contemporary r&b [*]
  • Sam Hunt: Montevallo (MCA Nashville) [10-28] - contemporary country [B]
  • Hurray for the Riff Raff: Small Town Heroes (ATO) [02-11] - alt singer-songwriter [**]
  • Bobby Hutcherson/David Sanborn/Joey DeFrancesco: Enjoy the View (Blue Note) - jazz [*]
  • Hutchinson Andrew Trio: Prairie Modern (Chronograph) [***]
  • Jenny Hval & Susanna: Meshes of Voice (Susannasonata) [08-19] - alt/indie rock
  • Chrissie Hynde: Stockholm (Caroline) [06-10] - pop/rock [*]
  • Ibibio Sound Machine: Ibibio Sound Machine (Soundway) [*]
  • Iceage: Plowing Into the Field of Love (Matador) [10-07] - alt/indie rock [B]
  • ICP Orchestra: East of the Sun (ICP) [08-22] - jazz [**]
  • Ideal Bread: Beating the Teens: Songs of Steve Lacy (Cuneiform, 2CD) [05-13] - jazz [***]
  • Tommy Igoe: The Tommy Igoe Rhythm Conspiracy (Deep Rhythm) [09-23] - jazz [B-]
  • Ikebe Shakedown: Stone by Stone (Ubiquity) [04-15] - deep funk revival [B]
  • Imarhan Timbuktu: Akal Warled (Clermont Music) [03-18] - Saharan [**]
  • Randy Ingram: Sky/Lift (Sunnyside) [**]
  • International Orange: International Orange (self-released) [***]
  • Jon Irabagon/Mark Helias/Barry Altschul: It Takes All Kinds (Irabbagast/Jazzwerkstatt) - jazz [***]
  • Vijay Iyer: Mutations (ECM) - jazz [A-]
  • Jason Jackson: Inspiration (Jack & Hill Music/Planet Arts) [10-14] - jazz [B]
  • Javon Jackson: Expression (Smoke Sessions) - jazz [*]
  • José James: While You Were Sleeping (Blue Note) [06-10] - neo-soul [B]
  • Leela James: Fall for You (J&T) [07-08] - contemporary r&b [***]
  • Luke James: Luke James (Island) [09-23] - contemporary r&b [**]
  • B.J. Jansen: Ronin (ARC) [**]
  • JazzBonez: Watch It! (Summit) [B]
  • Jazzhole: Blue 72 (Beave Music) [**]
  • Anthony Jefferson: But Beautiful (2014, self-released) - vocal jazz [**]
  • Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra: Habitat (Justin Time) - jazz [*]
  • Max Johnson: The Prisoner (NoBusiness) - jazz [***]
  • Max Johnson Trio: The Invisible Trio (Fresh Sound New Talent) [**]
  • Russ Johnson: Meeting Point (Relay) [05-16] - jazz
  • Russ Johnson: Still Out to Lunch (Yellowbird) [10-10] - jazz [**]
  • Wilko Johnson & Roger Daltrey: Going Back Home (Chess) [04-08] [***]
  • Darius Jones/Matthew Shipp: Cosmic Lieder: The Darkseid Recital (AUM Fidelity) [08-12] - avant-garde jazz [*]
  • Darius Jones: The Oversoul Manual (AUM Fidelity) [10-14] - choral group [B-]
  • Mimi Jones: Balance (Hot Tone Music) [*]
  • Paul Jones: Short History (Blujazz) - jazz [**]
  • Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings: Give the People What They Want (Daptone) [01-14] [*]
  • Jua: Colors of Life (Chocolate Chi Music) [B-]
  • The Juan MacLean: In a Dream (DFA) [09-16] - alt dance [***]
  • Sherie Julianne: 10 Degrees South (Azul Do Mar) [B]
  • Orlando Julius with the Heliocentrics: Jaiyede Afro (Strut) [09-09] - international [A-]
  • Jungle: Jungle (XL) [07-15] - alt/indie rock [**]
  • K Michelle: Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart? (Atlantic) [12-09] - contemporary r&b [*]
  • Beat Kaestli: Collage (B+B Productions) [**]
  • Dave Kain: Raising Kain (Stop Time) [**]
  • Kalle Kalima & K-18: Buñuel de Jour (TUM) [09-16] - jazz [***]
  • Matthew Kaminski: Swingin' on the New Hammond (Summit) [*]
  • Pandelis Karayorgis Quintet: Afterimage (Driff) [***]
  • Kasai Allstars: Beware the Fetish [Congotronics 5] (Crammed Discs, 2CD) [06-24] - African folk/pop [***]
  • Darrell Katz and the JCA Orchestra: Why Do You Ride? (Leo) [10-14] - jazz [*]
  • Manika Kaur: Satnam Waheguru: The True Name (self-released) [**]
  • Ryan Keberle & Catharsis: Into the Zone (Greenleaf Music) [09-30] - jazz [*]
  • Ricky Kej/Wouter Kellerman: Winds of Samsara (Listen 2 Africa) [07-15] - world [C]
  • Kelis: Food (Ninja Tune) [B-]
  • Stacey Kent: The Changing Lights (Warner Jazz) - jazz [**]
  • Stan Kenton Alumni Band: Road Scholars Live (Summit) [B]
  • Wiz Khalifa: Blacc Hollywood (Atlantic) [08-19] - east coast rap [**]
  • Kiasmos: Kiasmos (Erased Tapes) [10-28] - club/dance
  • Franklin Kiermyer: Further (Mobility Music) [**]
  • EG Kight: A New Day (Blue South) [09-16] - Chicago blues [**]
  • Rebecca Kilgore with the Harry Allen Quartet: I Like Men (Arbors) [*]
  • Søren Kjaegaard/Ben Street/Andrew Cyrille: Syvmileskridt (ILK Music) [***]
  • Jennifer Knapp: Set Me Free (Righteous Babe) [10-14] - alt singer/songwriter
  • Lee Konitz: Standards Live: At the Village Vanguard (Enja) [**]
  • Lee Konitz/Dan Tepfer/Michael Janisch/Jeff Williams: First Meeting: Live in London Volume 1 (Whirlwind) - jazz [***]
  • Kool AD: Word OK (self-released) [03-20] - alt hip-hop [A-]
  • Glenn Kotche: Adventureland (Cantaloupe) [***]
  • Elly Kouri: I Love You Too Much (RBR) [*]
  • David Krakauer: The Big Picture (Table Pounding) [***]
  • Jonathan Kreisberg: Wave Upon Wave (New for Now Music) [11-11] - jazz [*]
  • Krom: Krom (self-released) [C+]
  • Kronomorfic [David Borgo & Paul Pellegrin]: Entangled (OA2) [10-21] - jazz [*]
  • Joachim Kühn/Alexey Kruglov: Duo Art: Moscow (ACT) [A-]
  • Jonas Kullhammar/Torbjörn Zetterberg/Espen Aalberg: Basement Sessions Vol. 2 (Clean Feed) [A-]
  • Jonas Kullhammar/Jørgen Mathisen/Torbjörn Zetterberg/Espen Aalberg: Basement Sessions Vol. 3: The Ljubljana Tapes (Clean Feed) [**]
  • Jonas Kullhammar: Gentlemen (Moserobie) - jazz [A-]
  • Takuya Kuroda: Rising Son (Blue Note) [*]
  • Seun Kuti + Egypt 80: A Long Way to the Beginning (Knitting Factory) [***]
  • La Dispute: Rooms of the House (Vagrant) [***]
  • La Roux: Trouble in Paradise (Cherrytree/Interscope) [07-22] - pop/rock [***]
  • Oliver Lake Organ Quartet: What I Heard (Passin' Thru) - jazz [**]
  • Lake Street Dive: Bad Self Portraits (Signature Sounds) [*]
  • Michel Lambert: Journal des Épisodes II (Jazz From Rant) [11-18] - jazz [***]
  • Miranda Lambert: Platinum (RCA Nashville) [06-03] - country [A-]
  • Dawn Landes: Bluebird (Western Vinyl) [**]
  • Adam Lane's Full Throttle Orchestra: Live in Ljubljana (Clean Feed) [A-]
  • Nikki Lane: All or Nothin' (New West) [05-06] - alt country-rock [*]
  • Jon Langford & Skull Orchard: Here Be Monsters (In De Goot/Relativity) [A-]
  • Ingrid Laubrock Octet: Zürich Concert (Intakt) - jazz [*]
  • Matt Lavelle/John Pietaro: Harmolodic Monk (Unseen Rain) [06-27] - jazz [**]
  • Amy LaVere: Runaway's Diary (Archer) [A-]
  • Azar Lawrence: The Seeker (Sunnyside) [07-08] - jazz [**]
  • The Lawrence Arms: Metropole (Epitaph) [01-27] - punk revival [**]
  • Joëlle Léandre/Pascal Contet: 3 (Ayler) - jazz
  • Le1f: Hey (Terrible/XL, EP) - rap [**]
  • Lean Left: Live at the Area Sismica (Unsounds) - free jazz
  • Gordon Lee with the Mel Brown Septet: Tuesday Night (Origin) [B-]
  • Steve Lehman Octet: Mise en Abîme (Pi) [06-24] - jazz [A]
  • Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca: La Rumba So Yo (Cumbancha) [06-24] - [PM] [A-]
  • Gianni Lenoci/Kent Carter/Bill Elgart: Plaything (NoBusiness) - jazz [***]
  • Peter Lerner: Continuation (OA2) [***]
  • Let's Wrestle: Let's Wrestle (Fortuna Pop) [02-10] - alt/indie rock [*]
  • Greg Lewis: Organ Monk: American Standard (self-released) [*]
  • James Brandon Lewis: Divine Travels (Okeh) [A-]
  • Jenny Lewis: The Voyager (Warner Brothers) [07-29] - alt/indie rock [**]
  • Jerry Lee Lewis: Rock & Roll Time (Vanguard) [10-28] - outlaw country [**]
  • The John A. Lewis Trio: One Trip Out (Valarteri) [*]
  • Dave Liebman Big Band: A Tribute to Wayne Shorter (Summit) [08-12] - jazz [*]
  • Lily & Madeleine: Fumes (Asthmatic Kitty) [10-26]
  • John Lindberg/Anil Eraslan: Juggling Kukla (NoBusiness) - jazz [**]
  • Little Dragon: Nabuma Rubberband (Republic) [05-13] - electronic [B]
  • Tove Lo: Queen of the Clouds (Island) [09-30] - dance-pop [B]
  • Joe LoCascio and Woody Witt: Absinthe (Blue Bamboo Music) [**]
  • Logic: Under Pressure (Def Jam) [10-21] - pop-rap [**]
  • The Mark Lomax Trio: Isis & Osiris (Inarhyme) [09-16] - jazz [A-]
  • Mike Longo: Step On It (CAP) [***]
  • The Mike Longo Trio: Celebrates Oscar Peterson: Live (CAP) [10-07] - piano jazz [**]
  • Luis Lopes Lisbon Berlin Trio: The Line (Clean Feed) [11-21] - jazz [A-]
  • Loscil: Sea Island (Kranky) [11-18] - ambient techno [*]
  • Lost in the Trees: Past Life (Anti) [***]
  • Lydia Loveless: Somewhere Else (Bloodshot) [02-17] [**]
  • Low Society: You Can't Keep a Good Woman Down (Icehouse) - vocal jazz [*]
  • Allen Lowe: Mulatto Radio: Field Recordings: 1-4 (Constant Sorrow, 4CD) [A-]
  • Romero Lubambo: Só: Brazilian Essence (Sunnyside) [*]
  • Corb Lund: Counterfeit Blues (New West) [07-01] - country blues [*]
  • Jon Lundbom & Big Five Chord: Liverevil (Hot Cup, 2CD) [A-]
  • Jan Lundgren: All By Myself (Fresh Sound) - piano jazz [**]
  • The John Lurie National Orchestra: The Invention of Animals (1993-94, Amulet) [***]
  • Lykke Li: I Never Learn (Atlantic) [05-05] - indie pop [**]
  • Vincent Lyn: Live in New York City (Budo) [*]
  • Brian Lynch and Emmet Cohen: Questioned Answer (Hollistic Musicworks) [07-31] - jazz [**]
  • Harold Mabern: Right on Time (Smoke Sessions) [01-08] - jazz [*]
  • Machine Mass [Tony Bianco/Michel Delville]: Inti (Moonjune) [**]
  • Made to Break: Cherchez La Femme (Trost) [***]
  • Dean Magraw & Eric Kamau Gravatt: Fire on the Nile (Red House) [10-14] - jazz [**]
  • Roberto Magris Quintet: Cannonball Funk'n Friends (JMood -13) [**]
  • Roberto Magris Septet: Morgan Rewind: A Tribute to Lee Morgan Vol. 2 (JMood, 2CD) [*]
  • Roberto Magris Trio: One Night in With Hope and More, Vol. 2 (JMood -13) [**]
  • Tony Malaby Tamarindo: Somos Aqua (Clean Feed) [***]
  • Tony Malaby TubaCello: Scorpion Eater (Clean Feed) [11-21] - jazz [***]
  • Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks: Wig Out at Jagbags (Matador) [01-07] - alt/indie rock [**]
  • Bob Mamet: London House Blues (Blujazz) [**]
  • Jeremy Manasia: Pixel Queen (Blujazz) [***]
  • Eleni Mandell: Let's Fly a Kite (Yep Roc) [*]
  • Sarah Manning: Harmonious Creature (Posi-Tone) - jazz [***]
  • Michael Mantler: The Jazz Composer's Update (ECM) - jazz [B]
  • Paul Marinaro: Without a Song (Myrtle) [*]
  • Thomas Marriott: Urban Folklore (Origin) [10-21] - jazz [*]
  • Mars 4-Tet: The Blind Watchmaker (Summit) [**]
  • Branford Marsalis: In My Solitude: Live at Grace Cathedral (Okeh) [10-21] - jazz [**]
  • Delfeayo Marsalis: The Last Southern Gentlemen (Troubadour Jass) - jazz [***]
  • Dominic J. Marshall Trio: Spirit Speech (Origin) [*]
  • Mike Marshall/Turtle Island Quartet: Mike Marshall & the Turtle Island Quartet (Adventure Music) [B]
  • Terry Marshall: Arrival (self-released) [C+]
  • Ross Martin/Max Johnson/Jeff Davis: Big Eyed Rabbit (Not Two) [07-01] - jazz [B]
  • J Mascis: Tied to a Star (Sub Pop) [08-26] - indie rock [*]
  • Shawn Maxwell: Shawn Maxwell's Alliance (Chicago Sessions) [B-]
  • ¡Mayday x Murs!: ¡Mursday! (Strange Music) [A-]
  • Jessica Lea Mayfield: Make My Head Sing . . . (ATO) [04-15] [**]
  • Alexander McCabe/Paul Odeh: This Is Not a Pipe (Wamco) - jazz [**]
  • Aaron McEvers/M13: 1 Human, Too Human (Blujazz) [B]
  • Zara McFarlane: If You Knew Her (Brownswood) [01-20] - vocal jazz [B]
  • Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra: Strength in Numbers (Summit) - jazz [*]
  • John McLaughlin & the 4th Dimension: The Boston Record (Abstract Logix) [03-18] - jazz [B]
  • Mark Meadows: Somethin' Good (self-released) [B-]
  • Medeski Martin & Wood + Nels Cline: Woodstock Sessions Vol. 2 (Indirecto) [***]
  • Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood: Juice (Indirecto) [09-16] - electric jazz [*]
  • Brad Mehldau/Mark Guiliana: Mehliana: Taming the Dragon (Nonesuch) [**]
  • Cava Menzies/Nick Phillips: Moment to Moment (self-released) [***]
  • The Menzingers: Rented World (Epitaph) [B]
  • Pat Metheny Unity Group: Kin (Nonesuch) [B-]
  • Metronomy: Love Letters (Because/Elektra) [03-10] [**]
  • Collette Michaan: Incarnate/Encarna (self-released) [12-02] - jazz [B]
  • The Microscopic Septet: Manhattan Moonrise (Cuneiform) [05-27] - jazz [A-]
  • Microwaves: Regurgitant Phenomena (New Atlantis) - noise rock [B]
  • Bette Midler: It's the Girls! (East/West) [11-04] - contemporary pop/rock [**]
  • Sei Miguel: Salvation Modes (Clean Feed) - jazz [*]
  • Jaro Milko & the Cubalkanics: Cigarros Explosivos! (Asphalt Tango) [*]
  • Millie & Andrea: Drop the Vowels (Modern Love) [03-21] - Pitchfork overlooked
  • Pete Mills: Sweet Shadow (Cellar Live) - jazz [***]
  • Parker Millsap: Parker Millsap (Okrahoma) [**]
  • Nicki Minaj: The Pinkprint (Young Money) [12-15] - pop-rap [A-]
  • Dom Minasi & Hans Tammen: Alluvium (Straw2gold) [*]
  • Kristen Miranda: Double Time (self-released) [**]
  • Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Ensemble: Intergalactic Beings (FPE) [***]
  • Nicole Mitchell's Sonic Projections: The Secret Escapades of Velvet Anderson (RogueArt) - jazz
  • Roscoe Mitchell/Mike Reed: In Pursuit of Magic (482 Music) [01-28] - jazz
  • Roscoe Mitchell: Conversations I (Wide Hive) - jazz [B]
  • Roscoe Mitchell: Conversations II (Wide Hive) [04-15] - jazz [*]
  • Modern Baseball: You're Gonna Miss It All (Run for Cover) [***]
  • Hafez Modirzadeh: In Convergence Liberation (Pi) [**]
  • Noshir Mody: Stories From the Years of Living Passionately (self-released) [B]
  • Nils Petter Molvaer: Switch (Okeh/Sony) - jazz
  • Tony Monaco: Furry Slippers (Summit) - jazz [B]
  • Moodymann: Moodymann (Mahogani) [01-20] - deep house [*]
  • Jemeel Moondoc: The Zookeeper's House (Relative Pitch) [05-27] - jazz
  • Thurston Moore: The Best Day (Matador) [10-21] - experimental [A-]
  • Jason Moran: All Rise: A Joyful Elegy for Fats Waller (Blue Note) [09-16] - modern creative [*]
  • Ludovic Morlot/Seattle Symphony Orchestra: John Luther Adams: Beyond Ocean (Cantaloupe) [09-30] - classical [***]
  • Joe Morris Quartet: Balance (Clean Feed) - jazz [**]
  • Barbara Morrison: I Love You, Yes I Do (Savant) [A-]
  • Moskus: Mestertyven (Hubro) - piano jazz [A-]
  • Sam Most: New Jazz Standards (Summit) - jazz [**]
  • Mostly Other People Do the Killing: Blue (Hot Cup) [10-14] - jazz [B]
  • Bob Mould: Beauty & Ruin (Merge) [06-03] - alt/indie rock [**]
  • Moutin Factory Quintet: Lucky People (Blujazz/Plus Loin Music) [**]
  • Mozes & the Firstborn: Mozes & the Firstborn (Burger) [**]
  • The Muffs: Whoop Dee Doo (Burger) [07-29] - punk-pop [***]
  • Nick Mulvey: First Mind (Polydor) [05-12] - indie folk [*]
  • Wolfgang Muthspiel: Driftwood (ECM) [06-24] - jazz [*]
  • Myriad 3: The Where (ALMA) [**]
  • Naked Wolf: Naked Wolf (El Negocito) - jazz [*]
  • Naomi Punk: Television Man (Captured Tracks) [08-05] - indie rock [B]
  • Khun Narin: Electric Phin Band (Innovative Leisure) [09-02] - Thai pop [**]
  • Roy Nathanson's Sotto Voce: Complicated Day (Enja/Yellow Bird) [**]
  • Natural Child: Dancin' With Wolves (Burger) [02-25] - alt/indie rock [**]
  • Alon Nechushtan: Venture Bound (Enja) [**]
  • Tami Neilson: Dynamite! (self-released) [03-21] - rockabilly [A-]
  • Willie Nelson: Band of Brothers (Legacy) [06-17] - country [A-]
  • John Németh: Memphis Grease (Blue Corn Music) [**]
  • Jennifer Nettles: That Girl (Mercury Nashville) [B]
  • The New Basement Tapes: Lost on the River (Island) [11-10] - roots rock [*]
  • The New Mendicants: Into the Lime (Ashmont) [A-]
  • The New Pornographers: Brill Bruisers (Matador) [08-26] - indie rock [*]
  • Sam Newsome: The Straight Horn of Africa: A Path to Liberation [The Art of the Soprano, Vol. 2] (self-released) [10-21] - jazz [A-]
  • Matt Newton: Within Reach (self-released) [*]
  • Nickel Creek: A Dotted Line (Nonesuch) [04-01] - country
  • Nightingales: For Fuck's Sake (self-released)
  • Paal Nilssen-Love Large Unit: Erta Ale (PNL, 3CD) [11-13] - jazz [***]
  • Miho Nobuzane: Simple Words: Jazz Loves Brazil (self-released) [10-21] - piano jazz [*]
  • Russ Nolan: Relentless (Rhinoceruss Music) [*]
  • The North: Slow Down (This Isn't the Mainland) (Dowsett) [*]
  • Jim Norton Collective: Time Remembered: Compositions of Bill Evans (Origin) [11-17] - jazz [**]
  • Novox: Over the Mountain (Label Z Production) [08-25] - jazz-rock [C+]
  • Paolo Nutini: Caustic Love (Atlantic) [04-14] - alt/indie rock
  • Karen O: Crush Songs (Cult) [09-09] - pop/rock [*]
  • Ian O'Beirne: Glasswork (self-released) [*]
  • Conor Oberst: Upside-Down Mountain (Nonesuch) [05-20] - singer-songwriter [**]
  • Objekt: Flatland (Pan) [10-28] - club/dance [A-]
  • The Ocular Concern: Sister Cities (PJCE) [*]
  • Arturo O'Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra: The Offense of the Drum (Motéma Music) [05-06] - Afro-Cuban jazz [**]
  • Off!: Wasted Years (Vice) [**]
  • Itaru Oki: Chorul Zukan (Improvising Beings) [***]
  • Old 97's: Most Messed Up (ATO) [04-29] [A-]
  • Old Crow Medicine Show: Remedy (ATO) [07-01] - contemporary country [**]
  • Old Style Sextet: Old Style Sextet (Blujazz) - jazz [*]
  • Angel Olsen: Burn Your Fire for No Witness (Jagjaguwar) [02-18] - singer-songwriter [*]
  • The Jim Olsen Ensemble: We See Stars (OA2) [**]
  • Ark Ovrutski: 44:33 (Zoho) [*]
  • Ought: More Than Any Other Day (Constellation) [04-29] - post-punk [A-]
  • Ulysses Owens Jr.: Onward & Upward (D Clef) [*]
  • Brad Paisley: Moonshine in the Trunk (Arista Nashville) [08-26] - contemporary country [B-]
  • Chris Parker: Full Circle (OA2) [**]
  • Parker Abbott Trio: The Wayfinders (self-released) [10-23] - jazz [B]
  • Parquet Courts: Sunbathing Animal (What's Your Rupture?) [06-03] - alt/indie rock [A-]
  • Parquet Courts: Parkay Quarts: Content Nausea (What's Your Rupture?) [11-11] - alt/indie rock [A-]
  • Charlie Parr: Hollandale (Chaperone) - folk guitar [*]
  • Dolly Parton: Blue Smoke (Sony Masterworks) [*]
  • Eric Paslay: Eric Paslay (Capitol Nashville) [B]
  • Beata Pater: Golden Lady (B&B) [B]
  • Pattern Is Movement: Pattern Is Movement (Hometapes) [04-01] - lo-fi [B-]
  • Matt Pavolka: The Horns Band (Fresh Sound New Talent) [**]
  • Nicholas Payton: Numbers (Paytone) [07-22] - jazz [B-]
  • Peaking Lights: Cosmic Logic (Weird World) [10-07] - lo-fi [***]
  • Felix Peikli: Royal Flush (self-released) [B]
  • Rich Pellegrin Quintet: Episodes IV-VI (OA2) - jazz [*]
  • Jeremy Pelt: Face Forward, Jeremy (High Note) [B-]
  • Clarence Penn & Penn Station: Monk: The Lost Files (Origin) [10-21] - jazz [*]
  • Pere Ubu: Carnival of Souls (Fire) [09-09] - alt/indie rock
  • Ivo Perelman: Book of Sound (Leo) - avant-jazz [***]
  • Ivo Perelman: The Other Edge (Leo) - avant-jazz [A-]
  • Ivo Perelman/Karl Berger: Reverie (Leo) [09-23] - avant-jazz [A-]
  • Ivo Perelman/Mat Maneri: Two Men Walking (Leo) - avant-jazz [***]
  • Danilo Perez: Panama 500 (Mack Avenue) [02-03] - Latin jazz [**]
  • Perfect Pussy: Say Yes to Love (Captured Tracks) [03-18] - alt/indie rock [B-]
  • Perfume Genius: Too Bright (Matador) [09-23] - pop/rock [B]
  • Peripheral Vision: Sheer Tyranny of the Will (self-released) [09-23] - jazz [**]
  • Sonya Perkins: Dream a Little Dream (self-released) [10-21] - vocal jazz [B]
  • Lee Scratch Perry: Back on the Controls (Upsetter Music) [04-28] - dub [A-]
  • Houston Person: The Melody Lingers On (High Note) [10-21] - jazz
  • The Ralph Peterson Fo'tet Augmented: Alive at Firehouse 12: Vol 2: Fo' n Mo' (Onyx) [***]
  • The Danny Petroni Blue Project: The Blue Project (DPS) [***]
  • Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers: Hypnotic Eye (Reprise) [07-29] - contemporary pop/rock [*]
  • Phantogram: Voices (Republic) [02-18] - alt/indie rock [*]
  • Pharoah & the Underground: Spiral Mercury (Clean Feed) [*]
  • Judy Philbin and Adam Levine: Keeping It Simple (self-released) [*]
  • Picastro: You (Static Clang) [03-11] [*]
  • Lenny Pickett With the UMO Jazz Orchestra: The Prescription (Random Act) [***]
  • Rod Picott: Hang Your Hopes on a Crooked Nail (Welding Rod) [02-11] - country [***]
  • Adam Pieronczyk: The Planet of Eternal Life (Jazzwerkstatt) - jazz [**]
  • Adam Pieronczyk Quartet: A-Trane Nights (Fortune, 2CD) [10-00] - jazz [***]
  • Ariel Pink: Pom Pom (4AD) [11-18] - indie rock [C-]
  • Pink Floyd: The Endless River (Rhino) [11-11] - art rock [*]
  • Pink Martini & the Von Trapps: Dream a Little Dream (Heinz) [*]
  • Leslie Pintchik: In the Nature of Things (Pintch Hard) [*]
  • Anthony Pirog: Palo Colorado Dream (Cuneiform) [10-14] - jazz [*]
  • Robert Plant & the Sensational Space Shifters: Lullaby and . . . the Ceaseless Roar (EastWest) [09-09] - Americana
  • Plymouth: Plymouth (Rare Noise) [04-06] - jazz [*]
  • Popcaan: Where We Come From (Mixpak) [06-10] - dancehall [***]
  • Tineke Postma/Greg Osby: Sonic Halo (Challenge) - jazz [***]
  • Yvonnick Prene & Padam Swing: Wonderful World (self-released) [*]
  • Angaleena Presley: American Middle Class (Saddle Creek) [10-14] - country [A-]
  • Robert Prester: Dogtown (Commonwealth Ave. Productions) [B]
  • Bobby Previte: Terminals (Cantaloupe) [10-28] - modern composition [*]
  • PRhyme: PRhyme (PRhyme/Universal) [12-09] - east coast rap [**]
  • Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses: Blow (Warrior) [**]
  • Prince: Art Official Age (Warner Bros) [09-30] [**]
  • Prince/3rdEyeGirl: Plectrum Electrum (Warner Bros) [09-30] - soul [*]
  • Protomartyr: Under Color of Official Right (Hardly Art) [04-08] - noise-rock [**]
  • Tom Rainey: Obbligato (Intakt) [A-]
  • Rallidae: Paper Birds (self-released, EP) [B-]
  • Rancid: . . . Honor Is All We Know (Epitaph) [10-28] - alt/indie rock
  • Isaiah Rashad: Cilvia Demo (Top Dawg) [01-28] - hip-hop [***]
  • PJ Rasmussen: Another Adventure (Third Freedom Music) [B]
  • Adrian Raso and Fanfare Ciocarlia: Devil's Tale (Asphalt Tango) [***]
  • Andrew Rathbun Quartet: Numbers & Letters (SteepleChase) [**]
  • Ratking: So It Goes (XL) [04-08] - hip-hop [B]
  • Amy Ray: Goodnight Tender (Daemon) [01-28] - country [***]
  • Real Estate: Atlas (Domino) [03-04] - indie rock [**]
  • RED Trio & Mattias Ståhl: North and the Red Stream (NoBusiness) - jazz [**]
  • Joshua Redman: Trios Live (Nonesuch) - jazz [**]
  • Sam Reed Meets Roberto Magris: Ready for Reed (JMood -13) [***]
  • Dianne Reeves: Beautiful Life (Concord Jazz) - vocal jazz [B-]
  • Rufus Reid: Quiet Pride: The Elizabeth Catlett Project (Motéma) [*]
  • Xavi Reija: Resolution (Moonjune) - jazz [***]
  • Greg Reitan: Post No Bills (Sunnyside) [*]
  • Dave Rempis/Joshua Abrams/Avreeayl Ra: Aphelion (Aerophonic) [***]
  • The Rempis/Daisy Duo: Second Spring (Aerophonic) [***]
  • Dave Rempis/Darren Johnston/Larry Ochs: Spectral (Aerophonic) - jazz [***]
  • Dave Rempis/Lasse Marhaug: Naancore (Aerophonic) - jazz [**]
  • Revolutionary Snake Ensemble: Live Snakes (Accurate) - jazz [A]
  • Marc Ribot Trio: Live at the Village Vanguard (Pi) - jazz [***]
  • Jeff Richman & Wayne Johnson: The Distance (ITI Music) [*]
  • Rex Richardson & Steve Wilson: Blue Shift (Summit) - jazz [***]
  • Sylvain Rifflet & Jon Irabagon: Perpetual Motion: A Celebration of Moondog (Jazz Village) [10-14] - jazz [*]
  • Ritmos Unidos: Ritmos Unidos (Patois) [**]
  • Pete Robbins: Pyramid (Hate Laugh Music) [***]
  • Matana Roberts/Sam Shalabi/Nicolas Caloia: Feldspar (Tour de Bras) - jazz
  • Bruce Robison/Kelly Willis: Our Year (Premium) [05-27] - Americana [***]
  • Diane Roblin: Reconnect (self-released) - jazz [*]
  • Alfredo Rodriguez: The Invasion Parade (Mack Avenue) [*]
  • Jason Roebke: Combination (self-released) [04-09] - jazz [*]
  • Jason Roebke Octet: High/Red/Center (Delmark) - jazz [***]
  • Roil [Chris Abrahams/Mike Majkowski/James Waples]: Raft of the Meadows (NoBusiness) - jazz [***]
  • Sonny Rollins: Road Shows: Volume 3 (2001-12, Okeh) [A-]
  • Rent Romus' Life's Blood Ensemble: Cimmerian Crossroads (Edgetone) [A-]
  • The Roots: . . . And Then You Shoot Your Cousin (Def Jam) [**]
  • Rafael Rosa: Portrait (self-released) - jazz [**]
  • Jefferson Rose Band: Feel Like Dancing (self-released) [B]
  • Rich Rosenthal: Falling Up (Muse-Eek) [***]
  • Brandon Ross/Stomu Takeishi: For Living Lovers: Revealing Essence (Sunnyside) - jazz [B]
  • Ellen Rowe Quintet: Courage Music (PKO) [***]
  • Röyksopp & Robyn: Do It Again (Cherrytree, EP) [***]
  • Rudy Royston: 303 (Greenleaf Music) [02-04] - jazz [**]
  • Harold Rubin/Barre Phillips/Tatsuya Nakatani: E on a Thin Line (Hopscotch) [***]
  • Jochen Rueckert: We Make the Rules (Whirlwind) [**]
  • Catherine Russell: Bring It Back (Jazz Village) [A-]
  • Leon Russell: Life Journey (Universal) [B-]
  • Amanda Ruzza/Mauricio Zottarelli: Glasses, No Glasses (Pimenta Music) [***]
  • Dylan Ryan/Sand: Circa (Cuneiform) [09-30] - jazz [*]
  • Sabina: Toujours (Bar/None) [**]
  • Jamie Saft/Steve Swallow/Bobby Previte: The New Standard (Rare Noise) - jazz [*]
  • Akira Sakata/Giovanni Di Domenico: Iruman (Mbari Musica) [01-10] - free jazz [*]
  • Akira Sakata/Johan Berthling/Paal Nilssen-Love: Arashi (Trost) [06-14] - free jazz [***]
  • Akira Sakata/Fred Lonberg-Holm/Ketil Gutvik/Paal Nilssen-Love: The Cliff of Time (PNL) [05-00] - free jazz [*]
  • Samo Salamon Bassless Quartet: 2Alto (SteepleChase LookOut) - jazz [*]
  • Felipe Salles: Ugandan Suite (Tapestry) [***]
  • JC Sanford Orchestra: Views From the Inside (Whirlwind) [B]
  • Mehmet Ali Sanlikol: Whatsnext (Dunya) [*]
  • Masahiko Satoh/Paal Nilssen-Love: Spring Snow (PNL) [05-00] - piano jazz [**]
  • Carl Saunders: America (Summit) [08-12] - jazz [*]
  • Boris Savoldelli/Garrison Fewell: Electric Bat Conspiracy (Creative Nation Music) [11-04] - jazz [B+(*)]
  • Saxophone Summit [Dave Liebman/Ravi Coltrane/Joe Lovano]: Visitation (ArtistShare) [***]
  • SBTRKT: Wonder Where We Land (Young Turks) [10-07] - electronic [B]
  • Scenes: . . . But Not Heard (Origin) [**]
  • Jenny Scheinman: The Littlest Prisoner (Masterworks) [A]
  • Schoolboy Q: Oxymoron (Interscope) [02-25] - rap [**]
  • Adam Schroeder: Let's (Capri) [***]
  • Nicky Schrire: To the Spring (self-released, EP) [B-]
  • Reg Schwager: Delphinus (Jazz From Rant) [12-30] - jazz [**]
  • Louis Sclavis Quartet: Silk and Salt Melodies (ECM) [09-30] - jazz [***]
  • Anton Schwartz: Flash Mob (Anton Jazz) - jazz [B]
  • Brandon Seabrook: Sylphid Vitalizers (New Atlantis) [06-24] - guitar jazz [*]
  • Marc Seales: American Songs Volume 2: Blues . . . and Jazz (Origin) - jazz [*]
  • Second Exit: Spoon (ForTune) - jazz
  • Doug Seegers: Going Down to the River (Rounder) [10-07] - honky tonk [A-]
  • Bobby Selvaggio: Short Stories (Origin) [**]
  • Pat Senatore Trio: Ascensione (Fresh Sound) - jazz [**]
  • Lenny Sendersky/Tony Romano: Desert Flower (LeTo) [*]
  • Serengeti: Kenny Dennis III (Joyful Noise) [11-11] - alt rap [A-]
  • Sara Serpa & André Matos: Primavera (Inner Circle Music) [C+]
  • Brian Settles Trio: Folk (Engine Studios) - jazz
  • Noura Mint Seymali: Tzenni (Glitterbeat) [06-20] - Moorish music [**]
  • Shabazz Palaces: Lese Majesty (Sub Pop) [07-29] - left-field hip-hop [***]
  • Shakira: Shakira (RCA) [A-]
  • Shamir: Northtown EP (God Mode, EP) - Pitchfork overlooked [*]
  • Kendra Shank & John Stowell: New York Conversations (TCB) [**]
  • Paul Shapiro: Shofarot Verses (Tzadik) [A]
  • Linda Sharrock: No Is No: Don't Fuck Around With Your Women (Improvising Beings) - jazz [***]
  • Billy Joe Shaver: Long in the Tooth (Lightning Rod) [08-05] - outlaw country [**]
  • Shellac: Dude Incredible (Touch & Go) [09-16] - alt/indie rock
  • Archie Shepp: Attica Blues Orchestra Live: I Hear the Sound (Archieball) - jazz [***]
  • Mitch Shiner and the Blooming Tones Big Band: Fly! (Patois) [B-]
  • Matthew Shipp Trio: Root of Things (Relative Pitch) - piano jazz [***]
  • Matthew Shipp: I've Been to Many Places (Thirsty Ear) [09-09] - piano jazz [*]
  • Shit Robot: We Got a Love (DFA) [***]
  • The Shivas: You Know What to Do (K) [10-28] - garage punk
  • Ryan Shultz Quintet: Hair Dryers (Origin) [10-21] - jazz [*]
  • Sia: 1000 Forms of Fear (RCA) [07-08] - electronic [B]
  • Side A: In the Abstract (Not Two) [06-00] - free jazz [**]
  • Herb Silverstein: Monday Morning (self-released) [*]
  • Sonny Simmons/Delphine Latil/Thomas Bellier: Beyond the Planets (Improvising Beings, 2CD) [A-]
  • Sonny Simmons: Leaving Knowledge, Wisdom and Brilliance/Chasing the Bird? (2006-14, Improvising Beings, 8CD) [***]
  • Sonny Simmons & Moksha Samnyasin: Nomadic (Svart) [11-28] - jazz [***]
  • Edward Simon: Venezuelan Suite (Sunnyside) [**]
  • Sylvie Simmons: Sylvie (Light in the Attic) [11-11] - adult alt pop/rock [*]
  • Sturgill Simpson: Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (High Top Mountain) [05-13] - country [***]
  • Donna Singer: Destiny: Moment of Jazz (Emerald Baby) - vocal jazz [B]
  • Sisyphus: Sisyphus (Asthmatic Kitty) [**]
  • Rotem Sivan Trio: For Emotional Use Only (Fresh Sound New Talent) [**]
  • Blaise Siwula/Harvey Valdes/Gian Luigi Diana: Tesla Coils () - jazz
  • Skrillex: Recess (Owsla/Big Beat/Atlantic) [B-]
  • Slackk: Palm Tree Fire (Local Action) - grime [B]
  • Sleaford Mods: Austerity Dogs (Harbinger Sound) - post-punk [A-]
  • Sleaford Mods: Divide and Exit (Harbinger Sound) [04-28] - post-punk [A-]
  • Sleaford Mods: Chubbed Up (Ipecac) [10-28] - alt/indie rock [***]
  • Sly & Robbie: Dubrising (Taxi) [12-02] - roots reggae [A-]
  • Sly 5th Ave: Sly 5th Ave Presents Akuma (self-released) [**]
  • Adam Smale: Out of the Blue (self-released) [*]
  • Daniel Smith: Smokin' Hot Bassoon Blues (Summit) [*]
  • Sam Smith: In the Lonely Hour (Capitol) [05-27] - pop [B-]
  • Tommy Smith and Brian Kellock: Whisperng of the Stars (Spartacus) - jazz [***]
  • Wadada Leo Smith: The Great Lakes Suites (TUM, 2CD) [09-16] - jazz [A-]
  • Wadada Leo Smith/Bill Laswell: The Stone (Akashic Meditation) (MOD) - jazz [*]
  • Wadada Leo Smith/Jamie Saft/Joe Morris/Balasz Pandi: Red Hill (Rare Noise) [09-23] - jazz [A-]
  • Chris Smither: Still on the Levee (Signature Sounds, 2CD) [07-22] - contemporary folk [*]
  • Michael Snow & Thollem McDonas: Two Piano Concert at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Edgetone) [10-30] - piano jazz [**]
  • Snowbird: Moon (Bella Union) [01-27] - dream pop [B]
  • Sohn: Tremors (4AD) [04-07] - art-pop [*]
  • Emilio Solla y la Inestable de Brooklyn: Second Half (self-released) - jazz [**]
  • Sonzeira: Brasil Bam Bam Bam (Talkin' Loud/Virgin) [***]
  • Tyshawn Sorey: Alloy (Pi) [10-28] - jazz [***]
  • The Souljazz Orchestra: Inner Fire (Strut) [*]
  • Soundcarriers: Entropicalia (Ghost Box) [**]
  • J Spaceman and Kid Millions: Live at the Poisson Rouge (Northern Spy) - jazz
  • Tim Sparks: Chasin' the Boogie (Tonewood) [05-30] - folk guitar [***]
  • Speedy Ortiz: Real Hair (Carpark, EP) [*]
  • Alister Spence/Myra Melford: Everything Here Is Possible (self-released) - jazz
  • Vinnie Sperrazza: Apocryphal (Loyal Label) - jazz [**]
  • Spider Bags: Frozen Letter (Merge) [08-05] - garage punk [*]
  • The Spin Quartet: In Circles (Origin) [10-21] - jazz [**]
  • Spoke: (R)anthems (River) [10-08] - jazz [*]
  • Spoon: They Want My Soul (Anti-) [08-05] - alt pop/rock [A-]
  • Bruce Springsteen: High Hopes (Columbia) [*]
  • Bruce Springsteen: American Beauty (Columbia, EP) [C+]
  • St Paul & the Broken Bones: Half the City (Single Lock) [02-18] - retro-soul [*]
  • St Vincent: St Vincent (Loma Vista/Republic) [02-25] - art pop [***]
  • Jesse Stacken: Helleborus (Fresh Sound New Talent) - jazz [***]
  • Stalley: Ohio (Atlantic/Maybach) [10-28] - gangsta rap
  • Peter Stampfel and the Brooklyn & Lower Manhattan Banjo Squadron: Better Than Expected (Don Giovanni) [**]
  • Lyn Stanley: Potions (A.T. Music) [11-08] - vocal jazz [**]
  • Vince Staples: Hell Can Wait (Def Jam, EP) [10-07] - gangsta rap [*]
  • Statik Selektah: What Goes Around (Duck Down Music) [08-19] - underground rap [A-]
  • John Stein & the Mingotan Project: Emotion (Whaling City Sound) [**]
  • Step Brothers: Lord Steppington (Rhymesayers) [01-21] - hip-hop [**]
  • Bob Stewart: Connections: Mind the Gap (Sunnyside) [08-05] - jazz
  • Zan Stewart: The Street Is Making Music (Mobo Dog) [***]
  • Brenda Earle Stokes: Right About Now (self-released) [B]
  • Ben Stolorow/Ian Carey: Duocracy (Kabosha) [**]
  • Ed Stone: King of Hearts (Sapphire Music) [08-05] - smooth jazz [C+]
  • Storyboard [David Boswell/Alex Locasio/Rod MacDowell]: Hello (My Quiet Moon) [B]
  • Isabel Stover: Her Own Sweet World (self-released) [*]
  • Strand of Oaks: Heal (Dead Oceans) [06-24] - alt/indie rock [B-]
  • Street Priest: More Nasty (Humbler) [06-21] - improv noise [**]
  • The Strypes: Snapshot (Island/Photo Finish) [A]
  • Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives: Saturday Night/Sunday Morning (Superlatone, 2CD) [09-30] - new traditionalist [*]
  • Subtle Lip Can: Reflective Drime (Drip Audio) [12-16] - jazz [**]
  • Sun Kil Moon: Benji (Caldo Verde) [02-11] - singer-songwriter [***]
  • Helen Sung: Anthem for a New Day (Concord Jazz) - jazz [*]
  • Supreme Cuts: Divine Ecstasy (Dovecote) [A-]
  • Steve Swallow/Ohad Talmor/Adam Nussbaum: Singular Curves (Auand) [***]
  • Swans: To Be Kind (Young God, 2CD) [05-13] - experimental rock [B]
  • Brian Swartz & the Gnu Sextet: Portraiture (Summit) - jazz [**]
  • Sunny Sweeney: Provoked (Aunt Daddy/Thirty Tigers) [08-05] - contemporary country [*]
  • Nelda Swiggett Stringtet: Blue-Eyed Painted Lady (Origin) [*]
  • Taylor Swift: 1989 (Big Machine) [10-28] - teen pop
  • Sylvan Esso: Sylvan Esso (Partisan) [05-13] - art pop [*]
  • Syrinx Effect: Snail Songs (self-released) - jazz
  • Daniel Szabo/Peter Erskine/Edwin Livingston: A Song From There (self-released) [*]
  • Jamie T: Carry on the Grudge (Virgin) [09-30] - alt/indie rock [**]
  • Tacocat: NVM (Hardly Art) [***]
  • Aki Takase/La Planète: Flying Soul (Intakt) [***]
  • Aki Takase/Alexander von Schlippenbach: So Long, Eric!: Homage to Eric Dolphy (Intakt) - jazz [***]
  • Natsuki Tamura/Alexander Frangenheim: Nax (Creative Sources) [11-04] - jazz [*]
  • Tarbaby with Oliver Lake & Marc Ducret: Fanon (RogueArt) - jazz
  • Greg Tardy: Hope (SteepleChase) - jazz
  • Joanne Tatham: Out of My Dreams (Cafe Pacific) [12-02] - vocal jazz [B]
  • Temples: Sun Structures (Heavenly) [02-11] - alt/indie rock [*]
  • Tensnake: Glow (Astralwerks) [***]
  • Todd Terje: It's Album Time (Olsen) [04-08] - nu-disco [A-]
  • Yosvany Terry: New Throned King (5Pasion) [04-01] - jazz [***]
  • Thee Silver Mt Zion Memorial Orchestra: Fuck Off Get Free We Pour Light on Everything (Constellation) [01-21] - alt/indie rock; Pitchfork overlooked [B]
  • Ken Thomson and Slow/Fast: Settle (NCM East) - jazz [***]
  • Paul Thorn: Too Blessed to Be Stressed (Perpetual Obscurity) [08-19] - Americana [**]
  • Throttle Elevator Music: Area J (Wide Hive) [10-28] - jazz [**]
  • Camille Thurman: Origins (Hot Tone Music) [*]
  • TI: Paperwork (Grand Hustle) [10-21] - gangsta rap [**]
  • Tigran: Shadow Theater (Sunnyside) [C+]
  • Ana Tijoux: Vengo (Nacional) [03-18] - Latin rap [**]
  • Tilting: Holy Seven (Barnyard) [***]
  • Tinariwen: Emmaar (Anti-) [02-10] - world [***]
  • Tinashe: Aquarius (RCA) [10-07] - contemporary r&b [**]
  • Shirazette Tinnin: Humility: Purity of My Soul (Hot Tone Music) [B]
  • Tokyo Police Club: Forcefield (Mom + Pop Music) [***]
  • Jonah Tolchin: Clover Lane (Yep Roc) [A-]
  • Ton Trio II: On and On (Singlespeed Music) - jazz [***]
  • Touch and Go Sextet: Live at the Novara Jazz Festival (Nine Winds) - jazz [***]
  • Randy Travis: Influence, Vol. 2: The Man I Am (Warner Bros) [08-19] - contemporary country [**]
  • Steve Treseler Group: Center Song (Creative Music Adventures) [*]
  • Tricky: Adrian Thaws (!K7) [09-08] - electronic [***]
  • Tri-Fi [Phil Palombi/Matthew Fries/Keith Hall]: Staring Into the Sun (self-released) [B]
  • Trio 3 & Vijay Iyer: Wiring (Intakt) [***]
  • Assif Tsahar/Gerry Hemingway/Mark Dresser: Code Re(a)d (Hopscotch) [A-]
  • Assif Tsahar/Tatsuya Nakatani: I Got It Bad (Hopscotch) [***]
  • Allison Adams Tucker: April in Paris (Allegato Music) [B]
  • Tune-Yards: Nikki Nack (4AD) [05-06] - art pop [**]
  • Mark Turner Quartet: Lathe of Heaven (ECM) [09-09] - jazz [**]
  • François Tusques: La Jungle du Douanier Rousseau (Improvising Beings) [**]
  • TV on the Radio: Seeds (Harvest) [11-18] - alt/indie rock [B]
  • Tweens: Tweens (Frenchkiss) [04-08] - alt/indie rock [B]
  • Paul Tynan & Aaron Lington: Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Four (OA2) [*]
  • Matt Ulery: In the Ivory (Greenleaf Music, 2CD) [*]
  • Fernando Ulibarri: Transform (self-released) [*]
  • The David Ullmann 8: Corduroy (Little Sky) [08-26] - jazz [**]
  • Adam Unsworth/Byron Olson/John Vanore: Balance (Acoustical Concepts) [*]
  • Us Free [Bill McHenry/Henry Grimes/Andrew Cyrille]: Fish Stories (2006, Fresh Sound New Talent) - jazz [***]
  • Manuel Valera: Self Portrait (Mavo) [**]
  • Colin Vallon: Le Vent (ECM) [**]
  • The Vamps: Meet the Vamps (Mercury) [04-14] - pop-rock [**]
  • Sharon Van Etten: Are We There (Jagjaguwar) [05-27] - alt singer/songwriter [B-]
  • Vanguard Jazz Orchestra: OverTime: Music of Bob Brookmeyer (Planet Arts) - jazz [*]
  • Peter Van Huffel's Gorilla Mask: Bite My Blues (Clean Feed) [*]
  • Peter Van Huffel/Michael Bates/Jeff Davis: Boom Crane (Fresh Sound New Talent) - jazz [A-]
  • Cornelius Veit/Eugen Prieur/Jörg Fischer: Stromraum (Spore Print) [***]
  • Velkro: Don't Wait for the Revolution (Clean Feed) [11-21] - jazz [A]
  • Caetano Veloso: Abraçoço (Nonesuch) [**]
  • Piet Verbist/Zygomatik: Cattitude (Origin) - jazz [**]
  • Marlene VerPlanck: I Give Up, I'm in Love (Audiophile) - vocal jazz [A-]
  • Viet Cong: Cassette (Mexican Summer, EP) [01-21] [B]
  • Elio Villafranca and His Jazz Syncopators: Caribbean Tinge: Live From Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola (Motéma) [06-24] - Latin jazz [*]
  • David Virelles: Mbókó (ECM) [10-07] - Afro-Cuban [**]
  • Rosenna Vitro: Clarity: Music of Clare Fischer (Random Act) [09-30] - vocal jazz [*]
  • Jerry Vivino: Back East (Blujazz) - jazz [**]
  • Leon Vynehall: Music for the Uninvited (3024) [03-24] [*]
  • Mirel Wagner: When the Cellar Children See the Light of Day (Sub Pop) [08-12] - alt singer/songwriter [**]
  • Harvey Wainapel: Amigos Brasileiros Vol. 2 (Jazzmission) [B]
  • Loudon Wainwright III: Haven't Got the Blues (Yet) (429) [09-09] - contemporary singer/songwriter [*]
  • Ulf Wakenius: Solo: Momento Magico (ACT) [03-28] - guitar jazz [*]
  • Anne Waldman: Jaguar Harmonics (Fast Speaking Music) [A-]
  • Brahja Waldman Quintet: Sir Real Live at Resonance (self-released) [**]
  • Joe Louis Walker: Hornet's Nest (Alligator) [B-]
  • Scott Walker + Sunn O))): Soused (4AD) [10-21] - alt pop/rock [C]
  • Seth Walker: Sky Still Blue (The Royal Potato Family) [B]
  • The War on Drugs: Lost in the Dream (Secretly Canadian) [03-18] - folk rock [***]
  • Jessie Ware: Tough Love (Interscope) [10-21] - adult alt pop/rock [*]
  • Dean Wareham: Dean Wareham (Sonic Cathedral) [***]
  • The Bill Warfield Big Band: Trumpet Story (Planet Arts) [*]
  • Warpaint: Warpaint (Rough Trade) [01-21] - indie rock [B]
  • Marcin Wasilewski Trio w/Joakim Milder: Spark of Life (ECM) [10-07] - jazz [A-]
  • Reggie Watkins: One for Miles, One for Maynard (Corona Music) [**]
  • Bill Watrous/Pete Christlieb/Carl Saunders/The Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra: A Beautiful Friendship (Summit) - jazz [B]
  • Watsky: All You Can Do (Steel Wool Media/Welk Music Group) [08-12] - alt rap [**]
  • Ken Watters/Ingrid Felts: Watters/Felts Project (Summit) [***]
  • Ernie Watts Quartet: A Simple Truth (Flying Dolphin) [05-20] - jazz [**]
  • Anna Webber: Simple (Skirl) - jazz [***]
  • Colin Webster/Andrew Lisle/Alex Ward: Red Kite (Raw Tonk) [11-24] - jazz [**]
  • Walt Weiskopf: Overdrive (Posi-Tone) - jazz [B]
  • Chuck E. Weiss: Red Beans and Weiss (Anti) [04-15] - roots rock [*]
  • Dan Weiss: Fourteen (Pi) - jazz [B-]
  • Ezra Weiss: Before You Know It: Live in Portland (Roark) [09-09] - jazz [A-]
  • Leo Welch: Sabougla Voices (Big Legal Mess) - blues [A-]
  • Scott Wendholt & Adam Kolker Quartet: Andthem (Fresh Sound New Talent) - jazz [**]
  • Frank Wess: Magic 201 (IPO) [***]
  • The Westerlies: Wish the Children Would Come on Home: The Music of Wayne Horvitz (Songlines) [**]
  • Western Jazz Quartet: Free Fall (Blujazz) - jazz [*]
  • The Whammies: Play the Music of Steve Lacy Vol. 3: Live (Driff) [***]
  • David White Jazz Orchestra: The Chase (Mister Shepherd) - jazz [*]
  • Jack White: Lazaretto (Third Man) [06-10] - pop/rock [B-]
  • Walter White: Most Triumphant (Summit) [*]
  • White Lung: Deep Fantasy (Domino) [06-17] - indie [**]
  • The WHO Trio: The WHO Zoo (Auricle) - jazz
  • Wild Beasts: Present Tense (Domino) [02-25] - indie rock [B]
  • Wildest Dreams: Wildest Dreams (Smalltown Supersound) [07-29] - neo-psychedelia [**]
  • Don Williams: Reflections (Sugar Hill) [03-11] - country [*]
  • Hank Williams III: Ramblin' Man (Curb, EP) [04-01] - new traditional [*]
  • Jessica Williams: With Love (Origin) [**]
  • Lucinda Williams: Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone (Highway 20) [09-30] - contemporary folk
  • Pharrell Williams: Girl (Columbia) [03-03] - r&b [A-]
  • Matt Wilson Quartet + John Medeski: Gathering Call (Palmetto) [***]
  • Steve Wilson/Lewis Nash Duo: Duologue (MCG Jazz) - jazz [***]
  • A Winged Victory for the Sullen: Atomos (Kranky) [10-07] - ambient [**]
  • Luke Winslow-King: Everlasting Arms (Bloodshot) [09-30] - New Orleans jazz [B]
  • Norma Winstone: Dance Without Answer (ECM) [**]
  • Withered Hand: New Gods (Slumberland) [03-10] [**]
  • Nils Wogram Root 70 With Strings: Riomar (NWOG) [*]
  • Tom Wolfe: Solerovescent (Summit) [*]
  • Michael Wollny Trio: Weltentraum (ACT) [**]
  • Lee Ann Womack: The Way I'm Livin' (Sugar Hill/Welk) [09-23] - contemporary country [A-]
  • Wooden Wand: Farmer's Corner (Fire) [**]
  • Matt Woods: With Love From Brushy Mountain (Lonely Ones) [05-13] - country [***]
  • Nate Wooley/Hugo Antunes/Chris Corsano: Malus (NoBusiness) - jazz [**]
  • J.J. Wright: Inward Looking Outward (Ropeadope) [**]
  • Wussy: Attica! (Shake It) [A-]
  • Wu-Tang Clan: A Better Tomorrow (Warner Bros) [12-02] - east coast rap [***]
  • Basak Yavuz: Things (Z Music) [*]
  • Jason Yeager Trio: Affirmation (Inner Circle Music) [10-21] - jazz [B]
  • Yelle: Complètement Fou (Kemosabe) [09-30] - alt dance [**]
  • YG: My Krazy Life (Def Jam) [B-]
  • Neil Young: A Letter Home (Third Man) [04-19] [**]
  • Neil Young: Storytone (Reprise) [11-04] - album rock [*]
  • Young Fathers: Dead (Anticon) [02-03] - hip-hop [*]
  • The Young Mothers: A Mothers Work Is Never Done (Tektite) [A-]
  • Young Thug & Bloody Jay: Black Portland (self-released) - rap [A-]
  • Young Thug/Rich Homie Quan/Birdman: Rich Gang: The Tour Pt 1 (Cash Money) [09-29] - rap [*]
  • Peter Zak Trio: The Disciple (Steeplechase) - piano jazz [***]
  • Zanussi 5: Live in Coimbra (Clean Feed) [11-21] - jazz [A-]
  • Brigitte Zarie: L'amour (NJ Music) [B]
  • Miguel Zenón: Identities Are Changeable (Miel Music) [11-04] - jazz [*]
  • Dann Zinn: Shangri La (self-released) [10-01] - jazz [B]
  • John Zorn: Valentine's Day (Tzadik) [07-00] - jazz
  • ZZ Quartet: Beyond the Lines (In + Out) [**]
  • Dear Jean: Artists Celebrate Jean Ritchie (Compass, 2CD) [09-09] - folk
  • Duduvudu: The Gospel According to Dudu Pukwana (Edgetone) [09-30] - jazz [A]
  • Bob Dylan in the 80s: Volume One (ATO) [**]
  • Hyperdub 10.1 (Hyperdub) [06-17] - electronic [**]
  • Hyperdub 10.2 (Hyperdub) [07-29] - electronic
  • Hyperdub 10.3 (Hyperdub) [09-22] - electronic
  • Hyperdub 10.4 (Hyperdub) [11-10] - electronic
  • Just Passing Through: The Breithaupt Brothers Songbook Vol. II (ALMA) - jazz [B]
  • Link of Chain: A Songwriters' Tribute to Chris Smither (Signature Sounds) [09-30] - contemporary folk [**]
  • Look Again to the Wind: Johnny Cash's Bitter Tears Revisited (Masterworks) [08-19] - Americana [**]

Reissues, Etc.

  • Rashied Al Akbar/Muhammad Ali/Earl Cross/Idris Ackamoor: Ascent of the Nether Creatures (1980, NoBusiness, LP) - free jazz [***]
  • Julian Bahula: Spirit of Malombo: Malombo Jazz, Jabula and Jazz Africa 1966-1984 (Strut, 2CD) - South African [**]
  • Francis Bebey: Psychedelic Sanza 1982-1984 (Born Bad) [10-05] - African [**]
  • Beyoncé: Beyoncé [Platinum Edition] (Columbia) [11-24] - r&b [TH:**]
  • Peter Brötzmann/Sonny Sharrock: Whatthefuckdoyouwant (1987, Trost) [07-14] - free jazz [**]
  • Cabaret Voltaire: #7885 Electropunk to Technopop (1978-85, Mute) [A-]
  • Johnny Cash: Out Among the Stars (1981-84, Columbia) [03-25] - country [***]
  • A Certain Ratio: Sextet (1982, Factory Benelux, 2CD) [11-04] - alt/indie rock
  • Jay Clayton & John Lindberg: As Tears Go By (1988, Jazzwerkstatt) [01-28] - vocal jazz [*]
  • John Coltrane & Friends: Trane's Blue Note Sessions (1956-57, Blue Note, 3CD) - jazz
  • John Coltrane: Offering: Live at Temple University (1966, Impulse, 2CD) [09-23] - jazz [**]
  • D'Angelo: Live at the Jazz Cafe, London (Virgin) [03-25] - neo-soul [A-]
  • Ted Daniel's Energy Module: Interconnections (NoBusiness, 2CD) - jazz [A-]
  • Miles Davis: Miles at the Fillmore (Miles Davis 1970: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 3) (1970, Columbia/Legacy, 4CD) [***]
  • Smoke Dawson: Fiddle (1971, Tompkins Square) [***]
  • Aby Ngana Diop: Liital (1994, Awesome Tapes From Africa) [09-09] - African [***]
  • Hamid Drake/Michael Zerang: For Ed Blackwell (1995, Pink Palace) [11-01] - jazz [***]
  • Bob Dylan: Dylan (1973, Columbia/Legacy) [C-]
  • Bob Dylan: The Basement Tapes Complete: The Bootleg Series Vol 11 (Columbia/Legacy, 6CD) [11-04] - singer/songwriter
  • Sleepy John Estes with Hammie Nixon: Live in Japan (1974, Delmark) [***]
  • The Evergreen Classic Jazz Band: Early Tunes 1915-1932 (1995, Delmark) - trad jazz [A-]
  • The Jimmy Giuffre 3 & 4: New York Concerts (1965, Elemental, 2CD) [***]
  • Charlie Haden/Jim Hall: Charlie Haden/Jim Hall (Impulse) [09-30] - chamber jazz [A-]
  • Nancy Harrow: Wild Women Don't Have the Blues/You Never Know (1960-62, Fresh Sound) [***]
  • Milt Hinton/Ralph Sutton/Gus Johnson/Jim Galloway: The Sackville All Star Christmas Record (1986, Sackville/Delmark) - christmas/jazz [*]
  • Rowland S Howard: Pop Crimes (Fat Possum) [08-05]
  • Chubby Jackson: New York City 1949: Ooh, What an Outfit! (Uptown, 2CD) - big band [***]
  • Keith Jarrett/Charlie Haden/Paul Motian: Hamburg '72 (ECM) - jazz [A-]
  • Bill Jennings: The Architect of Soul Jazz: Complete Early Recordings 1951-1957 (Fresh Sound) - jazz [**]
  • Dexter Johnson & Le Super Star de Dakar: Live à l'Étoile (1969, Teranga Beat) [***]
  • Ross Johnson and Jeffrey Evans: Vanity Sessions (Spacecase) [01-14]
  • Bessie Jones/The Georgia Sea Island Singers: Get in Union: Recordings by Alan Lomax 1959-1966 (Tompkins Square) [10-28] - field recordings
  • Peter Kowald: Discography (Jazzwerkstatt, 4CD) [08-26] - jazz
  • Steve Lacy: Cycles (1976-1980) (1976-80, Emanem, 2CD) - jazz
  • Craig Leon: Early Electronic Works: Nommos Visiting (1981-82, Aparté) [A-]
  • Les Ambassadeurs: Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako (Stern's) [07-28] - world [A-]
  • Lewis: L'Amour (1983, Light in the Attic) [08-13] - [PM] [B]
  • Jerry Lee Lewis: The Knox Phillips Sessions: The Unreleased Recordings (1970s, Time-Life) [09-23] - rockabilly [A-]
  • Arto Lindsay: Encyclopedia of Arto (1996-2012, Northern Spy, 2CD) [A-]
  • Charles Lloyd: Manhattan Stories (1965, Resonance, 2CD) [09-16] - jazz [A-]
  • Moreno & L'Orch First Moja-One: Vol. 2: More Pili (Sterns Africa) - African [A-]
  • Frank Lowe Quartet: Out Loud (1974, Triple Point, 5LP) - jazz
  • Gene Ludwig-Pat Martino Trio: Young Guns (1968-69, High Note) [A-]
  • Pete Magadini: Bones Blues (1977, Sackville/Delmark) [08-26] - jazz [**]
  • The Magic Words: Junk Train (2006, Shake It, EP) [08-11] - alt/indie rock [**]
  • Joe McPhee: The CJR Years 1969-1974 (Bo' Weavil) - jazz
  • Joe McPhee: As Serious as Your Life (1996, Hatology) - jazz
  • Joe McPhee: Underground Railroad (Bo' Weavil) - jazz
  • Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66: Stillness (1971, Universal Sound) [*]
  • Hailu Mergia and the Walias: Tche Belew (1977, Awesome Tapes From Africa) - ethio-jazz [A-]
  • Moreno and L'Orch First Moja-One: Vol. 2: More Pili (1981-83, Sterns Africa) [A-]
  • Willie Nelson and Sister Bobbie: December Day [Willie's Stash Vol 1] (Legacy) [12-02] - country-pop [B]
  • Oscar Peterson/Ben Webster: During This Time (1972, Art of Groove) [A-]
  • Enrico Pieranunzi/Marc Johnson/Joey Baron: Play Morricone 1 & 2: The Complete Recordings (2001-02, CAM Jazz, 2CD) - jazz [A-]
  • Don Pullen: Richard's Tune (1975, Sackville/Delmark) [08-26] - jazz [***]
  • Sun Ra & His Arkestra: In the Orbit of Ra (Strut, 2CD) [09-23] - jazz [A-]
  • Joe Jack Talcum: Home Recordings Vol 2 1993-1999 (Happy Happy Birthday to Me) [09-16] - alt/indie rock
  • Horace Tapscott Quintet: The Giant Is Awakened (International Phonograph) [10-21] - jazz
  • The Buddy Tate Quartet: Texas Tenor (1978, Sackville/Delmark) - jazz [A-]
  • Underworld: Dubnobasswithmyheadman [20th Anniversary Super Edition] (1994, Universal, 5CD) [10-07]
  • George Van Eps: Once in Awhile (1946-49, Delmark) - guitar jazz [***]
  • The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra: OverTime: The Music of Bob Brookmeyer (Planet Arts) [08-15] - jazz [*]
  • Verckys/Orchestre Veve: Congolese Funk Afrobeat & Psychedelic Rumba 1969-1978 (Analog Africa) [12-09] - African [A-]
  • Junior Wells: Southside Blues Jam (1969, Delmark) [11-18] - blues [***]
  • Robert Wyatt: Different Every Time (Domino, 2CD) [11-18] - art rock
  • Arkansas at 78 RPM: Corn Dodgers & Hoss Hair Pullers (1928-37, Dust to Digital) [09-30] - old-time country [A-]
  • Balani Show Super Hits: Electronic Street Parties From Mali (Sahelsounds) [A-]
  • The Beatles: A Jazz Tribute (2002-05, High Note) - jazz [B]
  • Bring It On Home: Black America Sings Sam Cooke (Ace) [11-04] - r&b [A-]
  • Cables to the Ace (Communicating Vessels) [B]
  • Calypso: Musical Poetry in the Caribbean 1955-1969 (Soul Jazz) [A-]
  • Country Funk II: 1967-1974 (Light in the Attic) [07-15] - country/funk
  • Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82 (Soul Jazz, 2CD) [11-17] - disco [*]
  • Gipsy Rhumba: The Original Rhythm of Gipsy Rhumba in Spain 1965-1974 (Soul Jazz) [**]
  • Haiti Direct: Big Band, Mini Jazz and Twoubadou Sounds, 1960-1978 (Strut, 2CD) [A-]
  • Hardcore Traxx: Dance Mania Records 1986-1997 (Strut, 2CD) [***]
  • I'm Just Like You: Sly's Stone Flower 1969-70 (Light in the Attic) [09-30] - contemporary pop/rock [***]
  • Native North America Vol 1: Aboriginal Folk, Rock and Country 1966-1985 (Light in the Attic) [11-25] - aboriginal rock [*]
  • Punk 45: Underground Punk and Post-Punk in the UK 1977-81, Vol. 2: There Is No Such Thing as Society: Get a Job, Get a Car, Get a Bed, Get Drunk! (1977-81, Soul Jazz) [***]
  • Punk 45: Proto-Punk, 1970-77, Vol. 3: Sick on You! One Way Spit! After the Love & Before the Revolution (1970-77, Soul Jazz)
  • The Rough Guide to Arabic Jazz (World Music Network, 2CD) [06-24] - arabic/world fusion [**]
  • The Rough Guide to Bollywood Disco (World Music Network) [09-30] - international [***]
  • The Rough Guide to the Music of Mali [Second Edition] (1996-2013, World Music Network, 2CD) [03-25] [***]
  • The Rough Guide to the Music of the Sahara [Second Edition] (World Music Network, 2CD) [07-29] - international [***]
  • Salsa de la Bahia: A Collection of SF Area Salsa and Latin Jazz: Vol. 2, Hoy Y Ayer (1983-2013, Patois, 2CD) - latin jazz [**]
  • Suburban Base Records: The History of Hardcore, Jungle, and Drum 'n' Bass: 1991-1997 (New State, 3CD) [***]
  • Tektite Records Presents: The Young Mothers Sampler 1 (2012-14, Tektite, EP) [**]

Note: As of Dec. 6, 2014, I stopped automatically adding records from EOY lists where they didn't seem to have any prospecting value.

Priority Counts

  • Priority 2: 71
  • Priority 3: 5
  • Priority 4: 587
  • Priority 5: 493

Total: 1156