Contemporary Albums: A Sonic Tapestry of Innovation
In the ever-evolving landscape of music, contemporary albums serve as vibrant canvases where artists weave their creative threads. These albums transcend genres, defy conventions, and invite listeners on immersive journeys. Here, we explore some remarkable contemporary albums from recent years, each a testament to artistic exploration and boundary-pushing.
“Luke Schneider presents Imaginational Anthem Vol XI: Chrome Universal”
This compilation surveys the modern pedal steel guitar, transcending its traditional associations with Nashville and Hawaii. It ventures into uncharted realms: ambient Americana, microtonal minimalism, sitar-like improvisations, desert blues, and even slow-motion jazz. Artists like BJ Cole, Maggie Björklund, Susan Alcorn, and Barry Walker Jr. contribute to this sonic odyssey1.
“Betsu No Jikan” by Takuro Okada
The 14th album by prolific Japanese guitarist Takuro Okada begins with a bleary-eyed rendition of John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme.” However, it’s the spirit of Alice Coltrane that dominates. Expect a low-volume riot of textural percussion, astral piano, quavering sax solos, and woozy synths. Guest slots from Jim O’Rourke, Sam Gendel, and Carlos Niño add to the immersive sonic world1.
“Peace Places: Kenyan Memories” by Nyokabi Kariūki
US-based composer Nyokabi Kariūki draws inspiration from field recordings in her native Kenya. Birdsongs, lapping water, friends’ chatter, and even goats munching on mangos form the basis for these compelling compositions. Kariūki time-stretches, pitch-shifts, and blends these natural sounds with drones, tuned percussion, and vocal harmonies, creating an otherworldly sonic movie1.
“Pigments” by Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn
This seamless collaboration between a New Orleans R&B singer and a New York ambient composer births a unique genre: the vaporous, astral jazz torch song. “Pigments” stands as a 21st-century response to Philip Glass’s “Songs from Liquid Days.” It’s a celestial blend of ethereal vocals and ambient textures1.
“Everyone’s Children” by Surya Botofasina
Raised on an ashram in California and mentored by the late Alice Coltrane, Surya Botofasina crafts rippling piano solos, glistening Fender Rhodes explorations, wonky synth drones, and vocal chants. His ecstatic modal jazz cleverly disguises itself as meditation music, inviting listeners into slow-motion masterpieces1.
“Revelators” by Revelators Sound System
MC Taylor, known for folk rockers Hiss Golden Messenger, collaborates with bassist Cameron Ralston. Drawing from diverse sonic worlds—ambient Americana, David Axelrod’s orchestral suites, Bollywood’s slurring strings, and Pharoah Sanders’s astral jazz—they create mesmerizing tracks like “Collected Water” and “Bury the Bell” that unfold in unhurried beauty1.
These contemporary albums defy categorization, inviting us to explore uncharted territor
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