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Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2017: Clarence Ewing

CHIRP Radio Best of 2017

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2017. Our next list is from DJ and Online Media Director Clarence Ewing.

My list this year is somewhat Euro-centric. Why is that? I don’t know. There’s just a lot of cool stuff going on in Europe, I guess.

 

#1   Framework by A Projection (Tapete)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

A Projection FrameworkFive Swedish office drones ditch their day jobs to follow their passion. The result is air-tight post-punk, performed with urgency and joy. The antidote for a trying year in most folks' non-music areas of life.

 

 

#2   Laisse Ça Être by Aquaserge (Crammed Discs)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Aquaserge Laisse Ça ÊtreGuitars + horns + flutes + electronics + krautrock + bossa nova + funk + progressive rock + lounge pop from a French supergroup playing the kind of genre-bending, inclusive music that America was known for back in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

 

 

#3   Krokofant III by Krokofant (Rune Grammofon)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Krokofant Krokofant IIITasty Jazz-Rock from Norway. Think Paul Desmond fronting Black Sabbath with the bass cranked up.

 

 

#4   Communicating by Hundred Waters (OWSLA)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Hundred Waters CommunicatingIn a world where the production toolbox for making pop songs has become as varied as a Starbucks latte, Hundred Waters takes the sound palette of Skrillex....SKRILLEX!!!...and turns bro-step into shimmering, atmospheric mood music.

 

 

#5   Songs We Taught the Lord (Vol. 1 & 2) by Phil X. Milstein and Thurston Moore (Feeding Tube)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Phil X. Milstein and Thurston Moore Songs We Taught the Lord (Vol. 1 & 2)Tape manipulator and sound collagist Phil Milstein joins forces with Sonic Youth guitarist, singer, and songwriter Thurston Moore for an extended drone music trip. It's worth either track's 40+ run time to tune in, drop out, and take your brain in for a wash and wax.

 

 

#6   Triptych by Tim Daisy Michael Thieke Ken Vandermark (Relay)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Tim Daisy Michael Thieke Ken Vandermark TriptychAnother fantastic year for Chicago's jazz scene. This album's a collaboration between two heavyweight Chi-town players and Berlin-based musician Michael Thieke. A great addition to the modern Free Jazz lexicon.

 

 

#7   100 Bells by Buck Gooter (Ramp Local)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Buck Gooter 100 Bells"There's only ever been one war...a war on the poor." There's been a little bit of political protest music this year, with only a few memorable results. These guys have been on the outside looking in for a while now. They know how to do it with directness and irreverence.

 

 

#8   Any Other Way by Jackie Shane (Numero Group)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Jackie Shane Any Other WayAlmost 60 years after the fact, one of the most electrifying R&B singers of the Motown era gets a national spotlight.

 

 

#9   The Mysticism of Sound & Cosmic Language by Hy Maya (Smog Veil)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Hy Maya The Mysticism of Sound & Cosmic LanguageThe work of Robert Bensick's ensemble (formed when he was at Cleveland State University) is a critical chapter in the development of American independent/underground music. Those who don’t know their history may never repeat it.

 

 

#10   Theory of Colours by Dauwd (Technicolour)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Dauwd Theory of ColoursThe debut album from Wales-born, Berlin-based electronica pro on Ninja Tune's imprint. If you dig the synths, this is one for you.

 

Single of the Year:

"TCR" by Sleaford Mods. I don't care if this song came out in 2016, it sounds like I've felt for much of 2017.

 

 

 

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Categorized: Best Albums of the Year

Topics: best of 2017

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