The Plug’n Play: September (‘22)
September 31, 2022
You can listen to the full playlist on Apple Music, Spotify, or Tidal
From Durand Bernarr and Sebastian Mikal, to Sudan Archives and Snarky Puppy, our latest playlist features some of our favorite tunes from September! Below are a few thoughts on music from the month, and a bit about some of the songs we selected. Songs 1 - 13 were selected by Kevin, while songs 14 - 25 were selected by me, Stanley! As always, we hope you find a song you like and check out the larger body of work!
Snarky Puppy — Portal
With each release, Snarky Puppy proves the futility of genre; the notion that sound, music, can be easily placed into categories.17 years after the release of their debut project, the band is still in a never-ending pursuit of sound and rhythm. On their new album, Empire Central, the band returns to a place where we first found them: recording in a small room, in front a live audience. There’s certainly a sound the Michael League, the bandleader and primary composer, has come to be known for, but even still, they push themselves further with each project. On Portal, one of my favorites from the album, composed by Argentinian Percussionist, Marcelo Woloski, the band’s sonic palette and technical prowess shines bright, marrying continental divides from the Americas to Africa and Europe. Empire Central is another excellent installment into the bands discography.
Rudi Creswick — Peace of Mind (Featuring MANNY)
I’ve always been fascinated by music scenes and communities of like-minded musicians and artists who come together to produce art. People playing the same venues, sometimes living in the same house, frequenting the same studios, and so on. Scenes are special because they operate at the intersection of time, place, and mission (sometimes not explicitly stated). Over the past decade or so, no scene has been more interesting, or personally fulfilling, than what’s taken shape in London. Artists like Lianne La Havas, Little Simz, Cleo Sol, Sault, Michael Kiwanuka, Jordan Rakei, Emmavie, Tom Misch, Alfa Mist, KOKOROKO, and countless others, have all pushed the sound and scope of Black music forward; offering both homage and adaptation.
Rudi Creswick, a bassist based in London, has spent the better part of the last decade supporting many of the aforementioned artists as a session and touring musician. But, after heeding the advice and encouragement from fellow musicians, Alfa Mist and Barney the Artist, Creswick embarked on releasing his debut album, Different Forms, an 8-song reflection on purpose and chaos, and the journey of finding the different versions of oneself along the way. I knew Creswick was a phenomenal bassist (I saw him back in 2018 when he was backing Tom Misch in Philly), but this album shows his range as a composer and songwriter.
Makaya McCraven — Dream Another
I’ve been talking about Makaya McCraven’s new album, In These Times, every chance I get. With a sitar prominently featured, orchestral accompaniment, and minimalistic drumming, McCraven’s new album is reminiscent of 70s soul and funk records (not in a S*lk S*onic way). This album feels good, yet simple, and a masterclass in cool, never rushed, but calmly deliberate.
