The Plug’n Play: November (‘20)
November 30, 2020
You can listen to the full playlist on Apple Music, Spotify, or Tidal
Below are some of our favorite songs from the month, and a bit about why we love them. The first 17 songs were selected by Kevin and the last 13 songs were selected by me, Stanley. We hope you find a song you like, and check out the entire album!
Stanley: Sharay Reed — Come On
Sharay Reed has spent the past few years as the bassist in The Funk Apostles, Cory Henry’s backing band. But aside from The Funk Apostles, Reed’s become one of the most in-demand bassists for albums and session work in Gospel and R&B. In large part, this is due to Reed’s incredible feel — he elevates anyone’s he’s playing with. On his new album, Double Cheese, the bassist shows his compositional abilities, and that feel that so many have come to know and love. In particular on Come On, Reed channels I Want You era Marvin Gaye, and the bassist that helped make that album special, Chuck Rainey. Reed’s new album is definitely worth checking out!
Stanley: Chris Stapleton — You Should Probably Leave
Coming off the success of his debut album, Traveller, one might suspect that Chris Stapleton would go back to the same well. In some ways he did — returning to Nashville and Muscle Shoals and working with producer, Dave Cobb. But on Stapleton’s latest offering, it feels like he’s reintroducing himself. The cover design is about as minimal as you can get, with just his name and the album title handwritten in the corner, the liner notes printed by a typewriter. The artist’s latest offering sees him venture into a more vulnerable space. And in true Bluesman fashion, he’s reflecting on the world around him and his place in it.
Stanley: KOKOROKO — Baba Ayoola
KOKOROKO has been one of my favorite finds of 2020! The eight-piece band based in London draws on Black music traditions reaching from Afrobeat and High Life to Jazz and Funk. Their latest single, Baba Ayoola, shows the bands deep roots and also how they are extending the aforementioned traditions. Looks like they are slated for an album release in 2021, so that’s something we can look forward to!
