This is a list of the albums that have made a big impression on me this year. They are not in any order although several marked☆ are my favourites and I will nominate one as my album of the year.
Here is the list:
1.Orion– The End Of Suffering – This came out of nowhere and it is a testament to one man’s vision and willingness to create music that he wanted to.
The End of Suffering | Orion (bandcamp.com)
2. Tribe 3 – Self Titled- This recent release most definitely impresses with its progressive, inspired take on fusion.
3. John Greenwood – Dark Blue ☆☆ This arrived, again largely unnoticed, but what a brilliant release, thoughtful, emotional and an utterly captivating listen.
DARK BLUE | John Greenwood (bandcamp.com)
4. Material Eyes – Inside Out excellent prog from the North East of England.
Inside Out | Materialeyes (bandcamp.com)
5. The Michael Dunn Project – Bridge Across The Years ☆ Canadian musicians superb debut release, 40 years in the making.
6. The Drinking Club – Really??? ☆ Very Marillion like in places, another great release.
…really?!? | The Drinking Club (bandcamp.com)
7. Pryzme – Four Inches – Superb French band release excellent album with a fondness for Rush stylings.
Four Inches | Pryzme (bandcamp.com)
8. Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate – The Light Of Ancient Mistakes ☆ Amazing next adventure for impressive North London duo.
The Light Of Ancient Mistakes | Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate (bandcamp.com)
9. Downes Braide Association – Celestial Songs ☆ Excellent new album of epics from the DBA Team.
Downes Braide Association: Celestial Songs, CD Edition – Cherry Red Records
10. Nova Cascade – The Navigator – A musical tribute to Eric Bouilette after his passing, beautifully done.
The Navigator | NOVA CASCADE (bandcamp.com)
11. Southern Empire – Another World ☆ A strong return for Australian favourites.
12. Ruby Dawn – Beyond Tomorrow ☆☆ A deeply emotional album from Wokingham’s finest.
Beyond Tomorrow | Ruby Dawn (bandcamp.com)
13. Tiger Moth Tales – The Turning Of The World ☆Deeply Personal album from Peter Jones, largely acoustic but very satisfying.
Tiger Moth Tales (whiteknightshop2.co.uk)
14. Nick Fletcher – Quadrivium ☆☆☆ My album of the year. Fusion for today, an album forging forward and beyond while embracing the past.Unbelievably fine music that is beautifully realised.
ONLINE STORE | Nick Fletcher Guitar (nickfletcherguitarmusic.com)
15. Pattern Seeking Animals – Spooky Action At A Distance – Fourth excursion from some-time Spock’s Beard men along with John Boegehold and a further step forward.
Spooky Action at a Distance (lnk.to)
16. Cyan – Pictures From The Other Side – Second album from Rob Reed’s excellent young project, with Peter Jones and Luke Machin firing on all cylinders.
tigermothhosting.co.uk/CYANCD2023/
17. The Emerald Dawn – In Time ☆ – Beautiful album themed around time and memories and how we perceive them.
In Time | The Emerald Dawn (bandcamp.com)
18. Dave Foster Band – Glimmer ☆ The year’s ‘grower’ album that just gets better with every listen.
Glimmer | The Dave Foster Band (bandcamp.com)
19. Damanek – Making Shore – A splendidly exciting album from the early part of the year, epic, melodious and really strong.
20. Swan Chorus – Achilles and The Difference Engine – My favourite vocal led album of the year, especially the wonderfully poignant track Being There about Peter Sellers, a beautiful song.
Achilles and the Difference Engine | Swan Chorus (bandcamp.com)
It’s been a tremendously fine year for music. A post-covid boom has inspired some stalwart activities with some excellent and impressive releases, here’s to an even better 2024!
John Wenlock-Smith.