Editors' Choice for April 2023
Jazz Is Dead
Following a 25-year hiatus, Jazz Is Dead's bosses coax the great jazz and fusion pianist back into the studio to record a sublime funky jazz and R&B set.
Velvetica Music
This collaboration between like-minded artists takes the singer to new realms -- trip-hop, noise rock -- while delivering plenty of French pop delights as well.
Impulse!
The harpist blends '70s-style soul-jazz with her own boldly contemporary aesthetic.
Transgressive
The genre-defying artist reflects on his family ancestry and Black history for a poetic, defiant album encouraging resistance and positive change.
Mute
The South African artist's second album is a powerful blend of art rock and avant-garde jazz, inspired by his practice as a spiritual healer.
Real Gone Music
Thorough three-disc anthology combining everlasting pop classics with often-thrilling B-sides.
Verve
The iconic duo match adventurous, up-to-date production with relevant, affecting lyrics on their first album in 24 years.
Trouble in Mind
The Chicago trio's haunting, fractured fifth album marks the band's evolution from impressive to transcendent.
Interscope
Developed at a series of intimate concerts, the songwriter's first album in six years takes on profound subject matter with an experimental bent.
Masterworks
The British jazz trio reflect on tragedy and loss while producing some of their most comforting and optimistic music.
American Laundromat Records
The Kansas City synth pop enthusiasts offer another warm, '80s-celebrating set full of melody and craft.
The Funk Garage
On his first solo album in 20 years, the singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist delivers the record that earlier ones only hinted at.
EMI / Interscope
Accurately titled, this is suited for a disco bigger and more opulent than the one evoked on the singer's preceding LP.
Doctor Bird
Fascinating journey into the heart of dub that collects eight albums' worth of classic '70s recordings helmed by Errol Thompson.
Fire Records
Fluid outsider folk artist strays from synth experiments and creates a spare and haunting atmospheric mood heavy on environmental field recordings.
Amigo / Republic / Verve Forecast
The Arizona-born singer/songwriter continues to expand her sonic and emotional palette on her fourth album.
![Intro Bonito [Deluxe Edition]](https://fastly-s3.allmusic.com/release/mr0005970593/front/220/yZwZvgXZqqZ161r_UqXn_ypQg_7iAU1wjqLgK_xGXts=.jpg)
Polyvinyl
Polyvinyl's 2023 reissue of the hyper-pop trio's vibrant debut mixtape adds the Bonito Recycling EP and other singles.
Envision Records
The visionary turntablist presents a futuristic sci-fi love story, heavy on fuzzed-out guitars, crunchy breakbeats, and constant scratching.
Bobo Integral
After a crushingly beautiful solo album about the death of his brother, the indie songwriter continues exploring grief with far less somber songs.
Sub Pop
Experimental songwriter builds on the lo-fi dreaminess of her last album, taking each of these eight songs in slightly different directions.
Ninja Tune
The writer and DJ returns with her most introspective, emotionally vivid work, encompassing dreamy indie pop, post-punk, and blissful deep house.
Reprise
Roughly recorded audience tape of a London concert made up of Tonight's the Night material and other unexpected detours.
BIS
A fascinating rendering of the St. Matthew Passion, with texts by various poets interleaved with biblical words.
Roya
Created during a time of travel and reflection, the Congolese artist's eclectic second album wraps joy and sorrow in fascinating sonics.
Interscope
Fourth album from multi-platinum Mississippi rap duo is made up of concise songs that are lean, purposeful, and direct.
Deutsche Grammophon
Passionate yet structurally insightful Chopin scores strongly in the big sonatas.
22nd Century / Def Pressé / Traffic Entertainment Group
An expansive yet remarkably focused two-hour jazz-rap odyssey, co-produced by Damu the Fudgemunk and featuring guest saxophonist Archie Shepp.
ATO
On their ninth studio album, the pioneering guitar duo add subtle electronics and orchestral elements to their ambitious compositions.
Reel to Real
Earthy, soulfully engaging live 1972 concert from the organist and her trio.
Bella Union
The Norwegian singer/songwriter hits another career peak on this uplifting and philosophical set.
Mirare
Exceptional performances that grasp the essence of Dvořák's big Piano Trio No. 3 in F minor, Op. 65.
Blue Note
The Texas tenor makes his Blue Note debut with his all-star quintet and occasional assistance from trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire.
Drag City
Recorded continents apart before and during the pandemic, this set manages to offer an even more intimate and adventurous musical language.
XL
The Korean-American electronic artist's debut album is a mixture of self-reflection, protest, and nostalgic fantasy.