Neneh Cherry

January 2025 Recap: A Monthly Exercise in Critical Transparency

Screenshot of the trailer of Houston Opera’s production of Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème by There Stands the Glass.

The Top Ten Albums of January 2025
1. Bad Bunny- Debí Tirar Más Fotos
My review.

2. Ambrose Akinmusire- honey from a winter stone
Bittersweet.

3. Carl Allen- Tippin'
My review.

4. Mike- Showbiz!
Like no business I know.

5. Ebo Taylor, Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad- JID022
Highlife.

6. James McVinnie- Dreamcatcher
My review.

7. François Couturier and Dominique Pifarély- Preludes & Songs
Duo français.

8. Ethel Cain- Perverts
Pop star drones.

9. William Basinsky and Richard Charter- Aurora Terminalis
Drone star drones.

10. The Weeknd- Hurry Up Tomorrow
Thriller.


The Top Three Reissues, Repackagings and Reimaginings of January 2025
1. Mary Halvorson Quartet- The Bagatelles, Vol. 1
Zorn-y.

2. Mac Miller- Balloonerism
Wavy highs and lows.

3. Iggy Pop- Live at Montreux Jazz Festival 2023
Still your dog.


The Top Ten Songs of January 2025
1. Marshall Allen featuring Neneh Cherry- “New Dawn”
Sunshine.

2. Damon Locks- "Holding the Dawn in Place (Beyond pt. 2)"
Ra.

3. Khadija Al Hanafi- "Let It Bump"
Right here.

4. Larry June featuring 2 Chainz and the Alchemist- “Bad Choices”
Decisions, decisions.

5. Celeste- "Everyday"
All day.

6. Ledisi- "Love You Too"
Always.

7. Skiifall featuring Jorja Smith- "Her World"
Gregory Isaacs lives.

8. TheBabeGabe and the Human- "PSA"
My review.

9. Zach Bryan- “Blue Jean Baby”
Out in the street.

10. Bonnie “Prince” Billy- “Turned to Dust (Rolling On)”
This too shall pass.


The Top Ten Performances of January2025
1. Traxman and Dewey at miniBar
My review.

2. Garibaldi Quartet at the 1900 Building
My review.

3. Carl Phillips at Arrupe Hall
My Instagram snapshot.

4. Kristina Reiko Cooper with the Kinnor Philharmonic at White Theatre
My review.

5. Emmanuel Pahud’s masterclass at Helzberg Hall
My review.

6. Made in France at the Market at Meadowbrook
My Instagram clip.

7. Matt Hopper and Gerald Spaits at Green Lady Lounge
My Instagram clip.

8. Rich Wheeler, Jackie Myers and Sebastian Arias at the Market at Meadowbrook
My Instagram snapshot.

9. Marvin Gruenbaum Quartet at the Market at Meadowbrook
My Instagram clip.

10. Cynthia van Roden at the Market at Meadowbrook
My Instagram snapshot.



The previous monthly recap is here.

June 2022 Recap: A Monthly Exercise in Critical Transparency

Screenshot of Craig Colclough in the trailer of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2022 production of Rigoletto by There Stands the Glass.

Top Ten Albums (Released in June)

1. Carolin Widmann- L’Aurore

A new day for old music.

2. Tim Bernardes- Mil Coisas Invisíveis

Brazilian beauty.

3. Elizabeth King- I Got a Love

How I got over.

4. Chris Brown- Breezy

Bad man. Good R&B.

5. Bennie Maupin and Adam Rudolph- Symphonic Tone Poem for Brother Yusef

My review.

6. Matthew Shipp Trio- World Construct

Sturdy foundation.

7. Ensemble Intercontemporain- Reich/Richter

A minimalist marvel.

8. Lisa Moore- Frederic Rzewski: No Place to Go But Around

A loving tribute to the late composer.

9. Drake- Honestly, Nevermind

Gloriously ridiculous.

10. Lívia Nestrovski and Henrique Eisenmann- Nação

My review.


Top Ten Songs (Released in June)

1. Jimetta Rose & The Voices of Creation- "Let the Sunshine In"

Glowing.

2. Twïns- "Something about Alice Coltrane"

Spiritual eternal.

3. Katalyst, Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammed- "Juneteenth"

Deep groove.

4. Sudan Archives and Neneh Cherry- "Heart"

Analog remix.

5. Jungle- "Good Times"

Aptly titled.

6. DJ Snake- "Disco Maghreb"

The sound of young Hamtramck.

7. Cazzu- "Nena Trampa"

Cheat sheet.

8. Beyoncé- "Break My Soul"

“Release your wiggle!”

9. Pharrell Williams, 21 Savage and Tyler, The Creator- "Cash In Cash Out"

Paid in full.

10. SleazyWorld Go featuring Offset- "Step 1"

Kansas City star.


Top Ten Performances of June

1. Nduduzo Makhathini at the Blue Room

My review.

2. Angela Winbush at the Juneteenth KC festival

My review.

3. Bill Summers and Forward Back at Dunbar Park

My review.

4. John Waite at Ranch Mart Shopping Center

My Instagram clip.

5. Blind Mississippi Morris at the Gladstone Summertime Bluesfest

My Instagram clip.

6. Tre Mutava at Overland Park’s Clock Tower Plaza

My Instagram clip.

7. The Kansas City Symphony’s Mobile Music Box at Meadowbrook Park

My Instagram clip.

8. Jason Vivone and the Billy Bats at Theis Park

My Instagram clip.

9. Brian Scarborough Quintet at Sar-Ko-Par Park

My Instagram clip.

10. Mark Farina at Westwood Park

My Instagram clip.


Last month’s survey is here.