The third MOJO playlist of 2018

Not something I’ve actually played in the office this week, but the Numero Group label released their first app the other day, and it’s a marvel. Environments brings together 22 field recordings made by Irv Teibel for an album series that ran between 1969 and 1979.  It turns out that ambient jams of thunderstorms, dawn choruses, swamp twilight and mind-expanding chatter from the Human Be-In work brilliantly as an app; transcendence on the morning commute more or less guaranteed.

Actually on the stereo, though, some quick new personal highlights: a new Ethiopiques-style find in the shape of Ayalew Mesfin; the filigree vintage folk-pop of Kacy & Clayton, produced by Jeff Tweedy; a superb preview, at last, of the Cath & Phil Tyler album; Hiss Golden Messenger hooking up with the Blind Boys Of Alabama; and Steve Malkmus, on a horse…

1 Imarhan – Temet (City Slang)

2 Jack White - Corporation (Third Man)

3 Khruangbin - Con Todo El Mundo (Night Time Stories)

4 Ayalew Mesfin – Hasabe (Vinyl Me, Please/Now Again)

5 Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Sex & Food (Jagjaguwar) 

6 Gaz Coombes – World’s Strongest Man (Hot Fruit/Caroline)

7 King Tuff – The Other (Sub Pop)

8 Alva Noto – UNIEQAV (NOTON)

9 Kacy & Clayton – The Siren’s Song (New West)

10 Wet Tuna – Livin’ The Die (Feeding Tube)

11 Goat Girl – Goat Girl (Rough Trade)

12 Hello Skinny – Watermelon Sun (Brownswood)

13 Durand Jones & The Indications - Durand Jones & The Indications (Dead Oceans)

14 Cath & Phil Tyler – The Ox And The Ax (Thread)

15 Amen Dunes – – Freedom (Sacred Bones)

16  Bonny Doon – Longwave (Woodsist)

17 Cavern Of Anti-Matter – Hormone Lemonade (Duophonic UHF)

18 Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Middle America (Domino)

19 Headroom/Dire Wolves – Split Cassette (Pome Pome Tones)

20 Blind Boys Of Alabama & Hiss Golden Messenger - When The Wall Comes Down (Youtube)

21 Daniel Avery – – Song For Alpha (Phantasy Sound)

22 Gwenno – Le Kov (Heavenly)

Stephen Malkmus/horse picture: Giovanni Duca