#4066: John Schaefer's Top Ten of 2017

John Schaefer reveals his Top Ten of 2017 list, as per his tradition, long after most best-of lists have gone to print or air. Don’t want to miss anything that got released in December, is the reasoning. Anyhow, listen to Brussels/Paris-based Balkan-influenced renaissance dance music, electro-acoustic cello from Montreal, Lithuanian folklore-infused music on violin, music from one of the Congotronics bands, new music from Penguin Café, and old pop music from a Baroque band.

From Dusseldorf duo Grandbrothers, hear music built upon the clanging percussive sound of prepared piano but crafted under the influence of electronic dance music. Listen to electro-acoustic music for cello from one-woman Montreal band, Saltland, aka Rebecca Foon. There's also music from Parisian/Belgian quartet, Lolomis, complete with Tyrolean harp, Renaissance flutes, and relentless percussion.

Then, hear the 2017 release from Arthur Jeffes and Penguin Café - it’s music which is propulsive, bittersweet, somewhat subversive and “punk” but in a nice way – a satisfying link to his father’s music with the Penguin Café Orchestra. Another artist that impressed in 2017 is American-born Vilnius-based singer, violinist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Abraham Brody. Hear some of his haunting arrangements of old Baltic folk songs, for violin & looping station.

Also, listen to music from Around Félicité by the Kasai All-Stars – one of the Congotronics bands, who starred in and scored the film –Félicité. Plus, hear a blend of Detroit roots music with the sound of Hindu chants in music by Alice Coltrane, late wife of John Coltrane.

At number two on this annual list are Kronos Quartet’s arrangements of traditional folk songs – we’ll hear one with classically-trained singer and pianist Olivia Chaney. At the top of John’s list is tavern baroque party music from Norwegian violinist Bjarte Eike and Barokksolistene. Hear their “OLD pop music” from a record called The Alehouse Sessions. 

PROGRAM #4066: John Schaefer's Top Ten of 2017

10. ARTIST: Grandbrothers
WORK: Bloodflow [5:58]
RECORDING: Open
SOURCE: City Slang
INFO: grandbrothers.bandcamp.com

9. ARTIST: Saltland
WORK: A Common Truth [4:13]
RECORDING: A Common Truth
SOURCE: Constellation Records
INFO: cstrecords.com/cst123

8. ARTIST: Lolomis
WORK: Ezlani [3:40]
RECORDING: Boukane
SOURCE: Buda Musique
INFO: lolomis.net

7. ARTIST: Penguin Cafe
WORK: Ricercar [4:34]
RECORDING: The Imperfect Sea
SOURCE: Erased Tapes ERATP097
INFO: erasedtapes.com

6. ARTIST: Renee Fleming; Royal Stockholm Phil Orchestra; Sakari Oramo, cond.
WORK: Bjork, arr. Hans Ek: All Is Full of Love [3:12]
RECORDING: Distant Light
SOURCE: Decca Classics 0289 483 0415 8
INFO: deccaclassics.com

5. ARTIST: Abraham Brody
WORK: Jau aust Ausruze (It's already dawn) [2:19]
RECORDING: From the Rich Dark Earth
SOURCE/INFO: abrahambrody.bandcamp.com

4. ARTIST: Kasai Allstars
WORK: Kapinga Yamba [5:43]
RECORDING: Around Félicité
SOURCE: Crammed Discs CRAM 273
INFO: kasaiallstars.bandcamp.com

3. ARTIST: Alice Coltrane
WORK: Om Rama [4:04]
RECORDING: World Spirituality Classics 1: The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangi
SOURCE: Luaka Bop
INFO: alicecoltrane.bandcamp.com

2. ARTIST: Kronos Quartet & Olivia Chaney
WORK:  Ramblin' Boy [5:49]
RECORDING: Folk Songs
SOURCE: Nonesuch 559151
INFO: nonesuch.com

1. ARTIST: Bjarte Eike & Barokksolisten, feat. Thomas Guthrie
WORK: Haul away Joe
RECORDING: The Alehouse Sessions
SOURCE: Rubicon 1017
INFO: rubiconclassics.com