Preston Frazier’s look back at the Best of 2020 in rock, pop and soul includes David Sancious, Rick Wakeman, Brownout, Randy Goodrum and others:
BASSEL AND THE SUPERNATURALS – SMOKE AND MIRRORS (NEO-SOUL / FUNK): The third album by this Chicago-based group is a lesson in songcraft, funk grooves and production brilliance. It’s almost easy to overlook the theme of Smoke and Mirrors, which focuses on Bassel Almandani’s experience as a first-generation Syrian. Bassel and the Supernaturals’ funky grooves and melodic heft draw listeners instantly, as producers Jeff Breakey and Brandon Hunt blend elements harmoniously to deliver one of my favorite albums for 2020. Smoke and Mirrors is fine wine.
DANIELA COTTON – A DIFFERENT WAR (BLUES / ROCK): Mesmerizing is a word that first comes to mind when I reflect on Danielia Cotton’s music. “Forgive Me,” starts things off and pulls no punches. The song is intensely personal, yet easily relatable. Written by Cotton and her sister, Catherine Filmer-Hogan, it’s a tale of someone seeking redemption and the need to purge demons in order to retain identity. Musically, “Forgive Me” is as powerful as it is lyrically. “She Too,” the EP’s closing song, turns up the burners. Guitarist Matt Beck’s distorted rhythm ties in perfectly with Cotton’s powerfully convincing lead vocal. This is a tale of female empowerment, and it’s a wonderful anthem. The song jumps out of the speakers, but more importantly it puts you on notice that Danielia Cotton is back – and she’s not pulling punches.
McSTINE AND MINNEMANN – McSTINE AND MINNEMAN (PROG / ROCK): The Randy McStine song “Program” kicks off McStine & Minnemann in fine fashion. Though the song has existed in a different form from an earlier McStine release, Marco Minnemann’s drumming and the keyboard section add a new level of musical insanity to the song. “Falling From Grace” follows with equal integrity. The complex time signatures, overdubbed guitar, and unconventional song structure combine with McStine’s urgent vocals to make a sound reminiscent of mid-’80s King Crimson meets Frank Zappa. It’s musically deep, yet lyrically accessible. McStine & Minnemann itself almost defies description. The album is well crafted, melodic, and musically and lyrically challenging – all while being utterly engaging.
BROWNOUT – THE BERLIN SESSIONS (FUNK / ROCK): Proclaiming Brownout to be a funk powerhouse seems like hyperbole – until you listen to their music. The Best of 2020 honoree is further proof that that title is well deserved. This Austin-based offshoot of Grupo Fantasma again conspires with producer Steve Berlin of Los Lobos fame, swinging for the fences once more with stellar results. An epic album. Check out “Somewhere to Go” and “After November.”
[SOMETHING ELSE! INTERVIEW: Guitarist Beto Martinez joins Preston Frazier to discuss Brownout’s explorations of Black Sabbath songs, his early musical experiences, and his work with Grupo Fantasma.]
DAVID SANCIOUS – EYES WIDE OPEN (ROCK / R&B): Yes, it’s that David Sancious. He’s an icon among sidemen, having played with Sting, Peter Gabriel and in Bruce Springsteen’s original E Street Band. My next Best of 2020 honoree furthers his legacy as a forward-leaning solo artist. Sancious’ 10th solo work blends, rock, R&B and socially conscious spoken-word pieces to create a vivid eight-song collage. “In the Middle of the Night” is a perfect, piano-driven commentary on today. “If” includes Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, and Living Colour’s Will Calhoun also makes an appearance. However, the real star of the album is David Sancious’ writing and production, as he ties the themes and musical elements into one of the year’s most compelling works.
CAMINO 84 – THE ALL NEW CAMINO 84 (POP): What is this? Finely crafted, hipster, Latin-flavored pop? The brainchild of Boston-based Ryan Lucht, Camino 84 really does straddle genres. One thing which is obvious after listening to “Responsible,” the opening song, is that Lucht knows how to work a hook and is an expert arranger. Yet, the deeper you jump into The All New Camino 84, the more you appreciate the lyrics and the playing. The three players Lucht deploys on his arrangements bring a pop sensibility to his Pretzel Logic-era Steely Dan-like arrangements. “Little Too Late” should be a hit. The All New Camino 84 has too much charm to be ignored.
BOSSACUCANOVA – BOSSA GOT THE BLUES (JAZZ / WORLD MUSIC): A weird and wonderful combination of bossa nova and technology. Bossa Got the Blues brings in guitarist and bossa nova icon Roberto Menescal, the father to Bossacucanova band member Marcio Menescal. The song “1937” fires on all cylinders with its clarinet, samples and infectious rhythms. Blues and rock elements abound on the album, and there are splashes of pop rock, too. “Laudir’s Theme,” a song dedicated to the late percussionist for the band Chicago, goes in a fascinating, unexpected yet joyous direction. The reach of Bossacucanova’s music should not be underestimated. This is good stuff.
TOMI MALM – COMING HOME (JAZZ): Yes, Coming Home embarks down the familiar path of Walkin’ on Air, but why fix something which is not broken? “Solaris” and “Na WeWe (With You)” both offer something different. “Na WeWe,” which features ZoSia, is an international-flavored jazz piece with changes as sharp as a razor. Tomi Malm’s arranging skills are prominent, and the song breaks from the preceding tunes. Meanwhile, “Solaris” is pure jazz fusion. Well, maybe not pure – the hook is clear and distinctive. This instrumental smokes. “Free Fall,” another instrumental, utilizes Vinnie Colaiuta on drums with the bass of Alex Al to provide additional smoke to Malm’s Fender Rhodes, piano and guitar. The results are simply stunning. Randy Goodrum co-wrote the closing “Hearts In Phase,” also providing his boy-next-door vocal style and irrepressible lyrical charm to this captivating ballad. Tomi Malm has created something, original and beautiful. Coming Home is a worthy successor to Walkin’ On Air, and that achievement is quite astonishing.
RICK WAKEMAN – THE RED PLANET (PROG ROCK): Rick Wakeman has been the most prolific former Yes man recently. While his ARW recording was largely a fake audience-enhanced disappointment, this Best of 2020 entry arrives as one of the most intriguing Yes-adjacent albums in the last 20 years – and one of his best in the last decade or two. Wakeman and his English Rock Ensemble deliver eight entrancing songs, and each is melodic yet powerfully prog. The album’s Martian theme is carried by Wakeman’s wondrous use of ’70s-era synthesizer sounds. Bassist Lee Pomeroy and drummer Ash Soan deliver powerful backing on “Tharsis Tholus,” while guitarist Dave Colguhoun is an interesting lead contrast to Wakeman’s Moog on “Olymous Mons” and “The North Plain.” Rick Wakeman has proven that after a stellar career of more than 50 years, he still has something to say. The Red Planet is a must-listen.
RANDY GOODRUM – RED EYE (POP/ROCK): Randy Goodrum is a name that frequents many of my favorite albums. His work with Jay Graydon, Bruce Gaitch, and Steve Lukather rank up there with the best in pop music over the last 20 years. Then there are collaborations with El DeBarge and Steve Perry that have made Goodrum a legend among legends. Red Eye marks a delightful return to solo work. On the album, Randy Goodrum handles lead vocals and shares keyboard duties with co-producer Larry Williams. Williams and Goodrum also utilize a who’s-who of A-listers such as Michael Landau, Marcus Miller, Gavin Harrison and Vinnie Colaiuta. The musicianship combines with songs written by Goodrum with occasional collaborations with Williams and Douglas Carr, creating an album that is nothing short of first rate. The title song and the earnestly lovely “Not Here” are but two examples of why Randy Goodrum is such a revered craftsman.
BEST OF 2020 HONORABLE MENTIONS
THE DARK MONARCHY – THE DARK MONARCHY (PROG ROCK): Mark Anthony K and Joe Bailey conspire to take listeners on a powerful hard-rocking joy ride. Their single “Fools Gold” came out in April and provided listeners with a no-holds-barred dose of contemporary hard rock. Now, the self-titled album is in the queue for release on June 12 via Reficul Records, with a digital version also available on Bandcamp. “Joyride” kicks things into gear with soaring guitar work by K and powerful drumming and bass playing from Bailey. The vocal contrast between the two works well in this setting. “Mother Earth” burns with the intensity of a supernova as ’80s-era keyboard sounds meld with the powerful rhythm section and K’s distorted lead guitars. The subject matter is timely, but lyrically the song is never preachy. “Broken Kingdom” is my favorite song on The Dark Monarchy, combining ’70s-style prog keyboards with Joe Bailey’s bleak and descriptive lyrics. Melodically powerful and musically uncompromising, the Dark Monarchy gives you 45 minutes of compelling music.
THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY – SLIPPIN’ AND SLIDIN’ (ROCK): The only thing keeping this EP from perfection is that it’s only an EP. “Top of the Rock” and “Cruel Twist” rank in my Top 10 for singles in 2020. Hopefully, a follow-up is on the way.
[SOMETHING ELSE! INTERVIEW: Danny Kortchmar stopped by to discuss the all-star Immediate Family project, as well as key career moments with Don Henley, Neil Young and Toto.]
NICK MASON’S SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS – LIVE AT THE ROUNDHOUSE (PROG ROCK): It would be a mistake to dismiss this album as a cover of Pink Floyd. Nick Mason and his group of overachievers pump more life into these early Floyd songs than the original ever had. “Fearless” and “Astronomy Domine” are priceless in this setting. Bravo, Mr. Mason.
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