Ambient

Mongelli and the Cape Jazz Crew take cool jazz principles into the second decade of the millennium.

Capturing the imagination is a prominent factor of Wytold's music. His recording has gorgeous soundscapes.

The bluesy vocal register of Wertz, intertwined with the light tremors of Cohen's keys, make for an ambient jazz repertoire.

These are in no particular order, except for this first one, my vote for song of 2016, at least for guitar. After listening to Joe Bonamassa's blistering, searing solo, you will not forget it anytime soon.

A new live collaborative album by Torrini and The Colorist Orchestra reimagines some of the Icelandic singer's songs in entirely new arrangements for an eight-piece Belgian ensemble led by Aarich Jespers and Kobe Proesmans. Her voice inhabits this new, more organic world just as comfortably as on her albums, and with a touch of live-performance warmth.

Here are my highlights in popular music from 2016. It includes records by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Bright Light Bright Light, David Bowie, Melanie C, Hikaru Utada, Beyoncé, and many more!

One could view 'In Winter' as a stylish stopgap between Melua's last recording 'Ketevan' and her next album. However, one should embrace it as an inspired seasonal concept album that ties 'The House' as her most ambitious undertaking yet.

After countless listens, I feel as if I both know Fela Kuti more than I ever knew any other African artist before, and also how little I appreciated the struggles and injustices that take place across the world in other people’s hometowns or communities. It takes a strong light to shine down on some of the darkest days in the shadow. Thank god Fela Kuti burned as bright as he did for our awareness.

Ever heard of a soundtrack to a book? Neither had this writer until Moby's 'Music from Porcelain.' Guess what? It makes sense. PLUS, it's damn good.

Listening to ‘The Dream of a God’ is much like hearing the soundtrack to a horror movie.