BEST OF 2015 highliferecords.ca [email protected] 604-251-6964 1317 Commercial Drive

St Germain The Arcs Bob Dylan St Germain Yours, Dreamily 1965-66 The Cutting Edge

France USA USA

French producer Ludovic Navarre (AKA Side project of Black Keys’ mastermind Volume 12 of Dylan’s ongoing Bootleg St Germain) returns after an enigmatic 15 has had more rotation on series zeros in on the 14 month period in year hiatus to once again dazzle us with the Highlife sound system than any other 1965-66 where he recorded three of his his refined jazzy-house signature sound. record this year. Equal parts melodic most important albums - Bringing It All This time around he spices it up with a rock and rich, soulful grooves add up to Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited and variety of Malian singers and instrumen- one of the favourites of 2015. Blonde On Blonde. The Cutting Edge talists as well as voices from the once again showcases Dylan’s diligent past. A relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable process of working a song, delivering a listen. delightful array of demos, alternate takes and oddities from this exceptionally fertile period.

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Alabama Shakes Ballake Sissoko & Vincent Segal Gary Clark Jr.

Sound and Color Musique De Nuit The Story Of Sonny Boy Slim Mali/France USA USA

A strong contender for album of the year. The sophomore recording by this kora Rising star Gary Clark Jr. adds to his Straight out of the gate this record grabs and cello duo is a magical and impressive neo-Hendrix stylings with this your attention and refuses to let go. contemplative journey. Partly recorded ample offering of soul-filled blues and Brittany Howard’s powerful voice is pure on the rooftop of Ballake’s home in rock. An album we returned to again and gold, wrapped up in adventurous, Bamako, the album is a reminder of again all year long. dynamic arrangements. A great record! African music’s gentler, almost classical, edge. Music of rare, subtle beauty.

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Another Fine Day Dan Mangan & Blacksmith Buena Vista Social Club A Good Place To Be Club Meds Lost & Found UK Canada Cuba

The Interchill label has been a Highlife Out of the gate way back in January, this A wonderful collection of leftovers from favourite for over a decade, producing a fine recording stuck with us all year long. the original 1996 Egrem studio sessions vast array of tasty electronic sounds. Mangan delivers his songs in trademark as well as a handful of live recordings Another Fine Day is UK producer Tom fashion, but the real shining star here is from the early 2000s. Not the cohesive Green, who fashions here a world of guitarist Gord Grdina whose sound burns perfection of the original Buena Vista exquisite piano melodies amidst a sea of throughout with exceptional clarity and album, Lost & Found is rather a rhythmic subtlety. Great for late night beauty. marvelous complementary dish of classic musings. Cuban song.

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Lost In Mali Alsarah & The Nubatones Ibeyi

Mali Silt Ibeyi Sudan/USA Cuba/France Over the years, Malian music has often dominated the sound system and year end East African retro pop from US-based Refreshing debut by French/Cuban twins favourites at Highlife. This speaks both Sudanese singer Alsarah, ‘Silt’ features a Naomi & Lisa-Kainde Diaz (daughters of fine assortment of traditional and modern to our ongoing interest in the music of Buena Vista Social Club percussionist Africa as well as Mali’s incredible sounds centred loosely around themes of Miguel Diaz) is informed by equal migration and displacement – the Nubian musical spirit and endurance. Lost In measures of French jazz, Cuban folk and Mali compiles a fresh roster of current tradition of ‘songs of return’. Bjork-like electronic treatments. talent that has not, until now, been available outside of its borders.

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Leon Bridges Ali Farka Toure & Amadou & Mariam

Coming Home Talking Timbuktu (Vinyl re-issue) Dimanche a Bamako (Vinyl re-issue) USA Mali/USA Mali The new soul revival (Lee Fields, Charles At long last, this absolute classic of the Bradley, Sharon Jones, etc.) finds a fresh First appearing in 2005, with the world music era finds its way onto vinyl charter member with the appearance of mercurial Manu Chao in the producer’s for the very first time. Originally appear- Leon Bridges, who successfully channels chair, this powerhouse of African ing in 1994 on the esteemed World the spirit and tone of Sam Cook on this expression remains one of Highlife’s all Circuit label, the powerful combination of fascinating tribute to the pre-Motown era. time favourite recordings. Now available Toure’s raw desert blues with Cooder’s on vinyl for the first time. guidance and accompaniment is a match made for the ages. Sheer brilliance!

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HIGHLIFER’S TOP PICKS

KEVIN FINSETH RAUL ESPINOZA ANDY WARREN

1. The Arcs – Yours, Dreamily 1. St. Germain – St. Germain 1. Novalima – Planetario 2. St. Germain – St. Germain 2. Alabama Shakes – Sound & Color 2. D’Angelo – Black Messiah 3. Alabama Shakes – Sound & Color 3. Pops Staples – Don’t Lose This 3. Gary Clark Jr. – The Story Of Sonny Boy Slim 4. Bob Dylan – 1965-66 The Cutting Edge 4. Jamie Woon – Making Time 4. St. Germain – St. Germain 5. Ballake Sissoko & Vincent Segal – Musique 5. Ibeyi – Ibeyi 5. The Arcs – Yours, Dreamily De Nuit 6. Inna Modja – Motel Bamako 6. Buena Vista Social Club – Lost & Found 6. Ali Farka Toure & Ry Cooder – Talking 7. Another Fine Day – A Good Place to Be 7. Alsarah & The Nubatones – Silt Timbuktu 8. D’Angelo – Black Messiah 8. Ali Farka Toure & Ry Cooder – 7. Dan Mangan + Blacksmith – Club Meds 9. Saun & Starr – Look Closer Talking Timbuktu 8. Itamar Erez & Yshai Afterman – New Dawn 10. Alex Cuba – Healer 9. Amadou & Mariam – Dimanche a Bamako 9. Gary Clark Jr. – The Story Of Sonny Boy Slim 10. Genius/GZA – Liquid Swords 10. Alsarah & The Nubatones – Silt BEST OF 2015 highliferecords.ca [email protected] 604-251-6964 1317 Commercial Drive

HIGHLIFER’S TOP PICKS

BILL HOOD

1. Dead Combo – A Bunch Of Meninos 2. James McMurtry – Complicated Game 3. Bob Dylan – 1965-66 The Cutting Edge 4. Kamasi Washington – The Epic 5. The Staple Singers – Freedom Highway Complete 6. Los Lobos – Gates Of Gold 7. Dollar Brand/Jazz Epistles – Plays Sphere Jazz + Verse 1 8. Lynne Hansen – River Of Sand 9. Son Little – Son Little 10. Anouar Brahem – Souvenance