Gina’s Top Songs of the Year: Numbers 18 & 17

ByMatthias Kirsch

18.
“Bloom” – Natty Reeves/Jackson Mathod
The second track in our list by Natty Reeves came out in early June as a preview to his wonderful “Mist Over Water” EP. The soulful “Bloom” with its bossa-ish sound has some distinctive rhythmic percussion work weaved together with a gentle guitar and some very heartwarming horns, courtesy of Jackson Mathod.

17.

Meshell Ndegeocello "No More Water"

“Love” – Meshell Ndegeocello
Meshell Ndegeocello brought us the sublime double LP “No More Water – The Gospel Of James Baldwin” this year. I’ve been to her shows four times this year and the intensity and group interplay is just phenomenal. On “Love”, singer Justin Hicks is totally focused and into the story – you should hear him live in person. It’s a revelation. Both Jake Sherman and Jebin Bruni on keyboards and Abe Rounds on percussion add to the superb production here. Chris Bruce on guitar and synth and Meshell herself on bass and vocals round up one of the most intriguing pieces of the year. That whole album is an amazing group effort. And thank you for keeping the legacy of James Baldwin alive.

1/10 St. Louis – City Winery
1/11 Germantown – Performing Arts Center
1/14 Los Angeles – Lodge Room Highland Park
1/15 Los Angeles – Lodge Room Highland Park
1/22 Cleveland – Agora Theater & Ballroom
1/24 Cincinnati – The Ludlow Theater
4/19 Atlanta – Variety Playhouse

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