Gina’s Top Songs of the Year: Numbers 15 & 14

15.
“So Glad To Know You” – Avery*Sunshine

Her recent show at London’s Soul Mama during the EFG London Jazz Festival simply proved that she is certainly an artist born for the stage. And of course, her voice comes smashing at you in some cases. In others, like on the slower piece “So Glad To Know You”, which was recently nominated for a Grammy, she can soothe and caress you. And it certainly helps that she plays the keys, too. A powerhouse artist with an equally fiery set had the whole room cheering. Her recording of “So Glad To Know You” is a perfect vehicle for her unbridled voice, even though she opts for a more subdued display here. But still, her overall performance is one of a kind. Please also check out her full album of the same name, which came out in late August.

14.
“Next Move” – Jarrod Lawson & Raquel Rodriguez

And speaking of soul ballads of the highest quality, Jarrod Lawson has come up this year with one of the best of its kind. Its amazingly lush and luscious production, the formidable vocal arrangement and so many little 80s-sounding keyboard thrills all add up to this extraordinary 4-minute wonder. Both voices match extremely well (Raquel will be on tour in Europe next June with a stop at Berlin’s Gretchen on June 9th) and the moment Jarrod chimes in is just awe-inspiring. “Next Move” reminds me of the best work of the Isley Brothers circa “Between The Sheets” (1983) and Jarrod just recently proved at his concert in Rotterdam that this song also works very well in a solo setting.