Fri, Dec 22, 23
Rudy is back with his annual End-of-the-Year Playlist! The end of the year is almost here, and boy oh boy, it has been a good year. Let's celebrate 2024 with some of our own music expertise, featuring Rudy's favorite songs of the year. Enjoy this year's end-of-the-year playlist and read about the top 5 albums below.
"Here’s my Top 5 records for 2023, some jazzy, some folky, some bluesy and some druggy. Although there were loads of great albums and releases this year, these were the ones we played the most in our stores. Hope you like ‘m and check out our playlist for more tunes! Merry Xmas!" – Love & Peace, Rudy
Listen to the playlist by clicking here and read about his top songs below.
Rudy's top 5 albums of 2023
Allah LA’s - Zuma 85
On 'Zuma 85,' the Allah Las are fully breaking away from their '60s beachy surf vibes and spiraling into the drug-infused psychedelic proto-punk style, reminiscent of The Velvet Underground. The album opener, 'The Stuff,' is a total banger, setting the mood for some raunchy nights out.
Thee Sacred Souls - S/T
Produced by Bosco Mann (aka Daptone co-founder Gabriel Roth), the record is warm, layered, and textured, blending the easy-going slickness of sweet ’60s soul with the gritty, groovy early ’70s R&B. The rhythm section's deep pocket groove bears an infectious chemistry repeatedly. Hints of Chicano, Chicago, and Detroit soul show up on their first-ever release; thanks to superb analog recording, it sounds like the perfect silky-smooth get-together album
The Nightcrawlers – Get Ready
Hailing from Vancouver, Canada, this jazz sextet is mainly centered around the Hammond B-3 organ, led by Chris Gestrin.
This live recording captures a nightly ritual for the Nightcrawlers, called 'Get Ready,' and it was recorded live at Frankie's Jazz Club in Vancouver, B.C. Expect some swinging jazz, hard bop with sparks of Latin Jazz. A true smoker of a record!
Social Distortion – Mommy Little Monster
Debut album from 1983 by Southern Californian Punk legends, re-released this year for its 40th Anniversary. Newly remastered from the original analog tapes, it comes packaged in a sick gatefold release on heavy-weight black vinyl. This is where So-Cal Punkrock started! A true collector's gem indeed.
Hiss Golden Messenger – Jump For You
A year without Hiss is a year gone wrong. Luckily, our buddy M.C. Taylor is on a hot streak and delivers another great record for 2023. "I truly believe he has found the perfect balance between his folky singer-songwriter roots and a full rock band with hints of Grateful Dead, Little Feat, and some swampy boogie." Check the inner sleeve and spot those Tenue jeans! Love.
