August–the month of warm weather, cricket sounds and late night swims is full of bliss. When picking out the perfect album to listen to on these late summer nights, I always tend to gravitate towards groovy and mellow releases that compliment the heated weather and soothing sounds of summertime. Here are some suggestions from me to you. Got another one? Email me at [email protected].
No.1: “Corrinne Bailey Rae” – Corrinne Bailey Rae
Corrinne Bailey Rae’s 2006 self-titled debut record is one of my favorite R&B albums to date. The dazed, peach-scented tracks glide effortlessly throughout the project with its dreamy guitar chords, soft springy electronic effects and ambient bubbly piano. This record is truly one of a kind. From its gorgeous vocals, cult-classic 2000s rom-com feel, and springtime sounds fluttering through the album. The album is known for its big hits like “Put Your Records On,” “Trouble Sleeping” and “Like A Star,” which seemed to intrude on every sitcom and rom-com in the late 2000s. The project also features flowery tracks like “Butterfly,” and even Rae’s take on Bjork’s hit track “Venus as a Boy” on the Deluxe version. Overall, Rae’s debut encapsulates the feeling of breezy, late-summer afternoons, soothing the soul and the mind from the day’s endeavors with its vibrant, floral sound. Rating: ★★★★★
No.2: “Mama’s Gun” – Erykah Badu
In my opinion, Badu’s sophomore effort, “Mama’s Gun”, is one of the best soul records out there. The beautiful glides of the live flutes, the powerful beat of the bongos and the soulful, candied vocals paint a picture of exchanged grins, fluttering fireflies, and the soft gleam of olive and vermillion colored lights. The jubilant rhythms jump and melodies that add to the sweetness of Erykah’s voice, harmonize and fade into the warmth of the instrumentals. Badu strays away from cohesiveness, and delivers several interpretations of the soul genre throughout the project. Some of the tracks lean into a funky side of Badu’s discography, that contrast with the spiritual feeling of the intricate R&B ballads that dance within the second half of the project. So similar and so different, both sides of the project complement each other well and bring out a vivid brightness within the songwriting and Badu’s overall delivery. But to be honest, the slower songs off of this album is really where it’s at. The warm glow of songs like “Orange Moon” and “Green Eyes” keep me enthralled with the ambiance of a late summer night, surrounded by cricket songs and cozy-warm lighting. Rating: ★★★★☆
No.3: “Frank” – Amy Winehouse
The late singer’s raw and powerful debut showcases Amy Winehouse’s early inspirations from early jazz club music, from artists like Frank Sinatra, which is where the album gets its name. Winehouse’s natural and fresh talents are well showcased on the eleven-track LP, featuring her strong, soulful vocals and her bluesy sound. She goes between deep night-time jazzy tracks like “In My Bed” and “You Sent Me Flying/ Cherry” and then fades into stunning modern R&B tracks like “What It Is About Men” and “Take The Box.” The vintage sound and aesthetics of Frank paint pictures of jazz clubs, late nights in city alleyways, and old apartment buildings, whisking the listener away with the chic, retro sound. Rating: ★★★★½
