Jazz
Aja by Steely Dan
Aja
Steely Dan
1976
There comes a time in every middle-aged, music loving, dad’s life where he has to admit, even if begrudgingly, that Steely Dan made some pretty great music. Their new affection might stop at one or two tracks but, if they are like me, they will find this entire album to be a tight seven-track masterpiece. Each track is pop enough to keep them accessible but jazz enough to reward deeper listenings.
Recommended Track: Peg
Flying Away by Smoke City
Flying Away
Smoke City
1997
I somehow missed this excellent bossa-nova and trip-hop mashup that was released when I was graduating high school. This album is a classic for many great reasons and listening I can hear the origin of many other bands. I’m sad that it’s only one of two they released before disbanding.
Recommended Track: Jamie Pan
Beasts of Burgundy by Squirrel Nut Zippers
Beasts of Burgundy
Squirrel Nut Zippers
2018
This album is a joyous celebration of New Orleans and the musical stew that formed the backbone of America’s homegrown musical cultures. Like a Mardi Gras night, high and low share dances through the dangerous strangeness that comes when nobody present is actually from here.
Recommended Track: Karnival Joe (From Kokomo)
Lost Songs of Doc Souchon by Squirrel Nut Zippers
Lost Songs of Doc Souchon
Squirrel Nut Zippers
2020
This album is proof that Jimbo Mathus still has the essential contrarian fire of a real artist blazing deep down in his belly. You can almost feel him resisting a peer pressure to backslide into rockabilly commercialism and it saves this album. The grit is essential and his refusal to polish it off infuses the tracks with a humanity that keeps me listening again and again.
Recommended Track: Purim Nigun
Jazz Du Jour by Djangophonique
Jazz Du Jour
Djangophonique
2020
I first encountered this band at the Detroit Jazz festival where they literally stopped me in my tracks. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing them live many more times and I can’t get enough of their Jazz Manouche style. I can personally say this live album is as close as it gets to the real thing.
Recommended Track: What is This Thing Called Love?
Thrills by Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire, Andrew Bird
Thrills
Andrew Bird’s Bowl Of Fire, Andrew Bird
1998
It’s no surprise that I love this album as Andrew Bird was part of making the Squirrel Nut Zippers, easily my favorite band of all time, a success. An intoxicating mix or jazz, folk, and pure joy.
Track recommendation: Glass Figurine