2026: Already?
Photo: Rainbow at the 31st Bridge (4/6/2026)
There's always a substantial amount of new music, plus old music made new again that surfaces while putting together the annual Inflatable and What I Listened To albums. Now that I have a website, I thought I'd share a halfway-there album for 2026, hence the title.
The Beat Goes On
Buddy Rich Big Band | Live at Chez Club, Hollywood 1966
Buddy Rich may be fading from the cultural conversation, but this one felt right given the current moment. Supposedly, his daughter sings on the track for the first time. As the song says…
Because I’m Me
The Avalanches| Wildflower
So far, 2026 has been a year of small musical surprises, like this song. I have been a fan of the Avalanches since 2000, but lost track of them. Fiona’s song of the year so far, and some people got this sent to them to pick up there weekend a few months ago.
Is It True
Tame Impala | The Slow Rush
This one almost made it to the 2025 album but has stayed firmly in the rotation.
Johnny Too Bad
The Slickers | The Harder They Come (OST)
I must admit the origins of this selection started from a movie trailer of the revamped, Roadhouse. There was band in the movie that sang a great, slower version of this that I wish I could include. Unfortunately, the soundtrack used a different and more terrible version. Therefore, here is the original version from the original motion picture. Sorry for the long origin story.
Flute Loop
Beastie Boys | Ill Communication
Jim Fennell’s 2025 best of included this gem. A fun, roll-the-windows-down, and turn it up kind of thing.
Fuck Her Tears
Times New Viking | Dancer Equired
At the end of last year, Karen Kopacz, a designer I have worked with many times in the past help me put together a website that you are reading today. As it turns out, she's not only a brilliant designer but also a longtime experimental and punk rocker, performing under the stage name Em Dash. This one's the punk rock band for graphic designers everywhere.
So Much Things to Say
Bob Marley & The Wailers | Live at the Rainbow Theatre 1977
Bob Marley would be shaking his head this year.
Woodland Creatures
Your best friend jippy | Beat Tape 38
This one is from my friend Dan. He is a one track a year kind of guy, so I always give his selection a few listens. An excellent driving soundtrack, and even Fiona is a fan. Well done, Dan!
Kagefumi
Hyakkei | Standing Still In A Moving Scene
Stella brought this one to my attention. It reminds me of Directions in Music, but from Japan. I will be listening to more from this crew.
home
LCD Soundsystem | Live at Madison Square Garden
Also Stella-inspired, in a roundabout way. There's a funny arc to musical taste when you're a parent. Not long ago, Stella and Fiona wanted nothing to do with LCD Soundsystem — too long, too boring, was the verdict. Fast forward a year, and Stella is lecturing me on which LCD song is the best and telling me to get my knowledge up. This live set from Madison Square Garden is where I landed.
Upside Down
Diana Ross | Diana
The finale in the Stella inspired trio. Everyone knows this song, but the bass part in the last 35 to 40 seconds is the real gem.
Dap Walk
Ernie and the Top Notes | The Kolab Kollective
An instrumental number that grabbed me from out out of the blue one day. It is an old song, but it has a newer feel, for some reason.
Cinquante six
Ali Farka Toure | The Source
Ali Farka Touré is West Africa's most celebrated guitarist, and this song found its way into my rotation early in the year. I was pleasantly surprised to hear a familiar melody from it while we were recently in the Sahara in Morocco. What a world.
Come Down (69 Version)
Lord Creator | Lord Creator
I've been listening to reggae for about 35 years, and I'm approaching the point where new discoveries feel rare. This is one I genuinely hadn't heard before, another happy discovery.
Townies
Wednesday | Bleeds
I owe a hat tip to Matt Zeigler and Dave Nadig for this selection. Both of them picked different songs from this band. I like MJ Lenderman on guitar and look forward to more.
With a Girl Like You
The Troggs | From Nowhere
Matt Zeigler turned me on to this, and it became the official song of Valentine’s day. Matt connects some of the most interesting people on his YouTube show, Just Press Record.
Song of Abayi
Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru | Ethiopiques vol 21
Over the past year or so, I have gotten very interested in coffee and all of the places that it comes from. The original home of coffee is Yemen/Ethopia, and while sipping some great coffee I really fell in love with this song and her whole style of playing.
That is it so far, maybe there will be another one before year end. If you have great songs, send them my way. Hope there are a few tunes that strike your fancy.