BeatCaffeine’s Favorite Albums of 2023
Almost another year around the sun, and that means it’s that time again (hard to believe), where we revisit some of the best releases of the year. In regards of new music, 2023 was another incredible year. As always, it was admittedly extremely challenging pulling together a “best of” list, however I’m excited to have been able to expand to 40 releases, which still didn’t feel like enough. As always, I’m sure I missed a few worthy selections.
Following this list, I will post BeatCaffeine’s favorite reissues, EPs, singles (new & reissues), and tracks of the year. Thanks for all the continued support from so many, it’s truly what keeps this site moving forward.
Here are BeatCaffeine’s Favorite New Albums of 2023!
40. Léon Phal — ‘Stress Killer’
(Heavenly Sweetness)
French saxophonist Léon Phal follows-up his 2021 debut recording Dust to Stars on Kyudo Records with a superb LP, which brings together jazz and club culture. The 10-track recording, mixes souring and soulful saxophone and trumpet lines with analog cosmic synths, and jazz-funk grooves, all with a nod to the dancefloor.
39. Daniel Villarreal — ‘Lados B’
(International Anthem)
Chicago-based drummer Daniel Villarreal follows up last year’s breakthrough solo debut Panamá 77 with a superb release, featuring guitarist Jeff Parker and bassist Anna Butterss. This recording blends Villarreal’s highly rhythmic and Latin-influenced percussion grooves with Parker and Butterss’ freeform improvisations, that go everywhere from psychedelic and cosmic excursions to intricate folk-like melodies.
38. Malcolm Strachan — ‘Point Of No Return’
(Haggis Records)
This recording builds off Scottish trumpeter Malcolm Strachan’s 2020 debut while shifting the sound slightly towards something reminiscent of a 70s jazz fusion-influenced CTI Records release. In addition, the album also explores modal jazz grooves, Brazilian samba beats, Latin rhythms, and cinematic soundtrack vibes. The record also includes two future classic jazz dance heaters in “Nossa Dança” and “Cut to the Chase”.
37. Nostalgia 77 — ‘The Loneliest Flower in the Village’
(Jazzman Records)
Over the past 20 years, Nostalgia 77 has been the eclectic work of UK producer Ben Lamdin, exploring the forward-thinking sounds of jazz, soul, and electronic music. Lamdin reunites with longtime collaborator and arranger Riaan Vosloo to release arguably the project’s best album to date, fusing together the perfect blend of spiritual deep jazz grooves, haunting melodies, and South African influences.
36. Tommaso Cappellato x Pavimento Fertile — ‘Dancing Around Fire’
(Pavimento Fertile)
Los Angeles-based Italian-rooted drummer and composer Tommaso Cappellato teamed up with Italian break dance collective Pavimento Fertile for a dance-oriented cosmic soul recording that takes listeners straight to the dancefloor, brining together breakbeat drum percussion, jazz-funk, Afrofuturistic soul, spacey keys, and out-of-this world cosmic instrumental grooves.
35. Jimetta Rose & The Voices of Creation — ‘How Good It Is’
(Day Dreamer Records)
Los Angeles-based community choir The Voices of Creation, led by vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and producer Jimetta Rose made their highly-anticipated debut in 2023. Their incredibly uplifting recording blends together spiritual jazz, soul, funk and gospel and features a nice mix of originals and covers, including new renditions of Sons and Daughters of Lite’s “Let The Sunshine In”, Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s “Spirits Up Above” and a fantastic reworking of Funkadelic’s “Cosmic Slop”.
34. Lonnie Liston Smith, Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad — ‘JID017’
(Jazz Is Dead)
On this recording, the Jazz Is Dead crew pull together the right ingredients for legendary keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith to recapture the same cosmic spirit that was found on those classic 70s Flying Dutchman releases, fusing spacey keys and Fender Rhodes with glistening sun-drenched toned instrumentation, and funky percussion.
33. Web Web — Web Max II
(Compost Records)
Led by composer, musician, and producer Max Herre, the German supergroup followed up their 2021 breakthrough album Web Max with another phenomenal release that’s even more expansive and adventurous in sound. The 10-track recording includes spiritual grooves with cosmic and haunting tones, dynamic rhythms, fiery solos, spacey electronics, vocal chants, and just about everything in-between.
32. Irreversible Entanglements — ‘Protect Your Light’
(Impulse! Records)
The highly improvisation and adventurous ensemble featuring poet/vocalist Camae Ayewa (aka Moor Mother), bassist Luke Stewart, trumpeter Aquiles Navarro, saxophonist Keir Neuringer, and drummer Tcheser Holmes continue to push the envelope in 2023 with their first release for the iconic Impulse! label. The music brilliantly combines fiery avant jazz, spoken word and political protest themes for an impressive release, that is arguably their best to date.
31. Max Beesley’s High Vibes — ‘Zeus’
(Légère Recordings)
This superb 8-track recording features a funky and soulful dose of cosmic jazz grooves led by some heavy synths and vibraphone playing. Primed for the dancefloor, the full-length brings together the best elements found on those classic jazz fusion albums of the late 70s and early 80s, along with influences from the 90s acid jazz era, and brilliantly morphs them together while still pushing the sound well into the future.
30. Nat Birchall — ‘Songs Of The Ancestors (Afro Trane Chapter II)
(Ancient Archive Of Sound)
As a follow-up to last year’s highly acclaimed Afro Trane recording, Manchester’s Nat Birchall continues down the solo path in impressive fashion (5th solo release to date), not just playing the saxophone (which he’s best known for), however handling all the instrumentation on the release, including piano, bass, numerous percussion instruments and more. Featuring a mixture of reinterpreted compositions and originals, this spiritual jazz album pays tribute to some of Birchall’s most important influences and musical pioneers, like Cedric Brooks, Count Ossie, John Coltrane, and Pharoah Sanders.
29. Carlos Niño & Friends — ‘(I’m just) Chillin’, on Fire’
(International Anthem)
For the last several years, Los Angeles-based producer and percussionist Carlos Niño has released and/or been involved with some of the most forward-thinking spiritually cosmic recordings. (I’m just) Chillin’, on Fire was just one of many standout works that he released this past year. Self-described as “Energetic Space Music”, this highly collaborative and improvisational 17-track album includes a who’s who of sonic experimentation — everyone from guitarist Nate Mercereau and saxophonist Kamasi Washington, to New Age cornerstone Laraaji and hip-hop legend André 3000 playing his now trademark flute.
28. Alfa Mist — ‘Variables’
(Anti- Records)
For almost a decade now, Alfa Mist has established himself at the forefront of the London music scene with a sound that blends together jazz, hip-hop and lush cinematic grooves. His latest release, Variables is arguably the producer, composer, and pianist’s greatest work to date (which is definitely sayin’ something!). The album fuses together spacey keys and Rhodes piano melodies, cosmic atmospheric tones, head-nodding grooves with guitars, horns, soulful vocals and more.
27. The Gaslamp Killer meets The Heliocentrics – ‘LEGNA’
(CUSS Records)
For the latest collaboration effort from UK-based genre-bending ensemble The Heliocentrics, which is led by Malcolm Catto and Jake Ferguson, they team up with DJ, producer, and pioneer among Los Angeles’s beat scene, The Gaslamp Killer in a collaboration that truly seemed destined to happen at some point. As one would expect with this combo, the music takes the listener on a sonic journey that morphs together psyched-out grooves, spacey cosmic textures, jazz-funk percussion rhythms, dub and other-worldly soundscapes.
26. JSPHYNX – ‘Reflex’
(Sekito)
Released on Alfa Mist’s Sekito imprint, producer, trumpeter and keyboardist JSPHYNX (aka Johnny Woodham) released a superb debut album that blends soulful horns with hip-hop inspired drum rhythms, lush atmospheric tones, and spaced-out keyboards. Backing Woodham on this session is an impressive roster of musicians including bassist Rudi Creswick, drummer Richard Spaven and Alfa Mist, who plays the keys and the Executive Producer on the record.
25. Ancient Infinity Orchestra — ‘River of Light’
(Gondwana Records)
Led by by double-bassist and composer Ozzy Moysey, the Leeds-based 14-piece jazz ensemble Ancient Infinity Orchestra released their brilliant debut on Matthew Halswell’s Gondwana Records. Inspired by the soulful sounds of Pharoah Sanders, Alice and John Coltrane, this masterful 10-track release is great from start to finish, and has an overall meditative and spiritual feel throughout.
24. Young Gun Silver Fox — ‘Ticket to Shangri-La’
(Légère Recordings)
This selection might be a little left-field for this jazz-heavy list, however the British duo of singer-songwriter Andy Platts and American multi-instrumentalist Shawn Lee, better known as Young Gun Silver Fox are currently leading the yacht rock revival. Their most recent album is arguably their best recording to date, with smooth-groove standout selections like “West Side Jet”, “Tip of the Flame”, “Rolling Back”, and the psyched-out “Sierra Nights”.
23. John Beltran — ‘Serendipia’
(Oath)
Building off of both last year’s highly acclaimed Sol Set project and Para Viajeros EP, in addition to his brilliant and ongoing Back To Bahia series, iconic Michigan producer John Beltran released an incredible balearic album. Featuring nine sun-drenched tracks, this record blends up-tempo latin percussion rhythms and tropical grooves, with hypnotic cosmic textures and vibrant soundscapes that feel like the sun’s rays are shining right through the music.
22. John Carroll Kirby — ‘Blowout’
(Stones Throw)
This remarkable 12-track album from Los Angeles-based producer, composer, arranger and pianist John Carroll Kirby combines spacey keyboards, head-nodding grooves and electronic beats, with some complimentary flute melodies and tropical exotic tones, resulting in a sound that blurs the lines between cosmic jazz and 80’s era Balearic.
21. Chris Bangs — ‘Firebird’
(Acid Jazz Records)
Legendary UK producer, DJ and acid jazz pioneer Chris Bangs’s Firebird recording is a jazz dance scorcher that encompasses a lifetime of Chris’s musical influences, melding together hard-hitting Latin and Brazilian/samba rhythms, uptempo jazz-funk and fusion grooves, 70s-rooted salsa and more.
20. Gerardo Frisina — ‘Joyful Sound’
(Schema Records)
On his latest 2xLP release, forward-thinking Italian producer and modern-day jazz dance pioneer Gerardo Frisina continues to push the boundaries, blending a wide variety of influences and sounds, including funky jazz grooves, Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms, cosmic electronic beats, atmospheric textures, and tribal percussions that all take aim at the dancefloor.
19. Sultan Stevenson — ‘Faithful One’
(Whirlwind Recordings)
London-based rising star pianist Sultan Stevenson, who came out of both the prominent Tomorrow’s Warriors education program and the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy (JJJA), released his highly-acclaimed debut in 2023. With Caribbean roots, a strong spiritual connection to his Christian faith, and an artist that has absorbed the jazz linage, Stevenson’s music builds on these core foundations while bringing his own unique approach to the music.
18. Resavoir — ‘s/t’
(International Anthem)
Following 2019’s breakthrough debut, the collaborative project Resavoir, which is led by Chicago producer and composer Will Miller, took their sound to even greater heights. The brilliant 11-track album fuses together soul jazz with lofi beats, lush soundscapes, atmospheric synth serenades and twilight sonatas, resulting in that perfect soundtrack to both begin and end your day with.
17. André 3000 — ‘New Blue Sun’
(Epic Records)
André 3000 of the legendary hip-hop duo OutKast created musical shockwaves in 2023, as he decided to put the microphone down, pick-up his flute, and with the help of producer/percussionist Carlos Niño, keyboardist Surya Botofasina, and guitarist Nate Mercereau, create a spiritual cosmic masterpiece in New Blue Sun. Hypnotic, atmospheric, cinematic, and meditative, this is a timeless recording that will be appreciated more and more by the naysayers (not that it matters) in time.
16. Cleo Sol — ‘Gold’
(Forever Living Originals)
In 2023, musical visionary and singer Cleo Sol released two incredible albums (also see Heaven, which is certainly worthy of this list as well). Produced by one of today’s greatest musical minds in Inflo (also of Sault), this 10-track album is a soulful heartfelt masterpiece. Arguably Cleo Sol’s greatest work as a solo artist, this is healing music at the highest level.
15. Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids — ‘Afro Futuristic Dreams’
(Strut)
Celebrating 50 years as a pioneering group led by the legendary bandleader Idris Ackamoor, The Pyramids released an adventurous full-length, titled Afro Futuristic Dreams. This brilliant and expansive 10-track recording pushes their sound in new directions, blending together spiritual and cosmic jazz grooves with strings, African and Eastern-rooted percussion rhythms, and soulful vocal chants and group choruses that delve into subjects as various as police brutality to uplifting celebrations of the ancestors and departed loved ones.
14. Greg Foat & Eero Koivistoinen — ‘Feathers’
(Jazzaggression)
Building off the foundation of his previous Finnish collaborative recordings for the Jazzaggression label, London-based composer and cosmic jazz keyboard wiz Greg Foat has once again teamed up with a superb cast of Finland-based musicians, including legendary saxophonist Eero Koivistoinen. This superb session fuses together cosmic synths and soulful saxophone lines with jazz-funk rhythms and enchanting dreamy textures and tones.
13. Atlantis Jazz Ensemble — ‘Celestial Suite’
(Marlow Records)
The Ottawa-based collective Atlantis Jazz Ensemble returned with a brilliant recording on Marlow Records. This 8-track full-length captures that same soulful spiritual jazz energy that was fully present on those classic independent 70s recordings released by Strata-East, Tribe Records, Black Jazz and others. The album features a superb mix of hypnotic modal grooves, cosmic tones, soul jazz, Afro-Latin, Bossa and funky percussion rhythms.
12. Yoni Mayraz — ‘Dybbuk Tse!’
(Astigmatic Records)
Rising London-based Israeli-born pianist and producer released his debut LP. This 11-track recording, which according to Mayraz is experimenting with the “darker side of things,” nicely blends together a mix of soulful warm-tone keys, with cosmic spacey textures, Middle Eastern melodies, 90’s era NYC hip hop-inspired rhythms, and raw old school breakbeat grooves.
11. Scrimshire — ‘Paroxysm’
(Albert’s Favourites)
As a direct response to the frustration and anger that he felt in October 2022 related to the ongoing failures of the UK government, along with the horrible treatment of refugees, lower income individuals and more, London-based producer Adam Scrimshire teamed up with an impressive cast of UK musicians to record this remarkably passionate album. Featuring a number of guest saxophonists and vocalists, this session also blends together a wide range of keys including Fender Rhodes, Moog Grandmother, Arp Odyssey, Sequential Prophet 6, and more with spacey cosmic textures, and programmed drum beats.
10. Yussef Dayes — ‘Black Classical Music’
(Brownswood Recordings)
This expansive 19-track(!!!) 2xLP recording from visionary drummer, composer and bandleader Yussef Dayes fuses together his dynamic and head-nodding drum rhythms with Rocco Palladino’s funky bass lines, Charlie Stacey’s cosmic keys, soulful saxophone from Venna and some solid additional percussion from Alexander Bourt. Featuring everything from modern jazz-dance and Latin-tinged grooves, to neo-soul, balearic and beyond.
9. Matthew Halsall — ‘An Ever Changing View’
(Gondwana Records)
Manchester-based composer, trumpeter, bandleader, and Gondwana label boss, Matthew Halsall’s latest offering was heavily inspired by his time in both a beautiful architect’s house with what has been described as breath-taking sea views, and a striking modernist house he resided in during the time he composed the music for this recording. Featuring 10-tracks in all, this full-length is arguably his most explorative to date, blending together his soulful trumpet playing with colorful musical landscapes, layered ambient percussion, cosmic harp textures, field recordings and spiritual jazz influences.
8. Organic Pulse Ensemble — ‘A Thousand Hands’
(2 Headed Deer)
Swedish multi-instrumentalist Gustav Horneij released two incredible albums under his alias Organic Pulse Ensemble. On A Thousand Hands, he blends together spiritual and meditative modal jazz grooves, layered percussion, saxophone and flute solos, driving bass lines, Ethio-jazz and Eastern music influences.
7. Sven Wunder — ‘Late Again’
(Piano Piano)
Inspired by nightfall and the imagery of shooting stars and scattered beams from the setting sun, this brilliant 10-track recording fuses together cosmic jazz and psychedelic tones, with layered horn melodies, cinematic string arrangements, hypnotic folk, and 70s era library music influences.
6. Nicola Conte — ‘Umoja’
(Far Out Recordings)
The latest offering from pioneering Italian producer, composer, guitarist, DJ, and bandleader Nicola Conte blends spiritual vibes with jazz dance grooves, soulful cosmic melodies, adventurous soaring horns, and African and Afro Caribbean rhythms. The full-length also features an impressive cast of guest vocalists out of the UK, including Zara McFarlane, Myles Sanko, and Bridgette Amofah.
5. Menagerie — ‘The Shores Of Infinity’
(Freestyle Records)
This brilliant 6-track recording, led by producer, songwriter, guitarist, DJ and recording artist Lance Ferguson, continues to build off the group’s previous releases, putting forth a heavy-dose of groove-oriented spiritual jazz that’s strongly inspired by both the 70s post-Coltrane generation and the cutting-edge sounds that are currently coming out of London, Melbourne and other creatively thriving regions. Firmly present is a nice blend of warm toned rhodes keys, soulful horns, dynamic percussion rhythms and more.
4. Andy Hay — ‘Children Of The Sun‘
(self-released)
On this timeless recording, UK-based drummer, producer and vocalist Andy Hay sets out to pay homage to trailblazing legends like John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Pharoah Sanders, Albert Ayler and others, while still creating a sound that’s unique and looking towards the future. Children Of The Sun captures a beautiful spiritual energy throughout, blending together soaring horn melodies and solos, driving percussion rhythms, vocal chants, and soulful meditative grooves.
3. Jaimie Branch — ‘Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((world war))’
(International Anthem)
On the one year anniversary of Jaimie Branch’s unfortunate passing, International Anthem released the trumpeter’s final album with her Fly or Die quartet. Building on the foundation of the group’s previous two superb studio albums, this posthumous release is arguably Branch’s greatest recording with her longtime ensemble. Brilliant from start to finish, the 9-track record blends together some stellar trumpet playing with driving percussion grooves, electronic effects, and some haunting cello-based textures and tones.
2. Isaiah Collier — ‘Parallel Universe’
(Night Dreamer)
The London-based Night Dreamer label continues their string of incredible Direct-To-Disc recordings with arguably their best session to date, featuring Chicago multi-instrumentalist and composer Isaiah Collier with a superb group that includes gospel soul singer Jimetta Rose, AACM and former Art Ensemble of Chicago trumpet player Corey Wilkes and others, titled Parallel Universe. Featuring eight tracks on this 2xLP release, this album brilliantly fuses together everything from spiritual and soul-jazz grooves to Afrofuturistic cosmic tones, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and gospel melodies.
1.The Circling Sun — ‘Spirits’
(Soundway Records)
New Zealand jazz collective The Circling Sun, whom is made up of record collectors, music producers and DJs including Julien Dyne, released their much-anticipated debut record in 2023 for the stellar London-based label Soundway Records. This incredible recording captures the spirit of the group’s major influences of Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders, and Alice Coltrane, fusing together spiritual grooves, soaring horn solos, celestial and meditative tones and textures, with a dose of hypnotic Latin rhythms and choir vocals by made up of mostly Pacific Island and Maori singers and artists. Brilliant from start to finish, Spirits will certainly have you on an astral trip through the cosmos.
