For our July issue, in lieu of typical music reviews, we’re presenting a list of Black music that we admire, respect and celebrate. 

Amplifying Black Voices: SLUG Music Picks

National Music Reviews

For over 30 years, SLUG has championed independent and alternative music of all varieties. While we pride ourselves on discerning tastes and critical eyes, we recognize that the cultural and journalistic precedents and conventions guiding our coverage are inseparable from a national history white privilege and the silencing of Black voices—many of whom are responsible for the birth and evolution of the very styles of music we cover. For our July issue, in lieu of typical music reviews, we’re presenting a list of Black music that we admire, respect and celebrate. 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angel Bat Dawid – The Oracle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angel-Ho – Death Becomes Her

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art Ensemble of Chicago – We Are On the Edge 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ata Kak – Obaa Sima

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benjamin Booker – Witness

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bessie Smith – The Complete Recordings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blood Orange – Freetown Sound

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chino Amobi – Paradiso

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Damon Locks Black Monument Ensemble – Where Future Unfolds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D’Angelo – Brown Sugar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESG – Step Off

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Death – Spiritual • Mental • Physical

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denzel Curry – Imperial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digable Planets – Blowout Comb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hook – Crashed My Car

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jamila Woods – LEGACY! LEGACY!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jon Bap – Yesterday’s Homily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Klein – Lifetime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lijadu Sisters – Horizon Unlimited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

London O’Connor – O∆

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lorine Chia – Sweet Noise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M.A.G.S. – M.A.G.S.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Lou Williams – Zodiac Suite

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memphis Minnie – Down Home Girl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Milo – So the Flies Don’t Come

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicole Mitchell and Moor Mother – Offering

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noname – Telefone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orion Sun – A Collection of Fleeting Moments and Daydreams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phony Ppl – Phonyland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Johnson – The Complete Recordings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roscoe Mitchell – Sound

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Serengeti – Dennehy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shabaka and the Ancestors – We Are Sent Here By History

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starchild & The New Romantic – Language

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sudan Archives – Sink

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Tribe Called Quest – We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service

Tyler Holmes – DEVIL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Onyeabor – Who is William Onyeabor?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Womack & Womack – Conscience

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YATTA – WAHALA