Thursday highlights:
KDHX 88.1 FM
- Sunrise-Mildlife (This slow jam, released in March, has an appealing '70s jazz feel.)
WSIE 88.7 FM
- Autumn Leaves-Bill Evans Trio (If I hadn't heard any other rendition of this tune, its title would suggest a more placid tempo and mood. This upbeat take for piano, bass, and drums cooks and swings impressively, though.)
- Tell Me What I Gotta Do-Al Jarreau (I probably sang along with the chorus when playing this on KNJZ more than I realize; a good hook sometimes draws me in that way. Jarreau's "All Or Nothing At All" has a similar bounce.)
KWUR 90.3 FM
- Running-Kate Bollinger (Listeners should lean into Bollinger's quiet, subtle voice here. Her vocals blend compellingly with a pleasant instrumental backdrop. This was released originally as a single in 2022. Bollinger includes it on her first album, "Songs From A Thousand Frames Of Mind," released last week. I'm glad, as it gives the tune a second chance to contend for my favorite music of the year post in December.)
- Moon Ahead-Sun June (Laura Colwell's vocals have a subtlety similar to those of Kate Bollinger. This release from last year has compelling lyrics and a quiet appeal. Alexis Marsh's celestial-sounding saxophone interlude gives the tune additional ambience.)
WFUN 96.3 FM
- Human Nature-Michael Jackson (Of the many hits from Jackson's tremendously successful album, "Thriller," this ballad holds up best in 2024.)
