Anouar Brahem - Blue Maqams (2017)
Big gem I missed last year from master oud player Anour Brahem. He's an old hand at these Arabic-oriented, bass heavy world fusion affairs, but this one is particular good just because it has something resembling an old school Modal Jazz ensemble, with pianist
Django Bates being a particular standout here. Just great late evening listening.
Scritti Politti - Cupid & Psyche 85 (1985)
One of those albums that can't escape the year of its creation sonically, but as a synth-pop experience its pretty much peerless. Smarter than the average bear songwriting-wise, meticulously mechanical sounding production aside.