TONEwood's Top 10 Non-Metal Albums of 2017

They say variety is the spice of life. For years heavy metal has been my go-to music style, and to this day it remains the style that I consume the most of. But even if heavy metal has numerous very different subgenres, there always manages to sneak a bunch of very un-metal albums into my consciousness. These are the Top 10 non-metal albums from 2017 according to the Gospel of TONE.

Charles Bradley: "Changes"

Deepfelt vibrations from the soul of a man

Though Black Sabbath's Ozzy-fronted version of Changes will in all likelihood always remain my favourite rendition of the original Black Sabbath track, Charles Bradley and company have in every way breathed new life into the old classic with their own soulful tropes. Bradley's rough vocalisation - courtesy of his dry voice - is not without power, and definitely not without soul and heaps of personality. But Changes, as his 2016 album is called, is much more than just a Black Sabbath cover song. It is a soul album that aspires to be much more than just that, but he never betrays his roots as a fan and impersonator of James Brown.

The Souljazz Orchestra: "Resistance"

Warm tunes from the cold north

Afrobeat, as the style is so affectionately called, has really been gaining speed these last few years. Not only that, but the overall quality of the groups is also at an exceptionally high level. Having released a steady stream of retro keyboards and daring brass since 2005, The Souljazz Orchestra from Canada aren't exactly newcomers to the international afrobeat dancefloor. Their style revels in a luscious spread of genres rooted in jazz, Resistance being their latest majestic offering of engaging rhythms.

RJD2: "Dame Fortune"

Refusing to conform, RJD2 explores a vast catalogue of musical history in an effort that delivers almost as much as it promises

RJD2 is a household name to many. With a lengthy career behind him, he continues to release new music to this day, the ever-evolving chameleon that he is. On his tenth full length album, Dame Fortune, the American producer has again moved in a new direction - A direction that was foreshadowed by the soulful compositions found on his last album, the collaboratory hip hop-soul album with Philadelphia rapper STS from 2015. On Dame Fortune RJD2 keeps to his soulful new angle, but not without venturing into a great many other fields.

Bixiga 70 @ Atlas, Aarhus DK 18.02.2016

Colourful and seductive South American-styled Afrobeat that leaves you powerless to the rhythm

All over the world Brazilian ensemble Bixiga 70, named after the area in São Paulo from which they hail, have been saluted as one of Brazil's finest new bands. Their third album, "III" from 2015, brought them before new audiences, both in new listeners and a worldwide tour now in its conclusive stages ending in Copenhagen, Denmark, the 19th of February before a sold out venue.