Records For Golden Hour

On Afro-Harping, pioneering jazz harpist Dorothy Ashby reimagined what the harp could be, transitioning it from a purely classical or ornamental instrument, placing it firmly in the land of funk and soul. Produced by Richard Evans for Cadet Records, the album features a striking fusion: the harp shimmers with delicacy, yet cuts through with rhythmic bite. The record became a cult touchstone for crate diggers and hip-hop producers decades later.

As the days shorten and the sunlight turns softer, certain records feel tailor-made for this hour of transition. This curated collection of albums is less background noise and more a companion to the fading autumn sun. Expect a soundtrack that simmers, letting a cinematic mood linger long after the sun disappears behind the horizon.

Widely regarded as one of Stevie Wonder’s landmark projects, Innervisions, his 16th album, redefined what soul music could sound like in the early ’70s. Its layered clavinet grooves, Moog bass, and richly textured arrangements pushed the boundaries of production, while its lyrical scope, touching on spirituality, politics, and personal struggle, gave the album an immediacy that still feels relevant today. Wonder’s voice is elastic and soul-soaked, able to move from raw urgency to tender intimacy in a single breath, carrying the listener through both the funk-driven anthems and the quiet ballads with equal power.

Black Acid Soul is a masterclass in mood, and emotional gravity—an album that strips soul music down to its rawest elements. Lady Blackbird’s voice is smoky and cinematic, hovering somewhere between Billie Holiday’s ache and Nina Simone’s defiance, yet entirely her own in its modern edge. The arrangements are sparse (often just piano, upright bass, or guitar) but the minimalism only makes the record even more mesmerizing.

Arlo Parks’ Mercury Prize–winning debut, Collapsed in Sunbeams, is an album of tenderness and quiet power, written with the intimacy of poetry and the expansiveness of neo-soul. Her voice, gentle, unforced, and unhurried, floats over gauzy guitars and warm basslines creating a sound that is deeply soothing.

Wildflowers is a record that stepped away from The Heartbreakers’ signature drive, instead balancing vulnerability with softer, acoustic textures. The One Step Limited Edition elevates the legacy of one of the most beloved albums of the ‘90s using the original analog master tapes  to deliver sound with unparalleled depth and fidelity, representing the pinnacle of vinyl craftsmanship. Acoustic guitars shimmer with lifelike resonance, Petty’s vocals feel closer and more unguarded, and the arrangements unfold with warmth.