2012’s Best Jazz Pop Music
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Looking for some great jazz pop music to add to your collection? Check out our top picks for the best of 2012!
Best Jazz Pop Albums of 2012
2012 was a great year for jazz pop music. We saw a lot of new artists bring their own spin to the genre, and some old favorites released new albums that were just as good as their previous work. In this article, we’ll be discussing the best jazz pop albums of 2012.
“The Way You Look Tonight” – Diana Krall
Diana Krall’s “The Way You Look Tonight” is one of the best jazz pop albums of 2012. Released on October 2, 2012 by Verve Records, “The Way You Look Tonight” features Krall’s interpretations of popular standards from the 1930s. Backed by a full orchestra, Krall’s smoky voice and virtuosic piano playing are in top form on this album. Highlights include the title track, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and “Just One of Those Things.”
“Radio Music Society” – Esperanza Spalding
Esperanza Spalding – Radio Music Society
This was one of the most eagerly awaited albums of 2012, and Esperanza Spalding did not disappoint. It is a terrific album of jazz pop that features Spalding’s gorgeous voice and superb musicianship. The title track is a joyous ode to the power of music, and the rest of the album is equally excellent. Highly recommended!
“Black Radio” – Robert Glasper Experiment
Black Radio is the third studio album by experimental hip hop group Robert Glasper Experiment, released on February 28, 2012, on Blue Note Records. The album features a wide range of guests, including Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco, Erykah Badu, Meshell Ndegeocello, Bilal and Yasiin Bey. Black Radio won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album at the 2013 ceremony.
Best Jazz Pop Songs of 2012
“Don’t Dream It’s Over” – Paul Simon
Paul Simon’s solo career began in earnest with his 1972 self-titled effort after disbanding Simon & Garfunkel, and he hit his stride in the ’80s with a string of excellent albums that culminated with 1986’s Graceland. Although he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Simon & Garfunkel, Simon’s contributions to pop music as a solo artist are just as important and influential. “Don’t Dream It’s Over” is one of his best, and it was released as a single in 1986, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, but none have matched Simon’s emotive power.
“Somebody That I Used to Know” – Gotye
“Somebody That I Used to Know” is a song by Belgian-Australian singer-songwriter Gotye, featuring New Zealand singer Kimbra. The song was released in Australia and New Zealand on 5 July 2011 as the second single from Gotye’s third studio album, Making Mirrors (2011). It was later released by Universal Music in December 2011 in the United Kingdom, and in January 2012 in the United States and Ireland.
“Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
“Ho Hey” is a song by American indie folk band The Lumineers. It was released on June 4, 2012, as the lead single from their self-titled debut studio album. The song peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The song’s popularity was driven in part by its heavy airplay on alternative radio. It was also used in a number of popular television shows and commercials, including an ad for The CW network and the final episode of the HBO series Girls.
