New music: Seal, The Legal Matters, Mumford & Sons, Gorillaz, Johnny Blue Skies

In this column I review fantastic new titles featuring British soul icon Seal, as well as new studio albums from power pop greats The Legal Matters, British Americana troupe Mumford & Sons, groundbreaking collective Gorillaz and genre-defying Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds; all the releases are available now.

Artist: Seal
Title: Purpose: Celebrating 30 Years of the Classic Albums Seal I and Seal II (Mercury Studios)
You might like if you enjoy: Seal, Trevor Horn
Tell me more: Fans of top-tier artists, immersive concert films and timeless music will all have find plenty to love about Mercury Studios' "Purpose: Celebrating 30 Years of the Classic Albums Seal I and Seal II." The fabulous new concert film featuring four-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Seal was filmed at The Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas in 2024 and features stunning live versions of the artist's most beloved material. The 10-track concert film also features some insightful thoughts from Seal interspersed along the way: "I think a song can change peoples lives...in a way that is so profound." That is especially true after seeing Seal and his six-piece band soar through stellar hits including "Crazy," "Future Love Paradise," "Prayer For The Dying" and "Kiss From A Rose." Seal's signature vocals come in the service of a timeless sound that blends soul, R&B, pop and dance. In addition to Seal's incredible vocals, his band features the artist's longtime producer, Grammy Award-winning producer/artist Trevor Horn. Highlights abound on the title, including the sumptuous opener "Crazy," dance-fueled "The Beginning" and "Bring It On," bewitching "Prayer For The Dying," and moving "Kiss From A Rose" and "Love's Divine," the latter two selections finding Seal going into the crowd to sing. Released on Feb. 13, the title is available via multiple formats including a 4K UHD+Blu-ray combo pack, Blu-ray+CD combo, and digital audio and video (the 4K UHD+Blu-ray format is reviewed here). Information: mercurystudio.co.

Artist: The Legal Matters
Title: Lost At Sea (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, ELO, Fountains Of Wayne, Crowded House, Dada
Tell me more: Michigan-based The Legal Matters have returned with a spectacular new album, the 10-track Lost At Sea. The talented trio comprised of Keith Klingensmith, Andy Reed and Chris Richards have collaborated on their first new batch of ambitious, harmony-filled songs since 2021's Chapter Three. The Legal Matters' fourth album includes the sumptuous opener "Everybody Knows" (which delightfully recalls the magic of classic Badfinger), propulsive "The Message," melodic gem "Temporary Thing," driving psychedelic-tinged "It Doesn't Matter,"  Beatlesque "Let Me Explain," and Baroque ballad "Slow Down." Not only does the album sound fantastic, but the songs are literate and tap into modern-day themes at every turn. Information: bigstirrecords.com.

Artist: Mumford & Sons
Title: Prizefighter (Glassnote Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton, Hozier
Tell me more: English band Mumford & Sons is back with Prizefighter, another batch of infectious originals bolstered by winning songcraft, shining harmonies, dynamic musicianship and artful arrangements crafted from folk and Americana essentials. Additionally, the group's music making is enhanced by several high-profile names who join along the way on the band's sixth studio LP. The anthemic opener "Here" features country music great Chris Stapleton adding his vocals to the track. On the introspective "Rubber Band Man," Hozier brings his distinctive voice to the cut as he trades verses with Marcus Mumford. There are so many great songs on the disc with the sweeping "Banjo Song," ambitious "Run Together" with its burgeoning arc, the confessional "Shadow Of A Man," soaring "Begin Again" that explores the courage to start over and the gentle closer "Clover" are among this writer's favorites. Information: mumfordandsons.com.

Artist: Gorillaz
Title: The Mountain (Kong Studios Essex Limited)
You might like if you enjoy: Gorillaz, Blur, Damon Albarn
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Damon Albarn has returned with the latest Gorillaz full-length masterwork, The Mountain. The album includes a parade of 15 compelling originals featuring a slew of high-profile guests. Highlights include the instrumental-heavy opener "The Mountain," luxurious trip hop meets hip-hop romp "The Moon Cave," the New Wave-flavored "The Happy Dictator" featuring the iconic duo Sparks, the mesmeric "Orange County," dreamy "The Empty Dream Machine" (the latter featuring guitar great Johnny Marr), electronica sortie "The Plastic Guru," immersive "Delirium" featuring English singer Mark E. Smith, evocative "Casablanca" (featuring Marr and Clash bassist Paul Simonon) and India-minded foray "The Sweet Prince." The album's closing track, "The Sad God," is a wonderful showcase for Albarn's signature vocals and alluring melodic instincts as well as his ability to collaborate with other artists artfully. Information: gorillaz.com.

Artist: Johnny Blue Skies & The Dark Clouds
Title: Mutiny After Midnight (High Top Mountain Records/Atlantic Music Group)
You might like if you enjoy: Sturgill Simpson
Tell me more: Following up the release of Johnny Blue Skies' 2024 debut Passage Du Desir, singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson (aka Johnny Blue Skies) and The Dark Clouds are back with the sophomore followup Mutiny After Midnight. The dance-minded disc is filled with left-leaning political-minded originals that simultaneously are aimed at getting everyone out on the dance floor. The rousing opener "Make America Fuk Again," rapid-fire rock-styled "Excited Delirium," Americana-rooted "Don't Let Go" (the latter featuring nuanced sax playing from Raw B), funky "Stay On That" and "Ain't That A Bitch," and country-tinged "Viridescent" all explode out of the speakers. The nine-track album is available on vinyl, as well as via audio CD and on cassette. Information: sturgillsimpson.com.

Robert Kinsler

Stagecoach Festival announces monumental lineup for 2025

What do Jelly Roll, Lana Del Rey, Sammy Hagar, Zach Bryan, Creed, Brothers Osborne, Goo Goo Dolls and Luke Combs have in common? All are slated to appear at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, CA next April. A truly diverse and wide-ranging lineup for sure...Robert Kinsler

STAGECOACH FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES MONUMENTAL LINEUP FOR 2025   Superstars Zach Bryan, Jelly Roll, and Luke Combs Will Headline California’s Country Music Festival   Lineup Also Includes Brothers Osborne, Sturgill Simpson, Midland, Lana Del Rey, Nelly, Carly Pearce, Shaboozey, Goo Goo Dolls, Tucker Wetmore and DASHA and many, many more!   Friday, April 25 - Sunday, April 27, 2025 at Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA Festival Passes On-Sale Friday, September 13, 2024 at 11 am PT

LOS ANGELES, CA – September 5, 2024 – Stagecoach is thrilled to announce their 2025 lineup. Country music’s biggest festival will be back in the saddle April 25-27, 2025. This year’s festival will feature headline performances from country music legends in the making Zach Bryan, Jelly Roll, and Luke Combs in addition to performances by Brothers Osborne, Sturgill Simpson, Midland, Lana Del Rey, Nelly, Carly Pearce, Shaboozey, Goo Goo Dolls, Tucker Wetmore and DASHA and many, many more. The festival will see iconic late-night performances by Stagecoach first timers Backstreet Boys and Creed, while T-Pain returns after a guest appearance at last year’s festival for a full set of his own.   Passes go on sale starting this Friday, September 13 at 11 am PT at stagecoachfestival.com.   Returning headliner Luke Combs shared his excitement saying, “Super pumped to be coming back to headline Stagecoach. It was one of the most memorable parts of the year when we did it in 2022, so really glad they’re having us back for round 2. We’re gonna have a blast.”   First time headliner Jelly Roll also said, “Last year I got to play Stagecoach for the first time and it was incredible. And I didn’t just get to play. I got to hang out as a fan of artists I love and take my daughter to see some of the best entertainers in our format. Coming back to headline Stagecoach this year is a dream-but I’ll be attending as a fan this year as well, so get ready. See you in April.”   Fan-favorite Guy Fieri’s Stagecoach Smokehouse is back again for its sixth year to reveal new chefs, pit bosses and BBQ vendors. Guy and friends will be showcasing their pits and rigs and offering taste tests to fans throughout the weekend. “Every year I’m shocked that the Stagecoach lineup can get that much bigger and badder,” says Guy. “...so I gotta step it up and do the same for my Stagecoach Smokehouse! Come on down to the Smokehouse to see your favorite artists cookin’ it up with me and my crew. You’re not gonna wanna miss it!" Stay tuned for the full food line-up and to find out which artists Guy will be doing cooking demos with this year.   Returning to the festival for a fourth consecutive year are California’s homegrown, Compton Cowboys. They are a crew of ten Black horseback riders whose ranch is one of the very last in a semirural town in Compton called Richland Farms -- and they are bringing their horses to Stagecoach to tell their compelling story of community engagement and share in the experience.   Late Night at Stagecoach keeps the party going! T-Pain (Friday), Creed (Saturday), and Backstreet Boys (Sunday) will close each evening of the festival for Late Night in Palomino, and for the third year in a row, Stagecoach mainstay Diplo will be bringing some of the biggest names in dance music to Diplo’s HonkyTonk.   Pass and Merchandise Prices: 3-Day GA Tier 1 - $579 3-Day GA Tier 2 - $599 3-Day GA Tier 3 - $619 3-Day GA 6-pack Tier 1 - $569 3-Day GA 6-pack Tier 2 - $589 3-Day GA - Shuttle Combo - Tier 1 - $689 3-Day GA - Shuttle Combo - Tier 2 - $709 3-Day GA - Shuttle Combo - Tier 3 - $729 3-Day GA Rhinestone Saloon - $974 Desert Diamond VIP Package - $4023.85 Gold Rush VIP Package - $2586.35 Hi Ho Silver VIP Package - $2011.35 Corral Reserved Seating - C3 - $1199 Corral Reserved Seating - C2 - $1499 Corral Reserved Seating - C1 - $2299 3-Day Corral Standing Pit - $1999 Stagecoach Lineup Tee - $50 Team Stagecoach Jersey - $75 Stagecoach 2025 Merch Bundle - $105 Full list of add-ons and lodging available at stagecoachfestival.com   Returning for this year’s festival is the Saloon pass which offers fans access to standing room only areas on the west side of the Corral and access to the Rhinestone Saloon featuring specialty food & drink vendors, air-conditioned restrooms, shaded seating areas, and full (cashless) cash bars. Shuttle passes, tent, yurt, and BYO RV reservations on the Safari Campground as well as Travel Packages that bundle festival passes with local hotel accommodations for 2 or 4 people are available via Valley Music Travel.   Stagecoach: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram   The STAGECOACH 2025 lineup is as follows:   49 Winchester Abby Anderson Abi Carter Alana Springsteen Alexandra Kay Angel White Anne Wilson Annie Bosko Ashley McBryde Austin Snell Avery Anna Backstreet Boys Blessing Offor Brent Cobb Brothers Osborne Bryan Martin Carly Pearce Chayce Beckham Colby Acuff Conner Smith Creed Crystal Gayle Dasha Diplo's Honkytonk Drake Milligan Drew Parker Dylan Gossett Dylan Scott Flatland Cavalry George Birge Goo Goo Dolls Jelly Roll John Morgan Kashus Culpepper Koe Wetzel Lana Del Rey Lanie Gardner Louie TheSinger Luke Combs Maddox Batson Mae Estes Midland Myles Kennedy Nelly (25 Years of Country Grammar) Nikki Lane Niko Moon Noeline Hofmann Sammy Hagar Scotty McCreery Shaboozey Sierra Ferrell Sturgill Simpson Tanner Usrey The Bacon Brothers The Castellows The Wilder Blue Tiera Kennedy Tigerlily Gold Tommy James & The Shondells T-Pain Tracy Lawrence Treaty Oak Revival Tucker Wetmore Vincent Mason Waylon Wyatt Whiskey Myers Zach Bryan      STAGECOACH is produced by Goldenvoice.

Sturgill Simpson covers "Paradise" for forthcoming John Prine tribute collection

A nice way to kick off the weekend with this stellar news; I love Sturgill Simpson's emotive take on John Prine's "Paradise." Make sure to check out the official media release below...Robert Kinsler

Sturgill simpson COVERS “PARADISE” FOR NEW JOHN PRINE TRIBUTE RECORD; 'Broken hearts and dirty windows: the songs of john prine, vol. 2' set for release on friday, october 8, 2021 

First installment of "big old goofy world: the  story of oh boy records' documentary debuts today, friday, april 30, 2021

April 30, 2021—A new version of John Prine’s beloved song, “Paradise,” performed by Sturgill Simpson, is out today on Oh Boy Records. Listen/share HERE. The song—whose proceeds benefit UNICEF USA’s Covid-19 Relief Fund—will be featured on the forthcoming Prine tribute record, Broken Hearts and Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine, Vol. 2, out October 8 on Oh Boy Records (pre-order here). 

Simpson’s version of “Paradise” is the last song recorded at The Butcher Shoppe—the studio Prine founded with Grammy Award-winning producer and engineer David Ferguson—before the building’s demolition later this year. The studio was a meaningful place to Prine and Simpson, who shared a writing space in the building and recorded there numerous times throughout their respective careers. Reflecting on Prine’s influence, Simpson shares, “For myself along with many others, he was a mentor. He was very giving with his timew and wisdom, and we were all grateful to get to know him.” 

Each month ahead of the October release, Oh Boy will unveil a new artist and song that is featured on the tribute album. “Paradise” is the second track released, following Brandi Carlile’s rendition of “I Remember Everything,” which she performed during the 63rd GRAMMY Awards where the song won two awards: Best American Roots Song and Best American Roots Performance. Written by Prine and his longtime collaborator Pat McLaughlin, “I Remember Everything” is Prine’s first #1 single and was recorded by Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb and engineer Gena Johnson.  

The release adds to an esteemed legacy for Oh Boy Records, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The country’s second oldest artist-owned independent label and the oldest in Nashville, Oh Boy was founded in 1981 by Prine and his longtime manager Al Bunetta and has since gone on to release more than fifty audio and video recordings while continuing to be a vital part of Nashville’s independent music community. To commemorate the milestone, Oh Boy will roll out several special releases this year including a new documentary series, “Big Old Goofy World: The Story of Oh Boy Records,” which chronicles the label’s rich history and legacy. Directed by Joshua Britt and Neilson Hubbard, the first installment of the series is debuting today—watch HERE. 

Regarded as one of the English language’s premier phrase-turners, Prine is a four-time Grammy-winner, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, a seven-time Americana Music Award-winner, a PEN New England Lyrics Award recipient and member of both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Since his debut in 1971, Prine released over eighteen albums and has had his songs recorded by Johnny Cash, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band and many others, while drawing effusive praise from Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, Roger Waters, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and more, who knew him as a smiling, shuffling force for good. 

Women dominate the Nashville scene's 17th annual Country Music Critics Poll

Here is a timely media release on the result of the Nashville Scene's 17th annual Country Music Critics' Poll...

Miranda, Margo and Maren: Women dominate the Nashville Scene's 17th annual Country Music Critics' Poll

Today (January 26, 2017) the Nashville Scene publishes the 17th annual Country Music Critics' Poll, the genre's most respected measure of critical consensus. The 89 voting journalists from North America and beyond handed Miranda Lambert victories for Album of the Year (The Weight Of These Wings), Single of the Year ("Vice"), Female Vocalist of the Year and Artist of the Year.

With this year's triumphs, Lambert has set new records in the poll for the most Female Vocalist of the Year awards (six), the most Single of the Year awards (four) and most Album of the Year awards (four, including one with the Pistol Annies). She has also tied the Dixie Chicks for the most Artist of the Year awards (four).

Finishing first and second in the Best New Artist Category were Maren Morris and Margo Price, respectively, who also wound up with the No. 5 and No. 2 best albums, respectively. In fact, seven of the Top 10 albums in the poll feature acts with female lead singers, and so do seven of the Top 10 singles.

The main male interloper in this year of the women is Sturgill Simpson, who saw his major label debut, A Sailor's Guide to Earth, voted the No. 4 Best Album. He has also been named the year's No. 1 Best Male Vocalist, No. 1 Best Live Act and No. 2 Artist of the Year.

Other big winners include Brandy Clark (No. 3 Best Album, No. 3 Best Female Vocalist and No. 2 Best Songwriter), Lori McKenna (Best Songwriter), Brothers Osborne (Best Duo or Group) and The Trio (Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, Best Reissue).

The Scene's coverage of the poll includes all the results, an exclusive interview with Clark, an essay on the results by poll editor Geoffrey Himes, an analysis of the numbers and comments from many of the voters.

The voters wrote for big coastal newspapers such as The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register and Wall Street Journal, as well as smaller dailies such as the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Green Bay Press-Gazette and Lincoln Journal Star. They wrote for big magazines like Rolling Stone, Billboard and Smithsonian, and for music websites such as Pitchfork, CountryStandardTime.com and PopMatters.

Get more information on the 17th Annual Country Music Critics' Poll here: http://www.nashvillescene.com/music/cover-story/article/20850074/17th-annual-country-music-critics-poll

The Recording Academy Announces 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees

I am happy to see David Bowie's "Blackstar" and Radiohead's "A Moon Shaped Pool" nominated this year, as well as Sturgill Simpson's excellent "A Sailor's Guide to Earth," The Record Company's "Give It Back to You" and Kris Kristofferson's "The Cedar Creek Sessions." In terms of the most high-profile categories, there are many names and records here that leave me scratching my head. When I see so many great albums ignored it cements in my mind that the Grammys are 99% about what is popular, and not necessarily what is great or groundbreaking. It especially saddens me to think a great album like David Bowie's "Blackstar" was nominated so many times (in various categories) only because of the death of the artist earlier this year. Among the albums I would have loved to see be recognized: Cheap Trick's "Bang Zoom Crazy...Hello," the Monkees' "Good Times!," Dawes' "We're all Gonna Die," the James Hunter Six blues-soul standout "Hold On!," Marillion's "Fear," Emitt Rhodes' "Rainbow Ends," and Neil Young's "Earth." Here is the official media release about the nominations for 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards...

David Bowie's "Blackstar" is among the albums
nominated for multiple honors this year.

BEYONCÉ LEADS GRAMMY^® NOMINATIONS WITH NINE;
 DRAKE, RIHANNA, AND KANYE WEST EACH GARNER EIGHT 
 
ADELE, BEYONCÉ, JUSTIN BIEBER, DRAKE, AND 
STURGILL SIMPSON VIE FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR AT THE 
59TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS^® ON FEB. 12, 2017, LIVE ON CBS

SANTA MONICA (Dec. 6, 2016) — The Recording Academy^® welcomes the class of nominees for the 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards^®. Top nominees are Beyoncé (9), Drake(8), Rihanna (8), Kanye West (8), and Chance The Rapper (7). Selected from nearly 22,000 submissions across 84 categories, the nominations reflect the range of artistic innovation that defined the year in music. As the only peer-selected music award, the GRAMMY^® is voted on by The Recording Academy's membership body of music makers, who represent all genres and creative disciplines, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, mixers, and engineers.

"Just as we see emerging musicians experimenting, we're also seeing established artists resisting what's expected of them and, instead, embracing the creative freedom they've been afforded through their success, blurring the lines between music's mainstream and artistic edge," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy.

The dynamic range of this year's nominees is exhibited across several awards fields, including American Roots Music, R&B, Dance/Electronic Music, and Rock, but it's perhaps best showcased in the Album Of The Year category, which represents a mix of genres—pop, R&B, rap, and country. Looking at the recordings nominated for Album Of The Year, an even greater degree of musical advancement and sonic experimentation is revealed: the emotion-stirring vocals of Adele, who brings a soulful depth to a collection of classically fine-tuned pop ballads; Beyoncé's ability to paint a picture, layering poignant R&B vocals over a tapestry of sounds that range from blues-rock to hip-hop; Justin Bieber's growth as a songwriter and evolution as a pop powerhouse; Drake's continued genre-bending, which now invites island influences to his signature sound; and the definition-defying Sturgill Simpson who made many of us re-explore the vast territories that country abides.

"Every submission we receive for GRAMMY consideration represents intensely soul-baring, technically exacting creative work—no group understands what each recording embodies better than Recording Academy voters, who are professional music makers themselves," said Bill Freimuth, Recording Academy Senior Vice President of Awards.
 
Final-round GRAMMY ballots will be mailed Dec. 14 and are due Jan. 13, 2017. The Recording Academy will present the GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and broadcast on the CBS Television Network from 8:00-11:30 pm ET/5:00-8:30 pm PT.
The following is a sampling of nominations from the GRAMMY Awards' 30 Fields and 84 categories. For a complete nominations list, visit www.grammy.com. Congratulate nominees by following "Recording Academy / GRAMMYs" on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and use #GRAMMYs to join the conversation.

GENERAL FIELD
Album Of The Year:
25 — Adele
Lemonade — Beyoncé
Purpose — Justin Bieber
Views — Drake
A Sailor's Guide To Earth — Sturgill Simpson
 
Record Of The Year:
"Hello" — Adele
"Formation" — Beyoncé
"7 Years" — Lukas Graham
"Work" — Rihanna Featuring Drake
"Stressed Out" — Twenty One Pilots
 
Song Of The Year:
"Formation" — Khalif Brown, Asheton Hogan, Beyoncé Knowles & Michael L. Williams II, songwriters (Beyoncé)
"Hello" — Adele Adkins & Greg Kurstin, songwriters (Adele)
"I Took A Pill In Ibiza" — Mike Posner, songwriter (Mike Posner)
"Love Yourself" — Justin Bieber, Benjamin Levin & Ed Sheeran, songwriters (Justin Bieber)
"7 Years" — Lukas Forchhammer, Stefan Forrest, Morten Pilegaard & Morten Ristorp, songwriters (Lukas Graham)
 
Best New Artist:
Kelsea Ballerini
The Chainsmokers
Chance The Rapper
Maren Morris
Anderson .Paak
 
POP FIELD
Best Pop Vocal Album:
25 — Adele
Purpose — Justin Bieber
Dangerous Woman — Ariana Grande
Confident — Demi Lovato
This Is Acting — Sia
 
DANCE/ELECTRONIC MUSIC FIELD
Best Dance/Electronic Album:
Skin — Flume
Electronica 1: The Time Machine — Jean-Michel Jarre
Epoch — Tycho
Barbara Barbara, We Face A Shining Future — Underworld
Louie Vega Starring…XXVIII — Louie Vega

ROCK FIELD
Best Rock Album:
California — Blink-182
Tell Me I'm Pretty — Cage The Elephant
Magma — Gojira
Death Of A Bachelor — Panic! At The Disco
Weezer — Weezer
 
ALTERNATIVE FIELD
Best Alternative Music Album:
22, A Million — Bon Iver
Blackstar — David Bowie
The Hope Six Demolition Project — PJ Harvey
Post Pop Depression — Iggy Pop
A Moon Shaped Pool — Radiohead
 
R&B FIELD
Best Urban Contemporary Album:
Lemonade — Beyoncé
Ology — Gallant
We Are King — KING
Malibu — Anderson .Paak
Anti — Rihanna
   
RAP FIELD
Best Rap Performance:
"No Problem" — Chance The Rapper Featuring Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz 
"Panda" —Desiigner 
"Pop Style" — Drake Featuring The Throne
"All The Way Up" — Fat Joe & Remy Ma Featuring French Montana & Infared
"That Part" — ScHoolboy Q Featuring Kanye West 
 
COUNTRY FIELD
Best Country Solo Performance:
"Love Can Go To Hell" — Brandy Clark
"Vice" — Miranda Lambert
"My Church" — Maren Morris
"Church Bells" — Carrie Underwood
"Blue Ain't Your Color" — Keith Urban
     
JAZZ FIELD 
Best Jazz Vocal Album:
Sound Of Red — René Marie
Upward Spiral — Branford Marsalis Quartet With Special Guest Kurt Elling
Take Me To The Alley — Gregory Porter
Harlem On My Mind — Catherine Russell 
The Sting Variations — The Tierney Sutton Band
 
GOSPEL/CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC FIELD 
Best Gospel Album:
Listen —Tim Bowman Jr.
Fill This House — Shirley Caesar
A Worshipper's Heart [Live] —Todd Dulaney
Losing My Religion — Kirk Franklin
Demonstrate [Live] —William Murphy
 
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album:
Poets & Saints — All Sons & Daughters
American Prodigal — Crowder
Be One — Natalie Grant
Youth Revival [Live] — Hillsong Young & Free
Love Remains — Hillary Scott & The Scott Family   
 
LATIN FIELD
Best Latin Pop Album:
Un Besito Mas — Jesse & Joy
Ilusión — Gaby Moreno
Similares — Laura Pausini
Seguir Latiendo — Sanalejo
Buena Vida — Diego Torres
 
AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC FIELD 
Best American Roots Performance:
"Ain't No Man" — The Avett Brothers
"Mother's Children Have A Hard Time" — Blind Boys Of Alabama
"Factory Girl" — Rhiannon Giddens
"House Of Mercy" — Sarah Jarosz
"Wreck You" — Lori McKenna
 
SPOKEN WORD FIELD
Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling):
The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo — Amy Schumer
In Such Good Company: Eleven Years Of Laughter, Mayhem, And Fun In The Sandbox — Carol Burnett
M Train — Patti Smith
Under The Big Black Sun: A Personal History Of L.A.Punk (John Doe With Tom DeSavia) — (Various Artists)
Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink — Elvis Costello
 
MUSIC FOR VISUAL MEDIA FIELD
Best Song Written For Visual Media:
"Can't Stop The Feeling!" — Max Martin, Shellback & Justin Timberlake, songwriters (Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Gwen Stefani, James Corden, Zooey Deschanel, Walt Dohrn, Ron Funches, Caroline Hjelt, Aino Jawo, Christopher Mintz-Plasse & Kunal Nayyar), Track from: Trolls
"Heathens" — Tyler Joseph, songwriter (Twenty One Pilots), Track from: Suicide Squad
"Just Like Fire" — Oscar Holter, Max Martin, P!nk & Shellback, songwriters (P!nk), Track from: Alice Through The Looking Glass
"Purple Lamborghini" — Shamann Cooke, Sonny Moore & William Roberts, songwriters (Skrillex & Rick Ross), Track from: Suicide Squad
"Try Everything" — Mikkel S. Eriksen, Sia Furler & Tor Erik Hermansen, songwriters (Shakira), Track from: Zootopia
"The Veil" — Peter Gabriel, songwriter (Peter Gabriel), Track from: Snowden
 
MUSIC VIDEO/FILM FIELD
Best Music Video:
"Formation" — Beyoncé
"River" — Leon Bridges
"Up & Up" — Coldplay
"Gosh" — Jamie XX
"Upside Down & Inside Out" — OK Go
 
PRODUCTION, NON-CLASSICAL FIELD
Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical:
Benny Blanco
Greg Kurstin
Max Martin
Nineteen85
Ricky Reed 
 
About The Recording Academy:
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Recording Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @RecordingAcad on Twitter, "like" Recording Academy / GRAMMYs onFacebook, and join The Recording Academy's social communities on Google+, Instagram, Tumblr and YouTube.