Are you a subscriber to a music streaming service? I admire only two streaming music companies: QoBuz and Apple Music. First, QoBuz is a French-owned digital music store and streaming service that has been around since 2007, but it did not gain subscribers in the U.S. until recently. They focus on lossless streaming, and I love the UI so much. Their UI is my favorite of all the music streaming services available because it adds to the experience. There are liner notes, photos, reviews, and recommendations. They have playlists and news written by humans, not algorithms. It’s brilliant… if only they had the Apple Music catalog, I’d completely switch.
With Apple Music, there is a beautiful selection of labels and playlists to suit every music fan. Get lost in the contemporary sounds of ECM, where jazz and classical meet in perfect harmony. International Anthem always has fresh releases in jazz and postmodernism, showcasing the next generation of musical innovators. Blue Note is a jazz lover's dream, packed with classic releases, new artists, and hidden gems.
Dive into the history of more jazz with Impulse, home to legends like John Coltrane, Alice Coltrane, and Pharoah Sanders. Verve's got all the swing and swagger of the golden age, and BeBop, while Jazz is Dead puts a modern spin on the genre you cannot find anywhere else. Gondwana, a Manchester UK label, has the spiritual sounds of contemporary English jazz artists and world music vibes. Habibi Funk starts the party with rare grooves from the Middle East and the Arab world. Need more? German label Strut keeps the funk and an array of African sounds flowing, guaranteed to get you moving.
NPR and the Smithsonian Folkways label are your go-to for cultural deep dives, from folk tales to global rhythms. Harmonia Mundi's classical collection is perfect for a chill afternoon, while Edition pushes the boundaries with harder-to-find jazz and avant-garde sounds. Stones Throw has soulful beats and hip-hop anthems to increase the volume, while Numero Group digs deep into the crates for forgotten treasures and more, like the return of Karate.
With this list, Apple Music is your gateway to an informative and historic musical universe. Each label is an adventure of discoveries and records we forget about. So take your ears and your mind on a wild ride. Get exploring and discover your next favorite sound.
Each link below will take you to that label's curated page on Apple Music.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you discover your next favorite label!
If you’re not a current Apple Music subscriber but want to explore the app, you can sign up today and get three months free just for signing up.
Until next time,
- JB