Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be 50 Essential Albums by LGBTQ Artists, representing a varied cross-section of genres, styles and time periods. Considering that the qualifier “LGBTQ” can often be open to various interpretations, for the purposes of this particular list, we have defined an artist as LGBTQ if he, she or they have ever publicly identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer. Moreover, albums by groups have been included in the list if any of their members fit the aforementioned criteria, even if some members do not.
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RAHSAAN PATTERSON | Wines & Spirits
Artistry/Dome (2007)
Selected by Quentin Harrison
A venerated man of soul who happened to moonlight as an equally talented session musician, Patterson’s fourth long player Wines & Spirits is a full-bodied aural potion that lived up to its namesake. Dually breezy (“Feels Good”) and complex (“Deliver Me”), compositionally speaking, Patterson navigates the mainstream and alternative terrain of R&B with passionate ease throughout the album.
Of note is the closing number on Wines & Spirits, a genuinely moving cover of fellow queer singer-songwriter Janis Ian’s “Stars” that Patterson manages to make his own.
LISTEN:
