“Even the most imaginative numerologist is going to have trouble putting a positive spin on 2020, four digits that will long be associated with COVID-19, quarantine and political turmoil. But a new album seeks to reclaim the infamous figure by showcasing a score of singer-songwriters baring their hearts from home.
The latest release by the Bay Area nonprofit record label Little Village Foundation, out Thursday, Nov. 19, “20×20” is a compilation of original tunes recorded during the pandemic by a diverse roster of artists. Local musicians associated with the label are well represented, like blues belter Marina Crouse and Aireene Espiritu, whose powerhouse Little Village tribute to Sugar Pie DeSanto, “Back Where I Belong,” celebrated the Bay Area R&B legend’s Filipina heritage.”