ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2014
At the end of a year that seems to have swung by at more than a medium tempo, it is time to look back at the best of 2014’s new releases and some archive material that has been dusted off from the vaults.
Once again, our regular Jazz Views contributors have cast a backward glance at the recordings that they have been listening to over the last twelve months, and have chosen what they believe to be the best of another good year.
Once again, our regular Jazz Views contributors have cast a backward glance at the recordings that they have been listening to over the last twelve months, and have chosen what they believe to be the best of another good year.
ROY BOOTH
NEW RELEASES
Dave Bennett - Don’t be that way (Mack Avenue)
Warren Vache & Alan Barnes - The Cobbler’s Waltz (Woodville)
Scott Hamilton - Dean Street Nights (Woodville)
Rebecca Kilgore & the Harry Allen Quartet - I Like Men (Arbors)
FROM THE VAULTS / REISSUES
Bill Evans - Complete 1956-1962 Studio Albums (Omnia Collected Works)
Shelly Manne & his Men - Complete live at the Blackhawk (Jazz Dynamics)
Johnny Carisi - The Music of Johnny Carisi / Israel (Fresh Sounds)
Art Pepper & Ted Brown - The Complete Free Wheeling Sessions (Pheonix)
Teddy Wilson Trio with Jo Jones - Complete Studio Recordings (Jazz Dynamics)
Only four new releases as no others fit my criteria but these four are five star releases. The Dave Bennett is included because of the lack of new clarinet recordings which follow in the old traditions.
With the Scott Hamilton & Warren Vache they cannot be improved on. Rebecca Kilgore just improves with each new recording.
Re-releases are appearing thick & fast so it is difficult to single out five but the Bill Evans, Shelly Manne & Art Pepper / Ted Brown all need to be in the catalogue in perpetuity. Johnny Carisi is often overlooked & we need to be reminded of his skills as an arranger. The Teddy Wilson is just marvellous piano music.
Dave Bennett - Don’t be that way (Mack Avenue)
Warren Vache & Alan Barnes - The Cobbler’s Waltz (Woodville)
Scott Hamilton - Dean Street Nights (Woodville)
Rebecca Kilgore & the Harry Allen Quartet - I Like Men (Arbors)
FROM THE VAULTS / REISSUES
Bill Evans - Complete 1956-1962 Studio Albums (Omnia Collected Works)
Shelly Manne & his Men - Complete live at the Blackhawk (Jazz Dynamics)
Johnny Carisi - The Music of Johnny Carisi / Israel (Fresh Sounds)
Art Pepper & Ted Brown - The Complete Free Wheeling Sessions (Pheonix)
Teddy Wilson Trio with Jo Jones - Complete Studio Recordings (Jazz Dynamics)
Only four new releases as no others fit my criteria but these four are five star releases. The Dave Bennett is included because of the lack of new clarinet recordings which follow in the old traditions.
With the Scott Hamilton & Warren Vache they cannot be improved on. Rebecca Kilgore just improves with each new recording.
Re-releases are appearing thick & fast so it is difficult to single out five but the Bill Evans, Shelly Manne & Art Pepper / Ted Brown all need to be in the catalogue in perpetuity. Johnny Carisi is often overlooked & we need to be reminded of his skills as an arranger. The Teddy Wilson is just marvellous piano music.
KEN CHEETHAM
NEW RELEASES
Billy Hart Quartet - One is the Other (ECM Records)
Erika Dagnino - Signs (Slam Records)
Giganti della Montagna - L'Arsenale delle Apparizione (Slam Records)
GoGo Penguin - v2.0 (Gondwana Records)
Hildegunn Oiseth - Valencia: (Losen Records)
Ivo Perelman - A Violent Dose of Anything (Leo Records)
Lionel Beurens - Trinité: (Igloo Records)
Sons of Kemet - Burn: (Naim Records)
Szilard Mezei - Karszt: (Slam Records)
The Enchanted 3 - The Enchanted 3: (Leo Records)
FROM THE VAULTS / REISSUES
Sam Rivers – Contrasts (ECM)
John Coltrane - Olé (Essential Jazz Classics)
Herbie Hancock - Takin’Off (Essential Jazz Classics)
My choice is probably based around innovation (e.g. exquisite voices and viola) and those looking forward through free improvisation; I like to have something to think about, but want to feel an emotive response too. The more soporific selections are the sonic rests.
Billy Hart Quartet - One is the Other (ECM Records)
Erika Dagnino - Signs (Slam Records)
Giganti della Montagna - L'Arsenale delle Apparizione (Slam Records)
GoGo Penguin - v2.0 (Gondwana Records)
Hildegunn Oiseth - Valencia: (Losen Records)
Ivo Perelman - A Violent Dose of Anything (Leo Records)
Lionel Beurens - Trinité: (Igloo Records)
Sons of Kemet - Burn: (Naim Records)
Szilard Mezei - Karszt: (Slam Records)
The Enchanted 3 - The Enchanted 3: (Leo Records)
FROM THE VAULTS / REISSUES
Sam Rivers – Contrasts (ECM)
John Coltrane - Olé (Essential Jazz Classics)
Herbie Hancock - Takin’Off (Essential Jazz Classics)
My choice is probably based around innovation (e.g. exquisite voices and viola) and those looking forward through free improvisation; I like to have something to think about, but want to feel an emotive response too. The more soporific selections are the sonic rests.
EUAN DIXON
EW RELEASES
Dylan Howe - Subterranean (Motorik Records)
Cloudmakers Trio - Abstract Forces (Whirlwind Recordings)
Mehliana - Taming the Dragon (Nonesuch Records)
New York Standards Quartet - The New Straight Ahead (Whirlwind Recordings)
Tim Garland - Songs to the North Sky (Edition Records)
The Norwegian Wind Ensemble - Brass from Utopia – a Frank Zappa tribute (Norwind Records)
Helen Sung - Anthem for a New Day (Concord Records)
Elliot Galvin Trio - Dreamland (Chaos Collective)
Lee Konitz - First Meeting, Live in London, Volume 1 (Whirlwind Recordings)
Avishai Cohen - Almah (Parlophone Records –France)
FROM THE VAULTS/REISSUES
John Coltrane - Offering: Live at Temple University (Impulse/Resonance Records)
Shelly Manne & His Men - Complete at the Blackhawk (Jazz Dynamics)
Albert Ayler - Spiritual Unity (ESP Disk)
Charles Mingus - Mingus Moods (Proper Records)
Marty Paich - The Broadway Bit & A Jazz Band Ball (Dream Covers Records)
Art Pepper & Ted Brown - Complete Freewheeling Sessions (Phoenix Records)
Johnny Carisi - Israel: The Music of Johnny Carisi (Fresh Sounds Records)
Don Ellis - Don Ellis at Fillmore (BGO Records)
Gary Burton - Duster & Country Roads and other Places (BGO Records)
Jimmy Cleveland Septet & Octet - Complete Recordings (Essential Jazz Classics)
2014 has been another year of rich pickings: in the new recordings category the well of new talent seems bottomless whilst established figures like Lee Konitz and Brad Mehldau still find the power and inspiration to renew themselves. Boundary shifting diversity is still a key preoccupation of hyper active newbies like Elliot Galvin with his re-definition of the power trio concept and modern mainstream is spruced up and re-furbished by the likes of Helen Sung and The New York Standards Quartet. Third Stream remains a viable concept thanks to musicians like Tim Garland and Avishai Cohen and retro impulses are masterfully crafted into contemporary realisations of the music of earlier eras as with the superb Dylan Howe piece. Re-issues of archived material have never been more plentiful thanks to the activities of the many labels specialising in this field and though the veteran jazz fan will find many of these surplus to requirements they must be a great boon to newer listeners who can explore the treasures of the past at minimal expense. I just hope they get the take up to justify their production.
Dylan Howe - Subterranean (Motorik Records)
Cloudmakers Trio - Abstract Forces (Whirlwind Recordings)
Mehliana - Taming the Dragon (Nonesuch Records)
New York Standards Quartet - The New Straight Ahead (Whirlwind Recordings)
Tim Garland - Songs to the North Sky (Edition Records)
The Norwegian Wind Ensemble - Brass from Utopia – a Frank Zappa tribute (Norwind Records)
Helen Sung - Anthem for a New Day (Concord Records)
Elliot Galvin Trio - Dreamland (Chaos Collective)
Lee Konitz - First Meeting, Live in London, Volume 1 (Whirlwind Recordings)
Avishai Cohen - Almah (Parlophone Records –France)
FROM THE VAULTS/REISSUES
John Coltrane - Offering: Live at Temple University (Impulse/Resonance Records)
Shelly Manne & His Men - Complete at the Blackhawk (Jazz Dynamics)
Albert Ayler - Spiritual Unity (ESP Disk)
Charles Mingus - Mingus Moods (Proper Records)
Marty Paich - The Broadway Bit & A Jazz Band Ball (Dream Covers Records)
Art Pepper & Ted Brown - Complete Freewheeling Sessions (Phoenix Records)
Johnny Carisi - Israel: The Music of Johnny Carisi (Fresh Sounds Records)
Don Ellis - Don Ellis at Fillmore (BGO Records)
Gary Burton - Duster & Country Roads and other Places (BGO Records)
Jimmy Cleveland Septet & Octet - Complete Recordings (Essential Jazz Classics)
2014 has been another year of rich pickings: in the new recordings category the well of new talent seems bottomless whilst established figures like Lee Konitz and Brad Mehldau still find the power and inspiration to renew themselves. Boundary shifting diversity is still a key preoccupation of hyper active newbies like Elliot Galvin with his re-definition of the power trio concept and modern mainstream is spruced up and re-furbished by the likes of Helen Sung and The New York Standards Quartet. Third Stream remains a viable concept thanks to musicians like Tim Garland and Avishai Cohen and retro impulses are masterfully crafted into contemporary realisations of the music of earlier eras as with the superb Dylan Howe piece. Re-issues of archived material have never been more plentiful thanks to the activities of the many labels specialising in this field and though the veteran jazz fan will find many of these surplus to requirements they must be a great boon to newer listeners who can explore the treasures of the past at minimal expense. I just hope they get the take up to justify their production.
JACK KENNY
NEW RELEASES
Clark Tracey Quintet – Meantime (Ten To Ten Records)
Bad Plus – Inevitable Western (Masterworks)
Lee Konitz – First Meeting (Whirlwind Recordings)
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra & Bobby Wellins - Culloden Moor Suite (Spartacus Records)
FROM THE VAULTS/REISSUES
Miles Davis – Manchester Concert (In Crowd Records)
Art Blakey – Complete Studio Recordings (Jazz Dynamics)
John Coltrane - Olé Coltrane (Essential Jazz Records)
Zoot Sims – Stretching Out (Dream Covers)
Thelonious Monk – Amsterdam Concert (Solar Records)
Albert Ayler – Spiritual Unity (ESP-Disk)
Duke Ellington - Duke In Gröna Lund 1963 (Storyville Records)
A great deal of enjoyment here. The Ellington is a great relaxed occasion. Wonderful to hear Lee Konitz, still under-rated, in good company in London. Clark Tracey’s current band is dynamic and fresh. Bobby Wellins is a national treasure.
Clark Tracey Quintet – Meantime (Ten To Ten Records)
Bad Plus – Inevitable Western (Masterworks)
Lee Konitz – First Meeting (Whirlwind Recordings)
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra & Bobby Wellins - Culloden Moor Suite (Spartacus Records)
FROM THE VAULTS/REISSUES
Miles Davis – Manchester Concert (In Crowd Records)
Art Blakey – Complete Studio Recordings (Jazz Dynamics)
John Coltrane - Olé Coltrane (Essential Jazz Records)
Zoot Sims – Stretching Out (Dream Covers)
Thelonious Monk – Amsterdam Concert (Solar Records)
Albert Ayler – Spiritual Unity (ESP-Disk)
Duke Ellington - Duke In Gröna Lund 1963 (Storyville Records)
A great deal of enjoyment here. The Ellington is a great relaxed occasion. Wonderful to hear Lee Konitz, still under-rated, in good company in London. Clark Tracey’s current band is dynamic and fresh. Bobby Wellins is a national treasure.
NICK LEA
NEW RELEASES
Arild Anderson/Paolo Vinaccia/Tommy Smith – Mira (ECM)
Trish Clowes – Pocket Compass (Basho Records)
Keith Jarrett/Charlie Haden – Last Dance (ECM)
Tina May – My Kinda Love (Hep Jazz)
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra – American Adventure (Spartacus Records)
Tommy Smith & Brian Kellock – Whispering of the Stars (Spartacus Records)
John Surman/Bergen Big Band – Another Sky (Grappa)
Christine Tobin – A Thousand Kisses Deep (Trail Belle Records)
Clark Tracey Quintet – Meantime (Ten To Ten Records)
Norma Winstone/Klaus Gesing/Glauco Venier – Dance Without Answer (ECM)
FROM THE VAULTS/REISSUES
Albert Ayler – Spiritual Unity (ESP-Disk)
John Coltrane - Offering: Live at Temple University (Impulse/Resonance Records)
Bill Evans - Complete 1956-1962 Studio Albums (Omnia Collected Works)
Miles Davis – Complete Studio Sessions: The Master Takes (Omnia Collected Works)
Miles Davis – All Of You: The Last Tour 1960 (Acrobat)
Duke Ellington – A Drum Is A Woman (Cheesecake Records)
Billie Holiday – The Complete 1952-1957 Small Group Studio Sessions: Master Takes (Masterworks)
Jarrett/Haden/Motian – Hamburg ’72 (ECM)
Some great new music has come my way this year, along with a new discovery for me in saxophonist/composer, Trish Clowes (ok, so I’m a little behind the times) with her superb album Pocket Compass released on Basho Records. A good year for large ensembles, with John Surman & the Bergen Big Band and the SNJO setting the stage alight with superb contemporary sounds that just go to show that despite the economic climate and logistics in keeping them running, that big bands continue to thrive. Diversity is the name of the game when it comes to jazz vocalists, with Norma Winstone, Tina May and Christine Tobin all following different paths and producing albums of sheer class.
The reissue market also remains buoyant, with box sets seemingly springing up from nowhere. Many of these are now neatly compiling discographies of the great in packaging that contains the original liner notes and artwork that helps many add some essential recordings to their library at a reasonable price; whilst archive material previously available as poor quality bootlegs is being cleaned up and released officially, most notably the live recording of Miles Davis’ last tour with John Coltrane, and Coltrane’s Offering: Live at Temple University set.
Arild Anderson/Paolo Vinaccia/Tommy Smith – Mira (ECM)
Trish Clowes – Pocket Compass (Basho Records)
Keith Jarrett/Charlie Haden – Last Dance (ECM)
Tina May – My Kinda Love (Hep Jazz)
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra – American Adventure (Spartacus Records)
Tommy Smith & Brian Kellock – Whispering of the Stars (Spartacus Records)
John Surman/Bergen Big Band – Another Sky (Grappa)
Christine Tobin – A Thousand Kisses Deep (Trail Belle Records)
Clark Tracey Quintet – Meantime (Ten To Ten Records)
Norma Winstone/Klaus Gesing/Glauco Venier – Dance Without Answer (ECM)
FROM THE VAULTS/REISSUES
Albert Ayler – Spiritual Unity (ESP-Disk)
John Coltrane - Offering: Live at Temple University (Impulse/Resonance Records)
Bill Evans - Complete 1956-1962 Studio Albums (Omnia Collected Works)
Miles Davis – Complete Studio Sessions: The Master Takes (Omnia Collected Works)
Miles Davis – All Of You: The Last Tour 1960 (Acrobat)
Duke Ellington – A Drum Is A Woman (Cheesecake Records)
Billie Holiday – The Complete 1952-1957 Small Group Studio Sessions: Master Takes (Masterworks)
Jarrett/Haden/Motian – Hamburg ’72 (ECM)
Some great new music has come my way this year, along with a new discovery for me in saxophonist/composer, Trish Clowes (ok, so I’m a little behind the times) with her superb album Pocket Compass released on Basho Records. A good year for large ensembles, with John Surman & the Bergen Big Band and the SNJO setting the stage alight with superb contemporary sounds that just go to show that despite the economic climate and logistics in keeping them running, that big bands continue to thrive. Diversity is the name of the game when it comes to jazz vocalists, with Norma Winstone, Tina May and Christine Tobin all following different paths and producing albums of sheer class.
The reissue market also remains buoyant, with box sets seemingly springing up from nowhere. Many of these are now neatly compiling discographies of the great in packaging that contains the original liner notes and artwork that helps many add some essential recordings to their library at a reasonable price; whilst archive material previously available as poor quality bootlegs is being cleaned up and released officially, most notably the live recording of Miles Davis’ last tour with John Coltrane, and Coltrane’s Offering: Live at Temple University set.
