ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2020
In what has been an unprecedented and worrying time, the music industry has been hit hard. Despite such difficult, and what at times seemed against impossible odds, new music continued to be released at a steady rate. As always there some outstanding releases throughout the year, and once again our reviewers have selected their favourite New Releases and Re-issues of 2020.
DEREK ANSELL
NEW RELEASES / FROM THE VAULTS / RE-ISSUES
MARIA SCNEIDER ORCHESTRA - Data Lords (Artists Share)
CALLUM AU & CLAIRE MARTIN - Songs & Stories (Stunt Records)
ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS - Just Coolin' (Blue Note)
PHINEAS NEWBORN - Trio (Atlantic)
THELONIOUS MONK - Palo Alto (Impulse)
COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA - Basie at Birdland (Pure Pleasure)
DIANE SCHUUR - Running On Faith (Jazzheads)
Virtually no live music and a whole batch of new and re-issue releases to listen to in Lockdown mode but overall these were the records that impressed most during a dreadful year. The Monk and Messenger discs were great and as they were previously unissued, count as new releases really. All we can do now is keep listening to the music and wait for the vaccine to arrive. Get it moving faster Boris, please.
MARIA SCNEIDER ORCHESTRA - Data Lords (Artists Share)
CALLUM AU & CLAIRE MARTIN - Songs & Stories (Stunt Records)
ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS - Just Coolin' (Blue Note)
PHINEAS NEWBORN - Trio (Atlantic)
THELONIOUS MONK - Palo Alto (Impulse)
COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA - Basie at Birdland (Pure Pleasure)
DIANE SCHUUR - Running On Faith (Jazzheads)
Virtually no live music and a whole batch of new and re-issue releases to listen to in Lockdown mode but overall these were the records that impressed most during a dreadful year. The Monk and Messenger discs were great and as they were previously unissued, count as new releases really. All we can do now is keep listening to the music and wait for the vaccine to arrive. Get it moving faster Boris, please.
CHRIS BABER
NEW RELEASES
JOSEPHINE DAVIES - Satori: How Can We Wake? (Whirlwind)
NDUDUZO MAKHATHINI - Modes Of Communication, Letters From The Underworlds (Blue Note)
BYRON WALLEN - Portrait (Twilight Jaguar)
SHRI - The Letter (Jazzland Recordings)
CHRIS MONTAGUE - Warmer Than Blood (Whirlwind)
HENRIK JENSEN'S FOLLOWED BY THIRTEEN - Affinity (Babel Label)
PERISCOPES+1- Up (Losen)
JZ REPLACEMENT - Disrespectful (Rainy Days Records)
SYLVIE COURVOISIER TRIO - Free Hoops (Intakt)
DAS RAD - Adios Al Futuro (Discus)
Working from home (or spending interminable hours in online meetings) has made it trickier, rather than easier to catch-up on music. Of course, this is nothing compared to the lack of opportunities for the musicians not only to earn their living but also to perform to appreciative audiences. From the one of two gigs that I was able to attend during lockdown, it was clear that the motivation wasn't the money for these musicians (the audiences were really small), but the pleasure of making their music in their own ways. The records I have selected for my top 10 this remind me of the pleasures and challenges of listening to people ploughing their own furrows and making music, whatever the style, in their own ways.
JOSEPHINE DAVIES - Satori: How Can We Wake? (Whirlwind)
NDUDUZO MAKHATHINI - Modes Of Communication, Letters From The Underworlds (Blue Note)
BYRON WALLEN - Portrait (Twilight Jaguar)
SHRI - The Letter (Jazzland Recordings)
CHRIS MONTAGUE - Warmer Than Blood (Whirlwind)
HENRIK JENSEN'S FOLLOWED BY THIRTEEN - Affinity (Babel Label)
PERISCOPES+1- Up (Losen)
JZ REPLACEMENT - Disrespectful (Rainy Days Records)
SYLVIE COURVOISIER TRIO - Free Hoops (Intakt)
DAS RAD - Adios Al Futuro (Discus)
Working from home (or spending interminable hours in online meetings) has made it trickier, rather than easier to catch-up on music. Of course, this is nothing compared to the lack of opportunities for the musicians not only to earn their living but also to perform to appreciative audiences. From the one of two gigs that I was able to attend during lockdown, it was clear that the motivation wasn't the money for these musicians (the audiences were really small), but the pleasure of making their music in their own ways. The records I have selected for my top 10 this remind me of the pleasures and challenges of listening to people ploughing their own furrows and making music, whatever the style, in their own ways.
JIM BURLONG
NEW RELEASES
ISSIE BARRATTS INTERCHANGE - Donna's Secret (Fuzzy Moon Records)
ARTEMIS - Artemis (Blue Note Records)
PAT METHENY - From This Place (Nonesuch Records)
GREG OSBY & FLORIAN ARBENZ - Reflections Of The Eternal Line (Inner Circle Music)
DAVE HOLLAND ZAKIR HUSSAIN CHRIS POTTER - Good Hope (Edition Records)
AMBROSE AKINMUSIRE - On The Tender Side Of Every Calloused Moment (Blue Note Records)
MARIA SCHNEIDER - Data Lords (Self Release)
BANCROFT & LYNE - Monday Nights (Lisaleo Records)
CARLA BLEY ANDY SHEPPARD STEVE SWALLOW - Life Goes On (ECM Records)
MICHAEL WOLLNY - Moden Kind (ACT Records)
FROM THE VAULTS / RE- ISSUES
ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS - Just Coolin' (Blue Note Records)
MILES DAVIS - The Lost Septet (Sleepy Night Records)
MAJOR SURGERY - Rare Live Performances 1978 (The Latest Music Company)
LENNIE TRISTANO - The Duo Sessions (Dot Time Records)
CHARLIE HADEN'S LIBERATION MUSIC ORCHESTRA - Live 1993 (Equinox Music)
It's been a difficult year for the music industry, as well as almost everyone else, but as far as new jazz releases are concerned the standard has remained incredibly high as always. Early in the year British composer, arranger, band leader and musician Issie Barratt, with the help of a handful of our own most prominent contemporary writers and musicians came up with a suite of the most diverse and meaningful compositions which were not equalled throughout the year. Very close behind was a great Blue Note recording of the newly formed Artemis, a septet containing many of the most prominent female figures on today's worldwide scene including Ingrid Jensen, Melissa Aldana and Cecile McLorin Salvant who together produced a stunning set of mostly new music under the defining leadership of Renee Rosnes. Pat Metheny produced another Grammy award contender, as he does almost every year, Maria Schneider proved both she and her fine orchestra were still at the top of their game, plus the stunning pairing of the guitar and vocals of Sophie Bancroft and bassist Tom Lyne joined forces to provide an intimate but joyful duo set.
On the re-issue and "recently discovered" side of things, the Art Blakey album with Lee Morgan and Hank Mobley was outstanding, while the Miles Davis double album live set from Vienna in 1971 made compulsive listening for the many devotees of his electric period. It was great to be reminded of the genius of Lennie Tristano and equally so of the sadly missed British tenor giant Don Weller with his band Major Surgery.
ISSIE BARRATTS INTERCHANGE - Donna's Secret (Fuzzy Moon Records)
ARTEMIS - Artemis (Blue Note Records)
PAT METHENY - From This Place (Nonesuch Records)
GREG OSBY & FLORIAN ARBENZ - Reflections Of The Eternal Line (Inner Circle Music)
DAVE HOLLAND ZAKIR HUSSAIN CHRIS POTTER - Good Hope (Edition Records)
AMBROSE AKINMUSIRE - On The Tender Side Of Every Calloused Moment (Blue Note Records)
MARIA SCHNEIDER - Data Lords (Self Release)
BANCROFT & LYNE - Monday Nights (Lisaleo Records)
CARLA BLEY ANDY SHEPPARD STEVE SWALLOW - Life Goes On (ECM Records)
MICHAEL WOLLNY - Moden Kind (ACT Records)
FROM THE VAULTS / RE- ISSUES
ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS - Just Coolin' (Blue Note Records)
MILES DAVIS - The Lost Septet (Sleepy Night Records)
MAJOR SURGERY - Rare Live Performances 1978 (The Latest Music Company)
LENNIE TRISTANO - The Duo Sessions (Dot Time Records)
CHARLIE HADEN'S LIBERATION MUSIC ORCHESTRA - Live 1993 (Equinox Music)
It's been a difficult year for the music industry, as well as almost everyone else, but as far as new jazz releases are concerned the standard has remained incredibly high as always. Early in the year British composer, arranger, band leader and musician Issie Barratt, with the help of a handful of our own most prominent contemporary writers and musicians came up with a suite of the most diverse and meaningful compositions which were not equalled throughout the year. Very close behind was a great Blue Note recording of the newly formed Artemis, a septet containing many of the most prominent female figures on today's worldwide scene including Ingrid Jensen, Melissa Aldana and Cecile McLorin Salvant who together produced a stunning set of mostly new music under the defining leadership of Renee Rosnes. Pat Metheny produced another Grammy award contender, as he does almost every year, Maria Schneider proved both she and her fine orchestra were still at the top of their game, plus the stunning pairing of the guitar and vocals of Sophie Bancroft and bassist Tom Lyne joined forces to provide an intimate but joyful duo set.
On the re-issue and "recently discovered" side of things, the Art Blakey album with Lee Morgan and Hank Mobley was outstanding, while the Miles Davis double album live set from Vienna in 1971 made compulsive listening for the many devotees of his electric period. It was great to be reminded of the genius of Lennie Tristano and equally so of the sadly missed British tenor giant Don Weller with his band Major Surgery.
KEN CHEETHAM
NEW RELEASES
SIMON NABATOV - Time Labyrinth (Leo Records)
ENSEMBLE 5 - Luminescence (Leo Records)
PERLIN NOISE QUINTET - John Eats Bacon with Francis In the Cage (SLAM)
TRIO KIMMIG, STUDER, ZIMMERLIN AND GEORGE LEWIS (ezz-thetics)
DANIEL STUDER: - Extended for Strings and Piano (ezz-thetics)
HASLAM, MADEIRA, RUA, LOPES- Ajuda (SLAM)
WAYS (with SIMON TOLDAM) - Fortunes- (Lorna)
LINA ALLEMANO- Glimmer Glammer (Lumo)
HANNA SCHÖRKEN - Luma (Leo Records)
HOWARD RILEY - More Listening-More Hearing (SLAM)
FROM THE VAULTS / RE-ISSUES
ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS - Just Coolin' (Blue Note)
SONNY STITT - Sonny Stitt & The Top Brass (Atlantic)
BRECKER BROTHERS - Live and Unreleased (Leopard)
ART FARMER QUARTET FEATURING JIM HALL - Live at The Half Note (Atlantic)
PHINEAS NEWBORN - Here Is Phineas: The Piano Artistry of Phineas Newborn (Atlantic)
About the re-issues, the star for me is very definitely ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS - Just Coolin' - Blue Note Records – Energy is the not-so-secret ingredient of the Messengers’ performances and recordings. 60-years-old music from one of the hottest, greatest hard bop combos ever recorded – how did Blakey nurse all that talent? This isn’t really a re-release, as it’s never been published before – only discovered recently. I think its age counts it in. I’d follow this with Sonny Stitt, whose music helped me towards alto and away from clarinet (along with Flip Phillips’ playing) back in the 50s.
SIMON NABATOV - Time Labyrinth (Leo Records)
ENSEMBLE 5 - Luminescence (Leo Records)
PERLIN NOISE QUINTET - John Eats Bacon with Francis In the Cage (SLAM)
TRIO KIMMIG, STUDER, ZIMMERLIN AND GEORGE LEWIS (ezz-thetics)
DANIEL STUDER: - Extended for Strings and Piano (ezz-thetics)
HASLAM, MADEIRA, RUA, LOPES- Ajuda (SLAM)
WAYS (with SIMON TOLDAM) - Fortunes- (Lorna)
LINA ALLEMANO- Glimmer Glammer (Lumo)
HANNA SCHÖRKEN - Luma (Leo Records)
HOWARD RILEY - More Listening-More Hearing (SLAM)
FROM THE VAULTS / RE-ISSUES
ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS - Just Coolin' (Blue Note)
SONNY STITT - Sonny Stitt & The Top Brass (Atlantic)
BRECKER BROTHERS - Live and Unreleased (Leopard)
ART FARMER QUARTET FEATURING JIM HALL - Live at The Half Note (Atlantic)
PHINEAS NEWBORN - Here Is Phineas: The Piano Artistry of Phineas Newborn (Atlantic)
About the re-issues, the star for me is very definitely ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS - Just Coolin' - Blue Note Records – Energy is the not-so-secret ingredient of the Messengers’ performances and recordings. 60-years-old music from one of the hottest, greatest hard bop combos ever recorded – how did Blakey nurse all that talent? This isn’t really a re-release, as it’s never been published before – only discovered recently. I think its age counts it in. I’d follow this with Sonny Stitt, whose music helped me towards alto and away from clarinet (along with Flip Phillips’ playing) back in the 50s.
GEORGE COLE
NEW RELEASES
SOFT MACHINE - Live at the Baked Potato (DYAD Record)JOHN McLAUGHLIN / SHANKAR MAHADEVAN / ZAKIR HUSSAIN - Is That So? (Absract Logix)
TOMMY SCOTT - Going For It (Tommy Scott Music)
TRILOK GURTU - God Is A Drummer (Jazzline)
BRECKER BROTHERS - Live And Unreleased (Leopard)
DAVE HOLLAND / ZAKIR HUSSAIN / CHRIS POTTER - Good Hope (Edition Records)
ANTONIO ADOLFO - BruMa: Celebrating Milton Nascimento (AAM Music)
JASON MILES /KIND OF NEW - Black Magic (Ropeadope)
MULTIQUARIUM BIG BAND featuring Biréli Lagrène - Remembering Jaco (Naïve/Believe)
THE MAY FALL CREW - Overload (ReFeel Music Group)
I reviewed quite a few albums this year, and there were many highlights, not least the return of Tommy Scott to the jazz scene. There was an abundance of excellent records which intersected the worlds of jazz and world music. Jazz is best heard live, and the absence of live gigs for most of the year, made me appreciate some live releases even more – and hope that in 2021, we can sit together in a room, listen to some great music, and not worry about Covid. Jason Miles’ album offered the best of both worlds: sizzling live tracks and new studio material. MULTIQUARIUM BIG BAND featuring Biréli Lagrène is an excellent tribute to Jaco Pastorius. It was also heartening to see so many young musicians embracing jazz and putting their spin on the music and its endless possibilities, which is why I was pleased to review the May Fall Crew’s debut album.
When it comes to archive recordings, Jack Kenny’s enthusiastic review of THELONIOUS MONK - Palo Alto (Impulse Records), and Clive Fleckner’s review of BUDDY RICH - Just in Time: The Final Recording (Gearbox Records) motivated me to seek out these albums, and I’m glad that I did.
SOFT MACHINE - Live at the Baked Potato (DYAD Record)JOHN McLAUGHLIN / SHANKAR MAHADEVAN / ZAKIR HUSSAIN - Is That So? (Absract Logix)
TOMMY SCOTT - Going For It (Tommy Scott Music)
TRILOK GURTU - God Is A Drummer (Jazzline)
BRECKER BROTHERS - Live And Unreleased (Leopard)
DAVE HOLLAND / ZAKIR HUSSAIN / CHRIS POTTER - Good Hope (Edition Records)
ANTONIO ADOLFO - BruMa: Celebrating Milton Nascimento (AAM Music)
JASON MILES /KIND OF NEW - Black Magic (Ropeadope)
MULTIQUARIUM BIG BAND featuring Biréli Lagrène - Remembering Jaco (Naïve/Believe)
THE MAY FALL CREW - Overload (ReFeel Music Group)
I reviewed quite a few albums this year, and there were many highlights, not least the return of Tommy Scott to the jazz scene. There was an abundance of excellent records which intersected the worlds of jazz and world music. Jazz is best heard live, and the absence of live gigs for most of the year, made me appreciate some live releases even more – and hope that in 2021, we can sit together in a room, listen to some great music, and not worry about Covid. Jason Miles’ album offered the best of both worlds: sizzling live tracks and new studio material. MULTIQUARIUM BIG BAND featuring Biréli Lagrène is an excellent tribute to Jaco Pastorius. It was also heartening to see so many young musicians embracing jazz and putting their spin on the music and its endless possibilities, which is why I was pleased to review the May Fall Crew’s debut album.
When it comes to archive recordings, Jack Kenny’s enthusiastic review of THELONIOUS MONK - Palo Alto (Impulse Records), and Clive Fleckner’s review of BUDDY RICH - Just in Time: The Final Recording (Gearbox Records) motivated me to seek out these albums, and I’m glad that I did.
EUAN DIXON
NEW RELEASES
AARON DIEHL – The Vagabond (Mack Avenue)
BURAK BEDIKYAN – Istanbul Crossing (Steeplechase)
JAY ANDERSON – Deepscape (Steeplechase)
SHAPIRO 17 – New Shoes: Kind of Blue (Summit)
JIMMY GREENE – While Looking Up (Mack Avenue)
RALPH PETERSON & THE MESSENGER LEGACY – Onward & Upward (Onyx)
PAUL SHAW QUINTET – Moment of Clarity (Summit)
DENNY ZEITLIN -Live at Mezzrow (Sunnyside)
SCOFIELD/STEWART/SWALLOW – Swallow Tales (ECM)
JOHN DI MARTINO – Passion Flower: The Music of Billy Strayhorn (Sunnyside)
FROM THE VAULTS/RE-ISSUES
EDWARD SIMON -25 Years (Ridgeway)
KARIN KROG & GEORGIE FAME – On a Misty Night: The Music of Tadd Dameron (Odin)
CHARLES MINGUS – Charles Mingus @ Bremen 1964 & 1975
THELONIOUS MONK – Palo Alto (Impulse)
ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS – Just Coolin’ (Blue Note)
Although it’s been a rubbish year for just about everything else the flow of quality jazz releases new and old continues apace and provides a much need balm to soothe the soul in these troubled times. As in previous years my order of listing is not an indication of merit or preference and I have returned to all these recordings several times to reprise their delights, however two releases have really expanded my musical horizons: they are Jay Anderson’s intriguing `Deepscape` from the New Release list and Edward Simon’s excellently comprehensive two-disc retrospective in Re-issues.
AARON DIEHL – The Vagabond (Mack Avenue)
BURAK BEDIKYAN – Istanbul Crossing (Steeplechase)
JAY ANDERSON – Deepscape (Steeplechase)
SHAPIRO 17 – New Shoes: Kind of Blue (Summit)
JIMMY GREENE – While Looking Up (Mack Avenue)
RALPH PETERSON & THE MESSENGER LEGACY – Onward & Upward (Onyx)
PAUL SHAW QUINTET – Moment of Clarity (Summit)
DENNY ZEITLIN -Live at Mezzrow (Sunnyside)
SCOFIELD/STEWART/SWALLOW – Swallow Tales (ECM)
JOHN DI MARTINO – Passion Flower: The Music of Billy Strayhorn (Sunnyside)
FROM THE VAULTS/RE-ISSUES
EDWARD SIMON -25 Years (Ridgeway)
KARIN KROG & GEORGIE FAME – On a Misty Night: The Music of Tadd Dameron (Odin)
CHARLES MINGUS – Charles Mingus @ Bremen 1964 & 1975
THELONIOUS MONK – Palo Alto (Impulse)
ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS – Just Coolin’ (Blue Note)
Although it’s been a rubbish year for just about everything else the flow of quality jazz releases new and old continues apace and provides a much need balm to soothe the soul in these troubled times. As in previous years my order of listing is not an indication of merit or preference and I have returned to all these recordings several times to reprise their delights, however two releases have really expanded my musical horizons: they are Jay Anderson’s intriguing `Deepscape` from the New Release list and Edward Simon’s excellently comprehensive two-disc retrospective in Re-issues.
JACK KENNY
NEW RELEASES / FROM THE VAULTS/RE-ISSUES
DENNY ZEITLIN - Live at Mezzrow (Sunnyside SSC1582)
CARLA BLEY / ANDY SHEPPARD / STEVE SWALLOW - Life Goes On (ECM 083 2063)
KADRI VOORAND - In Duo with Mihkel Mälgand (ACT Records 9739-2)
MARTIAL SOLAL & DAVE LIEBMAN - Masters in Paris (Sunnyside SSC1551)
MARIA SCHNEIDER ORCHESTRA - Data Lords (ARTISTS SHARE ASO176)
THELONIOUS MONK - Palo Alto ( Impulse Records)
CHARLIE HADEN'S LIBERATION MUSIC ORCHESTRA - Live 1993 (Equinox Music – EQCD6001)
COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA - Basie At Birdland: Recorded at the Jazz Corner of the World (Pure Pleasure PPAN R 152065 Vinyl 2 LP)
CHARLES MINGUS @Bremen1964 &1975 (Sunnyside SSC1570)
RENDELL - CARR QUINTET - BBC Jazz Club 1965-1966 (Rhythm and Blues Records RANDB 064)
The Carla Bley addition to her marvellous library does not disappoint. The depth and intensity of her work increases each time. Kadri Voorand is redefining jazz singing in a wonderful way. Martial Solal and Denny Zeitlin show that age does not diminish but enhances. The Zeitlin album with Buster Williams has great beauty and vitality, an album that I have returned to frequently.
The reissue of an old friend, the Basie album, probably the band’s best live offering with Budd Johnson on ‘Segue in C’ is sheer pleasure.
The two big surprises of the year were the issue of the Don Rendell Ian Carr broadcasts and Thelonious Monk’s school concert. The creativity and innovation of the Rendell-Carr group was unmatched in the UK in the 1960s and we are lucky to have more evidence.. Monk seems to have been inspired by his young audience.. Both Haden and Schneider make strong political points. Mingus too made political points all wrapped up in his unique curmudgeonly vital music with Eric Dolphy at his most eloquent.
DENNY ZEITLIN - Live at Mezzrow (Sunnyside SSC1582)
CARLA BLEY / ANDY SHEPPARD / STEVE SWALLOW - Life Goes On (ECM 083 2063)
KADRI VOORAND - In Duo with Mihkel Mälgand (ACT Records 9739-2)
MARTIAL SOLAL & DAVE LIEBMAN - Masters in Paris (Sunnyside SSC1551)
MARIA SCHNEIDER ORCHESTRA - Data Lords (ARTISTS SHARE ASO176)
THELONIOUS MONK - Palo Alto ( Impulse Records)
CHARLIE HADEN'S LIBERATION MUSIC ORCHESTRA - Live 1993 (Equinox Music – EQCD6001)
COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA - Basie At Birdland: Recorded at the Jazz Corner of the World (Pure Pleasure PPAN R 152065 Vinyl 2 LP)
CHARLES MINGUS @Bremen1964 &1975 (Sunnyside SSC1570)
RENDELL - CARR QUINTET - BBC Jazz Club 1965-1966 (Rhythm and Blues Records RANDB 064)
The Carla Bley addition to her marvellous library does not disappoint. The depth and intensity of her work increases each time. Kadri Voorand is redefining jazz singing in a wonderful way. Martial Solal and Denny Zeitlin show that age does not diminish but enhances. The Zeitlin album with Buster Williams has great beauty and vitality, an album that I have returned to frequently.
The reissue of an old friend, the Basie album, probably the band’s best live offering with Budd Johnson on ‘Segue in C’ is sheer pleasure.
The two big surprises of the year were the issue of the Don Rendell Ian Carr broadcasts and Thelonious Monk’s school concert. The creativity and innovation of the Rendell-Carr group was unmatched in the UK in the 1960s and we are lucky to have more evidence.. Monk seems to have been inspired by his young audience.. Both Haden and Schneider make strong political points. Mingus too made political points all wrapped up in his unique curmudgeonly vital music with Eric Dolphy at his most eloquent.
NICK LEA
NEW RELEASES
LYNNE ARRIALE TRIO - Chimes Of Freedom (Challenge Records)
JO HARROP & JAMIE McCREDIE - Weathering The Storm (Lateralize Records)
JOHN HELLIWELL - Ever Open Door (Challenge Records)
NICOLE JOHÄNNTGEN & JACK DeSALVO - Lumens (Unseen Rain Records)
KENDON / RYALL SEXTET - There Will Be Time (BeeBoss Records)
COLIN STEELE QUARTET - Joni (Marina)
KEN STUBBS - Big Hush / I Us (CherryK Records) & Big Hush / I Us - Live (download)
TRICOTISM - Nostalgia (NERVYCD002)
WILL VINSON - four forty one (Whirlwind)
JULIET WOOD - Sconsolato (Self Release)
ECM
MICHEL BENITA - Looking At Sounds
MATTHIEU BORDENAVE - La La traversée
ELINA DUNI / ROB LUFT - Lost Ships
KEITH JARRETT - Budapest Concert
ODED TZUR - Here Be Dragons
FROM THE VAULTS/RE-ISSUES
MILES DAVIS - The Lost Septet (Sleepy Night Records)
WEATHER REPORT - Live In London (Angel Air Records)
In troubled times where musicians have found themselves without the opportunity to play live, and even opportunities to record have been made difficult, there have been some outstanding albums released during the pandemic hit 2020. So much so that trying to limit the choice to just ten new releases have proved to be a difficult task indeed.
Looking at the new releases it is with regret that there have been ommisions with some fine recordings just missing out such as the wonderfulSongs And Storiesalbum from Callum Au and Claire Martin, Nigel Hitch cock's Hitchgnosis set and the collaborative effort What's New? from Ian Shaw, Iain Balamy and Jamie Safir. Some of you may alss have spotted that there are in fact eleven albums in my choices, two very different albums from altoist, Ken Stubbs' with his Bug Hush / I Usstudio and live recordings which made it impossible to narrow it down to just one album.
A quieter year for ECM after the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of 2019, but none the less still releasing some fine music. My selection comprises five very different albums that will delight many, and if the Jarrett seems an obvious choice, we should not overlook other fine solo piano albums (and all very different) from Jon Balke (Disourses), Benjamin Mousay (Promontoire) and Dominik Wania (Lonely Shadows).
Have not listened to as many re-issues or music made available from the archives as I would have liked I have chosen a couple of albums that have given immense pleasure. One release that I very much like to have included is Live At The BBCby Barbara Thompson, a mammoth 14CD set of recordings featuring the saxophonist with various groups including her own Jubiaba and Paraphernalia bands from featured on radio broadcasts from 1969 to 1990.; but the task of reviewing the entire set by the end of year defeated me, and a full review of this excellent boxset will appear soon.
LYNNE ARRIALE TRIO - Chimes Of Freedom (Challenge Records)
JO HARROP & JAMIE McCREDIE - Weathering The Storm (Lateralize Records)
JOHN HELLIWELL - Ever Open Door (Challenge Records)
NICOLE JOHÄNNTGEN & JACK DeSALVO - Lumens (Unseen Rain Records)
KENDON / RYALL SEXTET - There Will Be Time (BeeBoss Records)
COLIN STEELE QUARTET - Joni (Marina)
KEN STUBBS - Big Hush / I Us (CherryK Records) & Big Hush / I Us - Live (download)
TRICOTISM - Nostalgia (NERVYCD002)
WILL VINSON - four forty one (Whirlwind)
JULIET WOOD - Sconsolato (Self Release)
ECM
MICHEL BENITA - Looking At Sounds
MATTHIEU BORDENAVE - La La traversée
ELINA DUNI / ROB LUFT - Lost Ships
KEITH JARRETT - Budapest Concert
ODED TZUR - Here Be Dragons
FROM THE VAULTS/RE-ISSUES
MILES DAVIS - The Lost Septet (Sleepy Night Records)
WEATHER REPORT - Live In London (Angel Air Records)
In troubled times where musicians have found themselves without the opportunity to play live, and even opportunities to record have been made difficult, there have been some outstanding albums released during the pandemic hit 2020. So much so that trying to limit the choice to just ten new releases have proved to be a difficult task indeed.
Looking at the new releases it is with regret that there have been ommisions with some fine recordings just missing out such as the wonderfulSongs And Storiesalbum from Callum Au and Claire Martin, Nigel Hitch cock's Hitchgnosis set and the collaborative effort What's New? from Ian Shaw, Iain Balamy and Jamie Safir. Some of you may alss have spotted that there are in fact eleven albums in my choices, two very different albums from altoist, Ken Stubbs' with his Bug Hush / I Usstudio and live recordings which made it impossible to narrow it down to just one album.
A quieter year for ECM after the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of 2019, but none the less still releasing some fine music. My selection comprises five very different albums that will delight many, and if the Jarrett seems an obvious choice, we should not overlook other fine solo piano albums (and all very different) from Jon Balke (Disourses), Benjamin Mousay (Promontoire) and Dominik Wania (Lonely Shadows).
Have not listened to as many re-issues or music made available from the archives as I would have liked I have chosen a couple of albums that have given immense pleasure. One release that I very much like to have included is Live At The BBCby Barbara Thompson, a mammoth 14CD set of recordings featuring the saxophonist with various groups including her own Jubiaba and Paraphernalia bands from featured on radio broadcasts from 1969 to 1990.; but the task of reviewing the entire set by the end of year defeated me, and a full review of this excellent boxset will appear soon.
SAMMY STEIN
NEW RELEASES
TALINKA - Rainbow Over Kolonaki (Talinka)
KIMOKO ISHIZAKA - New Me (Self Release)
JULIAN COSTELLO QUARTET - Connections: Without Borders (33Jazz)
SHABAKA & THE ANCESTORS - We Are Sent Here By History (Impulse)
ADRIAN COX - The Hour Off (Self-release)
SEAN NOONAN & ALEX WARD - Noonward ( Copepod)
ENSEMBLE C - Small World ( Self release)
MARK VICKNESS - Interconnected ( Independant)
MOHAMED ASSANI - Wayfinder ( Self Release)
ARCHIE THE GOLDFISH - Hidden Depths ( Self Release)
It has been an amazing year for jazz music. My top 10 is in no particular order as all of the tracks - plus the other music I have reviewed this year has been amazing and richly diverse. From the beautiful, atmospheric sitar of Mohamed Assani to the characterful lunch hour recording of Adrian Cox, the incredibly intricate piano of Kimoko Ishizaka to the wonderful compositions on Ensemble C's Small World - and everything else. This year has been difficult for musicians but their creativity and continuation of their art is amazing. As seen from the number of self-released recordings musicians have found ways to engage, disperse and evolve their music.
TALINKA - Rainbow Over Kolonaki (Talinka)
KIMOKO ISHIZAKA - New Me (Self Release)
JULIAN COSTELLO QUARTET - Connections: Without Borders (33Jazz)
SHABAKA & THE ANCESTORS - We Are Sent Here By History (Impulse)
ADRIAN COX - The Hour Off (Self-release)
SEAN NOONAN & ALEX WARD - Noonward ( Copepod)
ENSEMBLE C - Small World ( Self release)
MARK VICKNESS - Interconnected ( Independant)
MOHAMED ASSANI - Wayfinder ( Self Release)
ARCHIE THE GOLDFISH - Hidden Depths ( Self Release)
It has been an amazing year for jazz music. My top 10 is in no particular order as all of the tracks - plus the other music I have reviewed this year has been amazing and richly diverse. From the beautiful, atmospheric sitar of Mohamed Assani to the characterful lunch hour recording of Adrian Cox, the incredibly intricate piano of Kimoko Ishizaka to the wonderful compositions on Ensemble C's Small World - and everything else. This year has been difficult for musicians but their creativity and continuation of their art is amazing. As seen from the number of self-released recordings musicians have found ways to engage, disperse and evolve their music.
