ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2021
Another difficult year for musicians with gigs on and then off again at a bewildering rate. However
undeterred the jazz scene once again showed its resilience and determination in the face of adversity
with a host of wonderful recordings. Here we present our contributors choices from the albums
reviewed over the last twelve months.
undeterred the jazz scene once again showed its resilience and determination in the face of adversity
with a host of wonderful recordings. Here we present our contributors choices from the albums
reviewed over the last twelve months.
CHRIS BABER
NEW RELEASES
SYLVIE COURVOISIER & MARY HALVORSON - Searching for the Disappeared Hour (Pyroclastic Records)
OLGA KONKOVA TRIO - Open Secret (Losen)
PAT THOMAS AND THE LOCALS - Play the Music of Anthony Braxton (Discus)
MR.MIBBLER - Leave Your Thoughts Here (NXN Recordings)
WILL GLASER / MATTHEW HERD / LIAM NOBLE - Climbing in Circles (Ubuntu)
VERONICA SWIFT - This Bitter Earth (Mack Avenue Records)
GANELIN / KRUGLOV / YUDANOV - Access Point (Losen)
BEN CROSLAND QUINTET - Solway Stories (Jazz Cat)
ANDREW WOODHEAD - Pendulums: music for bell-ringers, improvisers and electronics (Leker)
SCOPES - Age of Reason (Whirlwind) Another peculiar year for musicians and their ability to gig and earn an income from their talents. Artists have also found ways of collaborating remotely and continuing to find expression for their music. Let’s hope that next year allows them to share their music to audiences as widely as possible. As usual, my list is on records that I have had the pleasure of reviewing this year.
SYLVIE COURVOISIER & MARY HALVORSON - Searching for the Disappeared Hour (Pyroclastic Records)
OLGA KONKOVA TRIO - Open Secret (Losen)
PAT THOMAS AND THE LOCALS - Play the Music of Anthony Braxton (Discus)
MR.MIBBLER - Leave Your Thoughts Here (NXN Recordings)
WILL GLASER / MATTHEW HERD / LIAM NOBLE - Climbing in Circles (Ubuntu)
VERONICA SWIFT - This Bitter Earth (Mack Avenue Records)
GANELIN / KRUGLOV / YUDANOV - Access Point (Losen)
BEN CROSLAND QUINTET - Solway Stories (Jazz Cat)
ANDREW WOODHEAD - Pendulums: music for bell-ringers, improvisers and electronics (Leker)
SCOPES - Age of Reason (Whirlwind) Another peculiar year for musicians and their ability to gig and earn an income from their talents. Artists have also found ways of collaborating remotely and continuing to find expression for their music. Let’s hope that next year allows them to share their music to audiences as widely as possible. As usual, my list is on records that I have had the pleasure of reviewing this year.
JIM BURLONG
NEW RELEASES
VERONICA SWIFT - This Bitter Earth (Mack Avenue Records)
DR LONNIE SMITH - Breathe (Blue Note Records)
MARCIN WASILEWSKI TRIO - En Attendant (ECM Records)
STEVEN FEIFKE BIG BAND - Kinetic (Outside In Music)
GEORGIA MANCIO & ALAN BROADBENT - Quiet Is The Star (Roomspin Records)
ARCHIE SHEPP & JASON MORAN - Let My People Go (Archieball Records)
SAM BRAYSHER - Dance Little Lady, Dance Little Man (Unit Records)
FLORIAN ARBENZ & GREG OSBY - Reflections Of The Eternal Line (Bandcamp)
DAVE HOLLAND - Another Land (Edition Records)
VARIOUS ARTISTS - Blue Note Re'Imagined (Blue Note Records)
FROM THE VAULTS / RE-ISSUES
LEE MORGAN - The Complete Live At The Lighthouse 1970 (Blue Note Records)
DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET - Time Outtakes (Brubeck Editions)
NEIL ARDLEY - Kaleidoscope Of Rainbows Live 75 (Jazz In Britain Records)
IAN CARR DOUBLE QUINTET - Solar Session (Jazz In Britain Records)
SHELIA JORDAN - Comes Love, Lost Session 1960 (Capri Records)
Despite yet another disrupted year for jazz, like all music and entertainment, many musicians have once again risen to the occasion and provided us with another batch of stellar recordings for our enjoyment. No one epitomizes this more so than the 27 year old vocalist from Charlottesville, Virginia, Veronica Swift, whose insightful and profound album "This Bitter Earth" deservedly received high acclaim from around the world from critics and fans alike. The veteran organist Dr Lonnie Smith gave further proof of his long awaited career resurgence with a wonderful set of performances, which showed new light on a number of ageing standards as well as laying out some exciting new compositions. Marcin Wasilewski, the Polish piano player, enhanced his growing status with a wonderful trio set on E.C.M. while Archie Shepp, alongside Jason Moran, proved once again that he is still a major force at the cutting edge of music. Drummer and percussionist Florian Arbenz alongside reed man Greg Osby, pushed the boundaries of duo improvisation and Steven Feifke showed just how far the Big Band scene has advanced over recent years. Bass giant Dave Holland added to his highly regarded discography, this time within the trio format on the ever rising Edition Records label while at the beginning of the year Blue Note provided us with a two disc set of classic cuts from the past transported into a twenty first century settings. On the UK scene singer Georgia Mancio showed once again what a superb rapport she has with pianist Alan Broadbent and alto saxophonist Sam Brasher confirmed his status among the elite of British Jazz with an engaging and wide ranging set of great standards.
There were an absolute host of re-issues and archive material issued in the past year, but top of the bill must go to the eight album set from Lee Morgan at the famous Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach where he was at the top of his awesome powers back in 1970. From the UK, there was historic material from two of our most important musicians, Ian Carr with a double quintet, reminding us of his broad range of playing and composing skills, plus a live version of the famous Kaleidoscope Of Rainbows, by the remarkable Neil Ardley as a companion to the award winning studio version. Finally, but in no means least, Capri records issued a recently discovered set from the sixties by the great US vocalist Shelia Jordan and we were treated to a fresh sideways look of the Brubeck magic in the late fifties with the appropriately named Time Outtakes.
VERONICA SWIFT - This Bitter Earth (Mack Avenue Records)
DR LONNIE SMITH - Breathe (Blue Note Records)
MARCIN WASILEWSKI TRIO - En Attendant (ECM Records)
STEVEN FEIFKE BIG BAND - Kinetic (Outside In Music)
GEORGIA MANCIO & ALAN BROADBENT - Quiet Is The Star (Roomspin Records)
ARCHIE SHEPP & JASON MORAN - Let My People Go (Archieball Records)
SAM BRAYSHER - Dance Little Lady, Dance Little Man (Unit Records)
FLORIAN ARBENZ & GREG OSBY - Reflections Of The Eternal Line (Bandcamp)
DAVE HOLLAND - Another Land (Edition Records)
VARIOUS ARTISTS - Blue Note Re'Imagined (Blue Note Records)
FROM THE VAULTS / RE-ISSUES
LEE MORGAN - The Complete Live At The Lighthouse 1970 (Blue Note Records)
DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET - Time Outtakes (Brubeck Editions)
NEIL ARDLEY - Kaleidoscope Of Rainbows Live 75 (Jazz In Britain Records)
IAN CARR DOUBLE QUINTET - Solar Session (Jazz In Britain Records)
SHELIA JORDAN - Comes Love, Lost Session 1960 (Capri Records)
Despite yet another disrupted year for jazz, like all music and entertainment, many musicians have once again risen to the occasion and provided us with another batch of stellar recordings for our enjoyment. No one epitomizes this more so than the 27 year old vocalist from Charlottesville, Virginia, Veronica Swift, whose insightful and profound album "This Bitter Earth" deservedly received high acclaim from around the world from critics and fans alike. The veteran organist Dr Lonnie Smith gave further proof of his long awaited career resurgence with a wonderful set of performances, which showed new light on a number of ageing standards as well as laying out some exciting new compositions. Marcin Wasilewski, the Polish piano player, enhanced his growing status with a wonderful trio set on E.C.M. while Archie Shepp, alongside Jason Moran, proved once again that he is still a major force at the cutting edge of music. Drummer and percussionist Florian Arbenz alongside reed man Greg Osby, pushed the boundaries of duo improvisation and Steven Feifke showed just how far the Big Band scene has advanced over recent years. Bass giant Dave Holland added to his highly regarded discography, this time within the trio format on the ever rising Edition Records label while at the beginning of the year Blue Note provided us with a two disc set of classic cuts from the past transported into a twenty first century settings. On the UK scene singer Georgia Mancio showed once again what a superb rapport she has with pianist Alan Broadbent and alto saxophonist Sam Brasher confirmed his status among the elite of British Jazz with an engaging and wide ranging set of great standards.
There were an absolute host of re-issues and archive material issued in the past year, but top of the bill must go to the eight album set from Lee Morgan at the famous Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach where he was at the top of his awesome powers back in 1970. From the UK, there was historic material from two of our most important musicians, Ian Carr with a double quintet, reminding us of his broad range of playing and composing skills, plus a live version of the famous Kaleidoscope Of Rainbows, by the remarkable Neil Ardley as a companion to the award winning studio version. Finally, but in no means least, Capri records issued a recently discovered set from the sixties by the great US vocalist Shelia Jordan and we were treated to a fresh sideways look of the Brubeck magic in the late fifties with the appropriately named Time Outtakes.
GEORGE COLE
NEW RELEASES
HAZAR - Reincarnation (IAN Productions)
JEFF COSGROVE/JOHN MEDESKI/JEFF LEDERER - History Gets Ahead Of The Story (Grizzly Music)
CAMERON GRAVES - Seven (Artistry Music)
BENJAMIN KOPPEL - The Ultimate Soul & Jazz Revue (Unit Records)
DAVE HOLLAND - Another Land (Edition Records)
NEIL ANGILLEY TRIO - Yambou (Angilley Music)
BEVERLEY BEIRNE - Dream Dancer (33 Jazz Records)
CHARNETT MOFFETT - New Love (Motéma)
ALEX RIEL & STEFAN PASBORG - Universe Live (Stunt Records)
FROM THE VAULTS / RE-ISSUES
SOFT WORKS - Abracadabra in Osaka (MoonJune Records)
STEVE KHAN - Tightrope/The Blue Man/Arrows (BGO Records)
RETURN TO FOREVER FEATURING CHICK COREA - Where Have I Known You Before/No Mystery (BGO Records)
RAMSEY LEWIS - Funky Serenity/ Ramsey Lewis’s Newly Recorded, All-Time, Non-Stop, GOLDEN HITS/ Solar Wind/Sun Goddess (BGO Records)
IAN CARR DOUBLE QUINTET - Solar Session (Jazz In Britain)
JOHN COLTRANE - A Love Supreme: Live In Seattle (Impulse!)
MILES DAVIS - Merci Miles! Live At Vienne (Warner Records/Rhino)
Last year, I concluded my piece by stating, “[Let’s] hope that in 2021, we can sit together in a room, listen to some great music, and not worry about Covid.” Well, more fool me, because as I write this, Covid is still well and truly dominating our lives, and the prospects for 2022 are uncertain. Having said that, many artists were able to get out on the road again this year, and many continued to record and release albums. It was a pleasure to see 75 year-old Dave Holland showing no signs of letting up with his excellent trio album, and at the other end of the spectrum, thirty-something Cameron Graves pushed the limits of jazz by combining it with Thrash metal. The Neil Angilley Trio produced a terrific mix of jazz, Latin and funk, while Beverley Beirne demonstrated that she is a superb vocalist and terrific interpreter of the classic song.
When it comes to archive releases, Soft Works’ Abracadabra in Osaka superbly documents a short-lived Soft Machine line-up featuring Allan Holdsworth on guitar. Kudos to BGO Records, who continue to release excellent value-for-money archive compilations, packaged and curated with great care and attention. One of BGO’s releases featured the late Chick Corea, whose death in February was a great shock and a great loss to the jazz world. I didn’t review the final three albums on my Reissues list, but they all had a big impact on me. As Jack Kenny said in his review of IAN CARR DOUBLE QUINTET – Solar Session, Ian Carr’s talents deserve greater recognition. John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme: Live In Seattle had my jaw dropping at the sheer power, energy and virtuosity of the man, as Coltrane pushed himself, his instrument and his band to the limit. Finally, Merci Miles! Live At Vienne, is a tremendous live performance, recorded barely three months before Miles Davis’s death.
HAZAR - Reincarnation (IAN Productions)
JEFF COSGROVE/JOHN MEDESKI/JEFF LEDERER - History Gets Ahead Of The Story (Grizzly Music)
CAMERON GRAVES - Seven (Artistry Music)
BENJAMIN KOPPEL - The Ultimate Soul & Jazz Revue (Unit Records)
DAVE HOLLAND - Another Land (Edition Records)
NEIL ANGILLEY TRIO - Yambou (Angilley Music)
BEVERLEY BEIRNE - Dream Dancer (33 Jazz Records)
CHARNETT MOFFETT - New Love (Motéma)
ALEX RIEL & STEFAN PASBORG - Universe Live (Stunt Records)
FROM THE VAULTS / RE-ISSUES
SOFT WORKS - Abracadabra in Osaka (MoonJune Records)
STEVE KHAN - Tightrope/The Blue Man/Arrows (BGO Records)
RETURN TO FOREVER FEATURING CHICK COREA - Where Have I Known You Before/No Mystery (BGO Records)
RAMSEY LEWIS - Funky Serenity/ Ramsey Lewis’s Newly Recorded, All-Time, Non-Stop, GOLDEN HITS/ Solar Wind/Sun Goddess (BGO Records)
IAN CARR DOUBLE QUINTET - Solar Session (Jazz In Britain)
JOHN COLTRANE - A Love Supreme: Live In Seattle (Impulse!)
MILES DAVIS - Merci Miles! Live At Vienne (Warner Records/Rhino)
Last year, I concluded my piece by stating, “[Let’s] hope that in 2021, we can sit together in a room, listen to some great music, and not worry about Covid.” Well, more fool me, because as I write this, Covid is still well and truly dominating our lives, and the prospects for 2022 are uncertain. Having said that, many artists were able to get out on the road again this year, and many continued to record and release albums. It was a pleasure to see 75 year-old Dave Holland showing no signs of letting up with his excellent trio album, and at the other end of the spectrum, thirty-something Cameron Graves pushed the limits of jazz by combining it with Thrash metal. The Neil Angilley Trio produced a terrific mix of jazz, Latin and funk, while Beverley Beirne demonstrated that she is a superb vocalist and terrific interpreter of the classic song.
When it comes to archive releases, Soft Works’ Abracadabra in Osaka superbly documents a short-lived Soft Machine line-up featuring Allan Holdsworth on guitar. Kudos to BGO Records, who continue to release excellent value-for-money archive compilations, packaged and curated with great care and attention. One of BGO’s releases featured the late Chick Corea, whose death in February was a great shock and a great loss to the jazz world. I didn’t review the final three albums on my Reissues list, but they all had a big impact on me. As Jack Kenny said in his review of IAN CARR DOUBLE QUINTET – Solar Session, Ian Carr’s talents deserve greater recognition. John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme: Live In Seattle had my jaw dropping at the sheer power, energy and virtuosity of the man, as Coltrane pushed himself, his instrument and his band to the limit. Finally, Merci Miles! Live At Vienne, is a tremendous live performance, recorded barely three months before Miles Davis’s death.
EUAN DIXON
NEW RELEASES
THE MARK MASTERS ENSEMBE - Masters & Baron Meet Blanton &Webster (Capri Records)
STEVEN FEIFKE BIG BAND - Kinetic (Outside In Music)
FRANK MORELLI & KEITH OXMAN - The Ox-Mo Incident (Capri Records)
TIM MAYER - Keeper of the Flame (D-Clef Records)
DAN ROSE & CLAUDINE FRANCOIS - New Leaves (Ride Cymbal)
SAM NEWBOULD QUINTET -Bogus Notus (ZenneZ Records)
RAPHAEL PANNIER QUARTET - Faune (French Paradox)
DONALD EDWARDS - The Color of US Suite (Criss Cross)
ACK VAN ROOYEN - 90 (Jazz Line)
SNORRE KIRK QUARTET - Going Up (Stunt Records)
FROM THE VAULTS /RE-ISSUES
CHARLES MINGUS - Mingus at Carnegie Hall (Atlantic)
JOHN COLTRANE - A Love Supreme: Live in Seattle (Impulse)
DON ELLIS - The New Don Ellis Band Goes Underground/ At Fillmore (BGO)
DON ELLIS - The Lost Tapes Vol. 3 (Sleepy Night Records)
CHICK COREA - Acoustic Band Live ( Concord)
This year my list of new releases is dominated by names hitherto unknown to me. Of these new jazz acquaintances that of Mark Masters has been the most revelatory and listening to his latest Ellington inspired release has prompted me to research his back catalogue where I have discovered a body of ensemble music that has given me hours of listening pleasure. My other choices represent a balance between eclectic, exploratory styles and more established jazz tropes with small groups and bigger combos in the mix. Since reviewing his 90th birthday celebratory disc it is with sadness that I have learned of the passing of Ack Van Rooyen whose performance belies his advanced years and embodies the abiding vitality and freshness of the best of jazz.
Of the re-issues I make no apology for including two Don Ellis releases for although they offer both the best and the worst of his output they are the musical equivalent of archaeological treasures to those of us who are dedicated followers of his flamboyant art.
THE MARK MASTERS ENSEMBE - Masters & Baron Meet Blanton &Webster (Capri Records)
STEVEN FEIFKE BIG BAND - Kinetic (Outside In Music)
FRANK MORELLI & KEITH OXMAN - The Ox-Mo Incident (Capri Records)
TIM MAYER - Keeper of the Flame (D-Clef Records)
DAN ROSE & CLAUDINE FRANCOIS - New Leaves (Ride Cymbal)
SAM NEWBOULD QUINTET -Bogus Notus (ZenneZ Records)
RAPHAEL PANNIER QUARTET - Faune (French Paradox)
DONALD EDWARDS - The Color of US Suite (Criss Cross)
ACK VAN ROOYEN - 90 (Jazz Line)
SNORRE KIRK QUARTET - Going Up (Stunt Records)
FROM THE VAULTS /RE-ISSUES
CHARLES MINGUS - Mingus at Carnegie Hall (Atlantic)
JOHN COLTRANE - A Love Supreme: Live in Seattle (Impulse)
DON ELLIS - The New Don Ellis Band Goes Underground/ At Fillmore (BGO)
DON ELLIS - The Lost Tapes Vol. 3 (Sleepy Night Records)
CHICK COREA - Acoustic Band Live ( Concord)
This year my list of new releases is dominated by names hitherto unknown to me. Of these new jazz acquaintances that of Mark Masters has been the most revelatory and listening to his latest Ellington inspired release has prompted me to research his back catalogue where I have discovered a body of ensemble music that has given me hours of listening pleasure. My other choices represent a balance between eclectic, exploratory styles and more established jazz tropes with small groups and bigger combos in the mix. Since reviewing his 90th birthday celebratory disc it is with sadness that I have learned of the passing of Ack Van Rooyen whose performance belies his advanced years and embodies the abiding vitality and freshness of the best of jazz.
Of the re-issues I make no apology for including two Don Ellis releases for although they offer both the best and the worst of his output they are the musical equivalent of archaeological treasures to those of us who are dedicated followers of his flamboyant art.
JACK KENNY
NEW RELEASES / FROM THE VAULTS / RE-ISSUES
ARCHIE SHEPP & JASON MORAN - Let My People Go (Archieball)
CRAIG TABORN - Shadow Plays (ECM)
SPLINTERS - Inclusivity (Jazz In Britain)
SONNY ROLLINS - Rollins in Holland (Resonance Records)
NEIL ARDLEY - Kaleidoscope of Rainbows - Live ‘75 (Jazz in Britain)
MARTIAL SOLAL - Coming Yesterday - Live At Salle Gaveau 2019 (Challenge Records)
VIJAY IYER / LINDA MAY HAN OH / TYSHAWN SOREY - Uneasy (ECM)
CHARLES MINGUS - Mingus At Carnegie Hall: Deluxe Edition (Atlantic)
MIKE GIBBS - Revisiting Tanglewood 63: The Early Tapes (Jazz In Britain)
DON RENDELL / IAN CARR QUINTET - Blue Beginnings (Jazz In Britain)
JOE HARRIOTT - Chronology: Live 1968 - 69 (Jazz in Britain)
RENDELL / CARR QUINTET - BBC Jazz Club 1965 - 1966 (Rhythm and Blues Records)
TONY COE & JOHN HORLER - Dancing In The Dark (Gearbox)
It has been a good year especially for music from archives released for the first time. The Sonny Rollins album where he plays ‘a take no prisoners type of music’ is essential listening. Mike Gibbs ‘Revisiting Tanglewood 63’ is particularly welcome. Craig Taborn’s concert is sheer pianistic splendour, music that continues to enthrall. The cross-generational Shepp and Moran duet has so much to say to both ends of the age spectrum. Sad to say goodbye to Martial Solal. Wonderful to have more from the Rendell - Carr Quintet. Particular thanks to Jazz in Britain.
ARCHIE SHEPP & JASON MORAN - Let My People Go (Archieball)
CRAIG TABORN - Shadow Plays (ECM)
SPLINTERS - Inclusivity (Jazz In Britain)
SONNY ROLLINS - Rollins in Holland (Resonance Records)
NEIL ARDLEY - Kaleidoscope of Rainbows - Live ‘75 (Jazz in Britain)
MARTIAL SOLAL - Coming Yesterday - Live At Salle Gaveau 2019 (Challenge Records)
VIJAY IYER / LINDA MAY HAN OH / TYSHAWN SOREY - Uneasy (ECM)
CHARLES MINGUS - Mingus At Carnegie Hall: Deluxe Edition (Atlantic)
MIKE GIBBS - Revisiting Tanglewood 63: The Early Tapes (Jazz In Britain)
DON RENDELL / IAN CARR QUINTET - Blue Beginnings (Jazz In Britain)
JOE HARRIOTT - Chronology: Live 1968 - 69 (Jazz in Britain)
RENDELL / CARR QUINTET - BBC Jazz Club 1965 - 1966 (Rhythm and Blues Records)
TONY COE & JOHN HORLER - Dancing In The Dark (Gearbox)
It has been a good year especially for music from archives released for the first time. The Sonny Rollins album where he plays ‘a take no prisoners type of music’ is essential listening. Mike Gibbs ‘Revisiting Tanglewood 63’ is particularly welcome. Craig Taborn’s concert is sheer pianistic splendour, music that continues to enthrall. The cross-generational Shepp and Moran duet has so much to say to both ends of the age spectrum. Sad to say goodbye to Martial Solal. Wonderful to have more from the Rendell - Carr Quintet. Particular thanks to Jazz in Britain.
NICK LEA
NEW RELEASES
ALAN BROADBENT - Broadbent Plays Brubeck (Eden River Records)
TONY COE & JOHN HORLER - Dancing In The Dark (Gearbox)
MILES DAVIS - Merci Miles! Live At Vienne (Warner Records/Rhino)
JO HARROP - The Heart Wants (Lateralize Records)
SHEILA JORDAN - Comes Love: Lost Session 1960 (Capri Records)
SINIKKA LANGELAND - Maria Magdalena (LAWO Classics)
GEORGIA MANCIO & ALAN BROADBENT - Quiet Is The Star (Roomspin Records)
SARAH MOULE - Stormy Emotions (33 Records)
NIGEL PRICE ORGAN TRIO - Wes Reimagined (Ubuntu Music)
FIONA ROSS - Red Flags And High Heels (Self Release)
ECM
SINIKKA LANGELAND - Wolf Rune
ANJA LECHNER / FRANÇOIS COUTURIER - Lontano
DINO SALUZZI - Albores
THOMAS STRØNEN / MARTHE LEA / AYUMI TANAKA - Bayou
CRAIG TABORN - Shadow Plays
FROM THE VAULTS / RE-ISSUES
JOHN COLTRANE - A Love Supreme: Live In Seattle (Impulse!)
LOL COXHILL - Coxhill ‘85 (SLAM Productions)
LEE MORGAN - The Complete Live At The Lighthouse (Blue Note)
BARBARA THOMPSON - Live At The BBC (Repertoire Records)
STAN TRACEY - Wisdom In The Wings & From Stan, With Love (Resteamed Records)
Another year blighted by the Covid 19 pandemic for musicians, with the ability to perform live severely curtailed. However, on the flip side, there have been no shortage of superb albums released that were recorded just prior to the outbreak of the virus or even in the brief window of opportunity when restrictions were temporarily eased in the summer of 2020.
As always my selections are listed in alphabetically by artist and not in order of preference (an impossible task), however the easiest and first choice I selected was the stunning and incredibly beautiful Quiet Is The Star by Georgia Mancio and Alan Broadbent. I had the pleasure and privilege of hearing the music during the early stages of mixing, and so I had been living with these wonderful songs prior to the completion of the album. Another album that has given much pleasure and also features an extraordinary writing partnership is Stormy Emotions by Sarah Moule featuring words and music and words by Simon Wallace and Fran Landesman. Vocalists have played a large part of my listening this year with wonderful albums from Jo Harrop and Fiona Ross, and the two incredibly beautiful, yet very different offerings from Sinikka Langeland.
There has also been a steady flow of albums from the vaults that is either new music that has been sat unreleased in storage for some considerable time from Miles Davis and John Coltrane, along with recently discovered gems such as a previously 'missing' and forgotten debut album from the incredible Sheila Jordan.
Talking of reissues, special mention must go to Clark Tracey for his continued mission to release some of Stan's back catalogue on the Resteamed imprint, two so far this year (I've taken the liberty of squeezing in both) with a further double album due for release as I write. It has also been good to note the wonderful work from Jazz In Britain with a string of releases that continue to remind us what a vital force UK jazz has been for many decades. And on that subject, saxophonist Barbara Thompson was duly honoured with the splendid 14CD box set, Live At The BBC, in a programme that covers music over a period of two decades.
Once again another strong year from ECM Records, and as always difficult to pick just five albums from a year that has seen one fine release after another.
ALAN BROADBENT - Broadbent Plays Brubeck (Eden River Records)
TONY COE & JOHN HORLER - Dancing In The Dark (Gearbox)
MILES DAVIS - Merci Miles! Live At Vienne (Warner Records/Rhino)
JO HARROP - The Heart Wants (Lateralize Records)
SHEILA JORDAN - Comes Love: Lost Session 1960 (Capri Records)
SINIKKA LANGELAND - Maria Magdalena (LAWO Classics)
GEORGIA MANCIO & ALAN BROADBENT - Quiet Is The Star (Roomspin Records)
SARAH MOULE - Stormy Emotions (33 Records)
NIGEL PRICE ORGAN TRIO - Wes Reimagined (Ubuntu Music)
FIONA ROSS - Red Flags And High Heels (Self Release)
ECM
SINIKKA LANGELAND - Wolf Rune
ANJA LECHNER / FRANÇOIS COUTURIER - Lontano
DINO SALUZZI - Albores
THOMAS STRØNEN / MARTHE LEA / AYUMI TANAKA - Bayou
CRAIG TABORN - Shadow Plays
FROM THE VAULTS / RE-ISSUES
JOHN COLTRANE - A Love Supreme: Live In Seattle (Impulse!)
LOL COXHILL - Coxhill ‘85 (SLAM Productions)
LEE MORGAN - The Complete Live At The Lighthouse (Blue Note)
BARBARA THOMPSON - Live At The BBC (Repertoire Records)
STAN TRACEY - Wisdom In The Wings & From Stan, With Love (Resteamed Records)
Another year blighted by the Covid 19 pandemic for musicians, with the ability to perform live severely curtailed. However, on the flip side, there have been no shortage of superb albums released that were recorded just prior to the outbreak of the virus or even in the brief window of opportunity when restrictions were temporarily eased in the summer of 2020.
As always my selections are listed in alphabetically by artist and not in order of preference (an impossible task), however the easiest and first choice I selected was the stunning and incredibly beautiful Quiet Is The Star by Georgia Mancio and Alan Broadbent. I had the pleasure and privilege of hearing the music during the early stages of mixing, and so I had been living with these wonderful songs prior to the completion of the album. Another album that has given much pleasure and also features an extraordinary writing partnership is Stormy Emotions by Sarah Moule featuring words and music and words by Simon Wallace and Fran Landesman. Vocalists have played a large part of my listening this year with wonderful albums from Jo Harrop and Fiona Ross, and the two incredibly beautiful, yet very different offerings from Sinikka Langeland.
There has also been a steady flow of albums from the vaults that is either new music that has been sat unreleased in storage for some considerable time from Miles Davis and John Coltrane, along with recently discovered gems such as a previously 'missing' and forgotten debut album from the incredible Sheila Jordan.
Talking of reissues, special mention must go to Clark Tracey for his continued mission to release some of Stan's back catalogue on the Resteamed imprint, two so far this year (I've taken the liberty of squeezing in both) with a further double album due for release as I write. It has also been good to note the wonderful work from Jazz In Britain with a string of releases that continue to remind us what a vital force UK jazz has been for many decades. And on that subject, saxophonist Barbara Thompson was duly honoured with the splendid 14CD box set, Live At The BBC, in a programme that covers music over a period of two decades.
Once again another strong year from ECM Records, and as always difficult to pick just five albums from a year that has seen one fine release after another.
EDDIE MYER
NEW RELEASES
MARK KAVUMA'S BANGER FACTORY - Arashi No Ato (Banger Factory Records)
SEAN GIBBS - When Can I See You Again (Ubuntu Music)
ARCHIPELAGO - Echoes To the Sky - (New Jazz and Improvised Music Recordings)
ALEX WESTERN-KING - Sideslip (Ubuntu Music)
CHELSEA CARMICHAEL - The River Doesn’t Like Stranger (Native Rebel Recordings.)
ROB BARRON TRIO - From This Moment On (Ubuntu Music)
JAMES BECKWITH - SE10 (Bridge The Gap)
ALEX HITCHCOCK - Dream Band (Fresh Sound New Talent)
XHOSA COLE - K(no)w Them, K(no)w Us” (Stoney Lane Records)
FERGUS McCREADIE - Cairn (Edition Records)
NIGEL PRICE ORGAN TRIO - Wes Re-imagined (Ubuntu Music)
NISHLA SMITH - Friends with Monsters (Ubuntu Music)
Strong showings from the UK jazz contingent in 2021. Cole, Gibbs, Western-King and Barron explore and expand the tradition with virtuosity tempered with heart and soul. Beckwith, Carmichael, and Archipelago mix things up with a range of different fusions from Caribbean to North Country folk, free to funk. Nishla Smith delights with an end-of-year debut, Rob Barron and Nigel Price quietly excel in the mainstream, McCreadie expands the language, while Alex Hitchcock and Mark Kavuma invite all their friends around for some big expansive vibes to carry us forward into whatever the next year may bring.
MARK KAVUMA'S BANGER FACTORY - Arashi No Ato (Banger Factory Records)
SEAN GIBBS - When Can I See You Again (Ubuntu Music)
ARCHIPELAGO - Echoes To the Sky - (New Jazz and Improvised Music Recordings)
ALEX WESTERN-KING - Sideslip (Ubuntu Music)
CHELSEA CARMICHAEL - The River Doesn’t Like Stranger (Native Rebel Recordings.)
ROB BARRON TRIO - From This Moment On (Ubuntu Music)
JAMES BECKWITH - SE10 (Bridge The Gap)
ALEX HITCHCOCK - Dream Band (Fresh Sound New Talent)
XHOSA COLE - K(no)w Them, K(no)w Us” (Stoney Lane Records)
FERGUS McCREADIE - Cairn (Edition Records)
NIGEL PRICE ORGAN TRIO - Wes Re-imagined (Ubuntu Music)
NISHLA SMITH - Friends with Monsters (Ubuntu Music)
Strong showings from the UK jazz contingent in 2021. Cole, Gibbs, Western-King and Barron explore and expand the tradition with virtuosity tempered with heart and soul. Beckwith, Carmichael, and Archipelago mix things up with a range of different fusions from Caribbean to North Country folk, free to funk. Nishla Smith delights with an end-of-year debut, Rob Barron and Nigel Price quietly excel in the mainstream, McCreadie expands the language, while Alex Hitchcock and Mark Kavuma invite all their friends around for some big expansive vibes to carry us forward into whatever the next year may bring.
SAMMY STEIN
NEW RELEASES
COLLETE COOPER - Lost (Thelonious Punk Records)
MC4 - Music in unusual Spaces (bandcamp)
NIGEL PRICE ORGAN TRIO - Wes Reimagined (Ubunto)
GEORGIA MANCIO & ALAN BROADBENT - Quiet Is The Star (Roomspin)
SARAH MOULE - Stormy Emotions ( 33 Jazz)
JANE IRA BLOOM / MARK HELIAS - Some Kind of Tomorrow (Bandcamp)
OLLIE BRICE / BINKER GOLDING / HENRY KAISER / N.O. MOORE / EDDIE PREVOST - The Secret Handshake with Danger Vol 1 (Bandcamp)
ALBAN CLARET & EVAN CLEGG - The Collection (Elsden Music)
ED JONES / EMIL LARLSEN - Where Light Falls (FMR Records)
HANNAH HORTON - Inside out (Self release)
A strange year with less reviews from me than usual due to writing commitments but the music has been nonetheless exceptional. it is as if we are emerging, somewhat blinded by the light, from darkness, which limited recordings but saw musicians seek more than ever , ways to come together and create music, whether remote or live. It has certainly been a year when we have come to value the good music we take for granted produced by musicians' year in, year out. Labels to have been supportive with the ever-present labels like 33 jazz and Ubunto producing some stand out musicians and Bandcamp serving musicians well. Some of the self-released material has been eye-opening too. Selecting just 10 of the many releases reviewed on Jazz Views was not an easy task but I hope this is an eclectic list of some of the best.
COLLETE COOPER - Lost (Thelonious Punk Records)
MC4 - Music in unusual Spaces (bandcamp)
NIGEL PRICE ORGAN TRIO - Wes Reimagined (Ubunto)
GEORGIA MANCIO & ALAN BROADBENT - Quiet Is The Star (Roomspin)
SARAH MOULE - Stormy Emotions ( 33 Jazz)
JANE IRA BLOOM / MARK HELIAS - Some Kind of Tomorrow (Bandcamp)
OLLIE BRICE / BINKER GOLDING / HENRY KAISER / N.O. MOORE / EDDIE PREVOST - The Secret Handshake with Danger Vol 1 (Bandcamp)
ALBAN CLARET & EVAN CLEGG - The Collection (Elsden Music)
ED JONES / EMIL LARLSEN - Where Light Falls (FMR Records)
HANNAH HORTON - Inside out (Self release)
A strange year with less reviews from me than usual due to writing commitments but the music has been nonetheless exceptional. it is as if we are emerging, somewhat blinded by the light, from darkness, which limited recordings but saw musicians seek more than ever , ways to come together and create music, whether remote or live. It has certainly been a year when we have come to value the good music we take for granted produced by musicians' year in, year out. Labels to have been supportive with the ever-present labels like 33 jazz and Ubunto producing some stand out musicians and Bandcamp serving musicians well. Some of the self-released material has been eye-opening too. Selecting just 10 of the many releases reviewed on Jazz Views was not an easy task but I hope this is an eclectic list of some of the best.
CHRIS WHEATLEY
NEW RELEASES
FIONA ROSS - Red Flags And High Heels (independent)
ILL CONSIDERED – Liminal Space (New Soil)
DANIEL CASIMIR – Boxed In (New Soil)
ARCHIE SHEPP AND JASON MORAN, Let My People Go (Archieball)
AMAN JAGWANI - This Place (Independent)
BRIGITTE BERAHA - By The Cobbled Path (Let Me Out)
GARY BARTZ - Jazz Is Dead No 6 (Jazz Is Dead)
HANNAH HORTON - Inside Out (independent)
SHEZ RAJA - Tales from The Punjab (Ubuntu Music)
SCOPES - Age Of Reason (Whirlwind)
FROM THE VAULTS / RE- ISSUES
DOROTHY ASHBY – The Jazz Harpist (Sowing Records)
MASABUMI KIKUCHI - Hanamichi: The Final Studio Recordings (Red Hook Records)
JOHN COLTRANE - A Love Supreme: Live in Seattle (Impulse!)
CHARLES MINGUS - Mingus At Carnegie Hall (Atlantic)
DON ELLIS - The Lost Tapes Vol. 3 (Sleepy Night)
It has been, arguably, another trying year for humanity and, inarguably, another great year for jazz, with a host of fascinating releases. So many, in fact, that I hardly feel qualified to contribute a 'best of' list – I feel sure that many great records have passed me by. It's heartening to see (and hear) so many fresh faces in the jazz world, alongside old hands and worthy reissues. I'd like to think that, by the end of the holidays, I'll have caught up, but even as I write this I know that I won't have. It's a good time to be a jazz fan.
FIONA ROSS - Red Flags And High Heels (independent)
ILL CONSIDERED – Liminal Space (New Soil)
DANIEL CASIMIR – Boxed In (New Soil)
ARCHIE SHEPP AND JASON MORAN, Let My People Go (Archieball)
AMAN JAGWANI - This Place (Independent)
BRIGITTE BERAHA - By The Cobbled Path (Let Me Out)
GARY BARTZ - Jazz Is Dead No 6 (Jazz Is Dead)
HANNAH HORTON - Inside Out (independent)
SHEZ RAJA - Tales from The Punjab (Ubuntu Music)
SCOPES - Age Of Reason (Whirlwind)
FROM THE VAULTS / RE- ISSUES
DOROTHY ASHBY – The Jazz Harpist (Sowing Records)
MASABUMI KIKUCHI - Hanamichi: The Final Studio Recordings (Red Hook Records)
JOHN COLTRANE - A Love Supreme: Live in Seattle (Impulse!)
CHARLES MINGUS - Mingus At Carnegie Hall (Atlantic)
DON ELLIS - The Lost Tapes Vol. 3 (Sleepy Night)
It has been, arguably, another trying year for humanity and, inarguably, another great year for jazz, with a host of fascinating releases. So many, in fact, that I hardly feel qualified to contribute a 'best of' list – I feel sure that many great records have passed me by. It's heartening to see (and hear) so many fresh faces in the jazz world, alongside old hands and worthy reissues. I'd like to think that, by the end of the holidays, I'll have caught up, but even as I write this I know that I won't have. It's a good time to be a jazz fan.
