Albums Of The Year
Gregory Porter - Water
Finally! Another jazz singer with chops and soul to sit alongside the mighty Kurt Elling. I am so excited about this artist. Originals, offbeat covers, a superb band and a voice both elastic and soulful.This record is effortless and bursting with class.
Vijay Iyer - Solo
A curiously modern record despite being traditional solo jazz piano. Vijay manages to say a great deal in short spaces of time, and has appeared to develop a soloing style that seems steeped in jazz history one minute and reinventing it the next. There are rough edges too and a lack of flashiness that contributes strongly to the strong emotional heart of this deeply, deeply satisfying record.
Sara Mitra - April Song
A new jazz singer, recorded and accompanied beautifully by the UK's finest, singing mostly, esoteric originals. This eccentric record points a bold way forward for UK jazz singers.
Bad Plus - Never Stop
The Bad Plus proving that they are as catchy and compelling songwriters as the ones they have covered in the past that brought so many people into their music (like me!). This band has the power to bring people into the joys of improvised music with the ever growing body of brilliant work they are creating.
Esperanza Spalding - Chamber Music Society
Jaw droppingly clever, but don't let that put you off. This is singing, bass playing and composing of the highest order - created by a genuine star. The world is catching up with her (she's just received a grammy nod) and it is easy to see why. I listen to this and go shuffling back to the woodshed...........
Polar Bear - Peepers
Polar Bear continue to bring an aesthetic to jazz that no-one else does quite as well - and that is an atmosphere and vibe outside of the jazz club. The sound of this record reeks of a filthy rock and roll studio, it reeks of an attitude, it proudly becomes its own scene. Music can go a long way when it creates for you as a listener a sense of belonging to something, and they do that perfectly.
Jason Moran - Ten
A sturdy and superb trio record. Not reinventing the wheel by any means but I found myself coming back to this many times this year.
Charles Lloyd - Mirror
A genuine legend, still making music that is as good, if not better than he has ever made. If you're a young horn player and are consistently told about the importance of developing your own sound, beyond technique, then listen to this CD. Uniquely spiritual jazz music.
Food - Quiet Inlet
I have to agree with Jazzwise magazine here. This is an album that points towards the future, bringing together elements of jazz, electronic, contemporary classical and outerspace, with a warmth and accessibility that is often lacking in music that contains the above headings. Adventurous, but also strangely familiar
Other albums I loved:
Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma
Andreya Triana - Lost Where I Belong
LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
Sufjan Stevens - Age of Adz
Janelle Monae - The Archandroid
Caribou - Swim
Kanye West - My beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Lukid - Chord
