Albums of 2018

[francisco]

Spotted this neat list, https://www.marlbank.net/themarlbank...-the-year.html
Heard any of these???

[cloughie]

Spotted this neat list, https://www.marlbank.net/themarlbank...-the-year.html
Heard any of these???

Only one - Van Morrison - the best album he has done for years - and that is really down to his band rather than his voice! But I love the album!
Based on my comments on the album, which others would you recommend?

[Ian Thumwood]

This is a really bizarre list. There are plenty of names here which tick all the right boxes. The only disc from this list I have acquired is the Steve Coleman double CD live set. I have posted my comments elsewhere about this release which merits a higher ranking than 20. What is intriguing is that it features a number of discs about which I have read some really dreadful reviews. A number of these have featured on sites such as "All about jazz" and "Jazztimes" plus on a few podcasts like "The jazz bastards." The Stanley Clarke disc is a good case in point. I have read one review which was scathing. Similarly, it think it was "AAJ" who slaughtered the "Go-go Penguin" record and picked up upon the repetitive nature of the music and the fact that it had so little to do with jazz. Ditto the new Dinosaur disc which I thought had underwhelmed a lot of people who like this band's debit disc. Some of the selections seem pretty odd. The Jakob Bro album is something that is particularly odd as his music seems so bland. It almost feels like this list has been compiled from a site like Amazon and the breadth of styles represented seem opposed to each other. There is also a significant lack of work by large ensembles - a real surprise given that both Michael Leonhart and Henry Threadgill have produced some cracking discs in 2018 with larger units. Looking through the list, there are albums which have been reviewed favourably such as the Joshua Redman , the Kenny Werner disc and the Andrew Cyrille record which has only come out this week! Others just appear
modish. Once again, there is an almost total absence of Hard Bop from this list in addition to larger ensembles. Just get the feeling that this list has been compiled with little thought and maybe even a failure to truly listen to the music. Some of the selections are bizarre.
I love reading lists like this and thank you for posting. I just think that magazines like "Jazz Journal" used to get it right by asking various reviewers to select their lists and then compile a final list based upon those submitted by their critics. Judging from the list, this seems to feature a preponderance of British artists and a healthy sprinkling of artists who are probably more "commercial", this appears to be from a UK website.


For what it worth, I think the best album of 2018 is missing from this list and that is Bill Frisell's "Music is." A solo album, I find that Frisell works better in this kind of challenging context. I have an earlier solo disc he made in the mid 90's called "Ghost town" which is a favourite of mine. "Music is" seems to be coming with a wholly different approach where the guitarist is pushing the boundaries from a musical perspective and not just from a technological one. It is almost as if "Music is" represents a more level of maturity.


My list would be:-

1. Bill Frisell - "Music is"

2. Mike Gibbs with John Scofield - "Live at Symphony Hall, Birmingham -1991" I saw this set in Southampton and it is still the best gig I feel I have ever been to. Good to hear it on CD.

3. Steve Coleman & the five Elements - " Live at the Village Vanguard.


All three of these records are close to call and I would recommend them all. I would also have to mention Eric Revis' "Sing me some cry" which might have come out during the tail end of 2017. Kris Davis is a real discovery on piano and this quartet with multi-reed legend Ken Vandermark seems demonstrative to me that the more orthodox aspects of jazz (albeit pretty way out in this instance) still has plenty to offer without the music regressing to Euro-jazz introspection. I have also been intrigued by the mammoth ensemble led by arranger Michael Leonhart called "The painted lady suite." I am sure this will be mooted as a favourite in the Grammys at some later date. It is fascinating and the kind of music you might expect if Oliver Nelson had written music for a David Attenborough series. Henry Threadgill's "Dirt ...and more dirt" is also worthy of consideration and I will let you know about the latest Jim McNeely disc when it arrives as I am particularly partial to ambitious styles of composition in Jazz.


I would also have to say that a particular favourite of mine this year has been by John Senoy's band called "Draw by four." The album "Framework" outwardly seems like the kind of tenor, guitar, organ and drums line up John Scofield would produce and this would be sufficient for this record to get a thumbs up. As it is, there is a very English feel of pastoralism on this disc and the quality of the compositions truly stand out. This is most enjoyable record by the British jazz group that I have heard for ages and I would urge anyone to seek out this disc which is far superior than a lot of the more fancied discs produced from these shores this year. Quite why this record seems to have been over-looked is a mystery to me. All four musicians were new discoveries for me and I think this record has had more plays that anything else I have bought this year. It is a real gem.

A few releases have slipped by so far. I have no heard the latest john Scofield disc and did not manage to acquire the Geof Bradfield album that has received rave reviews. I am intrigued by the new Andy Biskin record the line up of 3 trumpets, clarinet and drums but this is one for later perhaps.

[francisco]

A tad harsh, old bean. I see there is reaction to the list on the Naim message board. ''Quite a nice list, quite a number of them owned by me...., will check out the ones I don’t own,'' saith one Bert Schurink. While one ''French rooster'' opineth: ''My 4 favorites : Yussef Kamaal : The return Aaron Parks: little big. Laurent de Wilde : New Monk Trio. Ray Lema: Transcendance.'' Tssk shows what a big world it is, taste wise perhaps you would concur???

[Quarky]

Spotted this neat list, https://www.marlbank.net/themarlbank...-the-year.html
Heard any of these???

Well, not many! However interesting to note that all of the albums seem to come from musicians that are currently performing, and may be (relatively) young. The re-releases, undiscovered albums, and new releases from the giants of the 50's and 60's didn't get a look in.

More than that, who or what is Marlbank? How much faith can we have in the judgement?

[francisco]

Re: ''Well, not many! However interesting to note that all of the albums seem to come from musicians that are currently performing, and may be (relatively) young. The re-releases, undiscovered albums, and new releases from the giants of the 50's and 60's didn't get a look in.''
I don't think that there are any reissues there in the list. I'd plump for if you count archive releases three real biggies, Coltrane [actually never out before therefore archive rather than a reissue], Both Directions At Once; Mønk [only an air shot hitherto and never released on vinyl] and the Dolphy Musical Prophet: The Expanded 1963 New York Studio Sessions [key bits the alternates and also superb annotation and attention to detail].

[Serial_Apologist]

I would also have to say that a particular favourite of mine this year has been by John Senoy's band called "Draw by four." The album "Framework" outwardly seems like the kind of tenor, guitar, organ and drums line up John Scofield would produce and this would be sufficient for this record to get a thumbs up. As it is, there is a very English feel of pastoralism on this disc and the quality of the compositions truly stand out. This is most enjoyable record by the British jazz group that I have heard for ages and I would urge anyone to seek out this disc which is far superior than a lot of the more fancied discs produced from these shores this year. Quite why this record seems to have been over-looked is a mystery to me. All four musicians were new discoveries for me and I think this record has had more plays that anything else I have bought this year. It is a real gem.

Thanks for the thumbs up for one of the bands that featured often at what was our local venue for up-coming jazz musicians a few years ago, the Amersham Arms in New Cross, and over the same period and a bit beyondin Kentish Town. We owe a big vote of thanks to the F-Ire Collective in effectively initiating the scene that represents the exploratory jazz threads then embraced by both the Loop Collective and the SE Jazz Collective located at The Amersham, of which Jon Shenoys is but one product. Trish Clowes is another, as is Ant Law, one of a sax/guitar/bass/drums quartet I posted a youtube link to about a year ago, which you strongly approved, Ian. Ant's newest CD, on the above list, was crowdfunded, and arrived a couple of weeks ago, still to be played; it also has Mike Chillingworth on alto. There was another link to a whole range of bands I noted in my "URL" notebook who were filmed in that wonderful period when we saw new bands, often reconfiguring many of the same names in line-ups playing very different but always intriguing novel line-ups; if it's still extant I'll post it in my next message. Meanwhile, here's a number from your highlighted CD "Draw By Four":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzUGOVWaWbw

[Serial_Apologist]

Here is the link to a selection of mainly SE Collective and Loop Collective bands featured at the Amersham 5 short years ago, many of whom are at last coming to some people's attention. Most occupying the dischevelled selection of ancient leather sofas and abandoned church pews in that raggedy venue were 25 and under, with a sprinkling of oldies like myself and a few established figures on the British scene coming to bear witness to something new happening. Not all of the stuff will be to your liking, nor was it to mine, but there are some gems, and none of it is by any measurement uninteresting.

http://www.youtube.com/user/SEJazzCollective/videos

I've been singing the praises of these young musicians repeatedly on here!

A couple of gigs were put on there the week before last, but the one I attended part of had Pete Wareham plus a female vocalist, and was very much in the Acoustic Ladyland style: perhaps they have it in mind to re-launch the SE Collective? Watch this space, as they say!

[Ian Thumwood]

The websites are now starting to fill with "best of.." suggestions and this one seemed to be more typical of what I had expected.:-

https://www.allaboutjazz.com/attarians-dozen-the-twelve-best-recordings-from-2018-by-hrayr-attarian.php

The All about jazz selections are quite intriguing and it is noticeable that the Steve Coleman double-CD is one that keeps cropping up in lists plus recognition for Henry Threadgill who is starting to garner attention again. It is intriguing to see these selections as both composition and more adventurous styles of jazz both seem to feature in the selections. As I have made the point often enough, I think that jazz composition is really where it is at now and writers seem to have the edge when it comes to creativity.

It was also curious to reads the Grammy nominations for 2019:-

https://jazztimes.com/news/2019-grammy-nominations-announced/

The selections this year seem marginally less "FM -friendly" albeit I think some of the choices are a bit conservative. Some musicians seem to get nominated every year with the likes of Fred Hersch being a regular feature. Brad Mehldau is probably even more popular although he is someone I listen to less and less these days. The Wayne Shorter album really appeals but put off by the over-the-top price. More interesting is the large ensemble writing which has in McNeeley and John Hollenbeck, two very advanced writers. The Dafnis Prieto big band is nominated in another category so at least both Threadgill and Coleman get in through the backdoor as featured soloists with this group. I am awaiting to receive the McNeely disc in the mail and will post my opinions later.

This year seems to be pretty strong and finishing with a flurry. I see Myra Melford has a new album out with her "Snowy Egret" group whose earlier effort was the best album for me several years back.

[Ian Thumwood]

Just picked up another record which crept in towards the tale end of 2018 and I would have to say that it is an absolute gem that would have matched the Coleman record. I feel that this is a record that Elmo would love plus maybe a disc I would recommend to Bluesnik as an introduction to Bill Frisell in a more orthodox context. The album is trumpeter Cuong Vu's "A change in the air."


There is a wealth of different styles of music on this disc. Parts of it reminded me of Art Farmer's work with Jim Hall but there are other times when the freer elements within the record certainly made me think of the ground covered by Paul Motian's trio. This band is a quartet and includes the drummer Ted Poor who is something of a revelation. There are two tracks on this disc which burn with a scorching intensity with Frisell producing some pretty abrasive solos. Most of the disc is thoughtful and considered and the two Frisell originals at the end of the record a superb. Frisell has been in particularly strong form of late and this is another example. This is an album that I would thoroughly recommend - contemporary but not modish. Just four musicians working for the benefit of the music.

[Lat-Literal]

Spotted this neat list, https://www.marlbank.net/themarlbank...-the-year.html
Heard any of these???

Hi Franciso

I have put some links to tracks from 2018 jazz albums in posts 2390-2 and 2394-5 of "What Jazz Are You Listening to Now?".

You might find a few of those to be of interest.

[Jazzrook]

Jazz Journal 2018 record of the year poll:

https://jazzjournal.co.uk/2019/02/19/jazz-record-of-the-year-2018-the-jj-critics-poll/

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Jazz Journal 2018 record of the year poll:
https://jazzjournal.co.uk/2019/02/19...-critics-poll/

Many thanks, Jazzrook.

[Ian Thumwood]

Jazzrook

That was an interesting list but intriguing just how much re-issues seems to feature in the compilation of best albums. Jazz Journal always seemed an unlikely alliance of reviewers with Simon Adams always being someone I felt more sympathy towards whereas the likes of Steve Voce seemed deeply nostalgic for an earlier era of jazz. Compared to other lists on line, this one does seem very bizarre and the Coltrane album seems almost a predictable winner for this magazine.


The bias of the styles of jazz is fascinating. The avant garde is almost absent and there loads of names who are really unfamiliar to me. not many people have selected big band records either despite some very strong releases in 2018 for this oeuvre. It does seem like the listings of genuine jazz fans insofar that the choices are so eclectic. ECM seems to be particularly popular in this poll. Looking through the lists, I only have two albums, the Cuong Vu record which is terrific and the Fletcher Henderson box set which is essential. Intriguing to see more favourable reviews of albums by Dinosaur and Keith Jarrett which were given negative assessments on websites like All about Jazz whereas some "bit hitting" discs which have proved popular on other sites such as those by Frisell, Dafnis Preito, Henry Threadgill and Steve Coleman are absent. Looking through the choices, the re-issues are those discs which appeal to me more than the new releases which are suggestive of a passion for fusion or more reflective, European jazz.

All in all, I don't think the Jazz Journal lists tell us a great deal about the current state of jazz other than lazy snipes at Hard Bop and artists like Gregory Porter but I feel they are perhaps more revealing as to how eclectic people's tastes are in jazz. I would have argued that the two main "thrusts" in jazz in our era are the fact that the avant garde is very much part of the mainstream and in very fine fettle indeed and that composition is now perhaps "The" driving motor within jazz - whether it is Alan Ferber , Steve Coleman or Henry Threadgill. I love seeing these kinds of lists even when I totally disagree with the inclusions. It is amusing to read some of the comments too!

I like the fact that many of the heavily promoted discs are absent yet just feel that in a blindfold test many people would not have necessarily appreciated this was a best of 2018! The results look broadly similar to the kind of polls they used to produce in the 1980's when material in excess of 50 years old would regularly receive the best votes. I think they should have kept new releases and re-issues separate with maybe the latter limited to either material that have been unavailable for a long period of time or releases which have been re-mastered or re-compiled in a new format. Disappointing to see "classics" by Mingus and Miles in the list - surely BofC has always been available!

[Quarky]

Jazz Journal 2018 record of the year poll:

https://jazzjournal.co.uk/2019/02/19...-critics-poll/

The individual critics' choices were interesting, but the the collation into "The Top Scorers" is meaningless. All it says that of out of 20 critics, each listing 10 favourite albums, only a minority, 6 or 7 or so, included the Coltrane album in their list. Otherwise, it is a very wide spread.