Howard Mandel è uno scrittore e giornalista free lance, presidente della Jazz Journalist Association, collaboratore e autore della radio nazionale NPR e titolare del blog Jazz Beyond Jazz. Ecco le sue scelte discografiche per l'anno che va a finire.Favorite New Releases, # 1 – 10
1)
Sonny Rollins, Road Shows vol. 2- The grand master American saxophone improviser turned 80 with an inspired New York City concert, benefitting from support from drummer Roy Haynes and bassist Christian McBride, collaboration with guitarist Jim Hall and trumpeter Roy Hargrove, and a paradigm-shifting duet with surprise guest Ornette Coleman playing alto saxophone. A benchmark of excitement of the century old lineage of jazz leads to, circa 2011.2)
Nicole Mitchell, Awakening - A dazzling flutist keeps coming up with
tuneful ideas, backed by an economical, bluesy but open-minded Chicago guitar-bass-drums band.3)
Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Fé/Faith – The Cuban pianist reigns in mighty chops to muse out loud and solo about the
most personal and evanescent themes. Beautiful touch in a sonic hush.4) J
amaadaldeen Tacuma, For the Love of Ornette — Ornette Coleman is heard on sax throughout much of this self-produced album by one of his greatest proteges, an irrepressibly rhythmic electric bassist. But most gratifying is that Jamaaladeen’s entire ensemble does Ornette’s harmolodic concept
proud, so there’s a lot going on simultaneously and all of it’s funky.5)
Joseph Daley, The Seven Deadly Sins - Discover a rich orchestral album by a lesser known veteran: Daley’s respected profile as a low brass (tuba) specialist should
now shine all the brighter due to the beauty of his large-scheme composition.6)
Tyshawn Sorey, Oblique – 1 - Sorey is a gifted drummer, challenging composer and accomplished conceptualist/bandleader (he also performs on piano, but not here). He keeps the contributions of alto saxophonist Loren Stillman, guitarist Todd Neufeld, pianist John Escreet and bassist Chris Tordini moving. but not in obvious ways and not loudly. Listen to hear them come together, flow apart, wander off, return or
arrive where they intend to.7)
Roscoe Mitchell, Before There Was Sound – The first recorded example of music coming from Chicago’s 1960s AACM has been released after 40+ years. Sax virtuoso Mitchell was at the start of his career; his small ensemble
walks the line from progressive originality to something else. Not as rad now as then, yet good, fresh listening.8)
Nguyen Le, Songs of Freedom – Le, an unusual electric guitarist also using computers, and a core band (vibes, electric bass and drums) plus special guests address rock classics — “Eleanor Rigby,” “Mercedes Benz”, “Whole Lotta Love” among others. They are recast completely, with imagination,
admiration and respect. Vocals on some songs as part of the ensemble, not singer way out front.9)
Trio M, The Guest House – Pianist Myra Melford, bassist Mark Dresser and drummer Matt Wilson have a
vigorous and happily balanced threesome, like the famous ’60s Bill Evans trio rejiggering the instrumental hierarchy for music’s sake.10)
Adam Rudolph Go: Organic Orchestra – Can you Imagine The Sound of a Dream? – Rudolph conducts improvisationally a large coterie of New York City’s most accomplished musicians from across jazz and world music scenes, arriving at some unique harmonies and compelling episodes from what
could be a model for a contemporary symphony.Best reissues1) Miles Davis Quintet in Europe, 19672) Frank Sinatra/Count Basie: The Complete Reprise Studio Recordings3) Bill Dixon, Intents and PurposesBest debut CD: KG Omulo, Ayah Ye! Moving TrainBest Latin jazz album: Arturo O’Farrill Latin Jazz Orchestra, 40 Acres and a BurroBox SetsRay Charles, Singular Genius: The Complete ABC SinglesJazz Icons Series 5 (DVDS): Johnny Griffin, Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Freddie Hubbard, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane (but I’m going to write an entire posting about this . . next up!)Favorite New Releases 11 - 30 (no specific order) Rudresh Mahanthappa, SamdhiJames Carter/Robert Sierra, Caribbean Rhapsody/Concerto for Saxophones and OrchestraRoy Haynes, Roy-altyKip Hanrahan, At Home in Anger, Which Could Also Be called Imperfect, HappilyWadada Leo Smith’s Mbira, Dark Lady of the SonnetsJason Kao Hwang/Edge, Crossroads UnseenJaki Byard, Live at Keystone Korner, Vol. 2Lee Konitz/Brad Mahldau/Charlie Haden/Paul Motian, Live at BirdlandTrio 3 + Geri Allen, Celebrating Mary Lou Williams Live at Birdland New YorkAndrew Cyrille & Hatian Fascination, Route de FreresErnest Dawkins’ New Horizons Ensemble, The Prairie ProphetKeith Jarrett, RioCraig Taborn, Avenging AngelAmina Claudine Myers, Augmented VariationsElliott Sharp, The Age of CarbonJohn Scofield, Moment’s PeaceJames Carter Organ Trio, At the CrossroadsHarris Eisenstadt, Canada Day IIMuhal Richard Abrams duets with Fred Anderson, George Lewis, Sound DanceDavid Murray Cuban Ensemble Plays Nat King Cole En EspanolBob Belden et al, Miles EspanolRene Marie, Black Lace Freudian SlipWeasel Walter, Mary Halvorson and Peter Evans, Electric FruitKitty Brazelton, Ecclisiastes: A Modern Oratoria *Freddie Hubbard, Pinnacle *
