Compiling a list of the greatest works of the last ten years is an inherently difficult proposition. The first complication lies in the fact that so many of my musical memories from the last decade are tied to recordings released prior to the period. Some of my best memories include the Charlie Parker song from 1950 that played at my wedding, the New Year’s Eve I first stumbled … [Read more...]
Anthony Dean-Harris’ Favorite Jazz Albums of the Decade
There's a fullness in ten years. A lot of work, if rather relentlessly done, can really make a discernible impact. Ten years ago, folks were making all the talk as rather cyclically that jazz was dead. It was such an exhausting conversation. Folks were around making this music, obviously. It couldn't be that dead. The problem was in the awareness and the tweaking of the … [Read more...]
Rob Shepherd’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019
We continue our Season of Lists with newly-minted Staff Writer Rob Shepherd’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019. Also have a look at Nextbop's Best Jazz Albums of 2019, Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dean-Harris' Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019, and Staff Writer Brian Kiwanuka’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019. Perhaps the most interesting takeaway from 2019 is the number of artists adapting … [Read more...]
Brian Kiwanuka’s Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019
Tuesday we unveiled Nextbop's Best Jazz Albums of 2019, which was compiled by our staff as a whole. Yesterday, we published Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dean-Harris' Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019. Today, we continue our Season of Lists with Staff Writer Brian Kiwanuka's Favorite Jazz Albums of 2019. 10. Brandee Younger - Soul Awakening (Self Release) The harp is a spellbinding … [Read more...]
Tyshawn Sorey & Marilyn Crispell’s ‘The Adornment of Time’ Reviewed
A single fully-improvised piece of over an hour in length, percussionist Tyshawn Sorey and pianist Marilyn Crispell’s The Adornment of Time is a challenging work. It is not simple, danceable, easily listenable, or intended as background music. It is highly unlikely the listener will fully grasp its importance upon first approach. However, further delving into its depths … [Read more...]