Jazz Today Playlist: 29th Dec 2010

Garrison Fewell’s Variable Density Sound Orchestra: Betty’s Bounce from Sound Particle 47 (Creative Nation Music)

Reto Anneler: Leaniebeanie from Trottoir (Unit)

Francois Corneloup: Fortino Regarde L’Avenir une Derniere Fois from Noir Lumiere (Innacor)

Adam Pieronczyk: After the Catastrophe from Komeda – The Innocent Sorcerer (Jazzwerkstatt)

Van Veenendaal / Puglisi: To Alan Lomax from Duets for Prepared, Unprepared and Toy Pianos (Evil Rabbit)

Meadow: Badger from Blissful Ignorance (Edition)

The October Trio + Brad Turner: You’re Trying Too Hard from Looks Like It’s Going To Snow (Songlines)

Francois Corneloup: La Nuit est Un Son from Noir Lumiere (Innacor)

Olah / Bacso / Boisseau: Bartok Impressions from Fitting (BMC)

Lisa Mezzacappa’s Bait & Switch: The Aquarist from What Is Known (Clean Feed)

Edouard Bineau: Charmeur De Pierres from Wared Quartet (Derry Dol)

Dave Milligan Trio: If You Need a Painting in an Emergency from Shops (Antobar)

Liberty Ellman: Ophiuchus Butterfly from Ophiuchus Butterfly (Pi Recordings)

Miniatur Orchester: Der Auffuller from Pro Specie Rara (Unit)

Broken Arm Trio: Pearls from Broken Arm Trio (Skipstone)

Linda Oh Trio: Fourth Limb from Entry (lindaohmusic)

Stephan Mattner & Syntax: Cartoon Inn from Syntax (Konnex)

Pete's Pick of 2010

As always with end of year lists, my choice is limited to those albums I’ve heard....a tiny fraction of what’s new.....so there will be plenty of good stuff I’ve missed!  However, here’s a selection of the new albums that have given me most pleasure over the past year (in no particular order).

Sasquatch: Enter the Sasquatch (CCAP Knirk)

Gunhild Seim & Time Jungle: Morpho (Drollehala)

Jazz from Scandinavia has certainly thawed over the past decade, stoked by the likes of bands such as Atomic and Motif, together with the output of small labels such as Moserobie and Bolage. Over the past year I’ve been impressed by a couple of bands from the Norwegian port of Stavanger. Both have albums on minor labels. The first is a quintet by the name of Sasquatch, which I’m reliably informed, is another name for Bigfoot! The second is led by trumpeter Gunhild Seim, shares two musicians with Sasquatch (saxophonist Arild Hoem and drummer Dag Magnus Narvesen) and goes by the name Time Jungle. Both bands play a fiery brand of freebop, together with some chamber jazz.

Julia Shreitl Nord.Rand.Band: Nordic Walking (Session Work)

Mature and inventive playing from a young band of mainly Swedish musicians brought together by Austrian reed player Julia Schreitl, and going by the name of the Nord.Rand.Band.

Zeno De Rossi Shtik: The Manne I Love (El Gallo Rojo)

There’s the old adage that jazz is too serious for its own good. Well here’s a double album from Italy that proves otherwise. Released on the excellent El Gallo Rojo label, the album is a tribute to Shelley Manne. It’s a mix of tunes performed or recorded by the drummer over his illustrious career and played by an aggregation of mainly Italian musicians going by the name Shtik. They’re led by another drummer of note, Zeno Di Rossi.

Sebastien Texier Trio: Don’t Forget You Are An Animal (Cristal)

It must be tough climbing out from the shadow of a father who is considered by many to be one of the fathers of modern European jazz. But I believe that saxophonist / clarinettist Sebastien Texier has done just that. Stunning playing from Sebastian, Claude Tchamitchian and Sean Carpio, a true trio of equals. Their new CD deserves to be on everyone’s best-of-year lists.

The Nice Guy Trio: Here Comes The Nice Guy Trio (Porto Franco)

Trumpeter Darren Johnston appeared on my best-of-year list in 2009 with his excellent CD The Edge of the Forest (Clean Feed). He turns up again this year with The Nice Guy Trio.....completed by Rob Reich on accordion and Daniel Fabricant on bass, together with special guests. Melodic music that appeals to the head, heart and feet in equal measure.

The Ray Anderson – Marty Ehrlich Quartet: Hear You Say – Live in Willisau (Intuition)

A real crowd-pleaser from The Ray Anderson - Marty Ehrlich Quartet ....with Brad Jones on bass and Matt Wilson on drums. All flailing limbs and alimentary noise. Wonderful stuff.

The Light: Afekty (Multikulti)

A second outing for The Light on Multikulti. Clarinettist Waclaw Zimpel has certainly spread his wings over the past year, benefitting from the close association of Polish clubs such as Alchemia with the likes of Ken Vandermark and crew. Probably the most outward bound album in today’s selection.

Five In Orbit: Freaks (Fresh Sound New Talent)

Five In Orbit are quintet with a membership that straddles the Pyrenees, with Ramon Fossati on trombone, Olivier Brandily on reeds, Laurent Bronner on piano, Nicolas Rageau on bass and Luc Isenmann on drums. An energetic outing full of good humour....well worth your attention.

Brick Quartet: Brick Quartet (Chopstick)

Ben Sluijs, Mathias Van de Weile, Lode Vercampt and Dimitri Simoen......The Brick Quartet. I can’t make out if this is their only album as a foursome....although clearly the individual players are very active on the Belgian scene with bands such as Moker and the Ben Sluijs Quartet. However I  recommend you check the brick quartet website.....that’s www.brickquartet.be  for plenty more interesting sounds from this fascinating band.

Jazz Today Playlist: 15th December 2010

Julia Shreitl Nord.Rand.Band: Balcony from Nordic Walking (Session Work)

Zeno De Rossi Shtik: I’m An Old Cowhand from The Manne I Love (El Gallo Rojo)

Sasquatch: Afro from Enter the Sasquatch (CCAP Knirk)

Gunhild Seim & Time Jungle: On My Doorstep from Morpho (Drollehala)

Sebastien Texier Trio: Lilian’ Tears from Don’t Forget You are an Animal (Cristal)

Sebastien Texier Trio: Pain de Singe from Don’t Forget You are an Animal (Cristal)

Points: Dedicated To the Sun from Points (Animal Music)

The Nice Guy Trio: Fables of Faubus from Here Comes The Nice Guy Trio (Porto Franco)

Zeno De Rossi Shtik: Lorraine from The Manne I Love (El Gallo Rojo)

Jean Nicolas Trottier Quartet: Berceuse from Jean Nicolas Trottier Quartet (Effendi)

Brick Quartet: Opgedoekt from Brick Quartet (Chopstick)

Kirk Knuffke: How It Goes from Amnesia Brown (Clean Feed)

Sylvain Cathala Trio: Moonless from Moonless (FTM)

Five In Orbit: 45⁰ Angle from Freaks (Fresh Sound New Talent)

The Light: Hesitation from Afekty (Multikulti)

Ornstein / Overwater / Kegel: Teardrops for Jimmy from Jungle Boldie (Turtle)

The Ray Anderson – Marty Ehrlich Quartet: Hear You Say from Hear You Say – Live in Willisau (Intuition)

Jazz Today Playlist: Dec 1st 2010

Ray Anderson - Marty Ehrlich Quartet: The Git Go from Hear You Say – Live in Willisau (Intuition)

Adam Pieronczyk: Wicker Basket from Komeda – The Innocent Sorcerer (Jazzwerkstatt)

Neon Quartet: Bela Lugosi from Catch Me (Edition)

Masako Hamamura: Kind Mind from Kind Mind (Quark / 1hr Music)

Signal to Noise: That 11 Thing from Tag (Quark / 1hr Music)

Olivier Ker Ourio: Goodbye Pork Pie Hat from Siroko (E-motive)

Noah Preminger Group: Blues For Steve Lacy from Dry Bridge Road (Nowt)

Aki Takase & Silke Eberhard: The Blessing from Ornette Coleman Anthology (Intakt)

Wolter Weirbos: Visions from Deining (Dolfijn)

Ray Anderson - Marty Ehrlich Quartet: Portrait of Leroy Jenkins from Hear You Say – Live in Willisau (Intuition)

Sophia Domancich: Goodnight from Snakes and Ladders (Cristal)

Sophia Domancich: Mis Manos Te Acarician from Snakes and Ladders (Cristal)

Kirk Knuffke: Practical Sampling from Amnesia Brown (Clean Feed)

Bob Degen: Which Way is Which from Jake Remembered (Enja)

The October Trio + Brad Turner: Give (Sydney Carton) from Looks Like It’s Going to Snow (Songlines)

Olthuis & Van Veenendaal: D. S. Hoen from The Mystery of Guests (Evil Rabbit)

Proper Villains: Proper Villains from Hong Kong Edition (1hr Music)