As always, this is not a ‘Best of 2021’ for two reasons. Firstly, I’ve only heard a fraction of the new releases, so there will be many that I’ve missed. Secondly, this is a choice based upon my own tastes.
And having
looked at many other listings, there’s not much in the way of overlap, so maybe
it’s a case of ‘different drummer’ syndrome. It may also be the case that many of
my choices are released on small independent labels that do not get wide
exposure.
I’ve sampled most
of these albums on my podcasts. And…. as choosing ten is difficult, I’ve
appended a number of other albums that I wouldn’t be without.
Cowboys and Frenchmen – Our Highway (Outside In Music)
The quintet have been together for
over five years and comprise Ethan Helm sax and flute, Owen Broder sax, Addison
Frei, piano, Ethan O’Reilly bass and Matt Honor drums.
The original music from Ethan Helm comes
across as a suite, reflecting the trials and tribulations of life on the road and
the solace afforded by nature. The compositions are cleverly structured and the
unison playing of the front line is noteworthy.
The album was produced by Ryan
Truesdell and recorded live at Subculture in NYC in Sept 2019. And the album
release is accompanied by an online video that was live-streamed as part of a
virtual tour. It’s well worth investigating if you get the chance. As is the
album.
And needless to say, I’ve since acquired
their previous albums.
Grand Picture Palace – Grand Picture Palace (WERF)
Anneleen is probably best known for
being part of the LAB Trio. Here she brings together the unusual instrumental
line-up of Rob Banken, bass clarinet, Cedric De Lat trumpet, Berlinde Deman,
tuba and Matthias De Waele drums. Plus a string quartet. A band she calls Grand
Picture Palace.
It’s fascinating stuff. Eight
originals from the leader. Sometimes they hint at film music, other times classical.
In fact the album opens with a short choral piece. And Anneleen’s mastery of
the double bass throughout is impressive.
It’s well worth tracking down. And while
you’re about it, why not check out her work with the LAB Trio.
Nezelhorns – Sentiment (Barefoot)
And it’s good to have them back, albeit
with two changes in personnel. Composing duties are shared between Nana Pi and
trombonist Petter Hangsel and the music has a nice edgy feel, mining territory
between post-bop and free.
Completing the band are the always excellent Erik Kimestad on
trumpet, and the solid rhythm section of Johannes Vaht on double bass and
Kristoffer Rostedt, drums.
I asked Nana Pi how the band got its unusual name. Apparently it came to her while she was vacuuming and playing with words in imaginary languages. As you do. She thinks it might be linked to naesehorn, rhinoceros in Danish. And the fact that the band has a three horn front line. One thing it does however, is make it easy to find them online when the band has a unique name.
Mario Rom’s Interzone – Eternal
Fiction (Traumton)
They’re a band I was lucky enough
to see live a few years back. They contrast high-energy romps with bluesy dirges
to great effect. And the quality of their musicianship is second to none. In
fact, if I had to highlight a band who’s music appealed equally to the head,
heart and feet, then Interzone would be on the short list. Along with another
(larger) ensemble that Mario and Lukas are part of, Shake Stew.
All four of the Interzone albums
deserve your attention. And why not have a peek at their entertaining
videos on the band’s webpage.
Slowfox – Freedom (Rent a Dog)
Their latest release presents fourteen
short melodic originals from Sebastian, plus one number based on a traditional
Korean Song. And like their previous two albums, the track titles use words
from a quotation; on this occasion, one attributed to Nina Simone.
Philip occasionally uses ‘prepared’
piano and on three tracks Sebastian features his spacebass, a modified double
bass with twelve additional sympathetic strings.
And as I said in my comments back
in 2015, it’s interesting to compare Slowfox with another trio that Sebastian
leads, Fossile 3 (with Rudi Mahall on clarinet and Etienne Nillesen drums). Fossile
3 occupy somewhat freer ground, but are equally creative in their approach. In
fact it would be fascinating to hear both groups amalgamated as a quintet. I
suggested to Sebastian that he could call them Fossile Fox. He said he would
bear it in mind (!)
Unscientific
Italians - Play the
Music of Bill Frisell Vol 1 (Hora)
Many of the musicians have worked together for the
now-dormant El Gallo Rojo label and at times their tight interplay reminded me
of the wonderful Italian Instabile Orchestra.
Their debut focusses on seven of Bill Frisell’s early
compositions arranged and conducted by Mr Santimone. And it obviously has the
approval of the composer, as the cover art was supplied by Bill himself.
It’s the first of three releases on the fledgling Hora Record
label. And fortunately, it sounds like we will only have to wait until 2022 for
Vol 2.
Jakop Janssonn – Bricoleur
(Finito Bacalao)
Hakon and Daniel have international reputations, but
I’d not encountered Jakop before. He hails from the north of Norway and his
music is influenced by the traditional music of that region, particularly the
music of the indigenous Sami people. But surprisingly, it doesn’t have you
looking for that warm puffer jacket; it has a folkish warmth and charm.
Bricoleur means someone
who builds or creates using whatever materials are available. And appropriately the CD cover shows a
Nordic shack built with what looks like flotsam and jetsam.
Intriguing
music from three skilled musicians, together
with occasional support from the Arctic Philharmonic. You can find Bricoleur
on the Tromso-based Finito Bacalao Record label.
Jared Schonig – Two Takes Vol I: Quintet & Vol II: Big Band (Anzic)
The second disc features the same compositions interpreted by
big band. Two different big bands in fact, with overlapping personnel. They
include top players from the East Coast scene, such as Jon Gordon, Donny
McCaslin, Marshall Gilkes and Nir Felder. And aside from the leader, the only
musician to appear on both discs is bassist Matt Clohesy.
Both big bands are conducted by Matt Holman, although each of
the eight originals has a different arranger (including Alan Ferber, Jim
McNeely and Darcy James Argue). And they make the most of the power at their
disposal.
It’s fascinating to compare the different approaches taken by
small group and big band. Both fall into the modern mainstream and Jared
propels each of the ensembles with his dynamic drumming.
Wako – Live in Oslo (Ora Fonogram)
The three tracks that were recorded
in August feature just the quartet; saxophonist Martin Myhre
Olsen, pianist Kjetil Mulelid, bassist Bardur Reinert Poulsen and drummer Simon
Olderskog Albertsen.
The six tracks recorded in November
add like-minded guests in the guise of saxophonist Tore Brunborg, violinist
Adrian Loseth Waade, percussionist Kyrre Laastad and clarinettist Lars
Horntveth, who also doubles on steel guitar. They add a different dimension to
the group sound, especially the presence of vibes and steel guitar.
It’s the bands fifth album, and
like its predecessors moves from fiery to reflective. A band that I’m sure would
be great to see live. Wherever.
Linda Fredriksson – Juniper
(We Jazz)
This is Linda’s debut as sole leader. Until now she is
probably best known for her work with the trio MOPO and on this recording plays
baritone and alto saxophones as well as bass clarinet, guitar and keyboards.
Adding layers to the sound are Tuomo Prattala on keyboards,
Minna Koivisto, synthesiser, Mikael Saastamoinen bass and Olavi Louhivuori
drums. All recorded at various locations over the past two years.
Apparently most of Linda’s seven originals were composed with
just voice, guitar and piano. The result is a magical and haunting album featuring
some memorable tunes. A leader who deserves greater recognition outside of her
native Finland.
Despite the pandemic, there’s been a lot of good music issued in 2021. Here are some more albums I wouldn’t be without:
Robert
Jukic – Caminos de Gloria (SBC); Paul Berner & Michael Moore
– Amulet (Ramboy); Reverso – Live (OutNote); Artifacts - …and
then there’s this (Astral Spirits); Maridalen – Maridalen (Jazzland); John
Pope Quintet – Mixed With Glass (New Jazz & Improvised Music
Recordings); Horse Orchestra – The Milkman Cometh (self-released); Fergus
McCreadie – Cairn (Edition); Broken Cycle – Broken Cycle 2 (Sunny
Sky); Igor Yakovenko – The Music Machine (Fancy Music); Joris Roelofs
– Rope Dance (Bis); Emma Famin – Limbo (Ears & Eyes); Knimes
Acoustic Group – Adventures in Improvised Music (Envelope); David Leon
– Aire De Agua (Out of Your Head); NoSax NoClar – Red Sisters (Yolk); Luke
Bainbridge – Surface Tension (self-released); Clover – Paradigme (Yolk);
Florian Arbenz – Conversation #2 and #3 (self-released); Alban Darche
– Le Gros Cube #2 (Yolk); Michel Portal – MP85 (Label Bleu); Noah
Preminger & Kim Cass – Thunda (Dry Bridge); Nazareno Caputo –
Phylum (Aut); Vasko Atanasovski Adrabesa Quartet – Phoenix (Moonjune); Steven
Kamperman – City Map (Zennez); Woody Black 4 – The Lost Tapes (ORF);
Christof Thewes Quartet – SurRealBook G (Gligg); En Garde! –
Apocalypso (Gateway); Nu Quartet – NUQ (Clear Now); Ben Goldberg –
Everything Happens To Be (BAG).
