There has been a lot of good
music issued over the past year. It’s almost like a rebound after the pandemic.
My ‘short list’ had over forty albums, and it was tough to whittle it down to
ten. Hence a sizeable appendix of other albums that I would not be without.
As always this is not a ‘Best Of’
listing, just a selection of music that appeals to me personally. Few appear on
other lists, so you might find some hidden gems ‘in amongst’.
Mads la
Cour’s Almugi - Stout
(WhyPlayJazz).
I’ve always enjoyed art (visual
and aural) that has a sense of mystery about it. Not totally abstract, but with
a form that is sometimes difficult to resolve. Mads La Cour’s Almugi produces
music that is intriguing. Music that repays repeat listening.
Almugi has featured before on my
end of year list (Pete’s Pick of 2015). The ensemble comes in different sizes.
Small, medium and large. Their new album Stout features a medium version, with
Mads on flugelhorn, Cesar Joaniquet on tenor sax, Andreas Lang bass and Kasper
Tom Christiansen drums.
Their music is a kind of free
chamber jazz, often melancholic and with a folkish charm. And Mads’ focus on
the flugelhorn adds a mellow hue to proceedings, reflected by the umber tones
on the album cover. There’s also some nice unison playing from the front line,
underpinned by the versatile rhythm duo of Andreas and Kasper.
Stout was recorded in
Southern Denmark earlier this year and is well worth a listen. More than once.
Possible(s)
Quartet & Sophia Domancich – No Work Songs (Z Production)
A little gem of an album, one
that came my way late in the year. It’s only half an hour long, but packs in
more emotion than some albums twice its length. The album title alludes to that
time during the pandemic when there was little opportunity to perform. Only
compose.
The quartet comprises Remi
Gaudillat and Fred Roudet on trumpets, Loic Bachevillier trombone and Laurent
Vichard bass clarinet. Together they create a wonderful sound with some tight
harmonies, the bright trumpets contrasting with the dulcet tones of the
trombone and bass clarinet. And the first four tracks on the album form a suite
and add the piano of Sophia Domancich.
Check out the band’s website for
some entertaining videos. And I must investigate the quartet’s previous
outings, one of which revisits the music of David Bowie.
Gard
Nilssen Acoustic Unity – Elastic Wave (ECM)
This is the fourth release from
the stellar Scandinavian trio, their first on ECM. Gard has been one of the
go-to drummers on the Norwegian scene for many years, able to underpin big
bands such as his Supersonic Orchestra and the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, as
well as smaller line-ups such as Team Hegdal (see below) and Cortex. His bandmates are no slouches
either, bassist Petter Eldh having performed with Django Bates, Kit Downes and
Lucia Cadotsch, and reedsman Andre Roligheten with Team Hegdal, the duo
Albatrosh and the quartet Friends and Neighbours.
On Elastic Wave they slip
seamlessly from driving free-bop to off-kilter ballads. All three players
contribute compositions, with each of the eleven tracks coming in under five
minutes. A number of reviewers have expressed concern over their brevity, but
for me, it ensures the musicians make concise and meaningful statements. And Andre
Roligheten adds variety to their sound by switching between clarinet, tenor,
soprano and bass saxophones.
Seven years (and four albums) on
from their debut, it’s good to hear the tight trio still retain an exciting edge.
Unity indeed.
Chuffdrone -
Mosaik (ORF)
If I had to choose a European band that deserves wider
recognition, it would probably be the quintet Chuffdrone. Their previous outing
appeared on my Pick of 2020 and I’m glad to say their follow-up Mosaik
is equally impressive.
They extend their repertoire with seven more fascinating
pieces. The arrangements are almost theatrical at times, with all five
musicians contributing compositions. And as on their previous two albums,
there’s a coherence, as if they all came from the same pen.
Robert Schrock and Lisa Hofmaninger huff and puff on reeds
and Jul Diller often ‘prepares’ his piano. Equal partners in building Chuffdone’s
complex soundscapes are Judith Ferstl on bass and Judith Schwarz, drums.
There’s some interesting stuff coming out of Austria at
present, with bands such as Shake Stew and Mario Rom’s Interzone beginning to
make their mark outside of their homeland. Let’s hope Chuffdrone have similar
success.
Mary
Halvorson –
Amaryllis (Nonesuch)
At the intro to my selection, I said that few of my choices appeared
on other listings. Here’s the exception, an album that features widely
elsewhere. In fact, over the years Mary has topped numerous polls and I suspect
2022 will not be any different.On Amaryllis her extraordinary stringwork cajoles and
teases a top rung sextet on six originals. Her band features Jacob Garchik on
trombone, Adam O’Farrill on trumpet, Patricia Brennan on vibes, Nick Dunston
bass and Tomas Fujiwara drums.
And on 3 of the tracks, the band is augmented with the strings
of the The Mivos quartet. Amaryllis is one of 2 recent releases from
Mary on Nonesuch. The other, Belladonna, features just Mary and the
string quartet.
Both albums give a glimpse into the world of an influential
musician who, like many of her contemporaries, is unafraid to mix genre’s. And
a special word for Tomas Fujiwara, who underpins Mary’s work here, and with the
trio Thumbscrew (see below), with power and finesse.
Heidi
Bayer - Korsh
(Tangible Music)
I first encountered German trumpeter Heidi Bayer last year,
with the eponymous debut of her quartet Virtual Leak, an album I enjoyed very
much. I’m glad to say she’s now returned,
this time leading a quintet called Korsh.
Their name is derived using the letters of the musicians
first names. And what names! Most being major players on the creative German
scene. Alongside Heidi on trumpet and flugel are Sven Decker on reeds, Kalle
Moberg on accordion, Robert Landferman bass and Oliver Steidle on drums.
Heidi began her musical career on clarinet but switched to
trumpet in her late teens, Kenny Wheeler being one of her early hero’s. She’s now
based in Cologne where this album was recorded last April.
All of the compositions on Korsh are by the leader.
They are cleverly structured, but still allow space for her band members to get
stuck in. And the presence of accordion adds an interesting twist to their
sound.
Team
Hegdal – Vol 5
(Particular Recordings).
Bands led by Eirik Hegdal are a common feature on my end-of-year
lists. Team Hegdal currently comprises Eirik and Andre Roligheten on saxophones
and clarinets, Ole Morten Vagan on bass and Gard Nilssen drums. It’s a band
that has incorporated various guests over its thirteen years of existence.
However, on Vol 5 it’s the basic quartet. The musicians are all products of that breeding ground of
Scandinavian jazz, the Trondheim Music Conservatory. They get stuck into eight
diverting originals from Eirik, with the reedsmen adding extra layers at times,
creating a velvety ensemble sound. Especially when the leader picks up his
baritone sax. Listen to the wonderful romp titled Rolihlahla. And as
with all of Eirik’s projects, there’s often an underlying jollity.
All of Team Hegdal’s albums are recommended. The first two
were released on Odin Records, Volumes 3, 4 and 5 on Particular Recordings.
Liran Donin & Idris
Rahman - Earth and Bones
(self-released)
An album recorded in St Marys Church, Walthamstow in 2021. The
London-based pair converse on ten originals, the music reflecting their mixed
heritage.
It’s a wonderfully lyrical and blues ridden date, with shades
of Mingus and the Middle East throughout. The two musicians are masters of
their respective instruments. Idris preaches on clarinets and tenor sax, Liran plucks,
slaps and bows his double bass.
An emotional rollercoaster. Such a shame that it is not being
released on a major label.
Here’s To Us - Kaukasus (Hoob)
On Jazz Today in 2019 I featured the debut release from the
Swedish / Portuguese quartet Here’s To Us with the line-up of Susana Santos
Silva, trumpet, Lisen Rylander Love saxophone, Nils Berg, bass clarinet and
Josef Kellerdahl, double bass. At the time I was impressed by their unique
chamber jazz sound and intriguing harmonies.Well I’m glad to say they’re back. On record at least. This
time they’ve turned to Georgia for inspiration, a country whose music has long
fascinated Josef Kellerdahl, particularly their choral tradition. Here the band
have used traditional Georgian themes as a framework for improvisation, resulting
in a mix of old and new.
And a successful fusion it turns out to be. The majority of
the pieces are slow to moderate in pace, yet they allow for some wonderful
unison work with plenty of space for extemporisation. Even bordering on freedom
at times.
I look forward to hearing where they head next.
Iiro
Rantala – Potsdam (ACT)
An astonishing live performance from Finnish pianist Iiro
Rantala, recorded in November 2021 at Nicolaisaal in Potsdam on the outskirts
of Berlin. A solo recital that strides from rhapsodic to ragtime. And almost
always with a sense of humour. It harbours six originals from Iiro plus one
from John Lennon and two from Leonard Bernstein. I first encountered the classically trained pianist back in
the 90’s when he was part of Trio Toykeat. He’s worked in almost all spheres
where music has a role, including film, dance and opera. Check his webpage for
the lowdown.
And after listening to this new album I looked up the word
ebullient. Just to check it was the right word to use. It was. The word
maverick came to mind as well. See him live if you get the chance. If not, hear
this album.
....and finally, an appendix of albums from 2022 that I have also enjoyed:
Thumbscrew:
Multicolored Midnight (Cuneiform) Laura Jurd: Big Friendly Album (Big
Friendly Records) Perssons Sexa: Vol III (Havtorn) Rene Lussier:
Au Diable Vert (Circum-Disc) Roberto Ottaviano & Alexander Hawkins:
Charlie’s Blue Skylight (Dodicilune) David Chevalier, Laurent Blondiau,
Sebastien Boisseau & Christophe Lavergne: Curiosity (Yolk) Erik
Friedlander: A Queens’ Firefly (Skipstone) Emile Parisien: Louise
(ACT) Steve Cardenas, Ben Allison & Ted Nash: Healing Power
(Sunnyside) Aufmessers Schneide:
Stereo Friction (Jazzwerkstatt) Manuel Hermia: Freetet (Igloo) Le
Trio Voyageur: Furinkazan (Circum-Disc) Robert Jukic 4: Izza (RTV
Slo) Trish Clowes: A View With a Room (Greenleaf) Nils Wogram &
Joe Sachse: Freies Geroll (nWog) Tobias Wicklund: Silver Needle
(Stunt) Quentin Ghomari: Otrium (Neuklang) Sylvain Rifflet with
Verneri Pohjola: Cake Walk From a Spaceship (Eclipse Music) Kontrasax:
Die Kunst des Reisens (Jazzhausmusik) Carl Wittig’s Aurora Octett:
Perspective Suite (nWog) Joy Ellis: Losing from Peaceful Place
(Oti-O) Bliss Quintet: Dramaqueen (Jazzland) Max Nagl Ensemble:
Live at Porgy & Bess Vienna Vol 4 (Rude Noises) Bevort 3: Live
2020-2021 (Gateway Music) Undercurrent Orchestra: Everything Seems
Different (ZenneZ) Adan Mizrahi: Dissident (Ears & Eyes) Angelika
Niescier, Hilmar Jensson & Scott McLemore: Broken Cycle 2 (Sunny Sky) Nils
Wogram: Muse (NWog) Adam Fairhall & Johnny Hunter: Winifred
Atwell Revisited (Efpi) Eric Van Der Westen: The Crown & Lobster
Trilogy Part III: New Quadrant (EWM) Dine Doneff: Lost Anthropology
(neRED) Fussyduck: Maybe That’s All We Get (Double Moon) The Source:
...but swinging doesn’t bend them down (Odin) Ernesto Jodos: Donde el
Mundo Ocurre (Ears & Eyes) Reverso: Harmonic Alchemy (Out Here) Paul
Van Kemenade: Lockdown The End (KEMO) John Pope & John Garner:
Water Music (New Jazz and Improvised Music) Bill Frisell: Four (Blue
Note) Agnas/Flaten/Stahl/Texas: All Slow Dream Gone (Moserobie) Wako:
Ut Av Det Nye (Ora Fonogram) Maridalen:
Bortenfor (Jazzland) Julie Campiche Quartet: You Matter (Enja) Fusk:
Absurd Enthusiasm (WhyPlayJazz)
