i'm going to choose 5 albums from each year
it's not a top 5 of each year
it's just 5 solid records - all of which i recommend
each write up will likely include what musicians and albums i think influenced the one being discussed - what i like about it - basic information about the musicians - and where the album lands in the history of jazz and why i think it's important in terms of legacy and influence or perhaps not so important
also i might discuss what i think about what critics have said about the record and link to information i think is worth reading
Sounds interesting. I'm not very well versed on post 2000s jazz, so I'll definitely keep an eye out for this. :beer:
Quote from: SGR on May 19, 2023, 01:40 AMSounds interesting. I'm not very well versed on post 2000s jazz, so I'll definitely keep an eye out for this. :beer:
i'm not going to fuck with stuff that isn't on bandcamp or spotify which is one reason it's not a top 5
i'm staying strictly jazz so it's mostly going to be torchbearers but people who operate in the established tradition with power and grace - it's not about pioneering the genre because after coltrane there wasn't anywhere left to go - the full trajectory of the genre had been realized - however, a lot of people still play jazz really fucking well and a cultural shift occurred after the nineties that gave breathing room and respect to traditionalists
plus, even now, the most talented musicians outside of the electronic realm (which includes hip hop) usually play jazz so let's dig into who they are - that's what this is going to be about
Very excited to follow this! Jazz is honestly a bit of a blind spot for me, I'm big into big band and swing but I'm clueless on bebop and most stuff after that. So I'm not well versed in stuff after the 50s, let alone all those decades since, haha. Looking forward to this project!
i made an extensive jazz listening guide with not only the albums i recommend but the order in which to listen to them over at loser town
i ought to move it over here
it's just wasted with over there
2000 - 1
(https://i.postimg.cc/02t3DWZy/176-B2369-432-F-4-EDC-A06-C-499-FB2706479.jpg)
Marilyn Crispell / Stefano Maltese – Red
Crispell is a top 20 all time jazz pianist and the third best female jazz pianist behind Alice Coltrane and Mary Lou Williams. She's from Philadelphia and Baltimore and is presently in her mid seventies. She's still active and has concerts scheduled for this summer. She grew up on and studied classical music and didn't take an interest in jazz until she finally heard John Coltrane in the mid 1970's, nearly a decade after his death. Her classical roots can certainly be heard on this recording as well as on most (if not all) of her work with the legendary free jazz master, Anthony Braxton, with whom she's featured on 15 official releases. Stefano Maltese is an italian reedist who plays in a similar austere style as Braxton.
Crispell's work on this record leans heavily into avant garde contemporary classical piano music that reached full maturity in the 1940's. However, it's definitely jazz. It's true blue pure free jazz and her style of improvisation is more fluid and less angular than its classical roots. Unlike many records popular with jazz hipsters it's not aggressively in your face. It's lyrical however it's also uncompromising in its unresolving dissonance. This is serious music for serious jazz fans.
The two person team leaves plenty of room for exploration as well as exposure. Maltese has big shoes to fill but he wouldn't be there if he wasn't up to it. He remains astutely aware of Crispell's direction and the two complement each other beautifully. The unconvoluted setting of just the duo is a great way to listen to two great jazz musicians communicate.
2000 - 2
(https://i.postimg.cc/JhG8w0c3/737318-DD-772-B-4-D90-901-C-C07-CB04-E0-FA9.jpg)
Pat Metheny
Trio 99→00
(Warner Bros. Records)
Metheny won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo for "(Go) Get It"
Pat Metheny: electric, acoustic guitars; Larry Grenadier: double bass; Bill Stewart: drums
Released in February 2000
Metheny might be the best pure jazz guitarist of all time. By pure, I mean a record like this that can simply be labeled jazz without a further descriptor like free or fusion. It's true that I don't love him as much a Sonny Sharrock and he doesn't flash the same wizardry as John McLaughlin, but pound for pound, in the no frills jazz arena, Metheny is very hard to beat. He's presently in his late sixties and touring this summer.
If you're more inclined to free jazz or avant garde music im general a great starting point is the album Song X led by Ornette Coleman and also includes all stars Charlie Haden (a big personal fave) on bass and the great Jack DeJohnette on drums. But if you want to hear straightforward jazz guitar with perfect tone and execution and flawless dexterity with a brilliant ear for tonal improvisation this is it.
This is a fine review of this record:
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/trio-99-00-pat-metheny-warner-bros-review-by-c-andrew-hovan
Before I go overboard on the jazz purity of this record, I should mention that three tracks are particularly mellow and successfully lean slightly into new age almost as if being interpreted by Chet Atkins. There was a lot of that back then and it was healthy like ambient jazz is today. There's no question that if it's out there Metheny can do it.
I recommend this as the ultimate starting point for listening to jazz guitar even in front of Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian. However, if you're only going to listen to one it should be Kenny Burrell & John Coltrane (1958)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Burrell_%26_John_Coltrane
great stuff, I haven't started listening to these but I look forward to it. Despite your moping I've actually used your MB listening guide a lot, it has been a really valuable resource. I don't remember if I ever thanked you for that but if not, better late than never
Quote from: Marie Monday on May 20, 2023, 10:17 PMgreat stuff, I haven't started listening to these but I look forward to it. Despite your moping I've actually used your MB listening guide a lot, it has been a really valuable resource. I don't remember if I ever thanked you for that but if not, better late than never
preciate it
The Metheny record sounds like it might be up my alley, I'll check it out for sure. Since you mentioned Jack DeJohnette, have you ever heard his new age stuff? I dig it, very warm and relaxing like a nice bath.
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on May 20, 2023, 10:53 PMThe Metheny record sounds like it might be up my alley, I'll check it out for sure. Since you mentioned Jack DeJohnette, have you ever heard his new age stuff? I dig it, very warm and relaxing like a nice bath.
i haven't tbh
i wasn't aware that he recorded anything that deep in that direction
that's cool
it's not on spotify which might be why i missed it - it seems like a record that would catch my eye when i scan his discography -
i've gotten pretty prissy about not bothering with music that artists keep hidden away
the thing about it is there's always something just as good that i haven't heard that is on spotify so why bother
i just shrugged and said goodbye to neil young and joni mitchell
i love both of them but oh well
although i'm not such a hard ass about it that i won't check out your youtube link
i'm curious, i'm sure it's good, and you made it easy
thanks 😊
Respect, I discovered that album because I follow the channel that uploaded it, which is a goldmine of obscure new age and space music cassette rips. Most of them I'd think aren't on streaming services either but I actually just use Youtube for most of my music playing needs anyway.
I don't even think a lot of the time the case is the artists keeping it hidden but it just being too obscure or out of print (of course DeJohnette is famous enough that that wouldn't apply but just saying).
I tried Spotify for a bit but ultimately it was easier for me to use Youtube. YT is bad on mobile but since I'm at home most of the time I found the desktop interface works better with my daily flow than Spotify.
i don't own a desktop or laptop because i think they're ugly (no offense)
Quote from: Toy Revolver on May 21, 2023, 12:11 AMi don't own a desktop or laptop because i think they're ugly (no offense)
I still like using my laptop because the interface is second nature to me as someone who has been using PCs since the Windows 3.1 era. All my files are organized and optimized for PC, and I don't like phone calls interrupting my music. But it's all down to preference, your reasoning is totally valid too!
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on May 21, 2023, 12:19 AMI still like using my laptop because the interface is second nature to me as someone who has been using PCs since the Windows 3.1 era. All my files are organized and optimized for PC, and I don't like phone calls interrupting my music. But it's all down to preference, your reasoning is totally valid too!
i keep my phone on pure do not disturb mode - no notifications or anything no matter who calls or texts unless i check, 24-7
phone calls scare the fuck out of me
I like that attitude. It wouldn't work for me, I pride myself on always being available and responsive. So I suppose I'm kind of the complete opposite of you, but I get the appeal of doing that for sure.
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on May 21, 2023, 03:11 PMI like that attitude. It wouldn't work for me, I pride myself on always being available and responsive. So I suppose I'm kind of the complete opposite of you, but I get the appeal of doing that for sure.
too much bad news out there
Quote from: Toy Revolver on May 21, 2023, 03:19 PMtoo much bad news out there
Oh, definitely. The mister actually jury rigged a blocking system for me that blocks doomscrolling/time-wasting sites like Twitter, Facebook, Tik Tok and Instagram outright and also blocks all Youtube videos that contain common right wing/transphobic talking points in the title. Also my Reddit browsing is restricted to smaller niche subreddits.
We did this to give me peace of mind when browsing the internet and ease my anxiety. I can seek out news when I'm good and ready, but our system blocks me from seeing all the apocalyptic dread when I'm trying to have a fun time online.
The advantages of marrying a guy who knows computers, haha.
back to business
2000 - 3
(https://i.postimg.cc/xdh4xj8F/F26-B0-B14-0-D9-C-44-EF-A6-F1-6737-F378-D256.jpg)
World Saxophone Quartet
Requiem for Julius
As the name suggests, WSQ consists of four saxophonists, they functioned sort of like a string quartet and sort of like an avant garde barbershop quartet. Over the years the band saw several members float in and out until officially retiring the name in 2016.
Although the premise is a little gimmicky, their execution is superb and they were a mainstay of avant-garde jazz for four decades.
The Julius being memorialized by this record is one of their founding members, Julius Hemphill, who succumbed to diabetes in 95. One of the best places to start with Hemphill is with his 72 release, Dogon A.D, which is somewhat of a lost gem that belongs in the free jazz canon. In fact, if you're looking for listening guidance beyond the the 21st century that record and Anthony Braxton's New York, Fall 1974 are really the correct places to start. As for the WSQ, my go to record of theirs is Experience, a fun collection of Hendrix covers released in 2004.
RfJ is an excellent album even if I have been neglecting it so far in this write up. These are great jazz musicians doing their thing. Every musician is loyal to the process and respects their role. Egos are put aside in deference to the final product in a manner of execution similar to what was expected of musicians who played under Sun Ra's leadership in the Arkestra. This may be free jazz but it's primarily about discipline and conceptually quite different than Ornette Coleman's Free Jazz: A Collective Improvisation. Obviously, or maybe not so obviously if you're new to jazz, the Ornette record is more important and better. I'm just bringing it up to explain the different branches on the tree.
2000 - 4
(https://i.postimg.cc/C1Xd1RCn/IMG-9616.jpg)
Terence Blanchard – Wandering Moon
Blanchard is a mainstream jazz traditionalist. He's the type of artist I was dismissive of when I was younger because because he wins awards and I felt like it was the avant garde vs the world. But now I see him as an incredibly talented composer and musician that has been quite pioneering even in the confines of hard bop which is an extraordinarily difficult genre to build upon considering how much came before him. If you want to check out a relatively recent jazz record that isn't alienating but instead appeals to casual jazz fans as well this is a great choice. I've always been open to music from other genres that isn't agressively harsh no matter when it was released but with jazz it took me longer to put my sword back into the scabbard.
Blanchard is 61 now and still working. He played in Portland last night, in fact. Here's a Tiny Desk Concert from 2015
https://youtu.be/hNw5kna518E
He's done several film scores and has worked extensively with Spike Lee. He also played with Art Blakey in the Jazz Messengers and perhaps his most import contribution to the history of jazz can be heard on the 1984 release New York Scene. Another great place to hear him is on the 1997 album Roots by Cedar Walton.
The Wandering Moon line up includes bassist Dave Holland whose solo bass record, Emerald Tears (1977), is one of my favorite jazz records ever. It also features Branford Marsalis. The album that completely won me over with Branford is Footsteps of Our Fathers which you can read about here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footsteps_of_Our_Fathers
Wandering Moon is an undeniably good jazz record and you don't have to be a super hardcore jazz fan to dig it.
2000 - 5
McCoy Tyner With Stanley Clarke And Al Foster – Mc Coy Tyner With Stanley Clarke And Al Foster
(https://i.postimg.cc/3WMZg93S/IMG-9657.jpg)
So this will be my final record from the year 2000. It's dawned on me that this is quite an undertaking but one I should have the sticktoitiveness to see it through unless we get any of a handful of cunts and losers from mb over here in which case fuck this place, I'm done.
Well about this record, imo, McCoy Tyner is the greatest pianist to ever live. His most important work was with Coltrane's classic quartet and he plays piano on several of the greatest jazz records ever made. If you aren't familiar with those records correcting that deficiency should be your first order of business.
If you're hip to classic quartet stuff but want to hear more of his stuff the 1972 solo piano tribute to Coltrane, Echoes of a Friend, is my personal favorite but there are a lot great choices but if you're searching post-Coltrane it's probably best to not look past the mid seventies if you want the prime prime.
Still, you don't always have to go out for steaks. Sometimes a good burger is in order and that's what this album is. Right now my favorite three jazz pianists are Tyner, Cecil Taylor and Keith Jarrett. Jarrett's the only one still living and, unfortunately, he's unable to play due to stroke paralysis. But Tyner's work on here reminds me a lot of Keith Jarrett which is interesting and is all the more reason to check it out. As a post-bop record, that is NOT a free jazz record there's a very pleasant purity about it. And there's a comfortable feel about the musicians not in the frantic intensity of their prime.
Also, I think a lot of people are attracted to the music of bassist Stanley Clarke and he's obviously a big part of this super all-star trio. Probably, the best place to go to hear him on the best thing he ever did is to check out Chick Corea's Return to Forever s/t and debut. He also recorded with Gato Barbieri which is probably my personal favorite stuff he did, if you'll allow me to distinguish "best" from "favorite".
The drummer, Al Foster, who's 80 years old and still listed as active on wikipedia, played drums on some of the best fusion records of all time under the leadership of Miles Davis.
I know I'm providing a lot of listening recommendations beyond the albums I'm reviewing which kind of distracts from what I'm doing but hopefully it will make actually reading these reviews more worthwhile for casual jazz fans.
Quotefuck this place, I'm done
congratulations on being something exactly the fucking same
Quote from: Toy Revolver on Jun 03, 2023, 04:53 AMAlso, I think a lot of people are attracted to the music of bassist Stanley Clarke and he's obviously a big part of this super all-star trio. Probably, the best place to go to hear him on the best thing he ever did is to check out Chick Corea's Return to Forever s/t and debut.
I like those too. My favorite Return to Forever songs are the acoustic title tracks from No Mystery and Romantic Warrior 🤔 They're sublime.
I don't know Clarke from that much else, but I did enjoy the Rite of Strings album he did with Jean-Luc Ponty and Di Meola.
Quote from: Toy Revolver on Jun 03, 2023, 11:36 AMcongratulations on being something exactly the fucking same
Hope you consider returning