Open Mike: Snarky Puppy!

Michael Wollny and Heinz Sauer. Photo courtesy ACT / Grosse Geldermann

Best Jazz Records of 2012

• Not Getting Behind is the New Getting Ahead, Charlie Hunter and Scott Amendola. Charlie Hunter Music. You know you're in for some fun with tracks titled "There Used to Be a Nightclub There" and "Those Desks Aren't Going to Clean Themselves." Track to sample: "Assessing the Assessors, an Assessor's Assessment."

• Four MFs Playin' Tunes, Branford Marsalis Quartet. Marsalis Music. Anyone who can quit a gig as juicy as the bandleader on "The Tonight Show" is perpetually all right with me. Branford Marsalis plays in the same straight-up boppish tradition as his more famous bro Wynton, but he's not as doctrinaire about it. Track to sample: "Teo."

• Mischief and Mayhem, Jenny Scheinman. If you're getting the idea that I like a bit o' rhythm in my modden jazz, you've got that right. Violinist Jenny is a collaborator of Bill Frisell and Ani DiFranco among others and is joined here by Wilco guitarist Nels Cline. Track to sample: "Ali Farka Touche."

Jenny Scheinman. Photo by Michael Wilson.

• Bright Light in Winter, Jeff Parker Trio. Delmark Records. One for guitar heads. Clean and spare, like, well, bright light in winter. Somethingelsereviews says "Parker's pillowy soft guitar tone permeates the record and his steady-tempered jazzy lines never go past 4 on the adrenaline knob," not exactly what you'd expect on the first record in seven years from this veteran of the Chicago Underground Orchestra and Tortoise. A friendly, flowing record. Track to sample: "Mainz."

• Wasted & Wanted, Michael Wollny's [em]. ACT. From Germany, with love. Wollny is a rising European star with a darkish ethos who claims inspiration from literature, films and painting as well as from music. Wasted & Wanted bends genres but without making a big thing out of it. Track to sample: "Metall."

• Live at Kitano, Frank Kimbrough Trio. A classic piano trio. Fred Kaplan wrote that this lush recording of quiet jazz "is for late nights and close listening," and so it is. Track to sample: "Single Petal of a Rose."

• Black Radio, Robert Glasper. Blue Note has come a long way, baby...this might be too "crossover" for some tastes, with flavorings of everything from rap to the Isley Brothers. Glasper, his guests, and the Experiment Band create a fascinating soundworld that sounds like cities late at night, from the streets to the bars to the penthouses. Featuring Erika Badu and Lalah Hathaway (and Mos Def, as yasiin bey). And covers of Sade and Nirvana. You can argue that it's not jazz, but it's lovely. Track to sample: "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

• Bending Bridges, Mary Halvorson Quintet. I got a little obsessed with Mary Halvorson's Dragon's Head after my friend Bob Burnett turned me on to it. Gassy and noisy on first listens, its originality and quirky, spiky odd turns begin to delight deeply on repeat visits. I still don't know if I like Mary Halvorson, but I listen to her a lot. Track to sample: "The Periphery of Scandal."

•     •     •

Honorable mentions: Alexander Hawkins Ensemble, All There, Ever Out; Vijay Iyer Trio, Accelerando (this makes everybody's best of 2012 lists, better not leave it off mine); Lee Ritenour, Rhythm Sessions (with plenitudinous guest stars). Best Band name: Snarky Puppy. Yes, Snarky Puppy. Best album concept: The Atheist Gospel Trombone album (Jacob Garchik). I'm still waiting for the Acid Jazz Trip-Hop Accordion album, but maybe next year.

Best historical reissue: Thelonious Monk, Complete Albums Collection. The box set features all six of Thelonious Monk's Columbia album with Charlie Rouse: Monk's Dream (1962), Criss Cross (1962), It's Monk's Time (1964), Monk (1964), Straight, No Chaser (1966) and Underground (1967). (Criss Cross and Straight, No Chaser are among my favorites). No to-do is made about the remastering, but it's remarkable—the sound quality is stellar, the best ever. For this set you want to buy the physical CDs, since the box features the nifty booklet with lots of archive photos. Being a super-duper screaming great deal ($4.85 per CD, the box for less than $30) doesn't hurt anything, either.

I'm not an expert on jazz by any stretch, especially contemporary jazz, so I'm more than open to being corrected....

Mike

"Open Mike," frequently wandering off topic, scats past on Sundays here at TOP.

Original contents copyright 2012 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.
A book of interest today:

(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Dana: "...Hey Mike...I am going to narrow this down a bit and give you my jazz single of the year: Ahmad Jamal's 'Blue Moon.' At 81 years old this amazing musician produces and plays an absolute masterpiece. Listen once and you will be hooked."

Howard French: "This is one of my favorite features on this site, and I love the modesty of spirit reflected in the concluding comment: 'I'm no expert on Jazz...' I've been listening intently to the music all my life, and think you've got a first class sensibility and exquisite taste. Many of the past recommendations, mostly involving older music (Ellington, Wes Montgomery, Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley, Archie Shepp etc., etc.) have been truly first rate. Now to Amazon to check some of this stuff out."

Mike replies: Thanks Howard. Posting this as a featured comment might contradict your point about my modesty, but since only about 38 readers have read this post down this far....[g]

Jamie Pillers: "Wha...?? Mike, what were you thinking? Christmas is gone, man. Now I have to put these on my wish list for next year!!"

Mike replies: Naw, music is more like food...a consumable necessary for survival. For all year 'round, not just for special occasions.

Dave: "Thanks for the ideas. I always want to get more into jazz but don't know where to start—just added Jazz 101 to my amazon shopping cart. Also, I added some of your recommended albums to my Spotify playlist. For those of you that don't know about Spotify this is the perfect opportunity to try out their service. Most of these albums are available on Spotify. It's free on your computer."

Mike replies: These aren't horribly "out there" or avant-garde as new jazz goes, but they're probably not the place to start for people who just want to "get more into jazz." For that, I'd recommend my Jazz Starter Kit. But by all means explore on Spotify as you like.

Comments

[Hugh Crawford]

"I'm still waiting for the Acid Jazz Trip-Hop Accordion album, but maybe next year."

My good friend and classmate Zena Parkins might be able to help you out there
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeena_Parkins

http://www.zeenaparkins.com/

[mastaliu]

I've really enjoyed Kenny Garrett's Seeds From the Underground (2012).

[Will Whitaker]

How nice that Branford Marsalis has released an album with a photographic theme, Four Medium Formats Playin' Tunes.

[Bob Keefer]

I'm not a big fan of jazz, but just did an interview with Jenny Scheinman for the newspaper I work at. She was so intelligent and interesting to talk to I'll be heading for the Eugene concert (where she's playing with Frisell and Brian Blade).

One thing I especially liked: She said she was drawn to jazz in part because she's "studious" and there are so many layers to the music and its culture.

[Bill Mitchell]

Enough, already!

[Maggie Osterberg]

Wow, Jenny Scheinman has exquisite taste in sidemen and wardrobe. I may have a new heroine. Nels Clineand Bill Frisell? You had me at Nels and that awesome dress.

Yeah, I know, the dress thing is shallow, but I think it shows a certain cunning.

[Dave]

Thanks for the ideas. I always want to get more into jazz but don't know where to start -- just added "Jazz 101" to my amazon shopping cart. Also, I added some of your recommended albums to my Spotify playlist. For those of you that don't know about Spotify this is the perfect opportunity to try out their service. Most of these albums are available on Spotify. It's free on your computer.

[Jamie Pillers]

"Naw, music is more like food...a consumable necessary for survival. For all year 'round, not just for special occasions."

I'll check with She-Who-Controls-the-Checkbook and see if music counts as staple (requiring regular replenishment).

[psu]

This long out of print book is a also pretty good way to get started in Jazz.

http://www.amazon.com/The-101-Best-Jazz-Albums/dp/0688087205/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356908227&sr=8-1&keywords=101+best+jazz+albums

Most of the mentioned albums are probably out of print or called something else now, but you can still use it as a way to find some of the best stuff.

[mike plews]

When I'm feeling flush I like to take a spin around Amazon looking for obscure gems and stumbled on to this.
Not a new recording or a new release so I suppose this is OT, OT, sorry.

http://www.amazon.com/Jazzman-Paul/dp/B0019QQS9G/ref=sr_1_40?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1356910363&sr=1-40&keywords=les++paul

These are from the 1940's. Some are recordings done to send out to the troops. It makes the case that all of Les Paul's later innovations were built on some stellar jazz chops.
During that session I also replaced my vinyl version of Chester and Lester and a few days later the UPS guy delivered a full days worth of fun.

[William Barnett-Lewis]

Mike, I've told you before how much I cherish this blog for what I've learned about photography, but this time I have to thank you for Mischief and Mayhem. Jenny Scheinman is insanely great. Thank you so very much for turning me onto this album. My wallet is not so happy but my ears are overjoyed... ;)

If I can catch an image that is for the eye as A Ride with Polly Jean is for my ear, I'll die a much happier man.

[Zvonimir MW Tosic]

I don't like or share your taste in cameras, but love your taste in that what makes a great jazz. "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" Ella Fitzgerald says. "Saying Happy New Year to Mike," I answer.

[David Boyce]

Just bought Visions of Jazz by Gary Giddins and The History of Jazz by Ted Gioia and am dipping in and out of them currently while re reading Robert Hughes and rediscovering Dave Hickey. Jazz 101 might just be next on the list. Getting really interested in Jazz again ...

[Gingerburn]

If it's of any interest to the TOP legions I've made a Spotify playlist of these albums http://open.spotify.com/user/gingerburn/playlist/60md2DXmSgR8KL5ukcbKAh

[Norm Snyder]

Ryan Truesdell's Gil Evans Project, "Centennial." My own words can't describe it--so I encourage everyone to hear for themselves.

[Bob Burnett]

Jenny Scheinman: don't stop with this album. Play "Processional" from her Crossing the Field album. Also, "Sleeping in the Aquifer" from 12 Songs.

Both are available on MOG so there's a strong chance they will be on Spotify too.

[Patrick Perez]

Will said "How nice that Branford Marsalis has released an album with a photographic theme, Four Medium Formats Playin' Tunes."

Sorry, but it is actually Four Manual Focusers...

Patrick

[Adam Lozo]

Here are my favorite Jazz CDs of 2012:

Adam Fairhall - The Imaginary Delta
Alex Machacek - Fat
Amit Freidman Sextet - Sunrise
Angelica Sanchez Quintet - Wires and Moss
Bill McHenry - La Peur du Vide
Billy Hart - All our Reasons
Blommor Inomhus - Blommor Inomhus
**Bobby Sanabria Big Band - Multiverse
Chick Corea - Further Explorations
Dave Douglas - Be Still
Gregory Porter - Be Good < Guillaume de Chassy - Silences
Guillermo Klein - Carrera
**Harris Eisenstadt - Canada Day III
Jeremy Siskind - Finger Songwriter
John Surman - Saltash Bells
Kurt Rosenwinkle - Star of Jupiter
Luciana Souza - Duets III
Martin Hoper - The Bride
Matt Ulery - By a little light
Matt Wilson - Attitude for Gratitude
Matthew Halsall - Fletcher Moss Park
Metta Quintet - Big Drum, Small World
Michael Formanek - Small Places
Michael Musillami Trio - Mettle
Myra Melford & Trio M - The Guest House
Nik Bartsch's Ronin - Live
Pat Metheny - Unity Band
Did someone say accordian? Richard Galliano - Nino Rota
Steve Lehman Trio - Dialect Flourescent
Stian Westerhus - The Matriarch and the wrong kind of flowers
* Thomas Chapin - Never Let me Go
Tim Berne - Snakeoil
Tom Harrell - #5
Vijay Iyer - Accelerando

yes, these are my 'best of'. I did my best to cull these down. 2012 was a good year in jazz. *= must hear

[Paul Pomeroy]

If you're allowing jazz albums we first heard in 2012, I'd have to say "The Triangle" (2004) -- Arild Andersen, John Marshall & Vassilis Tsabropoulos -- is without a doubt my favorite. Try "Cinderella Song" for starters (although "Straight" and "Pavane" are now the two tracks I've listened to most).

[Paul Pomeroy]

My thanks to Adam Lozo for mentioning Nik Bärtsch's "Ronin - Live." I had no idea they had a live album out. These guys do the coolest things with rhythms (try "Modul 22"). And I love how Nik Bärtsch plays the piano (often using his hand to partially mute strings, e.g., "Modul 48"). Nik also has quite a few live videos out on his Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/nikbaertsch