Best Jazz Albums Of 2009: Jon Hassell & David S. Ware

Best Albums Of 2009
Each day until the end of the year we will discuss the albums that have been on repeat on our stereo the past 12 months (in no particular order).


Jon Hassell
Last Night The Moon Came Dropping It's Clothes in the Street
(ECM)

Jon Hassell's muted, electronically enhanced trumpet style has been directly related to the experimental work of Miles Davis in the 70s. Jon Hassell's early work with electronic/ambient pioneer, Brian Eno are now considered benchmark recordings for the electronic/ambient and new age genres. Hassell's work has always combined the beauty of jazz and the wonder of eastern philosophy. Last Night The Moon Came Dropping It's Clothes In The Street continues Jon Hassell marvellous use of soundscapes that are not just mood setting but highly involved experiments in world music with jazz and poetry as its foundation.

This is an album you need to discovery and let melt into your system like medicine. There are times, as on the enchanting "Northline" that you can truly feel the Miles Davis influence with great effectiveness. The musicians Hassell has surrounded himself with (Eivind Aarset on guitar, Jan Bang (sampling) among others) for this recording add more cohesion and youthfulness to the proceedings than previous records. Jon Hassell has made one his best albums in over 20 years--a collage of sound, colours and atmosphere that is enjoyable from first listen.




David S. Ware
Shakti
(Aum Fidelity)

David S. Ware is probably the closest thing you will get to hearing John Coltrane. A declared influence on his development, David S. Ware has forged a career that has been built on spirituality and improvisation. His albums are always a step ahead of his contemporaries and challenge the listener to think and accept the different world that is around them and how it can influence you in more ways than just the music.

Shakti explores the Indian tradition in the same manner Coltrane did with his later work such as OM, Crescent and Interstellar Space, etc. One of the fascinating things about Shakti that I have enjoyed is Ware's use of guitar (provide by the versatile Joe Morris) which acts as the replacement for a pianist and makes the outing an highly inventive affair. The interplay between the quartet is sublime and their approach throughout the recording is both seductive and rewarding. I've found that Shakti and Ware's 2006 BalladWare make for the best primer for those wanting to discover the complex, fierce and yet accessible world of David S. Ware.

Best Jazz Albums Of 2009: Eric Alexander

Best Albums Of 2009
Each day over the next week we will discuss the albums that have been on repeat on our stereo over the past 12 months (in no particular order).

Eric Alexander
Revival Of The Fittest
(High Note)

Eric Alexander is a veteran saxophonist from Chicago, whose style reminds me of a young Dexter Gordon. He has built a successful career on powerful, full bodied textures but has the ability to pull back beautifully as heard on his most recent release, Revival Of The Fittest (High Note). Eric Alexander has always been a bold and fabulous leader, (over 20 albums to his credit) and he has developed intyo a solid hard bop performer over the 15 years. He is also a founding member of the critically acclaimed sextet, One For All. He doesn't stray too far from the path which makes him one the perfect choices for anyone interested in starting their jazz collection off with something comfortable and familiar.

Revival Of The Fittest features some great work by Alexander regulars, Nat Reeves (bass), Harold Mabern (piano) and Joe Farnsworth (drums) who place themselves squarely in time with Alexander's every move. The main driving force is the veteran pianist Mabern, with whom Eric has worked since almost the begin of his career in the early 90s. Two of the tracks were written by Mabern ("Blues For Phineas" and "Too Late Fall Back Baby") which not only showcases Mabern but exemplifies the dexterity of Alexander as a performer.

Eric Alexander's maturity over the last decade really comes to the fore on Revival Of The Fittest, making this one of the best albums from him in a while. It's worth the purchase if you are an ardent fan, but also definitely if you are a newcomer to jazz and want to check out a great artist in prime form.

Best Jazz Albums Of 2009: The New Mastersounds

The Intersection: Best Albums Of 2009
Each day over the next week we will discuss the albums that have been on repeat on our stereo for the past 12 months (in no particular order).

The New Mastersounds
Ten Years On
(One Note Records)

With a combination of Jimmy Smith, Booker T. & The MG's and the Meters jazz/funk, The New Mastersounds have created a sound all their own. This Leeds based quartet has been around as their new album says--for 10 years, with only a few lineup changes but always remaining fresh and true to their funky jazz roots. While on first listen you may not think of the group as "jazz", the more you listen the more precise the jazz influences begin to appear.

The New Mastersounds definitely will set a party on fire but it's the tight the musicianship that has really turned me on over the last few years. Each album has the Hammond B3 and piano as its base point but with little swathes of sax, guitars and guest vocalists, NMS turn each outing into a new adventure. The current release Ten Years On is phenomenal. A rich and diverse selection of tunes that move from high intensity funk of the opening "San Frantico" to tantalizing and well composed "Cielo" featuring some very fine sax work.

The New Mastersounds may not be every jazz fans cup of tea but every once in awhile you have to let yourself go. The New Mastersounds to me are the Headhunters of the 21st century. And Ten Years On has become one of my late favourites of 2009.

Best Jazz Albums Of 2009: Julian Lage

Best Albums Of 2009
Each day over the next week we will discuss the albums that have been on repeat on our stereo for the past 12 months (in no particular order).

Julian Lage
Sounding Point
(EmArcy)

Julian Lage's Sounding Point is an album that has stuck with me since I first put it on late in the spring. Lage has been the main guitarist in the group Generations, led by the legendary vibraphonist Gary Burton. This is Julian Lage's debut album after a strong series of duo and session work aside from Burton's group and it doesn't disappoint. His style is very reminiscent of Jim Hall, Ralph Towner and a younger Pat Metheny.

Sounding Point is a wonderful collection of vivid and imaginative originals and a very small selections of standards including a great version of Miles Davis' "All Blues". This is an album that most young musicians would take at least 4 albums to produce. Julian Lage combines a delightful blend of classical and jazz themes to this session that is far beyond his years. He has surrounded himself with a band that is also up to the challenge of following this young and wildly talented guitarist through a journey that is quiet yet evocative.

At a time when everyone is looking for next generation of leaders, Julian Lage has stepped into the spotlight with a degree of maturity that others might have a very hard time catching up to. Sounding Point is an album that matters right here, right now.