My Favorite Albums of 2015
To Pimp A Butterfly: Kendrick Lamar
This album flows like a play, as it takes through the internal struggles, dialogues, and different personalities of Kendrick Lamar within psychosocial contexts. Whether rapping over uptempo swing as in “For Free?”, with the voice of an intoxicated man in deep anguished as in “U”, or in the funkiest of tunes as in “King Kunta”, Kendrick delivers highly personal content through incredible rhythmic phrasing. The continuous surprises in the stellar arrangements and highly stimulating production make for a remarkably dynamic album.
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[x_text]Black Messiah: D’Angelo
14 years after his acclaimed album Voodoo, D’Angelo delivers this highly anticipated and long overdue follow up. In my opinion, this is even better than its predecessor. To me, D’Angelo always sounds like if he is singing to himself while walking down the street. His melodies are so organic and groove in the sleekest ways. I really hope he doesn’t wait another 15 years before the next one.
[/x_text]Last year, Antonio brilliantly represented Jazz musicians and drummers in Hollywood through his groundbreaking work in Iñárritu’s genius film Birdman. In 2015, Antonio continued his high level of productivity by releasing two albums as a leader. Meridian Suite is in the contemporary jazz realm and was heavily influenced by his experience writing for film. Three Times Three is a trio of trios with some of the biggest names in jazz including Brad Mehldau, Joe Lovano, John Scofield and Christian McBride. All trios are fantastic, but the combination of Antonio and Brad (with Matt Brewer on bass) is perhaps my absolute favorite recording of the year. Both albums are highly recommended. Below is an interesting promo video for Meridian Suite.
[/x_text][x_text]Stretch Music: Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah continues to establish himself as a leader in today’s Jazz scene, or as he calls it, Stretch Music. The trumpet player from New Orleans has one of the most beautiful and recognizable sounds today. His long and high notes layered over intense and insistent beats create a pulling effect that reminds me a little bit of Radiohead and Bjork. One cool thing about this album is that you can purchase it as an app that allows you to mix the volumes of all the instruments, adjust the tempo, and read the music charts. This is ideal for musicians looking to practice or play along to the record.
[/x_text]As its name indicates, this album is absolutely epic. Kamasi goes for over the top intensity with a 10-piece jazz band, strings, choirs, and a fascinating combination of modern, classic and world rhythms. This is one of the most acclaimed albums of the year.
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Vulnicura: Bjork
This is Bjork’s breakup album after ending her marriage with artist Matthew Barney. We can feel her sadness and loneliness through the enormous space created by lushes of orchestral arrangements that support her typical odd vocal phrasing. The lyrics are deeply personal and take us inside Bjork’s healing process.
[/x_text][x_text]High Risk and Brazen Heart: Dave Douglas
Trumpeter Dave Douglas never ceases to experiment with different bands in different contexts. High Risk includes the electronics of Shigeto, along with Johnathan Maron on bass and one of my favorite drummers, Mark Guiliana. This album is an interesting and exciting mix of jazz and electronics. Brazen Heart involves his longstanding acoustic jazz band, and showcases a set of original compositions along with two spirituals. Below is a live performance of the former.
[/x_text][x_text]Fast Future: Donny McCaslin
After listening to this album, it does not seem that surprising that sax player Donny McCaslin and some of his band members were recently hired by David Bowie to accompany him in his upcoming album. Fast Future is another excellent combination of jazz and electronics that features an array of intense and rewarding moments. Below is a performance at one of my favorite places in NYC, the 55 Bar.
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Woodwork: Matthew Stevens
Guitarist Matthew Stevens debuts as a leader after establishing himself as a prolific sideman in some of the most prominent bands today. The relationship of the bandmates on this one dates back to their school days. We can hear this longtime connection in the cohesiveness of the group.
[/x_text][x_text]We Are The Drum: Kendrick Scott Oracle
Kendrick plays the drums with a fascinating combination of finesse and explosiveness. He is a fantastic band leader and continues to put beautiful albums out there. This is one of my current favorite bands.
[/x_text][x_text]Kaleidoscope: Andréa Wood
After their year-long residence in India, Andréa Wood and her band came back to New York and recorded a wonderful album of mixed styles including Jazz, pop, R&B and hip-hop. Donny McCaslin appears as a guest, as well as hip-hop artist Nick Wood (Andréa’s brother), whose interludes give the album personality and flow.
[/x_text][x_text]Tokyo Adagio: Charlie Haden and Gonzalo Rubalcaba
This is an album of ballads played live in Tokyo by two genius musicians who collaborated for more than 30 years. Gonzalo is a brilliant pianist from Cuba, and Charlie Haden was a legendary bass player who passed away shortly prior to the album’s release.
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Top Albums of 2014
There is so much amazing music out there today. This is a list of my own personal favorite albums of the year. It includes 3 albums from the current popular jazz scene (obsessed with cameo vocals, spoken word and mixed genres), 2 modern Cuban pianists (one of which fits the current jazz scene mantra), a major rock/pop artist, a vocalist, a soundtrack, a Jewish Afro/punk band, and a beautiful tribute album.
1. The Invasion Parade by Alfredo Rodriguez
This is the album that got me the most excited this year. The cover is fitting as Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez does in fact sound like a mad prolific painter. He tends to switch colors and emotions quickly, maintaining a level of intensity that keeps you hooked and unable to let go. The primary lineup is rounded by Henry Cole, Peter Slavov, Billy Carrion, and Roman Filiu. Percussionsit Pedrito Martinez and bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding are guests in some of the songs including the absolutely beautiful ‘El Guije’ and ‘Snails in the Creek’ (the former in particular has some ridiculous vocals by Esperanza). ‘Santa Barbara’ and ‘Timberobot’ will have you jumping off your seat, while the classics ‘Quizas, Quizas, Quizas’ and ‘Veinte Anios’ are treated more delicately but with the same level of intensity. The number one highlight of the album has to be this insane rendition of ‘Guantanamera’.
itunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-invasion-parade/id785831390
2. Morning Phase by Beck
This is a very emotional album similar to Sea Change from 2002. If you are feeling sad, it will drag you to the ground. Yet unlike Sea Change, Morning Phase does include moments that may feel potentially uplifting within the right context. It is more complex in that regard and to me it is Beck’s best album to date. The instrumentation is mostly basic with a lot of strings, colorful arrangements and subtly slick production. It has an overall sense of simplicity, openness and warmth. Beck’s songwriting feels genuine and so does his singing. Among the albums highlights are ‘Morning’, ‘The Heart is a Drum’, ‘Say Goodbye’, and ‘Blue Moon’ (otherwise known as the song from True Detective‘s last episode from season 1).
itunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/morning-phase/id797897966
3. The Imagined Savior Is Far Easier To Paint by Ambrose Akinmusire
The follow up to the band’s incredible album debut When the Heart Emerges Glistening is another success for this brilliant trumpeter. This one is perhaps darker and more spiritual. The album is a good representation of the jazz scene today; broad in instrumentation and genre, with different vocalist appearances. Singer Becca Stevens steals the show for a moment on this one with the thought-provoking ‘Our Basement’. The band sounds like if it has been playing together for 30 years. I particularly love how Ambrose and saxophonist Walter Smith iii blend together.
itunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/imagined-savior-is-far-easier/id816479578
4. Big Picture by Kat Edmonson
The incredibly expressive Kat Edmonson has quickly become one of my absolute favorite singers. She will quickly draw you in and hypnotize you before you even realize what is happening. At times she may sound like Billie Holiday and at times like the girl from Cranberries, but she never loses her own unique characteristics. An incredible voice with infinite nuances and an uncanny ability to deliver her heartfelt songs in such personal way that it feels she is singing only to you.
itunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-big-picture/id898060389
4. Mboko by David Virelles.
It should be noted that the subtitle of this album is Sacred Music for Piano, Two Basses, Drum Set and Biankoméko Abakuá, which tells you the instrumentation but also the vibe of the album. The Cuban pianist is joined by Roman Diaz, Marcus Gilmore, Thomas Morgan and Robert Hurst. This music requires your full attention. It is sparse and abstract with almost no melody and no groove (at least in the traditional sense). The band is instead mostly preoccupied with interaction, texture and space. Arguably the most interesting album I heard all year. *ECM record label does not have their albums on spotify so you most go to itunes to listen to it.
itunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mboko/id923382031
6. Heroes and Misfits by Kris Bowers
Another modern Jazz album from the current scene as described above. Pianist Kris Bowers takes this idea to the extreme. This is indie rock, r&b, hip-hop, electro, jazz. Some really cool grooves, vibes, and textures make this a fun and engaging listen. From the albums that came out this year, this may be the one I listened to the most.
itunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/heroes-+-misfits/id779473938
7. Birdman by Antonio Sanchez
This is the soundtrack of the movie by Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, who had the brilliant idea of asking his fellow countryman drummer Antonio Sanchez to write it/play it strictly on drums. This gives a very unique feeling to the movie that puts you inside the crazy head of the main character, who is brilliantly portrayed by the surprising Michael Keaton. Antonio is one of the most sought after and well respected drummers in the world and tends to play very clean and perfect. Yet on this album, he purposefully plays these de-tuned drums and sounds ‘dirtier’ than you will ever hear him. Antonio arrived in Hollywood and raised the name of Mexico, drumming and Jazz altogether. I believe he deserves an Oscar.
itunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/birdman-original-motion-picture/id922241290
8. Adramelech by Zion 80
This is one of the many many many projects involving John Zorn. The music is written by this prolific and ridiculously productive musician as part of Masada Book Two. Zion80 plays it and delivers, leaving no doubt that they are a thing on its own; A fantastic Afro/Punk/Reggeae/Heavy Metal/Jazz/Jewish/Klezmer band.
itunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/adramelech/id900627625
http://youtu.be/-kbna5-_MGA
9. The Thought Of You by Otis Brown III
This is the album debut of drummer excellence Otis Brown III. It is the 3rd of the ‘current Jazz scene’ type of thing album of this list.The underlying tone of this one is more traditional as compared to the other two, at times bringing to mind Miles’ 2nd Quintet. Of course, vocalists are present on some of the tunes including the fascinating Bilal Oliver. Spoken words are also present including the actual audio recording from Otis’s very own wedding on “The Two Become One (For Paula)”. Otis is an explosive drummer who continuously explores highly energetic groove changes with contagious excitement.
itunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-thought-of-you/id898129099
10. Beautiful Life by Jimmy Greene
Saxophonist Jimmy Greene recorded this album as a tribute to the life of his 4 year old daughter, a victim of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut in 2012. Mr. Greene has often stated that he wanted the music to represent the way her daughter Ana lived, as opposed to the way she passed away. It is naturally a very touching beautiful album that includes the participation of a vast number of highly acclaimed musicians. This next peace opens the album. It starts with a home recording of Ana and friends singing a Puerto Rican song, followed by a Pat Metheny /Jimmy Greene duet, followed by another home recording of Ana singing while her brother plays piano. All in all it is a very touching album that illustrates the power of music as a coping, celebratory, unifying tool.
itunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/beautiful-life/id924565924
Other good ones:
Lathe Of Heaven by Mark Turner Quartet, Taming The Dragon by Mehliana, Beat Music: The Los Angeles Improvisations by Mark Guiliana, You’re Dead by Flying Lotus, …And Then You Shoot Your Cousin by The Roots, Golden Age by Nir Felder, Vipassana by Eric Harland, Landmarks by Brian Blade & The Fellowship.
*You can access the spotify playlist of all these songs (including ‘other good ones’ but excluding those not available on spotify) by following it here: favorite albums of 2014 spotify playlist
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