The New York-based jazz singer made great strides with this third effort which superbly crystallised her interests in Brazilian music, neo-soul and sophisticated songcraft. Tastefully co-produced by Robert Glasper, the record showcased her fantastic band very well too. Parlato’s elegant phrasing, subtle delivery and always-musical choice of notes become more and more irresistible as her career gathers momentum – no wonder Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock are raving about her.
Wherein this talented New Orleans musician cut loose with a striking concept album, played and sung entirely by himself. Jazz trumpet solos, sumptuous electric pianos, Stevie-ish synth basslines, wonky drum machines and dynamic vocals from Payton, Esperanza Spalding and Cassandra Wilson battle it out to winning effect. An exciting, original take on crossover jazz looking to electro, funk and soul for inspiration rather than rock or pop.
An unapologetic blast of old-school, mostly guitar-led jazz/rock recorded live in 2010 featuring such behemoths of the genre as John McLaughlin, Lenny White, Wayne Krantz and Anthony Jackson but also some intriguing more left-field talent such as Zakir Hussain, Rajit Barot, Scott Kinsey, Alex Machacek and Jimmy Herring. White’s slamming Booker-T-meets-Led-Zeppelin ‘Door 3′ steals the show.
Prince was the instigator of this project bringing together Eric Leeds, St Paul, Susannah Melvoin and Jellybean Johnson for The Family album in 1985. But the beast walked again in 2011 without the assistance of Prince and no one could have predicted this would work as well as it does. Leeds brings the spicy horn arrangements, St Paul and Jellybean the funk and Susannah the soul, and there’s fine songwriting assistance from Wendy and Lisa too.
The Connecticut-based singer hit the jackpot with this intricately-arranged, beautifully produced collection of neo-soul torch songs. Lost London genius Lewis Taylor pops up to duet on ‘If I Didn’t Need You’ and ‘Perfect’ is the most effective second track on a soul album since Stevie Wonder’s ‘Visions’.
Drummer Carrington raided her impressive contact book to create this arresting song cycle featuring exclusively female musicians including Geri Allen, Sheila E, Cassandra Wilson, Esperanza Spalding, Gretchen Parlato, Nona Hendryx and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Featuring a sublime tribute to Teena Marie, a chilling civil rights anthem and one of the instrumental compositions of the year, Geri Allen’s ‘Unconditional Love’.
The British Jazz legend returned to heavyweight contemporary music with this ambitious concept album exploring the European jazz heritage and all its tributaries. Exclusively playing bass clarinet, he created a seductive, dark, rich musical brew also featuring Zoe Rahman on piano and a sparkling Mark Mondesir on drums. Listen to the album and buy it on Deezer.
The late great drummer Paul Motian joined this all-star band over two nights in New York’s Birdland at the tail end of 2010 to play a selection of completely unrehearsed standards. Konitz’s ethereal tone, Motian’s gloriously open-ended approach and Mehldau’s rhapsodic interjections guarantee a surprising, gripping collection.
The Reissues of 2011:
Spiritual funk, modal jazz and gloriously weird ‘70s music technology join forces on these two fascinating albums originally released in 1977 and 1978. Headhunters sax man Maupin has never sounded more sprightly and he gets great support from the likes of Patrice Rushen, Harvey Mason, Mike Sembello and Abe Laboriel.
A near-exhaustive 4-CD box set of the long-overlooked UK alto sax legend who invigorated the ’60s scene with his red-hot playing channelling Charlie Parker, Eric Dolphy and Johnny Hodges. This collection covers most of Harriott’s musical moods, from bebop and hard bop to avant-garde envelope-pushing. Listen to the album and buy it on Deezer.
A glorious SoulMusic.com reissue for one of the great albums of the ‘70s. This is the jazz/funk version of Steely Dan’s ‘Aja’ or Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ – drummer/producer/co-composer Mason casts the songs with the perfect lineup of players every time including George Benson, The Brothers Johnson, Ray Parker Jr and Jay Graydon. And it also features the best ever cover version of Marvin’s ‘What’s Going On’.
The funkiest lineup of the classic fusion band burn down the house in this electrifying CD/DVD package. Wayne Shorter plays some of the most incisive soprano sax of his career, particularly on riproaring ‘Cucumber Slumber’, and the rhythm section of Chester Thompson, Alphonso Johnson and Alex Acuna virtually breathe fire.
A mighty 5-CD box set of Miles’ Warner Bros recordings, including the complete ‘Tutu’, ‘Amandla’, ‘Live Around The World’, ‘With Quincy Jones at Montreux’ and ‘Doo-Bop’ albums, excerpts from ‘Siesta’ and ‘Dingo’, some very interesting and never-before-released tunes from the controversial ‘Rubberband’ project (originally intended to be the follow-up to ‘You’re Under Arrest’) and Miles’ guest appearances with Cameo, Scritti Politti, Shirley Horn, Chaka Khan and more.
Thanks for the nod. FYI- all guests on the record were informed of the title before they recorded. #BAM! Much love to you. I am thankful. -Nicholas Payton
Thanks for clarifying! I’ve amended the copy accordingly. All the best, looking forward to more music
P.S. All instruments were not just mainly played by me on “Bitches,” they were all played by me and me only. #BAM
Thanks to the folks at Jazz FM and Iain Murray at ProperNote UK! and a Big Congratulations to Nicholas Payton!
An Epic project by a Genius Artist.
#BAM
-Anna M. Sala
AMS Artists Inc
Wow, what a great selection of Jazz/Funk/Soul Albums! Lots of old and new favourites… THANKS!
Inspiring! I have purchased a few of the albums from you list already. Thank you!
Nice to see fDeluxe getting a nod, it really is a super album, we just need to hear them more on the radio.