Whoops! I’m late. I wrote this back in January but I forgot to post this. My best jazz albums from the past year was pretty straightforward for me. Some could easily cross-over into other categories that was a challenge. All of my best’s are available on iTunes and Amazon. Some of the artists and/or the song to sample may be well-known while others may not be. Post your favorite jazz albums or songs in comments. Enjoy! Without further adieu, my top five jazz albums of 2012.
Robert Glasper – Black Radio and Black Recovered: The Remix ~ These two discs transcended genres and will become classics. Both discs are fusions of jazz, r&b, and hip-hop with collaborations from some of the most popular artists in the genre. The music is refreshing and creative.
Esperanza Spalding – Radio Music Society ~ Esperanza’s fourth disc is an astoundingly relevant cacophony of beautiful sounds. To appreciate the full effect of this disc you must also listen to the companion disc 2010’s Chamber Music Society. If you follow this blog you will notice that I posted her newest video from Radio Music Society earlier this week. This is great music and I assure you, that you will never tire of listening to this disc.
Marcus Miller – Renaissance ~ Quintessential music for 2012. Marcus Miller’s eighth disc is arguably his best. Its artistic with broad brush stokes of vibrant color contained by detailed, technical perfection.
Nenah Cherry & The Thing – Cherry Thing ~ What a collaboration! Listening to this puts you in a smoky, cool, jazz club. Improvisational, different, and inventive this disc definitely sets a mood. It’s great to hear Nenah Cherry again after sixteen long years. Her vocals are effusive throughout the disc.
EUGE Groove – House of Groove ~ Two words describe this disk: smooth and sexy. It’s like a fine, full-bodied wine.
Honorable mentions go to Fourplay’s Espirit De Four and Jackiem Joyner’s Church Boy. Fourplay carries on the blueprint pioneered by Davis, Coltrane, Evans, Cobb, and Chambers of how to bring together great musicians to make great music. Jackiem Joyner returns to his roots in a true labor of love.
Robert Glasper - Afro Blue (9th Wonder's Blue Light Basement Remix) [feat. Erykah Badu and Pronte] Esperanza Spalding - City Of Roses Fourplay - December Dream Nenah Cherry & The Thing - Dream Baby Dream Esperanza Spalding - Hold On Me EUGE Groove - Knock Knock! Who's There EUGE Groove - Never Met A Woman (Like You) Marcus Miller - Redemption Marcus Miller - Slippin' Into Darkness Jackeim Joyner - Still I Rise Nenah Cherry & The Thing - Sudden Moment Robert Glasper - The Consequences Of Jealousy (Feat. Meshell Ndegeocello)Filed under: Thoughts of the Soul Brother
