Animation: Agemo
One of the more intriguing albums issued in the first half of 2011, Animation's 'Asiento' (RareNoise, 2011), has now begotten one of the best sets of the latter part of the year.
Miho Wada: Para Ti
Good things can indeed come in small packages. Flutist Miho Wada's Para Ti, for example, clocks in at just a hair over 20 minutes, with five melodic and catchy songs that manage to combine sharp musicianship with a sense of whimsy and fun.
Tarana: After the Disquiet
After the Disquiet is a beguiling EP from Tarana, a duo consisting of drummer Ravish Momin and violinist Trina Basu.
Taeko Kunishima: Late Autumn
This piece originally appeared on All About Jazz, November 19, 2011
Yotam: Brasil
Brazilian music is tricky. It must be approached carefully as its mellow understatement can be vulnerable to sterility in production and blandness in execution. Brasil, by Israeli guitarist Yotam Silberstein (now known solely as "Yotam") is plagued by both attributes.
Yo-Yo Ma / Stuart Duncan / Edgar Meyer / Chris Thile: The Goat Rodeo Sessions
The Goat Rodeo Sessions is the perhaps not-so-unlikely collaboration between mandolinist Chris Thile, bassist Edgar Meyer, fiddle player Stuart Duncan and ubiquitous cellist Yo-Yo Ma. These four master musicians have together made some of the most lyrical and captivating music of 2011.
Jacob 2-2: Fantasiarexia
After lighting up the indie blogosphere at the beginning of 2011 with his six-song EP, Cabazon (Moodgadget Records), DJ and producer Jacob 2-2 is back with Fantasiarexia, featuring more of his 1980s-derived electro funk.
Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, McCoy Tyner
This piece was originally published by All About Jazz on November 6, 2011
Pablo Aslan Quintet: Piazzolla In Brooklyn
Thanks to artists like pianist Pablo Ziegler, woodwind multi-instrumentalist Paquito D'Rivera and bassist Pablo Aslan, the union of jazz and tango has been made complete over the last several decades.
Naked Truth: Shizaru
Naked Truth is the brain child of Italian bassist Lorenzo Feliciati, who has made a name for himself throughout Europe since 2005 as both a leader and collaborator.
The Andy Sugg Group: The John Coltrane Project: Andy Sugg Plays Trane
Recorded live in Melbourne, Australia, on July 17, 2010, saxophonist Andy Sugg and his group bring tasteful and modern sensibilities to the performances on this set.
AJ Kluth's ALDRIC: Anvils And Broken Bells
While there are many interesting sounds on Anvils and Broken Bells, this release from Chicago-based improviser AJ Kluth (credited to his ensemble ALDRIC), they do not necessarily add up to an entirely compelling work.