Dec 23 2017
Best of 2017 #29: Trio Blastonal – “It Is What It Is!” (Self-Produced)
The joyful enthusiasm of It Is What It Is is positively addictive. It carries through strong, no matter if the expression is something traditional, something modern, or something completely unidentifiable. Trio Blastonal is comprised of trombone, bass trombone and saxophone, so it’s no surprise that thick harmonies rule the day when a concise melody gets served up. The addition of a guitarist and drummer for this session adds some essential definition to those textures at both ends of the spectrum. Additionally, the electronic effects that bleed into things during the “Untold Time” suite add even more personality to music that has tons of it to begin with. Just a seriously fun and fascinating album, and doing something a little bit different.
Music from Korb, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Read more at Bird is the Worm.
There’s some seriously vivid imagery on Kinfolk: Postcards from Everywhere, and the way it’s presented as snapshots of a story instead of a running narrative makes the music resonate that much stronger. Nate Smith is, in fact, telling a story on his 2017 release, and his fortuitous decision to focus it through the lenses of his bandmates (and various guests) gives that story a detached, ethereal presence, as if recollections told through shared dreams. And so the modern jazz and soul and contemporary groove and folk and old-school ballads and string sections all sort of coalesce into a blurry haze at the same time the immediate moment is snapping into focus. The phase in and out of contradictions and states of unison drives this music, even when it’s laid back and easy-going. That’s no small thing. Also not to be undervalued is the supreme enjoyment gained from simply sitting back and hearing that story pour on out.
It’s been a fruitful collaboration between Tony Allen and Blue Note Records. The drummer’s first release for the label was 
The magic is in the melody on this excellent set from the MAP quartet of pianist Paulo Gomes, guitarist Miguel Moreira, bassist Miguel Ângelo and drummer Acácio Salero. The craftsmanship of those melodies is exquisite, but what really elevates their 2017 release Guerra e Paz up a notch or three is how those melodies become launching points to all kinds of improvisation. Some of those journeys are filled with wild abandon, while others follow a more familiar route of trading solos. Either way, this is an excellent example of modern jazz done right. Also, on a personal note, the song “Norte” is one of my top ten favorite songs of 2017. I can easily envision the Brian Blade Fellowship performing a rendition of it.
Dec 23 2017
Best of 2017 #28: Daniel Herskedal – “The Roc” (Edition Records)
Music from Oslo, Norway.
Read more at Bird is the Worm.
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By davesumner • Recap: Best of 2017 • 0 • Tags: Daniel Herskedal, Edition Records, Jazz - Best of 2017, Oslo