This homage to legendary gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt finds saxophonist Carter in peak form. Carter is hailed by many as the most important jazz artist to emerge since Wynton Marsalis. With a violinist and two guitarists adding some gypsy authenticity, this will probably turn out to be a fairly unique album in Carter's catalogue.
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Perceptual Brian Blade Fellowship 2000 [Blue Note]
A progressive group effort from Blade's Fellowship ensemble - with the drummer showing he has learned plenty from playing with non-jazz artists like Seal, Emmylou Harris and Bob Dylan. The album spans a range of styles and there is an occasional hint of Blade's Louisiana roots. Keyboardist Jon Cowhred shares compositional duties.
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Nocturne Charlie Haden 2000 [Verve/Gitanes]
Haden continues to explore his interest in Cuban music on this somewhat sombre set of haunting ballads. Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba adds an authentic touch to the five boleros on the record, while tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano proves the perfect foil on his appearances. Guitarist Pat Metheny also sits in for one track.
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Last Option 8 Bold Souls 2000 [Thrill Jockey]
Coming out of Chicago's AACM artistic community tenor Edward Wilkerson Jr never quite got the attention he deserved. The 8 Bold Souls outfit came together in the mid-80s as a platform for Wilkerson's compositions, recording only sporadically up to this fine effort from 2000. Topnotch avant-garde well worth seeking out.
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The Dropper Medeski, Martin & Wood 2000 [Blue Note]
On their second studio album for the Blue Note label groovin' funksters MMW hark back to their more experimental work from the early-90s. Guitarist Marc Ribot features on several tracks, while some frenetic alto sax is contributed courtesy of ex-Sun Ra sideman Marshall Allen. A good effort, but hard to beat 1998's Combustication.
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Everybody's Mouth's a Book Henry Threadgill & Make a Move 2001 [Pi Recordings]
Yet another noted product of Chicago's avant-garde AACM artistic community, Threadgill broke a five year recording hiatus with this typically electric/eclectic effort from his sometimes band Make a Move. An all-original set featuring Threadgill on alto and flute, capably supported by guitarist Brandon Ross and bassist Stomu Takeishi.
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The Shell Game Tim Berne 2001 [Thirsty Ear]
A stong album from altoist Berne, although he probably still has his best to come. Keyboardist Craig Taborn provides the synthesised ECM-like vistas, while regular drummer Tom Rainey rounds out the sound - a sort of free avant-garde electronica with a lot of sax on top. Not for traditionalists, but certainly of interest to avant-gardeans.
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Soul of Things Tomasz Stańko Quartet 2002 [ECM]
Polish quartet led by evergreen trumpeter Stańko, who at 60 proves that his rave critical reviews in recent years are well-deserved. The young support crew displays an intuitive grasp of the melancholic ECM sound, while at the same time injecting some healthy doses of laid-back swing into the mix. ECM followers can't miss with this one.
