The follow-up to 2001's superb Vietnam: The Aftermath is a mesmerising hard bop excursion into the depths of violinist Billy Bang's soul. Occasionally spiced with the cultural influence of traditional Vietnamese music, this record also features Henry Threadgill on flute. A real surprise package that should win more than a few fans.
Buy Amazon
7 Black Butterflies Drew Gress 2005 [Koch]
Downtown New York avant-garde bassist Drew Gress is in top form on this, his third outing as a leader. It is an all-original set featuring the likes of trumpeter Ralph Alessi, pianist Craig Taborn and altoist Tim Berne in support. Gress gives his bass a workout on the hard boppish 'Bright Idea', while elsewhere creativity abounds.
Buy Amazon
Garden of Eden Paul Motian Band 2006 [ECM]
At 75 drummer Paul Motian is still sounding decidedly fresh, here utilising two saxophonists and three guitarists to reinvent some bop by the likes of Mingus, Monk and Parker. There is plenty of new stuff on offer too, with the ensemble managing to combine typically reflective ECM soundscapes with occasional dabs of sheer creativity.
Buy Amazon
Saudades Trio Beyond 2006 [ECM]
Drummer Jack DeJohnette conceived the Trio Beyond project in order to pay homage to the fusion pioneering Tony Williams' Lifetime. With organist Larry Goldings and guitarist John Scofield as recruits, this two-disc set catalogues the group's 2004 London concert and is as far out and funky as one might expect from such a lineup.
Buy Amazon
New Monastery Nels Cline 2006 [Cryptogramophone]
Take the lead guitarist from rock band Wilco, add an Ornette Coleman disciple, toss in a few unique individuals and you get a kind of Andrew Hill salad. Cline says that this is not a conventional tribute record, but rather, "It is a view - one view - into the music of Andrew Hill, an artist whose music has continued to change and expand its parameters."
Buy Amazon
Time and Time Again Paul Motian 2007 [ECM]
Drummer Paul Motian has been recording with modern sax-supremo Joe Lovano and enigmatic guitarist Bill Frisell for around two and a half decades. As such, it is not surprising to find a fair bit of intuitive interplay on this purposefully restrained record. Motain gets top billing this time in recognition of his compositional contributions.
Buy Amazon
Dear Miles Ron Carter 2007 [Blue Note]
Double-bassist Ron Carter came to fame during the 1960s as a member of Miles Davis' second great quintet. While typically hesitant to revisit those years, here he mixes in a couple of originals and a non-Miles standard with a handful of tracks often associated with Davis. The result is an energetic set with plenty of topnotch bass solos.
Buy Amazon
Sky Blue Maria Schneider Orchestra 2007 [ArtistShare]
Schneider has gone from strength to strength in recent years… never compromising, fiercely independent and eminently listenable. This album scored Grammy nominations for both the orchestra and the breathtaking 'Cerulean Skies'. Artistic integrity is maintained with four of the five compositions receiving prestigious commissions.
