Best CD's of 2011, Round 2 part 2

Dave Holland & Pebe Hachibuela-Hands

This side is great, but loses out to tough competition from Darcy James Argue. It's great to hear Flamenco played by cats who really know how it's done. Dave Holland fits in seamlessly. It's always inspiring to hear a musician who can play without limits. Highly Recommended. A

Huntley Brown-Jazz Praise

Loses out to volume 2 of Smithsonian Jazz A fine side from an inspirational cat. Much of the album is rendered in Midi, but that was a trade off for realizing the songs within the means of his ministry. Larry Gray and Fareed Haque make some guest shots on this side. The tracks that are recorded with full band are much better. I like that Huntley plays in a variety of styles and comps as well has he plays. Recommended. B.

Jazz: The smithsonian Anthology. Volume 5

This one loses out to Volume 3. Some great playing on this, but the sides on volume 3 are just from a more favorable era. It's nice that Clark Terry and Bob Brookmeyer made the compilation.

James Brown-Live at the Apollo

This loses out to an independent release from Kira Small and Bryan Beller (Live at the White House). The energy on this side can't be matched. There are some recording flaws, and some band clams as well. The bonus material isn't additive. Including a very horrible single remix where they slowed the tempo down, but didn't correct the pitch. Single mixes just don't do it for me as a bonus track. Recommended. A

Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra-the complete Thad Jones, Volume 2

This is the stronger of the 2 discs in the set. Lovano and Wheeler, two cats I don't necessarily dig today, playing in a more traditional vein. Loses out to Coltrane.

Alison Krauss and Union Station-Paper Airplane

This loses to Vince Mendoza Nights on Earth. Paper Airplane is a solid side, but a bit of a disappointment. After a strong start, there seems to be too much filler material. The recording quality is brilliant, and even on less solid material the band always sounds great. You can't find a finer voice in music today than Alison. Just needs more 'oomph'. Recommended B.