2012 top CDs'

Once again, time for me to work on my year end list. As with last year, this is a list of CD's I personally received over the past year. Not being a full time reviewer, just about everything on this list is stuff I bought. I think I received two promos in the past year. Also the CD's listed could have wildly varying release dates, and are in most cases, not from 2012.

I'm going to organize this by quarter. So first will be the best CD's acquired in January, February and March. First up are the albums that didn't make the cut.

Orchestre National De Jazz- Shut up and Dance (released 2010)
Acquired: Retail- Jazz Record Mart, Chicago
Rating: 64

A very experimental album, featuring the music of John Hollenbeck. I believe I first was aware of this disc from Jason Crane's Jazz Session podcast. As the release was pretty limited, I had to pay a fair premium for this disc. To my tastes, it's a bit uneven. There is a lot of rhythmic interest, but I prefer that there be a melodic interest to go along with that. Strict rhythmic interest is fine in doses- I do like a good drum solo, but my ears just need more.

My favorite tracks were Melissa Dance, Racing Heart Heart Racing, Bob Walk and Life Still.

Bob Walk illustrates what this disc is when it works best. A heavily syncopated, yet light grove sets the exposition. A reed solo starts to lay in, as melodic fragments from the ensemble build tension. As the piece moves forward, more harmonic material is interlaced. There are a variety of ostinato figures, without being overused. The rhythmic contrast helps develop the story this song would tell.

Worth seeking out for fans of the artist or the genre.

John Patitucci- Songs, Stories & Sprituals (released 2003)
Acquired Retail-Jazz Record Mart, Chicago
Rating: 73

A solid all-around disc, but with not enough bright moments for me. The recording of "It Never Entered My Mind" actually sounds like it is in the wrong key for the vocalist. That vocalist is Luciana Souza, and it kills me to not write something glowing about her. A far better track is "Lei" written by brazilian Djavan. This is the sort of thing I bought the record for. A fantastic groove set up by Brian Blade and Ed Simon, six-string bass pyrotechnics, and Luciana's singing of something that's in her wheelhouse. This also has a fantastic string quartet and bass arrangement of "In the Bleak Midwinter" that's worth the price of a download. I expected to see Gil Goldstein as the arranger, but it's JP's work.

Various Artists- Soda Fountain Favorites (compiled & released 2011)
Acquired-gift
Rating: 71

A good collection of the genre. Not too many fillers, but a few songs that aren't as "Favorite" as others. I review them all. Of course a collection such as this has the benefit of 55 years of hindsight, and could always have been stronger. There's probably nothing on this you haven't heard before.