2024 in Listening

There is no such thing as the best.

Every year, I don’t know why, probably the writer in me, I feel compelled to make a “Top 10” / “Best of” whatever list. After allm I have taste just like all these critics or radio hosts or websites that put out lists. For me, obviously, it's more complicated because I work in the industry and I receive money from musicians and labels to promote their artists. So, after much deliberation and cramming (especially in the last two weeks), I've checked on the critics, looked back at my notes, my Saved albums on Apple Music, playlists like Jazz Currents, Out There on Tidal, Modern Contemporary on Tidal, reading lists and extended lists by Nate Chinen, Hank Shteamer, George Grella, Jon Garelick, Martin Johnson, Bruce Warren, Syd Schwartz, here is my list of 20 albums that were great and that I enjoyed the most. I cannot say they are "The Best of 2024" because I haven't heard all the recordings in "jazz" or any genre in 2024. No one did. That is impossible. I will elaborate on this list later in a podcast (hopefully with a panel of distinguished guests). The list is alphabetical here, though I did rank it at one point. To avoid conflict of interest and clients getting upset with me for exclusions, I did not include any recordings I personally worked PR or social media on or artists, from whom I received remuneration this calendar year. However, the nature of the business is that many of these folks are past clients or friends. It is probable if I were to continue listening, which I will, inevitably, this list will change. And some of the honorable mentions may because parts of my favorites.

My Favorite 20:

Ben Monder - Planetarium (Sunnyside)

Caroline Davis - Portals Volume 2: Returning (Intakt Records)

Ches Smith - Laugh Ash (Pyroclastic Records)

David Leon - Bird’s Eye (Pyroclastic Records)

ganavya - Daughter of a Temple (LEITER)

Goran Kajfeš Tropiques - Tell Us (We Jazz)

Jazzmeia Horn - Messages (self-released) - LISTEN/BUY

Jeff Parker ETA Quartet - The Way Out of Easy (International Anthem)

Kris Davis Trio - Run the Gauntlet (Pyroclastic Records)

Luke Stewart Silt Trio - Unknown Rivers (Pi Recordings)

Luther Allison - I Owe It All to You (Post-tone)

Matt Wilson - Good Trouble (Palmetto) - LISTEN/BUY

Matthew Shipp Trio - New Concepts in Piano Trio (ESP-Disk)

Miguel Zenón - Golden City (Miel Music)

Miki Yamanaka Trio - Chance (Cellar Live)

Patricia Brennan - Breaking Stretch (Pyroclastic Records)

Roy Hargrove Crisol - Grande-Terre (Verve) - LISTEN/BUY

Shabaka - Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace (Impulse) - LISTEN/BUY

The Bad Plus - Complex Emotions (Mack Avenue)

Tyshawn Sorey Trio - The Susceptible Now (Pi Recordings)

---

And 25 Honorable Mentions:

[Ahmed] - *Wood Blues* (Astral Spirits)

Alec Goldfarb - *Fire Lapping at the Creek* (Infrequent Seams)

Amaro Freitas - *Y’Y* (Psychic Hotline)

Anna Webber, Simpletrio2000 (Intakt)

Charles Owens Trio - The Music Tells Us (La Reserve Records)

Frank London's The Elders - *Spirit Stronger Than Blood* (ESP-Disk)

George Burton - *White Noise* (self-released)

Hilary Gardner - *On the Trail with the Lonesome Pines* (Anzic Records)

Immanuel Wilkins - BLUES BLOOD (Blue Note) - LISTEN/BUY

Joel Frahm - (Anzic Records)

Josh Johnson - Unusual Object (Northern Spy Records)

Jon Irabagon's Outright! - Recharge the Blade (Irabbagast)

Michael Mayo - Fly (Mack Avenue Records)

Milton Nascimento & Esperanza Spalding - Milton + esperanza (Concord)

Neta Raanan - Unforeseen Blossom (Giant Step Arts) (*debut*)

Nicole Glover - Plays (Savant Records) - LISTEN/BUY

Nubya Garcia - Odyssey (Concord)

Tarbaby - You Think This America (Giant Step Arts)

Tomin - A Willed & Conscious Balance (International Anthem)

The Heavy Hitters - That's What's Up! (Cellar Music)

Vanisha Gould & Chris McCarthy - Life’s A Gig (Fresh Sound New Talent)

Vijay Iyer/Linda May Han Oh/Tyshawn Sorey - Compassion (ECM) - LISTEN/BUY

Willow - empathogen (Three Six Zero/gamma) - LISTEN/BUY