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Friedrich Kunzmann's Best Releases Of 2017: Ethno-Jazz on the rise

By Friedrich Kunzmann
January 7, 2018
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2017 brought us much innovation and accomplishment in jazz. While many releases are certainly noteworthy and deserving of high critical acclaim, for me, only a handful truly stood out and prevailed in last year's maze of sharps, flats, and scales. Considering myself an enthusiast of pretty much all things jazz (no specific sub-genre receiving special treatment), I was surprised to find such a narrow selection of albums composing my last year's Top 5. Narrow, because three out of the five releases are strongly ethno-jazz influenced, immediately creating the link to last year favorite Aziza.

Even though many cultures have been thoroughly explored musically—especially in jazz—the existing potential seems inexhaustible—even growing.

Lionel Loueke

guitar
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Lionel Loueke is my personal protagonist in this story and once again tops the list with his contribution on Australian quartet

The Vampires

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">The Vampires' latest...

The Vampires Meet Lionel Loueke. An extensive recap of my opinion on this album was already published in late 2017 and my view on it hasn't changed. It is gold all over. Original, melodically minimal compositions with hidden details scattered in every corner you look—covering nearly every topographic musical element and framed in a cohesive whole. The virtuosity lies within the sum of the flawless, exciting production and the unmatchable chemistry between the players, supported by instrumental and compositional prowess.

Organist

Brian Charette

organ, Hammond B3
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Brian Charette broke genre-boundaries with K��rrent. Sidemen

Ben Monder

guitar
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Ben Monder and

Jordan Young

drums
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Jordan Young helped him craft a candid and versatile record that incorporates a multitude of different approaches in composition and instrumentation. Practices such as looping, sampling and synthesizer sequencing are found minimally applied across the album, expanding the already wide-ranging and gaily colored collection of songs that, juggling between jazz and progressive rock, demonstrate a challenging edge.

On his self-produced Agrima,

Rudresh Mahanthappa

saxophone, alto
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Rudresh Mahanthappa rounds up the 2008 founded Indo-Pak coalition comprised of

Rez Abbasi

guitar, acoustic
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Rez Abbasi,

Dan Weiss

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Weiss and himself, for a second attempt at fusing South Asian musical elements with western jazz tradition. Essentially, this recording amounts to a throbbing rock record. The three clearly had fun recording the eight intriguing and highly focused pieces, performed with a rock n' roll edge rarely found in jazz these days. Weiss' dynamic drumming in combination with both Mahanthappa and Abbasi's restless experimentation with different effects enhance this already blissful listening experience.

Released only shortly after the above mentioned recording came Rez Abbasi's third installment of South Asian explorations with quartet Invocation, likewise featuring Dan Weiss and Rudresh Mahanthappa. Like Agrima, Unfiltered Universe explores the fusion of western jazz traditions with South Asian music, though more concentrated on Carnatic composition, leading to more intricate structures. The compositions are complex and the improvisation highly virtuoso, making for a challenging effort -seamlessly blending two musical cultures without the use of traditional Indian instruments.

Last but not least I find myself ever so often returning to

John McLean

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">John McLean &

Clark Sommers

bass
b.1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Clark Sommers' early May release Parts Unknown. The Quartet presents original and highly melodic compositions that radiate a thriving drive—emanating not only from unequaled chemistry but also a fittingly warm production. The record flows seamlessly and exhibits poignant solos by McLean and vibe-adept

Joe Locke

vibraphone
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Locke, ultimately culminating in a fun mainstream-jazz record.

Honorable Mentions:

Carlos Bica & Azul: More Than This
Johannes Luley: Qitara
Kurt Rosenwinkel: Caipi
Anouar Brahem: Blue Maqams
Tom Guarna: The Wishing Stones
Blue Note Allstars: Our Point Of View
Lionel Loueke & Kyle Shepherd: SWR New Jazz Meeting
John Abercrombie Quartet: Up & Coming
Aaron Parks: Find The Way
Jeff Dingler: Observations

Beyond Jazz:

Wobbler: From Silence To Somewhere
Rikard Sj?bloms Gungfly: On Her Journey To The Sun
Arto Lindsay: Cuidado Madame
Spoon: Hot Thoughts
Big Big Train: Grimspound
Juana Molina: Halo
Kaipa DaCapo: Kaipa DaCapo Live
The Tangent: The Slow Rust Of Forgotten Machinery
Benjamin Clementine: I Tell A Fly
Grizzly Bear: Painted Ruins

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