Folk is an album by the Swedish jazz group Oddjob, released in 2015. The project is based on archival recordings of traditional Swedish pastoral music, which the band reworked and arranged into seven compositions.
Note: This review was originally published in 2015 on Archaicpop.com, before the launch of Bestofjazz.org. At the time, the editorial line covered a broader range of music beyond jazz.
Interpret It Well is an album by drummer, vibraphonist, and composer Ches Smith, accompanied by guitarist Bill Frisell, violist Mat Maneri, and keyboardist Craig Taborn. Interpret It Well was recorded on October 12 and 13, 2020, by Ron Saint Germain and Ryan Streber, at Oktaven Audio, in Mount Vernon, New York, and it was released on May 6, 2022, by Pyroclastic Records.
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What should you expect in Jazz this month? This is our May 2022 Selection of albums that have already been released or have yet to be released this month (What to Wait For?). These albums got our full attention and should be worth your time.
The albums are ordered by the release date.
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Thisness is an album by composer, producer, and guitarist Miles Okazaki. The musician gathered for this album is the usual Trickster band with pianist Matt Mitchell, bassist Anthony Tidd, and drummer Sean Rickman. Thisness was recorded on March 19 and 20, 2021, at Oktaven Studios, Mount Vernon, NY, and was released on April 25, 2022, by Pi Recordings.
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Hafla is the third album by Jon Balke’s Siwan, “the transcultural, trans-idiomatic musical collective.” Hafla was recorded in May and June 2021 at Village Recording Studios, in Copenhagen, Denmark, and it was released on April 22, 2022, on ECM Records.
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For many people, music is an essential part of their daily lives. It can provide a much-needed source of entertainment, relaxation, and inspiration. With the advent of streaming services like Spotify, it’s easier than ever to access the music you love, and for fans of jazz, Spotify is a veritable goldmine. The platform offers a wide range of jazz artists, both old and new, thereby making it easy to create the perfect jazz playlist for any mood or occasion.
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The following selection is our definitive “Best Jazz Albums of 2022” list. As you are about to discover, 2022 was another great year for jazz!
First, all the jazz clubs and venues suddenly reopened, and it was possible to see and listen to the music we love and the artists we worship live again! It is hard to believe that less than one year ago, the music scene was non-existent. This is such a relief! Now that we deeply understand the fragility of this ecosystem, it feels important—and even better—to go out and enjoy what is definitely not a given.
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Smooth jazz is a genre of music that emerged in the 1970s and quickly gained popularity for its relaxed, easy-going sound. Unlike other forms of jazz, smooth jazz is characterized by a smooth, flowing rhythm that is easy to listen to. This makes it the perfect choice for background music in restaurants and stores or for simply relaxing at home. In addition to its mellow sound, smooth jazz also features extended saxophone solos and complex chord progressions. This gives the music a richness and depth that can be enjoyed even by listeners who are not familiar with jazz.
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Zurich Concert is the third album by Punkt.Vrt.Plastik as a trio, with Kaja Draksler on the piano, Petter Eldh on the bass, and Christian Lillinger on the drums. Zurich Concert was recorded live on May 14, 2021, at unerhört!-Festival in Zurich, Switzerland, by Michael Brändli, and it was released on March 11 and 18, 2022 on digital and physical release, respectively, by Intakt Records.
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(D)IVO is an album by the (D)IVO Saxophone Quartet, comprised of saxophonists Ivo Perelman, Tony Malaby, Tim Berne, and James Carter on tenor, soprano, alto, and baritone, respectively. (D)IVO was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jim Clouse at Park West Studios, in Brooklyn, New York, in January 2022, and it was released on February 18, 2022, by Mahakala Music.
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