You will find here our Jazz January 2021 selection, with 10 albums (and tracks) released this month that clearly got our attention.
Jazz January 2021
Dell, Lillinger, Westergaard
Beats
(Plaist)
“The musical research exercised in BEATS fragments a larger superstructure into minimal entities that are then worked through in processes of iteration and reconfiguration”
— Christopher Dell
Christopher Dell: vibraphone; Christian Lillinger: drums; Jonas Westergaard: double bass.
Release date January 29, 2021
Charles Lloyd & The Marvels
Tone Poem
(Blue Note)
“That is why moments such as Coleman’s large scale “Ramblin” throw a smile on your face the whole time, while the Marvels […] chug chug along on a groove so rock n roll it’s hard to balance the two, but a hell of a lot of fun trying”
— Mike Jukovik @AllAboutJazz
Part of the Best Jazz 2021 selection
Charles Lloyd: saxophone; Bill Frisell: guitar, electric; Greg Leisz: guitar, steel; Eric Harland: drums; Rueben Rogers: bass.
Release date January 29, 2021
Shai Maestro
Human
(ECM Records)
“Yet, it’s the mid-tempo waltz “Mystery and Illusions” that instantly grabs my attention with its amiable musical temperament and organic constitution. The dynamics are intensified, and the emotions flow naturally with the stirring piano and the lofty trumpet conjugating their sounds with tasteful poise. “
— JazzTrail
Shai Maestro: piano; Jorge Roeder: bass, acoustic; Ofri Nehemya: drums; Philip Dizack: trumpet
Release date January 29, 2021
Brandon Seabrook, Simon Nabatov
Voluptuaries
(Leo Records)
“With a sheer joy of the shared sensibilities, they traverse diverse landscapes, opulent and glowing, or brooding and suspenseful at times. Both are capable of quirky actions, often offset by the equally unexpected lyricism.”
— Bandcamp
Brandon Seabrook: guitar; Simon Nabatov: piano
Release date January 23, 2021
Alexander Hawkins
Togetherness Music
(Intakt Records)
“With Togetherness Music, British pianist and composer Alexander Hawkins presents a fascinating musical panorama, a distillation, and synthesis of different traditions and influences, reflecting the broad spectrum of an extraordinary musical spirit.”
— Intakt Records
Part of the Best Jazz 2021 selection
Alexander Hawkins: piano; Evan Parker: soprano saxophone; Aaron Holloway-Nahum: conductor; Rachel Musson: flute, tenor saxophone; Percy Pursglove: trumpet; James Arben: flute, bass clarinet; Neil Charles: double bass; Mark Sanders: drums, percussion; Matthew Wright: electronics; Benedict Taylor: viola; Hannah Marshall: cello
Release date January 15, 2021
William Parker
Migration of Silence Into and Out of The Tone World – [Volumes 1–10]
(AUM Fidelity)
“Migration of Silence Into and Out of the Tone World (Volumes 1–10) is a 10-album collection of vocal and instrumental suites all recorded expressly for this set between late 2018 and early 2020, with women’s voices at its core.”
Read our full review (10 albums!) here: William Parker – Migration of Silence Into and Out of The Tone World – [Volumes 1–10]
Part of the Best Jazz 2021 selection
William Parker: compositions, bass & additional instruments | Featuring: an international, inter-generational array of singers & musicians, drawn from both long-standing colleagues and a new generation of devoted artists.
Release date January 29, 2021
Will Glaser, Matthew Herd, Liam Noble
Climbing In Circles
(Ubuntu)
The third installment of the Climbing In Circles project after Pt. 1 (2019) and Pt. 2 (2019). Discover the entire album on Bandcamp.
Liam Noble: piano; Matthew Herd: saxes; Will Glaser: drums
Release date January 22, 2021
Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio
I Told You So
(Colemine)
“with even heavier grooves and more confidence,” says it all.
Delvon Lamarr: organ; Jimmy James: guitar; Dan Weiss: drums.
Release date January 29, 2021
Menagerie
Many Worlds
(Freestyle Records)
“Menagerie is the Melbourne-based Jazz ensemble founded by producer, songwriter, guitarist, DJ and recording artist Lance Ferguson, also the driving force behind The Bamboos, Lanu, Rare Groove Spectrum and Machines Always Win”
— Bandcamp
Release date January 15, 2021
Patricia Brennan
Maquishti
(Valley of Search)
“This album is a personal statement not only as a vibraphonist but also as an improviser and composer. From bowing and bending pitch, to the use of extended effects via guitar pedals, this album reflects my vision for the vibraphone and the potential of all the possible ways it can be played. I wanted to not only incorporate all those techniques in the compositions but also wanted them to become part of my general improvisatory language”
— Patricia Brennan
Patricia Brennan: vibraphone, marimba
Release date January 15, 2021
Albums List
- Dell, Lillinger, Westergaard – Beats (Plaist)
- Charles Lloyd & The Marvels – Tone Poem (Blue Note)
- Shai Maestro – Human (ECM Records)
- Brandon Seabrook, Simon Nabatov – Voluptuaries (Leo Records)
- Alexander Hawkins – Togetherness Music (Intakt Records)
- William Parker – Migration of Silence Into and Out of The Tone World (AUM Fidelity)
- Will Glaser, Matthew Herd, Liam Noble – Climbing In Circles (Ubuntu)
- Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio – I Told You So (Colemine)
- Menagerie – Many Worlds (Freestyle Records)
- Patricia Brennan – Maquishti (Valley of Search)
2021
The entire year is summed up in the Best Jazz 2021 post.
