Jazz Times Critics Poll: 2008

References:

New Albums

The top 50 albums are listed in rank order, based on points as well as votes. Second column is number of voters. Third column lists album, title, label, and voters. Fourth column is Tom Hull's grade (U = currently ungraded; empty means I didn't get the record). After the top 50, the albums are listed alphabetically by artist. Several 2007-released records are noted as [-07].

1.13Charles Lloyd: Rabo de Nube (ECM): David Adler, Scott Albin, Thomas Conrad, Colin Fleming, Andrew Gilbert, Evan Haga, Don Heckman, Willard Jenkins, Mike Joyce, Bill Milkowski, Mitch Myers, Mike Shanley, K Leander Williams**
2.7Bennie Maupin: Early Reflections (Cryptogramophone): Brent Burton, Steve Greenlee, Evan Haga, Willard Jenkins, Perry Tannenbaum, George Varga, Michael J WestB
3.8Joe Lovano: Symphonica (Blue Note): AD Amorosi, Colin Fleming, Willard Jenkins, Bill Milkowski, William Ruhlmann, Will Smith, Josef Woodard, Ron Wynn**
4.8Pat Metheny: Day Trip (Nonesuch): Brent Burton, Nate Chinen, Colin Fleming, Evan Haga, Lee Mergner, George Varga, Chris Walker, Scott Yanow**
5.7Dave Holland: Pass It On (Dare2/Emarcy): Brent Burton, Owen Cordle, Colin Fleming, Evan Haga, Geoffrey Himes, Will Smith, Ron Wynn*
6.9Bill Frisell: History, Mystery (Nonesuch): AD Amorosi, Colin Fleming, Evan Haga, Don Heckman, Geoffrey Himes, Mike Joyce, Lee Mergner, Bill Milkowski, Jeff TamarkinA-
7.7Carla Bley: Appearing Nightly (WATT/ECM): AD Amorosi, Thomas Conrad, Don Heckman, Mitch Myers, Mike Shanley, Perry Tannenbaum, George Varga***
8.6[various artists]: Miles From India (Four Quarters/Times Square): Chris Heim, Lee Mergner, Bill Milkowski, Jeff Tamarkin, Chris Walker, Scott Yanow**
9.8Cassandra Wilson: Loverly (Blue Note): Don Heckman, Chris Heim, Willard Jenkins, Christopher Loudon, Lee Mergner, Jessica Sendra, Jeff Tamarkin, Ron WynnA-
10.6Anat Cohen: Notes From the Village (Anzic): Mike Joyce, George Kanzler, Rebeca Mauleón, Jeff Tamarkin, Perry Tannenbaum, George VargaA-
11.5Guillermo Klein: Filtros (Sunnyside): David Adler, Nate Chinen, Evan Haga, Lee Mergner, Michael J West**
12.5Lionel Loueke: Karibu (Blue Note): David Adler, Nate Chinen, Don Heckman, Mike Joyce, Michael J West*
13.5David Murray/Mal Waldron: Silence (Justin Time): Don Heckman, Geoffrey Himes,Mike Joyce, Mitch Myers, Ron WynnA-
14.5McCoy Tyner: Guitars (Half Note/McCoy Tyner Music): Thomas Conrad, Rebeca Mauleón,Lee Mergner, Chris Walker, Ron Wynn*
15.5Rudresh Mahanthappa: Kinsmen (Pi): David Adler, Andrew Gilbert, Mitch Myers, Mike Shanley, George VargaU
16.6Martial Solal: Longitude (Cam Jazz): Scott Albin, Don Heckman, Will Smith, Jeff Tamarkin, K Leander Williams, Scott Yanow***
17.5James Moody/Hank Jones: Our Delight (IPO): Nate Chinen, Andrew Gilbert, George Kanzler, Rebeca Mauleón, George Varga**
18.7James Carter: Present Tense (Emarcy): Colin Fleming, Mike Joyce, Lee Mergner, Will Smith, Jeff Tamarkin, K Leander Williams, Ron Wynn***
19.5Chick Corea/Gary Burton: Crystal Silence (Concord): Scott Albin, Rebeca Mauleón, Bill Milkowski, Perry Tannenbaum, Chris Walker
20.3Bobo Stenson: Cantando (ECM): Thomas Conrad, Mitch Myers, Josef Woodard***
21.5Roy Hargrove: Earfood (Groovin' High/Emarcy): Mike Joyce, Rebeca Mauleón, John Murph, Perry Tannenbaum, Ron Wynn
22.5Brian Blade: Season of Changes (Verve): David Adler, Brent Burton, Don Heckman, Mike Joyce, Bill Milkowski**
23.3: The Dreamer (Brownswood): Willard Jenkins, John Murph, Jessica Sendra
24.6Brad Mehldau: Live (Nonesuch): Nate Chinen, Thomas Conrad, Rebeca Mauleón, Mitch Myers, Perry Tannenbaum, Josef Woodard***
25.4Wadada Leo Smith: Tabligh (Cuneiform): Steve Greenlee, Perry Tannenbaum, K Leander Williams, Josef Woodard**
26.3SFJazz Collective: Live 2008 (SFJazz): Geoffrey Himes, Perry Tannenbaum, Josef Woodard
27.3Marcin Wasilewski: January (ECM): Brent Burton, Colin Fleming, Josef Woodard***
28.3Ari Hoenig: Bert's Playground (Dreyfus): Bill Meredith, Lee Mergner, Bill Milkowski
29.3Willie Nelson/Wynton Marsalis: Two Men With the Blues (Blue Note): Evan Haga, George Kanzler, Ron Wynn***
30.4: Cultural Survival (Concord Picante): Nate Chinen, Mike Joyce, Rebeca Mauleón, George Varga***
31.4Patricia Barber: The Cole Porter Mix (Blue Note): AD Amorosi, Thomas Conrad, George Kanzler, Christopher LoudonA-
32.2Boz Scaggs: Speak Low (Decca): Christopher Loudon, Jeff TamarkinB
33.2Joe Locke: Sticks and Strings (Jazz Eyes [-07]): Scott Albin, Will Smith***
34.2Michael Blake: The World Awakes: A Tribute To Eli "Lucky" Thompson (Stunt): George Kanzler, Josef Woodard
35.3Miguel Zenon: Awake (Marsalis Music): Geoffrey Himes, Rebeca Mauleón, Scott Yanow
36.2Dr Michael White: Blue Crescent (Basin Street): William Ruhlmann, Scott Yanow
37.2Hiromi: Beyond Standard (Telarc): Bill Meredith, Scott YanowU
38.2Jenny Scheinman: Crossing the Field (Koch): Colin Fleming, John MurphU
39.3Adam Rudolph's Moving Pictures: Dream Garden (Justin Time): David Adler, Steve Greenlee, Perry Tannenbaum
40.4Dave Liebman/Roberto Tarenzi/Paolo Benedettini/Tony Arco: Negative Space (Verve): David Adler [H], Steve Greenlee [N], Mike Joyce [N], Lee Mergner [H]**
41.2Rosa Passos: Romance (Telarc): Willard Jenkins, Rebeca Mauleón***
42.3Dave Douglas: Moonshine (Greenleaf): Steve Greenlee, Lee Mergner, Josef WoodardA-
43.3Mary Halvorson: Dragon's Head (Firehouse 12): Brent Burton, Nate Chinen, Evan Haga
44.3: Holon (ECM): AD Amorosi, Brent Burton, Chris HeimA-
45.2Paul Motian: Live at the Village Vanguard Vol. II (Winter & Winter): Colin Fleming, Mitch Myers**
46.4Todd Sickafoose: Tiny Resistors (Cryptogramophone): Steve Greenlee, Rebeca Mauleón, Jeff Tamarkin, George Varga*
47.3Francisco Mela: Cirio (Half Note): Andrew Gilbert, Evan Haga, Geoffrey HimesU
48.2Avishai Cohen Trio: Gently Disturbed (RazDaz): Mitch Myers, Michael J West
49.3Kurt Rosenwinkel: The Remedy (ArtistShare): Scott Albin, Andrew Gilbert, Bill Milkowski
50.3Roberta Gambarini & Hank Jones: You Are There (Emarcy): Andrew Gilbert, Christopher Loudon, Scott Yanow***
1Ambrose Akinmusire: Prelude to Cora (Fresh Sound New Talent): John Murph*
2JD Allen: I Am I Am (Sunnyside): Willard Jenkins, K Leander Williams***
1Ben Allison: Little Things Run the World (Palmetto): William RuhlmannA-
1Mayra Andrade: Navega (Stern's): K Leander Williams
1Aquiles Baez: Patilla (Cacao Musica): Chris Heim
1Barnacled: Charles (ESP): AD Amorosi
1Kenny Barron: The Traveler (Sunnyside): George Kanzler**
1Django Bates: Spring Is Here (Shall We Dance?) (Lost Marbles): Josef Woodard
1Jamie Baum: Solace (Sunnyside): Scott Albin*
2David Berger: I Had the Craziest Dream: The Music of Harry Warren (Such Sweet Thunder): Owen Cordle, K Leander Williams**
1Jerry Bergonzi: Tenor Talk (Savant): Scott AlbinA-
2Steven Bernstein: Diaspora Suite (Tzadik): Mike Shanley, K Leander WilliamsA-
3Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra: We Are MTO (Mowo): Bill Milkowski, Mitch Myers, Jeff TamarkinA
1Bloodcount: Seconds (Screwgun [-07]): Mike ShanleyA-
1Jane Ira Bloom: Mental Weather (Outline): Will Smith**
1TK Blue: Ancestral Callings (JaJa): Jessica Sendra
2Anthony Braxton: 12+ 1tet (Victoriaville) (Victo): Mike Shanley, Josef Woodard
1: Born Broke (Atavistic): Steve Greenlee***
1Evan Christopher: Django a la Creole (Lejazzetal): Willard Jenkins
1Jeff Coffin Mu'tet: Mutopia (Compass): Bill Meredith
1Larry Coryell Organ Trio: Impressions: The New York Sessions (Chesky): Scott Albin
1Marilyn Crispell: Vignettes (ECM): Mike Shanley**
1Dapp Theory: Layers of Chance (Obliqsound): Michael J West
1Kenny Davern/Bob Wilber: Soprano Summit in 1975 and More (Arbors): George Kanzler [N], Scott Yanow [H]A-
1Lois Deloatch: Hymn to Freedom: Homage to Oscar Peterson (Deloatch): Owen Cordle
1Toumani Diabate: (Nonesuch): K Leander Williams**
1Denise Donatelli: What Lies Within (Savant): Don Heckman
1: Dream Flight (ACT): Bill Meredith
1Eliane Elias: Something For You (Blue Note): Chris Walker***
1Fabian Zone Trio: The Masters Return! (Consolidated Artists): William Ruhlmann
1Lorraine Feather: Language (Jazzed): Christopher Loudon
1Fieldwork: Door (Pi): Mike ShanleyA-
1Fourplay: Energy (Heads Up): Brian Soergel
2Erik Friedlander/Mike Sarin/Trevor Dunn: Broken Arm Trio (Skipstone): AD Amorosi, Michael J WestU
1Diamanda Galas: Guilty, Guilty, Guilty (Mute/Caroline): George Varga
1Kenny Garrett: Sketches of MD (Mack Avenue): Chris WalkerA-
1Lafayette Gilchrist: Soul Progressin' (Hyena): Geoffrey Himes***
1Gilfema: Gilfema+2 (Obliqsound): Jeff Tamarkin**
1Hans Glawischnig: Panorama (Sunnyside): David Adler**
1Grand Pianoramax: The Biggest Piano in Town (Obliqsound): John MurphB
1Brad Goode: Nature Boy (Delmark [-07]): William Ruhlmann*
1Bobby Gordon: Bobby Gordon Plays Bing (Arbors): William Ruhlmann
1Drew Gress: The Irrational Numbers (Premonition): David Adler*
1Tim Hagans: Alone Together (Pirouet): Bill Meredith***
1Chico Hamilton/Andrew Hill: Dreams Come True (Joyous Shout): John Murph
1Col. Bruce Hampton & the Quark Alliance: Give Thanks to Chank (Megaforce): Bill Meredith
1Matthew Herbert: There's Me and There's You (!K7): John MurphB
1Jimmy Herring: Lifeboat (Abstract Logix): Bill Meredith
1Jason Kao Hwang/Edge: Stories Before Within (Innova): Michael J West***
2Vijay Iyer: Tragicomic (Sunnyside): Mike Shanley, Ron WynnA
1Jessy J: Tequila Moon (Peak): Brian Soergel
1Ahmad Jamal: It's Magic (Dreyfus): Jessica SendraU
1Jamhunters: Music Speaks Louder Than Words (Gateway): Brian Soergel
1Denny Jiosa: Dreams Like This (Sonic Canvas): Brian Soergel
1Grace Kelly/Lee Konitz: Gracefullee (Pazz): AD Amorosi***
1Mike Keneally: Wine and Pickles (Exowax): Bill Meredith
1Earl Klugh: The Spice of Life (Koch): Brian Soergel
1Scott Lee: One Thought (Steeplechase): Will Smith
1Steve Lehman: On Meaning (Pi [-07]): Nate Chinen***
1Ottmar Liebert/Luna Negra: The Scent of Light (SSRI): Brian Soergel
1Abbey Lincoln: Abbey on Abbey (Verve [-07]): Jessica Sendra***
1Joe Locke: Force of Four (Origin): Perry Tannenbaum*
1Jeff Lorber: Heard That (Peak): Brian Soergel
1Joe Magnarelli: Persistence (Reservoir): Thomas Conrad
1Janis Mann: A Perfect Time: Drummers and Other Friends (Pancake): Scott Yanow
1Thomas Marriott: Crazy: The Music of Willie Nelson (Origin): Chris Heim*
1Irvin Mayfield/Ellis Marsalis: Love Songs, Ballads and Standards (Basin Street): Chris Walker
1Louis Mazetier: Tributes, Portraits And Other Stories (Arbors): Scott Yanow**
2Donny McCaslin: Recommended Tools (Greenleaf): Andrew Gilbert, Steve GreenleeA-
1Liz McComb: The Spirit of New Orleans (GVE/Sunnyside): Willard JenkinsA-
2Kate McGarry: If Less Is More . . . Nothing Is Everything (Palmetto): Geoffrey Himes, Christopher LoudonC
1Marian McPartland: Twilight World (Concord): Scott Albin**
1John Miller: Stage Door Johnny (PS Classics): Christopher Loudon
1Bob Mintzer Big Band: Swing Out (MCG Jazz): William RuhlmannB-
1Robert Mitchell 3io: For the Good (Jazz Services): John Murph
1Michael Moore/Fred Hersch: This We Know (Palmetto): George Kanzler
1Stanton Moore: Emphasis! (on Parenthesis) (Telarc): Bill MeredithB-
1Gary Morgan: Felicidade (Consolidated Artists): Owen CordleB-
1Mostly Other People Do the Killing: This Is Our Moosic (Hot Cup): AD AmorosiA-
1Bob Mover: It Amazes Me (Zoho): Ron Wynn***
1Milton Nascimento/Jobim Trio: Novas Bossas (EMI): Chris Walker
1Ted Nash: The Mancini Project (Palmetto): Jessica Sendra
1Ken Navarro: The Grace of Summer Light (Positive Music): Brian Soergel
1NOMO: Ghost Rock (Ubiquity Jazz): Jessica Sendra
1Phil Norman: Totally Live at the Catalina Jazz Club (MAMA): Scott Yanow**
1Oz Noy: Fuzzy (Magnatude): Bill Meredith
1Greg Osby: Nine Levels (Inner Circle): Michael J West
1Maceo Parker: Roots and Grooves (Heads Up): Chris HeimA-
2William Parker: Double Sunrise Over Neptune (AUM Fidelity): Brent Burton, Mitch MyersA
2Aaron Parks: Invisible Cinema (Blue Note): Evan Haga, Jessica Sendra**
2Mario Pavone Trio: Arc (Playscape): David Adler, Steve Greenlee
1Jeremy Pelt: November (MaxJazz): Colin Fleming
1Ken Peplowski: When You Wish Upon a Star (Venus): Scott Albin
1Houston Person/Ron Carter: Just Between Friends (High Note): Steve Greenlee***
1Enrico Pieranunzi/Kenny Wheeler: As Never Before (CAM Jazz): Thomas Conrad**
1Courtney Pine's Jazz Warriors: Afropeans (Destin-E): Michael J West
1John Pizzarelli: With a Song in My Heart (Telarc): Christopher Loudon
1Bobby Previte: Set the Alarm for Monday (Palmetto): K Leander Williams***
1Dafnis Prieto: Taking the Soul for a Walk (Dafnison): Andrew GilbertB
2Enrico Rava/Stefano Bollani: The Third Man (ECM): Thomas Conrad, Geoffrey HimesB
1Ed Reed: The Song Is You (Blue Shorts): Andrew Gilbert**
1Dianne Reeves: When You Know (Blue Note): Christopher LoudonB-
1Revolutionary Snake Ensemble: Forked Tongue (Cuneiform): Chris Heim
1Sammy Rimington: Sammy Rimington Visits New Orleans (Arhoolie): William Ruhlmann
1Scott Robinson: Forever Lasting: Plays the Compositions of Thad Jones (Arbors): Owen CordleB
1Gonzalo Rubalcaba: Avatar (Blue Note): Nate Chinen**
1Angelica Sanchez: Life Between (Clean Feed): David Adler**
1Randy Sandke: Unconventional Wisdom (Arbors): George KanzlerA-
1Saxophone Summit: Seraphic Light (Telarc): Bill MilkowskiB
1George Schuller's Circle Wide: Like Before, Somewhat After (Playscape): Mike Shanley
1Frank Senior: Listening in the Dark (Smalls): Owen CordleU
1Ian Shaw: Lifejacket (Linn): Christopher Loudon
1Jaleel Shaw: Optimism (Changu): John Murph
2Marcus Shelby: Harriet Tubman (Noir): Willard Jenkins, Michael J WestU
1Marty Sheller: Why Deny (PVR): Owen Cordle*
1Shot x Shot: Let Nature Square (High Two): AD Amorosi***
1Simone: Simone on Simone (Simone's World): William Ruhlmann
2Esperanza Spalding: Esperanza (Heads Up): Don Heckman, Chris Walker*
1Spring Heel Jack: Songs & Themes (Thirsty Ear): John Murph*
1Chris Standring: Love & Paragraphs (Ultimate Vibes): Brian Soergel
1Andrew Sterman: The Path to Peace (Orange Mountain): Lee Mergner
1Dave Stryker-Steve Slagle Band: The Scene (Zoho): Will Smith*
1John Swana: Bright Moments (Criss Cross): Will Smith
1Take 6: The Standard (Heads Up): Chris Walker
1Wayman Tisdale: Rebound (Rendezvous): Brian SoergelB
1: Fragile Beauty (ACT): Chris Heim
1Trio Da Paz/Joe Locke: Live at JazzBaltica (MaxJazz): Chris Heim
1Steve Turre: Rainbow People (High Note): Will Smith**
1: Live at the Village Vanguard (): Chris Heim***
2Vanguard Jazz Orchestra: Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard (Planet Arts): Owen Cordle, George Kanzler
2Cuong Vu: Vu-Tet (ArtistShare): Brent Burton, George VargaB
1Rob Wagner: Trio (Valid): Geoffrey Himes
1Wayne Wallace: The Nature of the Beat (Patois): Owen CordleB
1Robert Walter: Cure All (Palmetto): Jessica Sendra*
1Aaron Weinstein/John Pizzarelli: Blue Too (Arbors): George Kanzler**
1Mark Weinstein: Lua e Sol (Jazzheads): Owen Cordle*
1Kenny Wheeler: Other People (CAM Jazz): Thomas Conrad*
1Norma Winstone: Distances (ECM): Jessica Sendra**
1Jacob Young: Sideways (ECM): Brent Burton*
1[various artists]: Now's the Time (Cosmic Sounds): William Ruhlmann

Total number of records: 190. Total number that I have rated: 117 (61%).

Historical/Reissues

1.16Sonny Rollins: Road Shows, Vol. 1 (Doxy/Emarcy): Thomas Conrad, Owen Cordle, Steve Greenlee, Evan Haga, Geoffrey Himes, Willard Jenkins, Mike Joyce, Lee Mergner, Will Smith, Jeff Tamarkin, Perry Tannenbaum, George Varga, Michael J West, K Leander Williams, Josef Woodard, Ron WynnA-
2.12Anthony Braxton: The Complete Arista Recordings of Anthony Braxton (Mosaic): David Adler, AD Amorosi, Brent Burton, Nate Chinen, Evan Haga, George Kanzler, Lee Mergner, Mitch Myers, Mike Shanley, George Varga, Josef Woodard, Scott YanowA-
3.10Horace Silver: Live at Newport '58 (Blue Note): Thomas Conrad, Colin Fleming, Steve Greenlee, Evan Haga, Don Heckman, Jessica Sendra, Will Smith, Jeff Tamarkin, Perry Tannenbaum, Michael J WestA-
4.7Return to Forever: The Anthology (Concord): Willard Jenkins, Mike Joyce, Rebeca Mauleón, Lee Mergner, Bill Milkowski, William Ruhlmann, Chris Walker
5.6Miles Davis: Kind of Blue: 50th Anniversary Collectors Edition (Columbia/Legacy): AD Amorosi, Don Heckman, Mike Joyce, Rebeca Mauleón, Bill Milkowski, Josef Woodard
6.4Lester Young: Classic Columbia, Okeh and Vocalion with Count Basie (1936-1940) (Mosaic): Colin Fleming, Willard Jenkins, Lee Mergner, George Varga
7.5Grachan Moncur III: Evolution (Blue Note): John Murph, George Varga, Michael J West, K Leander Williams, Josef Woodard
8.6Art Pepper: Unreleased Art, Vol. III: The Croydon Concert (Widow's Taste): Scott Albin, Owen Cordle, Willard Jenkins, Bill Meredith, Will Smith, Scott YanowA-
9.4Art Blakey and the Giants of Jazz: Live at the 1972 Monterey Jazz Festival (MJF/Concord): Rebeca Mauleón, Bill Milkowski, Jeff Tamarkin, Perry Tannenbaum***
10.5Ornette Coleman: Town Hall 1962 (ESP Disk): AD Amorosi, Andrew Gilbert, Bill Milkowski, K Leander Williams, Josef Woodard***
1Art Ensemble of Chicago/Don Pullen: Fundamental Destiny (AECO): Geoffrey Himes
2Albert Ayler: The Hilversum Session (ESP Disk [-07]): Evan Haga, Mitch MyersA-
1Paul Bley: Barrage (ESP): AD Amorosi
1Paul Bley: Closer (ESP Disk): Mike ShanleyA-
1Brotherhood of Breath: Eclipse at Dawn (Cuneiform): Will Smith*
1Bill Carrothers: Home Row (Pirouet): Nate Chinen*
1Joe Chambers: New World (Porter): David Adler
1Ornette Coleman: Paris Concerts 1965-66 (Gambit): Don Heckman
1Ornette Coleman: To Whom Who Keeps a Record (Water Music [-07]): Scott AlbinA-
1John Coltrane: First Giant Steps (Rare Live): Scott Yanow
1John Coltrane: The Impulse Albums, Vol. 2 (Impulse/Universal): Ron Wynn
1John Coltrane: Interplay (Prestige): Bill Meredith
1Chick Corea/Return to Forever: The Definitive Collection (Verve): William Ruhlmann
2Kenny Davern/Bob Wilber: Soprano Summit in 1975 and More (Arbors): George Kanzler [N], Scott Yanow [H]A-
4Miles Davis: Broadcast Sessions 1958-59 (Acrobat): Colin Fleming, Andrew Gilbert, Jeff Tamarkin, Ron Wynn**
1Die Like a Dog: The Complete FMP Recordings (FMP): Steve Greenlee
2Eric Dolphy: At the Five Spot (Prestige): Bill Milkowski, Mitch Myers
1Duke Ellington: New York New York (Storyville): George Kanzler
1Duke Ellington: Live in Zurich (TCB): Scott Albin***
1Bill Evans: Portrait in Jazz (Riverside/Keepnews Collection): K Leander WilliamsA-
1Bill Evans: Sunday at the Village Vanguard (Riverside/Keepnews Collection): Mike ShanleyA
1Ella Fitzgerald: Live at Mr Kelly's (Verve): Christopher Loudon
1Von Freeman: The Best of Von Freeman on Premonition (Premonition [-07]): Bill MeredithA-
3Dizzy Gillespie: Showtime at the Spotlite: 52nd Street, New York City, June 1946 (Uptown): Thomas Conrad, Colin Fleming, George Kanzler, Mike ShanleyB
2Lionel Hampton: The Complete Lionel Hampton Victor Sessions 1937-1941 (Mosaic [-07]): Thomas Conrad, Perry Tannenbaum
2Herbie Hancock: Then & Now: The Definitive Herbie Hancock (Verve): Don Heckman, Bill MeredithB
1Herbie Hancock/Thad Jones/Ron Carter/Jerome Richardson/Grady Tate/Jonathan Klein: Hear, O Israel: A PRayer Ceremony in Jazz (Johnny): John Murph
1Coleman Hawkins: The Hawk Flies High (Riverside/Keepnews Collection): Willard JenkinsA-
1Eddie Henderson: Heritage (Blue Note): John Murph
1Billie Holiday: The Definitive Collection (Verve): William Ruhlmann
2Billie Holiday: Rare Live Recordings 1934-1959 (ESP): Scott Albin, Andrew Gilbert
2Shirley Horn: Live at the 1994 Monterey Jazz Festival (MJF/Concord): Will Smith, Michael J West***
1Bobby Hutcherson: Head On (Blue Note): John Murph
2Isotope: Golden Section (Cuneiform): AD Amorosi, Brent Burton
1Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Jack DeJohnette: Setting Standards (ECM): Don Heckman**
1The Jazz Crusaders: Old Socks, New Shoes . . . New Socks, Old Shoes (Verve): Jessica Sendra
1Last Exit: Headfirst Into the Flames (DMG): Steve Greenlee
3Peggy Lee: The Lost '40s and '50s Capitol Masters (Collectors' Choice): Christopher Loudon, William Ruhlmann, Ron Wynn
4Dave Liebman/Roberto Tarenzi/Paolo Benedettini/Tony Arco: Negative Space (Verve): David Adler [H], Steve Greenlee [N], Mike Joyce [N], Lee Mergner [H]**
1Bennie Maupin: The Jewel and the Lotus (ECM [-07]): Andrew GilbertB
1Chris McGregor: Very Urgent (Fledgling): Brent Burton
1Helen Merrill: The Helen Merrill/Dick Katz Sessions (Mosaic): Christopher Loudon
3Thelonious Monk: Brilliant Corners (Riverside/Keepnews Collection): Geoffrey Himes, Mike Shanley, K Leander WilliamsA
1Thelonious Monk Orchestra: At Town Hall (Riverside/Keepnews Collection): George Kanzler
1Augustus Pablo: The Mystic World of Augustus Pablo (Shanachie): Geoffrey Himes
4Charlie Parker: Washington, D.C., May 23, 1948 (Uptown Jazz): Thomas Conrad, Colin Fleming, Mike Joyce, Mitch Myers*
5Oscar Peterson: The Complete Clef/Mercury Studio Recordings (1951-1953) (Mosaic): Christopher Loudon, Rebeca Mauleón, Perry Tannenbaum, George Varga, Scott Yanow
1Astor Piazzolla: Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival (Milan): Scott Albin
1Sun Ra: Media Dreams (Art Yard): Steve Greenlee
2Sun Ra: Some Blues but Not the Kind That's Blue (Atavistic Unheard Music Series): Mitch Myers, Michael J WestA-
1Enrico Rava: The Pilgrim and the Stars (ECM): Brent Burton
1Sam Rivers: Dimensions and Extensions (Blue Note): Brent Burton
1Sonny Rollins: Live in '65 and '68 (Naxos): Nate Chinen
1Sonny Rollins: Freedom Suite (Riverside/Keepnews Collection): John Murph***
1Jimmy Smith: Live at the Club Baby Grand Vols. 1-2 (Blue Note): Bill Meredith
1Louis Smith: Here Comes Louis Smith (Blue Note): Jessica Sendra
1Willie "The Lion" Smith/Don Ewell: Stride Piano Duets (Delmark): Ron Wynn**
5Art Tatum: Piano Starts Here: Live at the Shrine/The Zenph Re-Performance (Sony Classical): Evan Haga, Geoffrey Himes, Mike Joyce, Rebeca Mauleón, Jeff Tamarkin
1Sarah Vaughan/Woody Herman: On The Radio: The 1963 "Live" Guard Sessions (Acrobat): Andrew Gilbert
1Mike Walbridge's Chicago Footwarmers: Crazy Rhythm (Delmark): William RuhlmannA-
1Harry Whitaker: One Who Sees All Things (Smalls): David AdlerU
1Nancy Wilson: The Nancy Wilson Show! (Capitol): Christopher Loudon
1[various artists]: Droppin' Science: Greatest Samples From the Blue Note Lab (Blue Note): Jessica SendraC+
1[various artists]: Fania DJ Series: Gilles Peterson (Fania): Jessica Sendra
1[various artists]: Justin Time Records 25th Anniversary Collection (Justin Time): Chris WalkerB

Critics

Comments

First point in comparing this poll to the Village Voice Jazz Poll is that the number of Jazz Times critics is 37, a big drop from the Voice's 75. Since both polls use top ten lists, weight them the same (10-to-1 points by order), and list the top 50 albums, Jazz Times suffers both from the smaller sample size and the relative point skew. This is most obvious in that 9 of the top 50 albums were only on two ballots. Also note that Boz Scaggs with 2 high votes came in well ahead of Todd Sickafoose with 4 low votes. It's also the case that Steven Bernstein's MTO got 3 votes but failed to crack the top 50.

Grouping previously unreleased "historical" releases with the reissues also reduces and scatters the choices available for the new release poll. On the other hand, that effect may have been minor. Sonny Rollins got a similar percentage of votes in both polls (29 VV, 16 JT), indicating that he holds up well in any category. Horace Silver, on the other hand, jumped from 4 VV votes to 10 JT.

The following artists scored in the Voice's top 45 but didn't make Jazz Times' top 50:

  1. Sonny Rollins: Road Shows, Vol. 1: 29; moved to historical/reissues, where it finished: 1 (16)
  2. Vijay Iyer: Tragicomic: 11, to 2
  3. Donny McCaslin: Recommended Tools: 9, to 2
  4. William Parker: Petit Oiseau: 10, to 0
  5. Dafnis Prieto: Taking the Soul for a Walk: 7, to 1
  6. Mario Pavone: Arc: 5, to 2
  7. William Parker: Double Sunrise Over Neptune: 5, to 2
  8. Bill Dixon: 17 Musicians in Search of a Sound: Darfur: 5, to 0
  9. Steven Bernstein: Diaspora Suite: 5, to 0
  10. Danilo Perez: Across the Crystal Sea: 4, to 0
  11. Mostly Other People Do the Killing: This Is Our Moosic: 5, to 1
  12. Louis Moholo/Marilyn Crispell: Sibanye (We Are One): 4, to 0
  13. Saxophone Summit: Seraphic Light: 6, to 1
  14. Marcus Shelby: Harriet Tubman: 4, to 2
  15. Evan Parker: Boustrophedon: 4, to 0
  16. Bobby Previte: Set the Alarm for Monday: 4, to 1
  17. Scott Robinson: Forever Lasting: 4, to 1
  18. Mike Reed: Proliferation: 5, to 0

Also note that: Rudresh Mahanthappa: Kinsmen dropped from 2 (17) to 15 (5); Wadada Leo Smith: Tabligh from 5 (13) to 25 (4); David Murray/Mal Waldron: Silence from 7 (14) to 13 (5).

While some of these drops look random, they disproportionately hit the avant-garde, especially in New York. (The Voice Poll is somewhat biased toward New York critics. Jazz Times provides relatively little free jazz coverage.)

Going the other way, Pat Metheny: Day Trip rose from 38 (4) to 4 (8); Chick Corea/Gary Burton: Crystal Silence went from (3) to 19 (5); Bobo Stenson: Cantando from (2) to 20 (3); Roy Hargrove: Earfood from (3) to 21 (5); Boz Scaggs from (1) to 33 (2); Joe Locke: Sticks and Strings from (0) to 33 (2). Bennie Maupin, Bill Frisell, and Carla Bley kept the same number of votes, rising in the standings (15 to 2, 9 to 6, and 25 to 7, respectively).