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It's that time of year again - a chance to go back and listen to the best recordings of the the year again. Obviously, I didn't get to hear everything I wanted - Vijay Iyer's "Tragicomic," Danilo Perez' "Across the Crystal Sea," "The Exploding Star Orchestra with Bill Dixon" and Patricia Barber's "The Cole Porter Mix" were some I didn't get my hands on for various reasons (review copy "in the mail?" Hey you snooze, you lose!). But of the albums I did receive - and despite how good that Dafnis Prieto release is - in the end there really was no contest: David Sanchez' "Cultural Survival" was the clear winner.
In awarding the top slot to Sanchez, it brings up the question: is it possible for a Grammy-nominated album to be underrated? In this case, the answer is yes. Not only is "Cultural Survival" the best "Latin Jazz" album, it is the best overall Jazz release of the year in my humble opinion. Some critics insist that Sanchez is a mere Coltrane wannabee and that his "pretty" tunes fail to carry the weight of his intended subjects (ie: the legacy of slavery), but that seems to me to be overthinking the matter. The proof is in the music: the actuality is the compositions transcend the program and the playing enthralls the open-minded listener. The balance between the experimental and the beautifully melodic is achieved here in a recording that helped make 2008 memorable. |
 "Cultural Survival" |
 "Taking the Soul for a Walk" |
 "Epic Journey Vol. I & II" |
Gary Peacock, Paul Motian "New York Trio Recordings Vol.2 - Voices" |
 "Music Box Ballerina" |
 "Appearing Nightly" |
 "Change of Scenery" |
"Blues Twilight" |
"Nordic Disruption" |
 "Panorama" |
Song of the Year: David Sanchez - "La Leyenda del Canaveral"
Runner Up: Carla Bley - "Appearing Nightly at the Black Orchid"
 ReRelease of the Year Bennie Maupin "The Jewel in the Lotus" |
Runner up:
Enrico Rava - "The Pilgrim and the Stars"
Although not technically a "rerelease" - these two previously unreleased recordings should be noted:
Shirley Horn - "Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival"
Art Blakey - "Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival"
 Dee Alexander Runner Up: Orbert Davis |
Check out 2007's Top 10 CDs
Check out other recent CD reviews