January 7th 2009

• Miles Davis Quintet & Sextet, “Radio Broadcasts 1958-1959,” (RLR Records/2007).  One of the great ensembles of the 20^th century performing live in concert, what else can be said?

• The Fall, “Imperial Wax Solvent,” (Sanctuary Records Group/2008).  Mark E. Smith is one of my favorite Rock artists, and belongs to a group of musicians who have been working in that field for decades (The Ex, Wire, Mission Of Burma), and who are creating some of the most exciting music being played today.

• Gyorgy Kurtag, “Portraitkonzert Salzburg 10.8.1993,” (col legno/1994).  I was unfamiliar with Kurtag until Ab Baars gave me this album as a gift, it’s had huge impact on me ever since.

• Steve Lacy, “5 x Monk  5 x Lacy,” (Silkheart/1996).  Lacy made many solo albums, and this is a standout- loose but focused interpretations of Thelonious Monk’s music and his own.

• Gyorgy Ligeti, “the ligeti project,” (Teldec/2004).  One of the essential composers of the second half of the 20^th century supervises the recording of some of his most significant pieces; five cds of brilliant music.

• Ennio Morricone, “Giu’ La Testa (Duck You Sucker/2006),” (Cinevox Records).  Recently I composed my first soundtrack, and this recording never left the stereo during the process of finishing the score.  The piece, “Invenzione per John,” is a masterpiece from my favorite composer for the cinema.

• Various Artists, “Delta Blues: 1940-1951,” (Fremeaux & Associes/2002).  This is a superb collection of my preferred time period, artists, and location for Blues music- uncodified expression and invention through guitar and voice.

• Various Artists, “Latin Funk: Nu Yorican Funk 1968-76,” (Fania/2008).  A super solid set of groove heavy Funk that was impacted by the Latin music culture of New York in the1970’s.

• Various Artists, “Keeping The Faith: 40 Years Of Northern Soul, Memories & Souvenirs,” (Castle/2007).  One hundred cuts spread over four cds- an exceptionally strong rare Soul collection that will keep any party on the floor.

• Yosuke Yamashita Trio, “Frozen Days,” (Crown/2008).  Mats Gustafsson introduced me to this group several years ago, from the moment I heard the band I searched for albums by them.  It wasn’t until this September, when I performed in Japan for the first time, that I was able to get a hold of some of their catalog.  Recorded in 1974, “Frozen Days,” will still rip your head off.