2017 Best Jazz Albums 我承認我是Vijay Iyer的粉絲,也承認ECM在我個人每年的爵士選單上有相當比例的偏好,不過我也盡力去開發其它不同面向的爵士樂發展,而且也盡可能在網路上找得到的資訊去多認識一些除了歐美體系外的爵士新融合趨勢,而其中一個比較明顯的現象,就如同我在世界音樂提到的,非裔黑人樂手、歌手的興起。如果各位有興趣,可以購買我列在22名的這張精選集《Various Artists — Soul of a Nation: Afro-Centric Visions in the Age of Black Power》,它是張相當精采的歷史錄音,或許也可以幫助我們多認識到在非英美歐陸體系外的另一區域的音樂發展。 至於這幾年頗受注目且受到歡迎的Kamasi Washington雖只發了一張迷你專輯,不過他的隊友Cameron Graves(同時出現在Washington大樂團中擔任鋼琴手位置)的新作卻是意外的驚喜。 但如果說今年有什麼如史詩般的創作企圖心的話,那麼小號手Christian Scott (aka Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah)以三張分開發表的新作,展現了他自2015年以來他稱之為「Stretch Music」的視野,一種混合了爵士,嘻哈,電子音樂和紐奧良遊行節慶音樂而成的新混雜品,因而這三張他各有不同的詮釋觀點,相當值得留意。 此外,一些新的爵士女伶也在英國的爵士樂壇展露啼聲,而且大多由英國及歐陸開始在樂界發表作品。 整體而言,今年有數量不少且令人激賞的爵士樂專輯。 1. Vijay Iyer Sextet — Far From Over (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiF0OWujuVQ 2. Jaimie Branch — Fly Or Die (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06B9lVwxhOw 3. Yazz Ahmed — La Saboteuse (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoEgqsZ7j3c 4. Cameron Graves — Planetary Prince (2017) (Mack Avenue) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnAUNko94h8 5. Christian Scott — Ruler Rebel (2017) Christian Scott — Diaspora (2017) Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah — The Emancipation Procrastination (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7S5iERo47Y 6. Cécile McLorin Salvant — Dreams and Daggers (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsOAsbglcDg 7. Goran Kajfeš/Subtropic Arkestra — The Reason Why Vol. 3 (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAr4nOxKd4Y 8. Kamasi Washington — Harmony of Difference (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtW1S5EbHgU 9. Ahmad Jamal — Marseille (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdae595dP6k Ahmad Jamal — The Summit (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV7fu8BDd00 10. Camilla George Quartet — Isang (Ubuntu Music) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekAvQ_iY9OY 11. Phronesis — The Behemoth (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsAt5fWL4L8 12. Tomasz Stanko New York Quintet — December Avenue (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YDLP8x81Rs 13. Craig Taborn — Daylight Ghosts (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo-_IFPcH-A 14. Courtney Pine — Black Notes From The Deep (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkCKhYgTTso 15. Zara Mcfarlane — Arise (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocqsfYLIFSA 16. Charles Lloyd New Quartet — Passin’ Thru (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADoQgN_4Llo 17. Dave Douglas & the Westerlies — Little Giant Still Life (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHRwuYdszH4 18. Binker & Moses — Journey To The Mountain of Forever (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnzEprmhfA4 19. Nicole Mitchell — Mandorla Awakening II Emerging Worlds (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ngBAQJExOE 20. Arve Henriksen & Terje Isungset — The Art Of Irrigation (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBbT_8X06FE 21. Roscoe Mitchell — Bells For The South Side (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMQ4WOGoMdQ 22. Various Artists — Soul of a Nation: Afro-Centric Visions in the Age of Black Power — Underground Jazz, Street Funk & the Roots of Rap 1968–79 (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHNjNyxAl_Q 23. Kneebody — Anti-Hero (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij__fJ2EnBY 24. Ambrose Akinmusire — A Rift In Decorum Live At The Village Vanguard (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzodIePef9M 25. Jeremy Pelt — Make Noise! (2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdv0gR0LrQg ★年度五張失落錄音專輯出土 ★ The Best 5 Jazz Unheard Before Historical Recordings of 2017 1. Bill Evans — Another Time — The Hilversum Concert (2017) (Resonance Records) 2. Jaco Pastorius — Truth, Liberty & Soul (2017) (Resonance Records) 3. Thelonious Monk — Les Liaisons Dangereuses 1960 (2017) (Sam Records/Saga) 4. Wes Montgomery and Wynton Kelly — Smokin’ in Seattle (2017) (Resonance Records) 5. Taj Mahal — Labor of Love (2017) (Analogue Productions)