CraigP

I stopped buying albums from Dave Douglas and Joe Lovano, and at one point I was buying almost everything they put out. I don't think in either case there was a specific album that made me decide to stop buying further. With Douglas, it was the sense that he was getting less experimental and not placing as much emphasis on composition, and with Lovano I felt that he was a good stylist but wasn't saying anything new.

Not to my knowledge, but I've ordered directly from Babel Label without a problem

Matthew Hermes has a great late nite show on that station almost every night.

I've listened to 2 of the 4 ,and they varied quite a bit.

Boy, this just stopped everything down!

Sounds interesting.

I'm glad there's plans for a new Lantner and a new Blaser next year.

I also wonder how services like Spotify affect purchase decisions. For me it's gone both ways; I've bought because of what I heard on Spotify, and I've passed on some things I was initially interested in. I actually don't preview many CDs on Spotify. I find that I usually know what I'll like, and with this music, you need to invest in it to get the rewards. I'm more likely to really dig into a release if I've bought it, rather than just listened to it on a streaming service. It's as if the music has a lessened value to me if I haven't purchased it, either physically (my preferred way) or digitally.

Yes, there's really too much coming out to absorb or buy, but of course I'm not suggesting artists stop releasing their music. I made a conscious decision years ago to buy mostly new releases as opposed to reissues, but that only helps a little. So I don't know what the answer is, but it's an issue I've been thinking about lately.

Yes, I would have loved to pick up Mad Dogs, but everyone has their limits with respect to budget, unfortunately. That goes for many other releases as well.

Also a fav for me. Second solo piano in her discography, a great step forward imho. By the way, I like your list and your blog (it's linked in mine). Thanks, and I returned the favor on my blog!

Cayetano posted this one on his or her list: 8. Kris Davis, Massive Threads (Thirsty Ear) This one got completely by me; in fact, I've never seen a reference to it before now. Can't wait to hear it, as she's one of my current favs. Still mystified as to how I missed it; I don't remember seeing it through any of the mail order places such as DMG, Squidco or JazzLoft.

Here's my top 10 of the year, to hopefully get some conversation started: Mary Halvorson Septet - Illusionary Sea (Firehouse 12) Convergence Quartet – Slow & Steady (No Business) Taylor Ho Bynum Sextet & 7-tette – Navigation (The Complete Firehouse 12 Recordings) (Firehouse 12) Drew Gress – The Sky Inside (Pirouet) Craig Taborn – Chants (ECM) Alexander Hawkins – Song Singular (Babel Label) Ralph Alessi – Baida (ECM) Satoko Fujii Trio – Spring Storm (Libra) Francois Houle/Havard Wiik – Aves (Songlines) Nate Wooley – (Sit In) The Throne of Friendship (Clean Feed) I've got some explanation for each choice, and some honorable mentions, posted on my blog.

Yes, Opabinia is a nice one indeed.

I've ordered direct through the Bandcamp page with no problem.

Just listened to this today! Great, great album based on that first exposure.

I have Contrasts on LP, like it a lot.

I got this email as well. It's sad news; I enjoyed doing business with Alan through the years. This is part of what I wrote him: "To the reasons you stated, I would add an audience for jazz that is largely stuck in the past, and not interested in adventurous new music. It's ironic that there's so much great stuff being released, and a lot passes by unnoticed."

I liked Royal Toast because the addition of Gary Versase on piano positively impacted the music.

Good call. FWIW it left me cold on the first couple of listens but it's really grown on me now and it keeps getting better. I skip the track with the samples from the old-timey political rally though; not a bad track but it becomes tedious on repeated listens. Having broadcast recordings from the 1930s popping up kind of breaks the immersion as well, i find. That track with the speech samples was tedious the first time!

Listened last night to the new Blaser et al on Nuscope, really liked it, as I did the Tim Daisy Trio with Havard Wiik. The new Claudia Quintet CD, September, left me a little cold, but I need to listen to it more.

I've posted a review of guitarist/oudist Gordon Grdina's new one, No Difference with Kenton Loewen, Mark Helias and Tony Malaby. Here's an excerpt from the review: "No Difference is an eclectic affair. The pieces, all by Grdina, are a mix of studio and live performances, ranging from duos with Helias to a trio track to quartet tracks with Malaby. Grdina has been quoted as saying he has tried to hear Wayne Shorter’s and Albert Ayler’s music through the guitar, but his single note lines and slightly distorted tone on the electric reminded me more of late 60s/early 70s fusion. Tony Malaby adds a lot to the quartet tracks, with gritty improvisations that retain a tie to the underlying melodies." The full review of No Difference is on my blog.

I'll probably spring for the Morris or Wintsch et al, just to support the label if nothing else. I was hoping he would issue Ran Blake's tribute to George Russell and Michael Adkin's second for the label. Now I understand the Blake is going to be released on a different label.

You've figured out the way the world works!

Yes, I've got the Blaser on order, for me he's the best trombonist out there right now.