By Arts Fuse Critics

Albums:

Ethan Helm and Wet Electric — Wet Electricity: Volume I — A fascinating recording that achieves a very personal balance between highly composed sections and solos rooted in harmony and free playing. There’s great attention to detail here, but also a broad musical vision. Fuse review

Cécile McLoren Salvant — The Window — After listening to this disc I saw what all the fuss is about. Savant is an extraordinary singer, with power, flexibility, control, and insight. She has chosen an excellent fellow traveler in keyboard player Sullivan Fortner. Fuse review

Lionel Loueke — Close Your Eyes — Guitarist Louecke’s music is new, but not jarringly so. Its broad outlines are familiar, but his landscape is fresh and rejuvenating. Loueke is a unique voice, who has managed to bring together a number of influences without weakening or undermining any of them. Fuse review

Kathrin Pechlov Trio — Toward the Unknown — On this finely wrought album, Pechlov’s harp assimilates a number of different influences, one forged by the “inside” lineage of harpists like Dorothy Ashby, the other by the spiritual direction taken by Alice Coltrane. Pecklov demonstrates both the chops of the first and the exploratory propensities of the second. Fuse review

Jazz Reads:

Religion Around Billie Holiday by Tracy Fessenden. This unusual book explores how Billie Holiday’s genius was, in part, a response to the religious atmosphere around her. The author’s granular look at Holiday’s childhood Catholic background makes for fascinating reading. Fuse interview

Live Concerts:

Greg Hopkins Big Band Live at Ryles — This roaring big band concert marked the imminent closing of the venerable nightclub Ryle’s. There was nothing bittersweet about the music or the performances, however. Many of the best players in Boston gathered to expertly play the compositions of writer-trumpeter-leader Hopkins. Fuse review

Anthony Coleman — “Streams,” a live performance at Jordan Hall –Performance of an extended composition by one of the heroes of the avant-garde.  The concert was relatively brief – about ninety minutes from start to finish — but Coleman’s meticulous crafting made every second worthwhile. Fuse review

Celebrating Bob Brookmeyer, a live performance at Jordan Hall — This concert showcased the work of a who’s who of composers inspired by Brookmeyer. The younger generation continues to stretch the boundaries of the big band format in interesting and entertaining ways. Fuse review

Curtis Brothers at Scullers –A kickass but thoughtful band, composed of young musicians and their mentors. Zaccai Curtis writes interestingly in diverse genres while the brothers and company are fine soloists. They know their roots and have successfully discovered their own voices. Fuse review

— Steve Provizer

Albums

Historical releases:

1. Eric Dolphy, Musical Prophet: The Expanded 1963 NY Studio Sessions (Resonance)
2. Miles Davis and John Coltrane: The Final Tour
3. John Coltrane, 1963: New Directions
4. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong: Cheek to Cheek
5. The Savory Collection, 1935-1940 (Mosaic Records)

Vocal Album: Tony Bennett and Diana Krall: Love is Here to Stay

Latin album: Bobby Sanabria, West Side Story Reimagined

Best New Jazz releases:

Miguel Zenon, Yo Soy la Tradicion
Brad Mehldau and Charlie Haden Long Ago and Far Away
Roscoe Mitchell Ride the Wind
Myra Melford, The Other Side of Air
Andrew Cyrille, Lebroba
Mary Halvorson, The Maid with the Flaxen Hair (Tzadik)
Daniel Carter, Telepathic Alliances (577 Records)
Lynne Arriale, Give Us These Days
Steve Coleman, Live at the Village Vanguard
Henry Threadgill, Dirt and More Dirt
Joshua Redman, Still Dreaming
Nicole Mitchell, maroon cloud
Fred Hersch, Live in Europe

— Michael Ullman