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C. Andrew Hovan's Best Releases of 2016

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It is hard to believe I have been writing about jazz for All About Jazz for almost 18 years now. During that time period, vinyl was scarce as can be, only to come back recently with a vengeance. With many classic jazz recordings working their way into the area of public domain, ubiquitous CD reissues have offered up even some of the rarest jazz classics to the masses. It has been an exciting ride to say the least. Nonetheless, I find that in picking through new music it has become harder and harder to find quality works worthy of lasting significance. And for some inexplicable reason, swing has seemed to become a bad word. In the final analysis however, the tradition will always be at the heart of what makes jazz music vital to this reviewer. Artists who are trying to be different just for the sake of being different will not find a place in my year end lists.

So looking through my offerings this year, the word traditional might come to mind and that is just fine by me. These gentlemen and lady are true artists practicing their craft at the highest levels within the tradition of the music. The same could be said for the embarrassment of riches we found in the reissue market this year, particularly when it came to vinyl. Furthermore, hats off to Resonance Records for unearthing two stellar sets that had been previously unheard.


One for All
The Third Decade
(Smoke Sessions)

Ralph Peterson
Triangular III
(Onyx/Truth Revolution)

Dave Stryker
Eight Track II
(Strikezone)

Little Johnny Rivero
Music in Me
(Truth Revolution)

Jerome Jennings
The Beast
(Iola)

Behn Gillece
Dare to Be
(Posi-Tone)

Dena DeRose
United
(High Note)

Jim Rotondi
Dark Blue
(Smoke Sessions)

John Coltrane
The Atlantic Years in Mono
(Rhino)

Ray Charles
The Atlantic Years in Mono
(Rhino)

Larry Young
In Paris: The ORTF Recordings
(Resonance Records)

Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra
All My Yesterdays
(Resonance Records)

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