Chaotic Good Jazz: 24 of 2024
Part 2 of 3: Global Grooves and Fusion
Hey Chaotic Good Jazz readers,
Welcome back for week two of my 24 of 2024 countdown of albums that have resonated with me throughout the year. The first eight albums last week leaned a bit experimental and electronic and these next eight are comprised of world jazz and fusion.
Just a reminder, I avoid ranking albums or calling any list a “The Best ______” because “best” is too subjective a term. I prefer to think of this as “2024: The Soundtrack (Alex’s Version)”
Also, the sound waves continue. They’re my way of mapping out the moments that caught my ear. All the good stuff: the parts that made me pause, rewind, or just sit there nodding in a state of musical wonderment.
I hope you find something here that makes you do the same.
Albums
Warsaw Conjuction
Tryp Tych Tryo | On The Corner | June 21, 2024
Wojtek Mazolewski, Natcyet Wakili and Tamar Osborn have made one of my favorite albums, and not just favorite of the year either. This album changed the way I listen to music when I first heard it earlier this summer. There is a clear pre-Warsaw Conjunction era and a post-Warsaw Conjunction in my brain, and the post-Warsaw Conjunction era is filled with way more music from Tamar Osborn of Collocutor, Flock, Unknown To Known and so many more.
“We were recording it in case there was some magic—which it turns out there was”
- Tamar Osborn (Sax, Flute)
Featured Track: “Aries Journey Under The Libra Moon”
A Sound Heart
Jaubi | JAUBI & Riaz Records | September 6, 2024
“A Sound Heart '' is the next chapter for Jaubi both sonically and spiritually. The title is inspired from a verse in the Holy Qu’ran (26:89) which declares that neither wealth nor children will be of any help to a person on the Day of Judgment "except [those] who will come to God with a sound heart".
The heart in this context is the spiritual Heart (Qalb) for it is our heart which is the basis for our engagement with God. A Sound Heart is sincere, without doubts and free of ignorances, vices and materialistic attachments……This album is dedicated to God…whoever or whatever that means to you
Featured Track: “Mingusterstood (Blues for Mingus)“
It Was Always Time
Berke Can Ozcan, Jonah Parzen-Johnson | We Jazz | November 1, 2024
…this effortlessly authentic album offers an innocent reminder that the antidote to stagnation is curiosity and the fuel for change is the joy of building something transformative together.
- excerpt from It Was Always Time album description on Bandcamp
Featured Track: “A Cloud“
Alouane (Live)
Waaju, Majid Bekkas | BBE Music | October 11, 2024
Waaju & Majid Bekkas’s ‘Alouane’ stands as testament for creation and collaboration even in the most challenging of times. Whilst it becomes increasingly difficult bringing overseas artists to the UK, the record encapsulates connectivity across cultural or generational boundaries, and the explosive energy of live collaboration in the wake of Covid-19’s isolation.
Featured Track: “Bossoyo - Live”
I Too Am A Stranger
The Sorcerers | ATA Records | February 9, 2024
Nobody…I mean NOBODY grooves quite like these guys.
I Too Am A Stranger was recorded at ATA Studios by the core Sorcerers trio, featuring the compositional vision and timeless lines of bassist Neil Innes, truly rare grooves from drummer Joost Hendrickx (Gott Street Park, Eddie Chacon) and a little cosmos of tones and melodies from reed/flute/vibes/keyboard player Richard Ormrod
- excerpt from I Too Am A Stranger album description on Bandcamp
Featured Track: “Yasuke in Roppongi“
City Swamp
Jake Long | New Soil | May 17, 2024
The former Maisha bandleader and drummer is joined by Al MacSween, Amané Suganami, Artie Zaitz, Binker Golding, Nubya Garcia, Shirley Tetteh, Tamar Osborn, Tim Doyle and Twm Dylan on his debut album.
Featured Track: “Ideological Rubble“
Volant
Matthew Ottignon | Earshift Music | July 26, 2024
Reflecting on the genesis of Volant, Ottignon states, "This album comes from a time in my life when I suddenly had the space to truly explore my craft. It is hopeful music born out of a period of deep introspection, inspired by the countless sounds that have resonated with me over the years, including The Necks and John Coltrane."
Featured Track: “Moon Rock“
Zither Suite
Organic Pulse Ensemble | Ultraääni Records | January 5, 2024
Organic Pulse Ensemble, or should I say one-semble, consists of only a single musician, Gustav Horneij, who recorded this album from his home-studio.
The zither that gave name to the record (and the first track) was a find from the local charity shop. While it's not featured on every track of the album it's a crucial part of the feel of the album as a whole. It's the rug that ties the room together.
Featured Track: “Ypocalypse“
Check out the rest of my 24 albums of 2024: