Top 50 Jazz Albums of 2018 – JazzTime

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JazzTimes’ critics choose the top 40 new albums and top 10 historical releases of the year.

1. Wayne Shorter – Emanon (Blue Note).

2. Ambrose Akinmusire “Origami Harvest” (Blue Note).

3. Myra Melford’s “Snowy Egret The Other Side of Air” (Firehouse 12).

4. Kenny Barron Quintet “Concentric Circles” (Blue Note).

5. Cécile McLorin Salvant “The Window” (Mack Avenue).

6. Joshua Redman, Ron Miles, Scott Colley, Brian Blade “Still Dreaming” (Nonesuch).

7. Bill Frisell “Music IS” (Okeh/Sony Masterworks).

8. Brad Mehldau Trio “Seymour Reads the Constitution!” (Nonesuch).

9. Sons of Kemet “Your Queen Is a Reptile” (Impulse!).

10. Miguel Zenón Featuring Spektral Quartet “Yo Soy la Tradición” (Miel).

11. Henry Threadgill “Double Up, Plays Double Up Plus” (Pi).
12. Mary Halvorson “Code Girl” (Firehouse 12).
13. Makaya McCraven “Universal Beings” (International Anthem).
14. Kamasi Washington “Heaven and Earth” (Young Turks).
15. Joe Lovano & Dave Douglas Sound Prints “Scandal” (Greenleaf).
16. Henry Threadgill “14 or 15 Kestra: Agg Dirt…and More Dirt” (Pi).
17. Charles Lloyd and the Marvels + Lucinda Williams “Vanished Gardens” (Blue Note).
18. David Virelles “Igbó Alákǫrin (The Singer’s Grove) Vol. I & II” (Pi/El Tivoli).
19. Steve Coleman and Five Elements “Live at the Village Vanguard, Vol. 1 (The Embedded Sets)” (Pi).
20. Tyshawn Sorey “Pillars” (Firehouse 12).
21. Dan Weiss “Starebaby” (Pi).
22. Stefon Harris + Blackout “Sonic Creed” (Motéma).
23. Karrin Allyson “Some of That Sunshine” (Kasrecords).
24. John Scofield “Combo 66” (Verve).
25. JD Allen “Love Stone” (Savant).
26. Miles Okazaki Work: “The Complete Compositions of Thelonious Monk, Vols. 1-6” (Self-released).
27. Noah Preminger/Frank Carlberg “Whispers and Cries” (Red Piano).
28. Kurt Elling “The Questions” (Okeh/Sony Masterworks).
29. Steve Tibbetts “Life Of” (ECM).
30. Wolfgang Muthspiel “Where the River Goes” (ECM).
31. Gregory Porter “Nat “King” Cole & Me” (Blue Note).
32. Alicia Hall Moran “Here Today” (Yes)
33. Francesco Cafiso “We Play for Tips” (EFLAT).
34. Marshall Gilkes & the WDR Big Band “Always Forward” (Alternate Side).
35. Martin Wind “Light Blue” (Laika).
36. Tyler Higgins “Blue Mood” (Clean Feed).
37. Gilad Hekselman “Ask for Chaos” (Hexephonic/Motéma).
38. Lionel Loueke “The Journey” (Aparté).
39. Chris Lightcap “Superette” (Royal Potato Family).
40. Dayramir Gonzalez “The Grand Concourse” (Machat).

TOP 10 HISTORICAL RELEASES (albums and box sets consisting primarily of music recorded 10 or more years ago).

1. John Coltrane “Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album” (Impulse!).

2. Miles Davis & John Coltrane “The Final Tour: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 6” (Columbia/Legacy).

3. Wes Montgomery “In Paris: The Definitive ORTF Recording” (Resonance).

4. Charles Mingus “Jazz in Detroit/Strata Gallery/46 Selden” (180 Proof/BBE).

5. Erroll Garner “Nightconcert” (Mack Avenue).

6. Sonny Rollins “Way Out West: Deluxe Edition” (Craft).

7. Woody Shaw “Tokyo ’81” (Elemental).

8. Teddy Wilson “Classic Brunswick & Columbia Teddy Wilson Sessions 1934-42” (Mosaic).

9. Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Jack DeJohnette “After the Fall” (ECM).

10. Grant Green “Funk in France: From Paris to Antibes, 1969-1970” (Resonance).