SOUNDSLOPE

I almost didn't bother this year - I haven't done particularly well at keeping up, and as you'll notice below, I'm mostly reiterating what you've seen elsewhere. Anything noticeably absent from this list that pops up a lot elsewhere is possibly due to me not hearing it (see: Jason Moran's critically lauded album Ten). Who knows - if I had heard it, I may have participated in the critical circle jerk.

I'll be honest - I'm not 100% sure all of this music was even released in 2010. But it was all new to me.

Without further ado:

• Marc Ribot - Silent Movies: Ribot laid bare, haunting, wistful, beautiful.
• Vijay Iyer - Solo: Didn't exceed expectations but met lofty ones, which is a feat in and of itself.
• Henry Threadgill - This Brings Us To, Vol. II: The master continues to speak volumes, traverse new lands.
• Mary Halvorson Quintet - Saturn Sings: Halvorson emerges as a compositional force to match her unique voice on the guitar.
• William Parker - I Plan to Stay A Believer: The Inside Songs of Curtis Mayfield: I was involved in presenting this band at the Chicago Jazz Festival and the album captures the essence that I fell in love with in the live setting.
• Jason Adasiewicz - Sun Rooms: Adasiewicz creates a modern classic to my ears, his vibraphone and compositions vibrate my cranium at just the right frequency to induce bliss.
• Mike Reed's People, Places & Things - Stories and Negotiations: One of (if not the) best working bands in Chicago continues to knock out records that capture its unique energy and interactions.
• Hamid Drake & Bindu - Reggaeology: The long held promise that Drake would combine his past excursions in reggae into a coherent whole of his musical background is fulfilled.
• Paolo Angeli - Tibi: The Italian master of the sardinian prepared guitar - if you haven't heard him, just do it.
• Barry Guy/Agusti Fernandez – Some Other Place: I sought this one out after being absolutely blown away by Fernandez live at the Umbrella Music Festival. I still need more but this satiated my desire for now.
• Seu Jorge and Almaz - Seu Jorge and Almaz: Jorge might be known amongst the hipster set as that Brazilian guy who covers Bowie tunes for those cool movies, but he's so much more. Great tunes, incredible vibe.
• Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate - Ali and Toumani: Not as good as the first album but still utterly transcendent to my ears.
• Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba - I Speak Fula: Not as good as Segu Blue but still full of incredible energy and interactions.
• Various - Something Is Wrong: Vintage Recordings From East Africa: Honest Jons continues its fascinating curatorial work with this gem. I can't help but feel transported when I listen to it.
• Orchestre Regional de Mopti - Les Meilleurs Souvenirs De La 1ere Biennale Artistique et Culturelle de la Jeunesse: Jazz fans will recognize the Mopti part of this album. I feel lucky to be able to listen to it, great guitar work and sounds throughout.
• L'Orchestre National A de la Republique du Mali: Another gem from Mississippi records.
• Black Keys - Brothers: I've always had a soft spot for their sound and this record is one of their most complete to date.
• Grinderman - Grinderman 2: I was on a big Nick Cave kick all year and this was the icing on the cake. They were amazing live.
• Neil Young - Le Noise: Neil Young manages to reinvent his sound while maintaining his voice.

Until next time!