Best of 2003
2003 was a banner year for jazz and beyond. Here are my top picks from the last 12 months, sorted by genre. Click on titles to read in-depth reviews.
Jazz
![]() Matthew Shipp Equilibrium (Thirsty Ear) | ![]() Mario Pavone Nu Trio/Quintet Orange (Playscape) | ![]() Jerry Granelli The V16 Project (Songlines) |
![]() Dave Holland Quintet Extended Play/Live at Birdland (ECM) | ![]() Scot Ray Quintet Active Vapor Recovery (Cryptogramophone) | ![]() Bill Frisell The Intercontinentals (Nonesuch) |
Historic/Reissues
![]() Various Artists The Real Bahamas in Music and Song (Nonesuch Explorer Series) | ![]() Miles Davis The Complete Jack Johnson Sessions (Columbia/Legacy) | ![]() Giuffre/Bley/Swallow Emphasis & Flight (1961) (Hatology) |
South Africa
![]() Zim Ngqawana Vadzimu (Sheer Sound) | ![]() Winston Mankunku Ngozi Abantwana Be Afrika (Sheer Sound) | ![]() Various Artists The Rough Guide to South African Gospel (World Music Network) |
Africa
![]() Souad Massi Deb (Heart Broken) (Wrasse) | ![]() Tartit Ichichila (Network) | ![]() Various Artists Festival in the Desert (World Village) |
Reggae
![]() Cedric Im Brooks & The Light of Saba (Honest Jons) | ![]() King Tubby The Roots of Dub/Dub from the Roots (Moll-Selekta) | ![]() Luciano Tell It From The Heart (Minor7 Flat5) |
Electronica
![]() Ramiro Musotto Sudaka (Fast Horse) | ![]() Cinematic Orchestra Man With A Movie Camera (Ninja Tune) | ![]() Amon Tobin Out From Out There (Ninja Tune) |
Books/DVD
![]() Hélène Lee The First Rasta (Lawrence Hill Books) | ![]() Style Wars (Plexifilm) | ![]() Ruy Castro Bossa Nova (A Capella Press) |