John Sharpe's Best Jazz Albums Of 2023

From the 200 or so discs that I heard in 2023, here are ten new issues and one archival release, which gave me the most pleasure. As always these picks are entirely subjective. And take no account of the many other albums that I would no doubt have loved if I had heard them. So perhaps it's better to view these selections as a chance to pick up on something that you might otherwise have missed. As a fan, I always look forward to the annual year-end lists for precisely that reason. If you share my taste (that's the key bit), then something here might just be for you!

Susana Santos Silva / Fred Frith
Laying Demons To Rest
Rogue Art

It seems Portuguese trumpeter Susana Santos Silva is riding the crest of a wave, following acclaimed collaborations with the likes of saxophonists Anthony Braxton and Mats Gustafsson and pianist Kaja Draksler. It is a trajectory only likely to be reinforced by her alliance with British guitarist Fred Frith. They have 've been playing together since at least 2018, but that in no way prepares for the near extrasensory communion they demonstrate on this 42-minute set recorded live at the Météo Festival in Mulhouse in 2021.

James Brandon Lewis
For Mahalia With Love
Tao Forms

The combination of James Brandon Lewis' impassioned tenor saxophone and songs associated with gospel singer and Civil Rights activist Mahalia Jackson is a match made in heaven. On For Mahalia, With Love by his Red Lily Quintet, he retains the crack squad which made Jesup Wagon (Tao Forms, 2021) such a success. Even though Lewis has a well-proven knack for crafting an affecting melody, he has chosen well as this repertoire has not only stood the test of time but is infused with a deep meaning and spirituality.

Lesley Mok
The Living Collection
American Dreams

Drummer Lesley Mok announces her arrival with The Living Collection. It's the debut of a ten-strong band that offers a fresh take on that hoary conundrum of how to write for improvisers. What's striking about Mok's solution is the fluidity and blend between forms she achieves. In that she's wonderfully assisted by a forward-thinking squad of peers and more established performers who share her concerns. Preordained elements and combinations appear, recede, shimmer and alternate throughout, in a suite whose final shape is deliciously mysterious.

Rodrigo Amado
Beyond The Margins
Trost Records

The Bridge may be one of the most potent all-around units assembled by Portuguese tenor saxophonist Rodrigo Amado. His partners read like an extract from an international free jazz who's who: German pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach, American drummer Gerry Hemingway and Norwegian bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flaten. They deliver peaks of intensity separated by reflective interludes that nurture the kernels of the subsequent ascents, underpinned by a staggering depth of interplay in which there is always someone doing something you might not quite expect.

Anna Webber
Shimmer Wince
Intakt

There is often an underlying rigor to the work of Canadian reedwoman Anna Webber, be that the digital world inspirations of Binary or the multiphonic intervals which fueled Idiom. On Shimmer Wince, she derives her material from her study of Just Intonation. But really the source pales into insignificance when set aside the dizzying result, rammed with absorbing writing, unpredictable digressions and excellent individual contributions.

Satoko Fujii
One Hundred Dreams
Libra

It is not so much that Japanese pianist Satoko Fujii is remarkable for leading or co-leading one hundred albums. Rather it's the astonishingly high level of consistency she maintains across an enormous range of formats, geographies and partners. For this auspicious milestone recorded she summoned a stellar nine-piece ensemble. It's the perfect size, giving Fujii enough options to plot an album-length masterpiece, yet allowing each of the participants numerous opportunities to showcase their individual prowess.

Barry Guy
Krakow 2018
Not Two

Barry Guy is renowned for his leadership of multiple large ensembles over his 50+ year career, from the storied London Jazz Composers Orchestra to the Barry Guy New Orchestra and latterly the Blue Shroud Band. But on Krakow 2018 he wields a unit convened expressly for the occasion. The five-CD box set documents the outfit's three nights in the titular Polish city, spotlighting subsets of the group on the first four discs and presenting the world premiere of the enthralling "For To End Yet Again" on the final album.

Angelika Niescier
Beyond Dragons
Intakt

Polish born, German-based alto saxophonist Angelika Niescier has already made some outstanding records but this trio outing ranks among her best. She's joined by cello phenom Tomeka Reid and up-and-coming drummer Savannah Harris on a program of seven originals. which vary from the elegant yet enigmatic to the intricately wild. Each one encourages sensational extemporized exchanges as well as top drawer soloing.

Matt Mitchell
Oblong Aplomb
Out Of Your Head Records

On Oblong Aplomb pianist Matt Mitchell pays homage to the drummers in his life. Ches Smith grasps the sticks on the second half of the double disc set, while Kate Gentile occupies the drum stool on the first. Mitchell's closely plotted charts explore various challenges such as drastically different lines in each hand, devilishly interlocking figures, or constantly flexing time, in a variety of permutations and guises. Every piece stands as a world in itself with a myriad of concurrent, juxtaposed, and interlinked activities.

Patrick Brennan
Tilting Curvaceous
Clean Feed Records

In spite of being active on the NYC scene since the mid-'70s, alto saxophonist and composer Patrick Brennan (he prefers his name spelt entirely in lower case letters) has a relatively sparse discography to which tilting curvaceous makes a splendid addition. The session overflows with appealing loosely voiced counterpoint, which nonetheless contains space for individual expression while remaining true to Brennan's conception.

Steve Swell's Fire Into Music
For Jemeel: Fire From The Road
Rogue Art

While not exactly undersung, alto saxophonist Jemeel Moondoc definitely was not sung enough. There have not been too many musical tributes since his passing in August 2021, but this is a cracker. The French Rogue Art imprint has raided the archives for an album comprising over three hours of live material from 2004 and 2005 by trombonist Steve Swell's Fire Into Music, one of his finest units, which features not only Moondoc but also bassist William Parker and drummer Hamid Drake. It captures all four at the top of their respective games.

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