Mark Sullivan's Favorite Albums Of 2023

2023 was a very good year for creative music recordings of all sorts. My list includes eclectic music with no specific genre identifier; contemporary jazz; Latin jazz; and reissues of classic jazz and fusion. It would have been easy to create a list three or four times longer.

Mata Atlantica
Retiro e Ritmo
7D Media

This album is a love letter to Mata Atlântica, the coastal rain forest of Brazil, and a call to help preserve and protect this beautiful habitat, It was released in December 2022, so it may get lost in the year-end shuffle. That would be a shame, because it is a remarkable (and unique) collaboration.


Stephan Thelen
Fractal Guitar 3
MoonJune Records

Another December 2022 release, this installment in composer/guitarist Stephan Thelen's Fractal Guitar series welcomed some new collaborators, including guitarist Eivind Aarset, keyboardist Fabio Anile and synthesist J. Peter Schwalm. As always it was an absolute guitar bonanza.


Albert Vila
Levity
Hypnote Records

A striking solo jazz guitar album from Spanish guitarist Albert Vila. It is notable for its creative repertoire choices.




Soft Machine
The Dutch Lesson
Cuneiform Records

A recently discovered 1973 live recording from Rotterdam, The band was a quartet of electric bassist Roy Babbington, Karl Jenkins (on multiple horns and electric piano), keyboardist Mike Ratledge and drummer John Marshall. This is a terrific addition to the storied group's live discography.


Carl Weingarten
The Simian River Collection 1980-2020
MultiPhase Records

A splendid career retrospective from longtime independent guitarist Carl Weingarten, His music is eclectic, drawing from rock, folk and World Music styles. It sometimes could be described as ambient, but never succumbs to New Age cliches. This set is a great place to experience the whole range of his work, for novices and experienced listeners alike.


Dave Brubeck
A Dave Brubeck Christmas
Craft Recordings

A seasonal reissue of pianist Dave Brubeck's 1996 Christmas album. An intimate portrait of the pianist interpreting traditional Christmas music and popular standards, plus a couple of his own Christmas compositions.


Wes Montgomery
The Complete Full House Recordings
Craft Recordings

A welcome reissue of the legendary jazz guitarist's 1962 album. This version includes all of the previously issued tracks and alternates, plus the restoration of his original solo on the title tune. A classic.


Mareike Wiening
Reveal
Greenleaf Music

The German drummer/composer's third album, featuring her longstanding working band plus guest trumpeter Dave Douglas. She leads a terrific band that only gets better with each new album. Contemporary jazz at its best.


Sebastian Schunke
Existential Intensities
Connector Records

The latest installment in German composer/pianist Sebastian Schunke's fascination with Latin music. This album is a kaleidoscopic blend of two Cuban ensembles, Schunke's Berlin band, and a Berlin-based chamber ensemble.

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