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Publisher's Top Picks for 2003

By Michael Ricci
January 3, 2005
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2003 proved to be quite a challenging year for AAJ, especially the tail end. The two server crashes in September created a mountain of recovery work and curtailed my CD listening for a good month. It took me a while to get my ears back to the music, but when I finally did, I discovered several gems that helped restore my spirits.

The following CDs were culled from the 90+ releases that were designated as publishers picks throughout the past year. These eighteen represent the finest and most exciting releases of the bunch—they're also the CDs that scored the most spins in my player.

Be sure to click the links below to read the reviews. For additional reviews, search AAJ by the CD's title. For all the publisher's picks, go here .

		Simone Guiducci Chorale (Felmay-Dunya)
		Dave Douglas Freak In (RCA)
		Bill Frisell The Intercontinentals (Nonesuch)
		Joel Palsson Septett (Omi Jazz)
		Achille Gajo Blue Sand (Piadrum)
		Ron Miles Laughing Barrel (Sterling Circle)

		Spring Heel Jack Live (Thirsty Ear)
		Ravi Coltrane Mad 6 (Eighty-Eights)
		Cinematic Orchestra Man With A Movie Camera (Ninja Tune)
		Jim Ridl Door In A Field (Dreambox)
		Elio Villafranca Incantations - Encantaciones (Pimienta)
		Matthew Shipp Equilibrium (Thirsty Ear)

		Ellery Eskelin Arcanum Moderne (hatOLOGY)
		Terell Stafford New Beginnings (MaxJazz)
		Gerald Wilson Orchestra New York New Sound (Mack Avenue)
		Kurt Elling Man In The Air (Blue Note)
		Kurt Rosenwinkel Heartcore (Verve)
		Jean-Michel Pilc Cardinal Points (Dreyfus)

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