El Intruso Poll 2010 Final Results

While I'm trying to update the Jeremiah Cymerman interview I wanted to let You know that the final results of El Intruso 2010 Poll in which I participated are at last available (links to posts with my votes and commentary can be found on the top right spot)


Critics' Poll

Musicians' Poll


(sorry for less updates recently on the blog but I've been having a guest, the Jeremiah's interview is already edited and should be posted this evening I hope, at least one review is coming by the end of the week)

Jazz Alchemist votes for El Intruso 2010 Poll - Part IV

Final part of my votes for El Intruso 2010 Poll:

Bass

1. Barry Guy

2. John Edwards

3. Ingebrigt Haken-Flaten

1-The number of times the ‘Barry Guy New Orchestra” phrase appears in this list should explain why this name appears on the top.

2-The introduction to “Volume” review explains the 2 nd place.

3-For his playing with Joe McPhee on “Blue Chicago Blues” [Not Two] and with Atomic on “Theater Tilters” vol. 1 & 2 [Jazzland].

Drums

1. Paal Nilssen-Love

2. Gerald Cleaver

3. Pierre Favre

1-Paal’s duo with Ken Vandermark “Milwaukee Volume” is arguable their best release so far which says a lot. And don’t forget he’s playing with Atomic.

2-While all musicians are fantastic, Gerald’s drumming on “Searching for Adam” still amazes me.

3-I mentioned the duo concert with Samuel Blaser, Blaser’s was great, Pierre was breathtaking and the sense of melody and his light touch unbelievable – true master at work.

Possibly the most crowded category overall. Mike Pride, Tim Daisy, Frank Rosaly, Pawel Szpura, Tomas Fujiwara, Brian Willson, Michael Zerang and many others deserving a spot.

Other instruments

1. Jason Adasiewicz - vib

2. Per Ake Holmlander - tuba

3. Mattias Stahl - vib

1-Jason Adasiewcz released great “Sun Rooms” [Delmark] – a rare trio with vibraphone, bass and drums. Great sound. And he contributes to the latest Exploding Star Orchestra “Star Have Shapes” (also on Delmark)

2-Per-Ake was simply impressive on stage with Barry Guy New Orchestra and all the small line-ups of the week.

3-Mattias Stahl gives the Angles incredible and original sound that, if anything, reminds me of one of the best jazz record ever – Eric Dolpy’s “Out Lunch” with Bobby Hutcherson.

Female Vocal

1. Sainkho Namtchylak

2. Andre' Pabarciute

These votes are easily explained with the reviews presented on the blog. Sainkho is casting her usual and still effective shamanic spells on “Not Quite Songs” while Andre’ Pabarciute takes You to the centre of the earth on “Varpai”.

Male Vocal

Can’t think of any 2010 record I heard with male vocal present.

Concert Band

1. Phall Fatale

2. Angles

3. Liudas Mockunas / Eugenijus Kanevicius / Dalius Naujokaitis

I'm not really sure of the sense of this category. The best concert I attended this year was Barry Guy New Orchestra, with sets by Augusti Fernandez/Mats Gustafsson duo and Gustaffson / Guy / Strid trio coming really close. Since improvised music is really a 'live music' I'd say that any great band is first and foremost a great concert band. And with this kind of experience, sometimes the only way to have it is the concert, and the 'music' somehow is lost when recorded on a cd.

1- I decided to go with the 'fun factor'. Phall Fatale played one of the most exciting music I heard live this year (more on that in the 'newcomer band' section). 

2- Haven't heard the Angles on stage but the "Epileptical West - Live in Coimbra" assures me I would love to (as they find their spot on 'band' section). 

3- Same thing with the energetic and hardrocking music of Liudas Mockunas / Eugenijus Kanevicius / Dalius Naujokaitis trio as presented on their lp release (Liudas can be found also in “newcomer musician” category)

Record Label

1. Not Two

2. Clean Feed

3. NoBusiness

Since it's based in Krakow I am able to track Not Two's activity on a very regular basis, and I am still more impressed with the high quality and large quantities of cds he's producing. (with many cds that can be found here or in the "My Favourites 2010" list, or simply in the reviewed cds section, proving my point)

Clean Feed brings to the world some of the most striking music again and again, with both quantity and quality being there. Angles and Full Throttle Orchestra cds are just a tip of the iceberg.

NoBusiness managed to create an impressive catalogue in very short span of time and they mantain the quality they began with (like the staggering David S. Ware "Live in Vilnius" double lp) slowly increasing the quantity of the discs released. They bring a lot of new names to Your attention, as well as re-release some of the long-gone music (Amalgam, Muntu, Commitments, Atomic) and they keep alive the vinyl fetish among jazz lovers.

Honorable mention goes to Multikulti and Laurence Family, with very modest catalogue (6 cd releases by Multikulti, double-lp by Laurence Family) but "Hera" and "Passion" alone prove the quality of their releases.

Now the whole list is available, I'm waiting to see how the general voting will turn out. Comments section is all Yours!

Jazz Alchemist votes for El Intruso 2010 Poll - part III

3rd portion of my votes for El Intruso 2010 Poll

Trombone

1. Steve Swell

2. Samuel Blaser

3. Jeb Bishop

-Steve Swell leads the pack with his Slammin’ The Infinite release “5000 Poems”, or his apperances on Sabir Mateen/Frode Gjerstad “Sound Gathering (both Not Two) and Lou Grassi’s Po Band “Live at Knitting Factory vol.1” [Porter Records] (release will be posted tomorrow).

-Samuel Blaser is probably the best polyphonic trombone player since Albert Mangelsdorff. The precision he displays when utilizing this technique is impressive as was to be heard on  concert with Pierre Favre (Krakow Jazz Autumn Festival) and on the duo’s cd – “Vol a Voile” [Intakt].

-Jeb Bishop playing is simply great and his compositions are kicking on his trio outing (“2009” [Better Animal Recordings])  as well as on the 2nd cd by The Engines (“Wire and Brass” [Okkadisk]) or Hamid Drake’s Bindu “Reaggelogy” [RogueArt].

Violin / Viola

1. Szilar Mezei

2. Maya Homburger

3. Rosie Hertlein

-Szilard Mezei viola playing is inspiring throughout his quartet’s “February Fadontes” lp [NoBusiness] as well as on “Bot” [Not Two] – a symphonic, large-scale project.

-Maya Homburger virtuosic solo performances of Barry Guy’s compositions were incredibly satisfying if ‘and now for something completely different’ moments of the Barry Guy New Orchestra week in Krakow.

-Rosie Hertlein appears on Ivo Perelman’s “Near the Wild Heart” record and her “strings duo” with Dominic Duval is a pure, chamber pleasure for Your ears.

Cello 

1. Daniel Levin

2. Fred Lonberg-Holm

Daniel Levin owns this spot for his duo with Rob Brown – “Natural Disorder” on Not Two.

Fred Londbergo-Holm contributes strongly to the sound of Vandermark V Special Edition (“The Horse Jumps and The Ship is Gone”  [Not Two]) and Vox Arcana led by Tim Daisy (“Aerial Age” [Allos Documents]).

Guitar

1. Mary Halvorson

2. Raphel Roginski

1-Mary Halvorson caught jazz-lovers' attention with her trio’s outing “Dragon’s Head” and with her last year quintet release she keeps it as she makes the “Saturn sings” [Firehouse 12] combining her incredible guitar sound with great compositions and strong leadership.

2-Raphael Roginski is polish guitarist who possesses an extraordinary sound. Example of his playing can be heard on debut Cukunft cd [Lado ABC] but should be experienced live to really appreciate it.

I leave the third spot empty but I’d like to mention two great pairing of guitars :

-Ava Mendoza and John Finkbeiner contribute to the unusual sound of “Hardboiled Wonderland" [Not Two] by Vijay Anderson.

-Geoff Farina and Dan Littleton combine team up together in the unusual line-up of “West” [Clean Feed] by Lawnmower (with Luther Gray and Jim Hobbs).

final part will be posted later today

Jazz Alchemist votes for El Intruso 2010 Poll - part II

and here goes the 2nd part of my votes

Composer

1. Harris Eisenstadt

2. Adam Lane

3. Satoko Fujii

-I already wrote about staggering beauty of "Woodblock Prints". After fantastic, afro-inspired, "Guewel" Harris Eisenstadt brings You into completely different territory, one full of gentle and somehow exotic charm of Japan.

-Adam Lane revives big band in a truly amazing fashion. Duke, Mingus, Black Sabbath and Iannis Xenakis - it's all there and much more, all to Your delight.

-Satoko Fujii is one of the most intriguing composers in the pool today, with quirky themes, dramatic twists and post-modernistic plays. Great release with Ma-Do Quartet ("Desert Ship" on Not Two) and fantastic concert entitled "Chopin Noise" guarantee her the 3rd spot on this list. 

-Honorable mention to Waclaw Zimpel whose conceptual writing for both "Hera" and "Passion" releases is awe-inspiring for its majestic touch and complete vision. Yet I don't want to spoil him too much.

Ken Vandermark is always high in this category also, with live album by Vandermark V Special Edition presenting absolutely killer stuff, but we knew those compositions already and now I'm waiting impatiently for the second "Resonance" release coming soon.

Piano 

1. Augusti Fernandez

2. Satoko Fujii

3. Myra Melford

-With his playing during the Barry Guy New Orchestra concerts in Krakow, and adding the “Morning Glory” to it there really was no other choice for me than to put Augusti on the 1st spot.

-It’s impossible to set aside someone’s playing skills apart from the other roles she’s responsible for. Satoko Fujii’s place on the spot is not only my acknowledgement of her piano playing but also her ability to lead the band and, yet again, her composing, and her musical vision – all in full display on already mentioned “Desert Ship” [Not Two] and “Chopin Noise” project.

-Same thing goes in Myra Melford case whose Be Bread Sextet’s release the “Whole Tree Gone” surprises with unusual line-up, intriguing compositions and great leadership on Myra’s part, as much as great playing.

Sax

1. Rodrigo Amado

2. Ivo Perelman

3. Ken Vandermark

-With “Searching for Adam” not getting to the top 3 in this poll I just had to give Rodrigo Amado his due spot in this category, his playing on this album is absolutely splendid, mature, passionate, imaginative.

-Ivo Perelman’s presence is a last-second change in this category as I am taken by his playing on “Stream of Life” [Leo] – a duo with Brian Willson (that will get reviewed this week or so). Putting it together with another duo (“The Apple in the Dark” with Gerry Hemingway, also on Leo Records) and the trio “Near to the Wild Hear” [Not Two] makes his case strong enough.

-Ken Vandermark playing on “Milwaukee Volume” with Paal Nilssen-Love is fantastic as ever, and he got his share of releases last year, but he’s on the list mostly because I couldn’t forget about his solo concert.

-Joe McPhee would be always at the top of the list too (great “Magic” release with Mikolaj Trzaska, Dominic Duval, Jay Rosen; fantastic duo with Ingebrigt Haken-Flaten “Blue Chicago Blues”, both on Not Two). So would Dave Rempis, Mikolaj Trzaska, Martin Kuchen and many more, all fantastic musicians and sensitive artists.

Clarinet

1. Waclaw Zimpel

2. Jason Stein

3. Sabir Mateen

-The first place couldn’t be anything else. Waclaw is already present here in ‘best musician’, ‘newcomer band’, ‘best cd’ categories so ‘nough said.

-Jason Stein gives You a fantastic bass clarinet jazz record with his “Three Kinds of Happiness” [Not Two] by Locksmith Isidore trio

-Sabir Mateen plays exclusively clarinet on great duo cd with Matthew Shipp “Sama” [Not Two again]

Trumpet

1. Taylor Ho Bynum

2. Magnus Broo

3. Peter Evans

Another crowded category

-Taylor Ho Bynum playing is to be found on “Searching For Adam” with Rodrigo Amado’s quartet, “Ashcan Rantings” by Adam Lane’ Full Throttle Orchestra and great duo “Stepwise” [Not Two] with Tomas Fujiwara. You can’t miss any of those.

-Magnus Broo was also busy and while I haven’t yet heard his own quartet cd (shame on me) he’s playing with Vandermark V Special Edition, Angles and Atomic can’t be ignored.

-Peter Evans gets the 3rd spot because of his playing with Evan Parker/Barry Guy/Paul Lytton on “Scenes from the House of Music” but I have to admit it was a tie between him and equally creative Nate Wooley (a duo cd, coming in 2011 should be a real blast).

And it’s great to see that so many young trumpet players are coming forward with likes of Jaimie Branch, JP Carter (Aeroplane trio), Christian Pruvost (playing right next to Natsuki Tamura in Kaze Quartet), Kirk Knuffke.

third and the final forth part will be made available tomorrow.
comments section waits for Your oppinions :)

(edit: I just remembered that the Poll has also the keyboard category but I couldn't really remember anyone impressing me on keyboards this year so I skipped it)

Jazz Alchemist votes for El Intruso 2010 Poll - part I

this is the first part presenting my voting for El Intruso 2010 Poll

musician of the year

1. Waclaw Zimpel

2. Barry Guy

-With such inspiring releases like "Hera" and "Passion" and participation in "Lark Uprising" by Ircha Quintet, Waclaw Zimpel gave You (me) some of the most creative music of 2010. 

-Barry Guy's stunning playing is displayed on "Morning Glory" with Augusti Fernandez and Ramon Lopez as well as on "Scenes from the House of Music" with Evan Parker, Paul Lytton and Peter Evans. But still he's presence on this spot is due to the wonderful music played over the course of 5 days in Krakow with musicians from Barry Guy New Orchestra. That project was a direct impulse to create this blog in first place and You can find all about it in the very first posts written.

-I left the 3rd spot empty because there were so many musicians that would deserve the spot I couldn't really pick one.

band of the year

1. Adam Lane Full Throttle Orchestra

2. Angles

3. Atomic

-None comment needed here really, those bands play jazz of highest quality, adventourous and fun, with great arrangements and fantastic compositions, and a great ensemble sound. Reminding You about the greatest working bands in jazz history, a phenomenon that is quite rare these busy days. Full Throttle Orchestra "Ashcan Rantings" and Angles "Epileptical West. Live in Coimbra" were released by Clean Feed. Atomic presented two volumes of "Theater Tilters" released by Jazzland.

newcomer musician

1. Maciej Obara

2. Liudas Mockunas

-Two saxophone players that with some great releases this year are coming to wider recognition and promising a whole lotta more coming from them in the future. Maciej Obara released "Four" and "Three" on Ars Cameralis. Liudas Mockunas released "Kablys. Live at 11:20" and "Vacation Music" on NoBusiness. I saw them both on stage and I can say to You that those guys are only starting to impress You.

newcomer band

1. Hera

2. Phall Fatale

3. Aeroplane Trio

-"Hera" by Hera (Waclaw Zimpel, Pawel Postaremczak, Ksawery Wojcinski, Pawel Szpura) comes as one of the brightest points of 2010.

-Phall Fatale is a band led by Fredy Studer, combining free improvisation with drum'n'bass groove and a rap song form. The concert I saw this year was both fun and impressive (that's the one where I got myself a copy of "Volume" by John Edwards) and I can't wait to get their first release, coming in 2011.

-Aeroplane Trio, though active for a couple of years, just released their first official cd on Drip Audio and it's very promising. Fun and creative, I should write something about it soon.

Album of the year

1. Undivided "Passion" (Multikulti)

2. Adam Lane Full Throttle Orchestra "Ashcan Rantings" (Clean Feed)

3. Harris Eisenstadt "Woodblock Prints" (NoBusiness)

-The hardest one for me to fill up. While "Hera" gets more enthusiastic reviews, I simply had a chance to spend much more time with "Passion" and it's emotional power and musical vision just gets to me.

-Adam Lane's Full Throttle Orchestra is musical statement that brings back to life the spirit of Mingus who is one of my all-time favourites (and combines it wih rock energy). Fantastic playing, energetic and passionate while still accessible. And it's a double cd so it doubles the fun :).

-"Woodblock Prints" is a creation of staggering beauty. And the closer You listen to it the more beautifull it gets.

-Right next to those (and depending on the mood going up to the top 3) would be:

"Magic" by Joe McPhee / Mikolaj Trzaska / Dominic Duval / Jay Rosen (Not Two)

"Searching For Adam" by Rodrigo Amado / Taylor Ho Bynum / John Hebert / Gerald Cleaver (Not Two)

"Milwauke Volume" by Ken Vandermark & Paal Nilssen-Love (Smalltown)

"Epileptical West - Live in Coimbra" (Clean Feed)
"Kanata" by Oirtrio  (Not Two)

 And a fantastic release

"The Blue Mountain's Sun Drummer" (Kabell) by Wadada Leo Smith & Ed Blackwell

was cut from the list because it is somehow an archival recording - and a real gem indeed to be found after so many years. Not maybe a valid reason but I (and I admit it) wanted to make just a little bit easier on myself.

the 2nd part coming later today :)
what would be Your votes? the the comments section is waiting.

Jazzowy Alchemik votes for El Intruso 2010 Poll (introduction)

I wrote before about invitation to participate in El Intruso 2010 Poll which I am very proud of. The Poll includes quite a lot of categories (over 20!) and allows 3 votes per category - which is sometimes heartbreaking really and many of those could be ordered differently or contain different names altogether and still present a pretty good image of what I have heard and liked the most (crucial point - it's about my listening experience, not about what was globally available) in 2010. I tried also to not repeat too many names so I could put as much as possible into this list. This is complementary to "My Favourites 2010" list already posted and, remembering the doubts about lists in general expressed in this old post, I want to remind You that those are just for fun and don't really mean that much otherwise. Which isn't to say thay don't matter at all because ain't fun what music is about after all?

The list is ready but with so many categories and my added comments it is simply too long so it will be divided into few parts appearing over next couple of days.

the categories listed by El Intruso as they will be divided into posts on the blog are:

Part I                                                                    Part II

-Musician of the year                                            -Composer

-Band of the year                                                  -Piano

-Newcomer musician                                            -Saxophone

-Newcomer band                                                 -Clarinet

-Album of the year                                                -Trumpet

Part III                                                             Part IV

-Trombone                                                           -Bass

-Violin / Viola                                                       -Drums     

-Cello                                                                   -Other instruments

-Guitar                                                                 -Female vocal

                                                                            -Male Vocal

                                                                            -Concert Band

                                                                            -Record Label


the first part will be posted tomorrow morning (CET) the 2nd one in the evening the whole list should be available in the next 48 hours. Any comments, discusssions, debates and polemic comments are welcomed and awaited :) .

2010 recommended by Jazz Alchemist - My Favourites

(this list will also appear in similar form on impropozycja - polish blog that brings back together people who like to write about jazz, and on magnetoffon - young portal dedicated to alternative music where my jazz musings serve as 'and now for something completely different' element).

This blog is quite young (less than 50 days) so only in a couple of cases I am able now to link albums to reviews written by myself. In a couple of  cases (see the end line of the post) I will go back to reviews written originally in polish recently and they should appear in next couple of days, translated or rewritten, on the blog.

In other cases I will try to get back to the records and review them to put some writing behind my great appreciation of those, to explain their place on this '2010's special recommendations list. Fortunately some of those, I feel, got enough critical recognition already that mine review won't be missed at all. And some of those will probably got bit forgotten about and have to make place for new releases coming.

In next couple of days there will be another list posted (I told You already about the invitation to participate in El Intruso 2010 Poll). While it will contain many more details (categorised by instruments played, band, newcomer band, composer, label etc.) it allows me to name just three candidates per category. In case of cds 2010 has been quite fruitfull and 3 recommendations won't definitely cut it (although the list is almost ready I still have a headache trying to decide which 3 albums were the best). I started with top 10, then decided it's not enough, aimed at top 15 but then couldn't lay any album off, so I arrived at top 17 and stopped here (while there are still many other recommendable 2010 releases there was no point in adding more to the list just to get a 'nice and round' number).

With all the reservations and doubts concerning "best of" lists (both expressed and those I forgot about when writing this post). I present You with the list of "my 17 favourites" records of 2010, with the order being random, and some subjective grouping done.

All-That-Jazz, juicy, dynamic, passionate, fun, with great themes and arrangements (apart from improvised "Searching for Adam"). Important note : check out how those rhythm-sections play on these!

-Angles - Epileptical West - Live in Coimbra  (Clean Feed)

-Adam Lane Full Throttle Orchestra - Aschan Rantings (Clean Feed)

-Rodrigo Amado Searching For Adam (Not Two)

-Atomic - Theater Tilters vol. 1 & 2 (Jazzland)

Beautifull and lyrical

-Augusti Fernandez / Barry Guy / Ramon Lopez - Morning Glory (Maya)

Beautifull and ..., can't find one word to describe Satoko's twisted compositions

-Satoko Fujii Ma-Do Quartet - Desert Ship (Not Two)

Duo's Magic. One light and full of grace (how Africa sounds great when Ed Blackwell is playing!). The other full of stomping and romping energy. Both exceptionally compelling.

-Wadada Leo Smith & Ed Blackwell - The Blue Mountain's Sun Drummer (Kaballa)

-Ken Vandermark & Paal Nilssen-Love - Milwaukee Volume; Chicago Volume (Smalltown)

Two intriguing projects, two phenomenal records, led by compositional and instrumental charisma of Waclaw Zimpel

-Hera - Hera (Multikulti)

-Undivided  - Passion (Multikulti)

Some new sounds - ear-openers for new decade. From Wonderland to Japan

-Vijay Anderson - Hardboiled Wonderland (Not Two)

-Oirtrio  - Kanata (Not Two)

-Harris Eisenstadt - Woodblock Prints (NoBusiness)

-Kirk Knuffke - Amnesia Brown (Clean Feed)

Things that happen when two legendary trios invite younger guys in. Hooray for inter-generation debate!

-Joe McPhee / Mikolaj Trzaska / Dominic Duval / Jay Rosen - Magic (Not Two)

-Evan Parker / Barry Guy / Paul Lytton + Peter Evans - Scenes in the House of Music (Clean Feed)

Just an exceptional sound, if You like their two earlier releases, this one is just as good

-Exploding Star Orchestra - Stars Have Shapes  (Delmark)

Re-releases

streak of great albums by Atomic, Amalgam, Muntu, Commitments on NoBusiness

fantastic 'complete remastered recordings" boxes with music by Bill Dixon and Henry Threadgill by Soul Note and Black Saint

Event

Barry Guy Week in Krakow was for me the biggest musical moment of the year, for those who want to re-live it, links below to day-after-day reports that started this blog.

Introduction

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

polish readers can find reviews of Rodrigo Amado, Vijay Anderson and Oitrio cds on magnetoffon.info or impropozycja.blogspot.com

Jazzy New Year 2011 wishes !!!/ some thoughts on 2010 poll

While the new review is ready to be posted I will postpone it till tomorrow and take this chance to share some thoughts or things I'm proud of.

1.

 This it the first blog I've ever done so I don't really know whether these numbers are good or not, all  I know is that they are very satisfying to begin with. The number of visits reached 1.000 after 1 month and 1 day of activity, the number of 2.000 visits is very likely to be reached withing next 24 hours wchich means (after another 1/2 month). I would like to thank all visitors - meaning all of You, for taking their time to check this blog and Invite You to participate more and leave comments (we all love comments :) don't we)

2.

I'm proud to say also that I've been invited to participate in El Intruso-The 3^nd New Creative Music Critics Poll 2010 poll by forward-thinking Elintruso portal (unfortunately spanish-speaking readers only can fully appreiciate its content but the resuls and list of participants in 2009 poll is impressive).

3.

Any kind of "Best of" list is subjected to many problematic issues:

-how to compare products of art at all? It's no competition at first place, why make it one? And obviously it's extremely subjective even if You're trying to do Your best to not favour Your personal favourites (who gained Your trust with music created previously and weren't necessarily as compelling in 2010).

-it's impossible to track all new releases, any lists one makes is by far more influenced by what one did NOT listen to than by what he DID hear.

-especially in case of 'instrument' section - I'm far more impressed by live events (again influenced by both what I was able and NOT able to see) so, how do You compare concerts and recordings, how can You ignore impressive live statements even if the recordings are not that spectacular?

-it's easily forgotten that true evolution of Jazz and Improvised Music happens on stage, not so much in the recording studio, because of the production cycle, cd releases are also far behind the 'real' act. Thus the poll of 2010 actually says more about 2009 and so on. (point presented already in "Hera" review about Waclaw Zimpel - all his recent recordings are among best published in 2010 making strong his case for musician of the year - all those were recorded in 2009 while Waclaw has now moved already to new projects).

-it's too easy to forget cds released in the beginning of the year (Satoko Fujii Ma-Do Quartet release comes to my mind).

-it's equally easy to miss the most recent releases (november, december) that don't have time to get

enough recognition before the end of the year.

-most probably I will get to know as many cds from 2010 after the poll closes as during the entire year (even if I managed to listen to fair amount of new albums). It's easy to imagine that I will find cds released in 2010 in far future, that, had I know them now, would change the list entirely.

Neverthelless all those "Best of" lists are most of all a lot fun, we do love lists (as much as comments maybe :) don't we? It's also great source of information about worthwile recent music, when treated as usefull guidelines, not as a definitive and undiscussable statement.

The deadline for El Intruso poll is 15th January so by that time You can expect my annotated list here.

4.

I want to wish everybody a great year! Full of excitement, happiness, passion and spiced up with great music.

Happy New Year and All That Jazz :)