Starting today I’ll be counting down my 40 favorite albums of 2013. The usual caveat applies: I truly love all this music, but take the rankings with a grain of salt. And please bear in mind that I’m not trying to be definitive.
Necks, Open (Northern Spy)This majestic Australian trio returns with a single 68-minute improvisation fueled by inventive, resourceful elaboration on the most basic elements of musical language, initiated here by pianist Chris Abrahams mucking about inside his instrument. Berlin-based percussionist Tony Buck and bassist Lloyd Swanton soon join in, and the Necks embark on another fascinating, richly interactive excursion. Aside from the sparse use of overdubs (including some electric guitar from Buck), this music was all invented in the moment: these three musicians transform, embellish, and reimagine the tersest of melodic material to create a patient, elegiac symphony.
Albert “Tootie” Heath, Ethan Iverson, and Ben Street, Tootie’s Tempo (Sunnyside)This is the second project in which Bad Plus pianist Ethan Iverson has joined forces with an established elder drummer to create something incredibly fresh. He’s a member of a quartet led by Billy Hart that’s brought Hart renewed acclaim for his almost symphonic range, and now he’s done the same for the crisp, fuss-free playing of the great Albert “Tootie” Heath. I can’t say whether Iverson has pushed these veterans to take more chances or simply provided them the space to explore ideas they already had inside them, but I don’t care. Most of the tunes here are standards, but they’ve rarely sounded this bright and new.
