KCCK Producers' Top 10's for 2008

Mark Yother Bob Stewart Gordon Paulsen John Heim (jazz) John Heim (blues) Bob De Forest

Bob Naujoks Ron Adkins Craig Kessler Doug "DJ" Jackson Mark Jayne

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Mark Yother: Monday-Friday 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. / Sundays 6 a.m. - 9 a.m. (Sunday Morning Swing)

1) Keith Jarrett - My Foolish Heart (ECM)

As the resident old coot of the KCCK staff, I would give Arbors Jazz the label of the year award, if we were choosing one. Consistent quality, mainstream-to-traditional music—as a label, it's one of the best around. But for single album, I have chosen My Foolish Heart from Keith Jarrett, with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette. Recorded live at the Montreux Jazz Festival in July of 2001, this release offers two full-length discs of standards. Jarrett may be quirky, but his immense talent is acknowledged around the world. Tunes includes "What's New", "The Song is You", "Green Dolphin Street", "Only the Lonely" and a number of others. Not too much extraneous vocalizing from Jarett, either; just great music and lots of it.

2) Harry Allen-Joe Cohn Quartet - Music from Guys and Dolls (Arbors Jazz)

3) Louie Bellson/Clark Terry - Louie & Clark Expedition 2 (Percussion Power)

4) Buddy DeFranco - Charlie Cat 2 (Arbors Jazz)

5) Lorraine Feather - Language (Jazzed Media)

6) Scott Hamilton - Across the Tracks (Concord)

7) Bill Holman Band - Hommage (Jazzed Media)

8) Earl Klugh - The Spice of Life (Koch)

9)Cory Weeds - Big Weeds (Cellar Live))

10) Gerald Wilson - Montery Moods (Mack Avenue)

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Bob Stewart: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

1) Ben Allison & Man Size Safe - Little Things Run the World (Palmetto)

Bassist Ben Allison continues to successfully blur the lines between jazz, rock, and folk with his newest release. We’ve been fortunate in Eastern Iowa to be able to see this forward-thinking musician and his ensembles perform over the past few years. His unique, catchy originals and inventive covers prompted Jazz Times magazine to hail Allison as a "visionary composer, adventurous improviser, and strong organizational force (who) has emerged as a rising star over the past decade." I couldn't agree more with those sentiments. The bassist has become more sure-footed and expansive in his vision as his career has progressed, and he continues to impress.

2) Patricia Barber - The Cole Porter Mix (Blue Note)

3) Joe Beck and John Abercrombie - Coincidence (Whaling City Sound)

4) James Carter - Present Tense (EmArcy)

5) Connie Evingson - Little Did I Dream: Songs of Dave Frishberg (Minnehaha)

6) Steve Khan - The Suitcase (Tone Center))

7) Ted Nash - The Mancini Project (Palmetto)

8) Jodi Proznick Quartet - Foundations (Cellar Live)

9) Tim Warfield - One for Shirley (Criss Cross)

10) Cassandra Wilson - Loverly (Blue Note)

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Gordon Paulsen: Monday-Friday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

1) Maceo Parker - Roots & Grooves (Heads Up)

Roots & Grooves hit the street in February of 2008 and I knew even back than that it would be a strong contender for my most favorite release of the year and an extremely "hard act to follow." It was impossible not to be moved by this electrifying performance that features Maceo Parker with a powerhouse rhythm section backed by the Grammy Award winning WDR Big Band from Cologne, Germany conducted and arranged by Michael Abene. It grabs you and shakes you to your very musical core. Roots & Grooves is a soul-stirring two disc live recording divided into two parts. Disc one is a tribute to the "father of soul" Ray Charles. Maceo's life long reverence for Ray's music is abundantly apparent from the first set of notes of the opening tune "Hallelujah I Love her So" to the rip roaring nine and a half minute jam on "What'd I Say." Maceo even conjures up a delightful rough-hewed impression of Ray's remarkable voice on classics like "Busted," "Hit The Road Jack" and "Georgia On My Mind." Reviewer Nick Deriso of the online Blogcritics Magazine (BC) wrote "...it's the most fully realized compliment paid to the late soul stirrer that I've heard so far -- sensitive, yet still swinging." Disc two is aptly titled "Back to Funk." Maceo of course is best known for being the "go to guy" for James Brown. Whenever James wanted the funkiest of sax solos, Maceo always delivered and he would do the same for George Clinton (Parliament/Funkadelic) and Bootsy Collins (RubberBand). Propelled by bassist Rodney "Skeet" Curtis and the unrelenting drumming of Dennis Chambers, Maceo and the members of WDR "get down" on several Parker originals including two songs he introduced as a member of the great James Brown Band, "Shake Everything You Got" and a sizzling 18 minute version of "Pass the Peas." There are other incredible contributions by Frank Chastenier on Hammond B3 organ, Paul Heller, Tenor sax; Paul Shigihara, guitar; and the trumpets of Andy Haderer and John Marshall. C. Michael Bailey on the website "All About Jazz," said "This release begs and answers the question, "what is Maceo Parker's legacy?" Where Charlie Parker influenced the likes of saxophonists Frank Morgan, Phil Woods, Sonny Stitt, Lou Donaldson, and Julian Adderley, Maceo Parker put his stamp on others like Dave Sanborn, Tom Scott, Junior Walker, Hank Crawford, Eddie Harris, and the entire Tower Of Power horns. This music may not be as technically challenging as bebop but it sure is a hell of a lot more fun." Roots & Grooves was recorded during a European tour from February and March of 2007. This two disc set from Heads Up International includes 14 tracks with an hour and 43 minutes of playing time – not a second of which is wasted!

2) John Scofield - This Meets That (EmArcy)

3) Carla Bley - The Lost Chords Find Paolo Fresu (Watt Works/ECM)

4) Freddie Hubbard - On The Real Side (Four Quarters)

5) Chick Corea/Gary Burton - The New Crystal Silence (Concord)

6) David Sanborn - Here & Gone (Decca)

7) Tom Scott - Cannon Re-Loaded (Concord)

8) McCoy Tyner - Guitars (Half Note)

9) James Taylor - Live at the Jazz Cafe (RealSelf)

10) Hot Club of Detroit - Night Town (Mack Avenue)

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John Heim (jazz): Mon-Thurs: 7 p.m. - Midnight.

1) S.M.V. - Thunder (Heads Up)

Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten combine to create an electric bass player's heaven with more to marvel at than an Independence Day fireworks show. More than just bass tricks, this CD has great arrangements and a great sound with all writing credits shared. It's wonderful to hear how three of the best electric bass players of this generation deal with composing and recording for all that bottom end and make it work. Add bass clarinet from Marcus and you really get something different and interesting.

2) Jeff Coffin - Mutopia (Compass)

3) Lorraine Featherl - Language (Jazzed Media)

4) James Carter - Present Tense (EmArcy)

5) Stanton Moore - Emphasis! (On Parenthesis) (Telarc)

6) Dewey Redman - The Struggle Continues (ECM)

7) John Scofield - This Meets That (EmArcy)

8) Ben Allison - Little Things Run The World (Palmetto)

9) Carla Bley - Appearing Nightly (Watt Works/ECM)

10) Dave Holland - Pass It On (EmArcy)

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John Heim (blues): Fridays: 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.

1) Watermelon Slim & The Workers - No Paid Holidays (Northern Blues)

The third major label release from Watermelon Slim (aka Bill Homans) on Northern Blues is more introspective than the previous two. Slim has the ability to take mundane subjects and situations and transport the listener to the rarified air of universal truth. A great songwriter and slide player, Slim's voice sounds like the Smokey Mts. via Okalahoma. Covers the stock blues styles, but the acoustic blues and hollers are my favorites.

2) Taj Mahal - Maestro (Heads Up)

3) Jackie Payne Steve Edmonson Band - Overnight Sensation (Delta Groove)

4) Janiva Magness - What Love Can Do (Alligator)

5) James "Blood" Ulmer - Bad Blood In The City (Hyena)

6) The Homemade Jamz Blues Band - Pay Me No Mind (Northern Blues)

7) Tab Benoit With Louisiana's Leroux - Night Train To Nashville (Telarc)

8) Moreland & Arbuckle - 1861 (Northern Blues)

9) Johnny Rawls - Red Cadillac (Catfood)

10) Samuel James - Songs Famed For Sorrow And Joy (Northern Blues)

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Bob De Forest: Saturdays 6 p.m. - Midnight ('Da Blues / Crawfish Circuit / Melting Pot) (TK)

1) Taj Mahal - Maestro (Heads Up)

One of America's greatest musical talents, Mr. Taj Mahal celebrating 40 years of great blues & island sounds with guests like Ziggy Marley, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Los Lobos, and his own Phantom Blues Band. Also available on vinyl, this is a great record.

2) Howard Tate - Blue Day (Evidence)

3) Eric Bibb - Get On Board (Telarc)

4) Elvin Bishop - The Blues Rolls On (Delta Groove)

5) Various Artists - Warren Haynes Presents the Benefit Concert, Volume 8 (Evil Teen)

6) Samuel James - Songs Famed for Sorrow and Joy (Northern Blues)

7) J.J. Grey & Mofro - Orange Blossoms (Alligator)

8) Slo Leak - New Century Blues (Icon)

9) Rory Block - Blues Walkin' Like a Man: a Tribute to Son House (Stony Plain)

10) Curtis Salgado - Clean Getaway (Shanachie)

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Bob Naujoks: Sundays: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. (Gentle Jazz)

In reviewing the new CDs for the year it occurred to me that many of the good mainstream issues were by the "senior citizens" in jazz music. Since I am also a senior, I pursued that thought as I assembled my list. This is not to disparage the younger and middle-aged generations of jazz players -- they do fine work and will be with us for a while -- but rather to celebrate the youthful hearts and considerable artistry of those who continue to live a life of joy with their music, and highlight their latest accomplishments. (Listed alphabetically)

Louie Bellson [84]-Clark Terry [88] - Louie & Clark Expedition 2 (Percussion Power)

Dave Brubeck [88] - Indian Summer (Telarc)

Buddy DeFranco [83] - Charlie Cat 2 (Arbors Jazz)

Ellis Marsalis [74] - An Open Letter to Thelonius (ELM)

Marian McPartland [90] - Twilight World (Concord Jazz)

Houston Person [74] - Thinking Of You (High Note)

Allan Vache [73] - With Benny In Mind (Arbors Jazz)

Mary Lou Williams [posthumous, 71] - A Grand Night for Swinging (High Note)

Mort Weiss [73] & Ron Eschete - All Too Soon (SMS Jazz)

Gerald Wilson [90] - Monterey Moods (Mack Avenue)

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Ron Adkins: Sundays: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Gentle Jazz)

1) Herbie Hancock - River: The Joni Letters (Verve)

Without a doubt, this album deserved the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. It is an amazing work, and can be heard on so many different levels. Hancock is at the top of his form, and the subtle but poignant conversation he holds with Wayne Shorter throughout is a delight. Hancock never tried to make a covers album of Joni Mitchell material. Rather, he "unpacked" each song, giving the guest artists room to express as they felt so moved. So much has been said already in praise of this album. I can only echo others when I say that River is a brilliant testament to the talents of two incredible artists.

2) Esperanza Spalding - Esperanza (Heads Up)

3) Marion McPartland - Twilight World (Concord)

4) Stanton Moore - Emphasis (On Parenthesis) (Telarc)

5) Jeff Coffin Mutet - Mutopia (Compass)

6) Anat Cohen - Notes From The Village (Anzic)

7) Ben Allison - Little Things Run The World (Palmetto)

8) Hiromi's Sonicbloom - Beyond Standard (Telarc)

9) Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band - Act Your Age (Immergent)

10) Chick Corea/Gary Burton - The New Crystal Silence (Concor)

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Craig Kessler: Saturday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. (Jazz Corner of The World)

1) Jenny Scheinman - Crossing The Field (Koch Records)

Had "Crossing The Field" not been released in '08, it would have been a difficult chore to choose from between 20-30 cds for #1 of my top ten discs of the year. However, on October 14, Koch Records (finally) delivered this sparkling gem to the streets, and after but a few listenings, it was clear that it would be a simple roll of the dice for choosing numbers 2 thru 10. As usual, Ms. Scheinman has surrounded herself and her violin with "cream of the crop" creative modern players e.g. guitarist Bill Frisell, Tim Luntzel - bass, Ron Miles - cornet, Jason Moran - piano, Doug Weiselman - clarinets, and Kenny Wolleson - drums. In addition, 6 of the 13 tracks feature a wonderful string orchestra. All pieces are delicious Scheinman originals (except one Duke Ellington tune) that highlight her playful spirit and her incredible depth of emotion.

2) Various Artists - Miles From India: A Celebration of the Music of Miles Davis (Times Square Records)

3) Jamie Baum Septet - Solace (Sunnyside)

4) Bennie Maupin Quartet - Early Reflections (Cryptogramophone)

5) Martial Solal Trio - Longitude (CamJazz)

6) Joe Lovano - Symphonica (Blue Note)

7) Will Bernard - Blue Plate Special (Palmetto)

8) Todd Sickafoose - Tiny Resisters (Cryptogramophone)

9) Latchès - Latchès (Sunnyside)

10) Bobo Stenson Trio - Cantando (ECM)

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Doug "DJ" Jackson: Saturdays 8 a.m. - Noon (Smooth Brunch)

1) The Sax Pack - The Sax Pack (Shanachie Entertainment)

Triple your pleasure, and triple your fun with a very talented trio of accomplished saxophone players known as The Sax Pack (Kim Waters, Steve Cole and Jeff Kashiwa). Individually, each can hold his own. That fact was quite evident in a live performance in Davenport, where their performances flowed with spontaneity, creative energy, passion, and soulful expression. Collectively, the result was a #1 Smooth Jazz album and single (Falling For You) which held the #1 spot on the charts for many weeks. So the next time you're in the market for something to quench your thirst, instead of a six pack, pick up The Sax Pack!

2) Marcus Miller - Marcus Miller (Concord)

3) Brian Culbertson - Bringing Back the Funk (GRP)

4) Bob Baldwin - NewUrbanJazz.com (Nu Groove)

5) Elliot Levine & Urban Grooves - Live + 7 (Keyboard Animal)

6) Gerald Albright - Sax For Stax (Concord)

7) Tim Bowman - Tim Bowman (Trippin N' Rhythm)

8) George Duke - Dukey Treats (Heads Up/BPM)

9) Sekou Bunch - The Next Level (Trippin' N' Rhythm)

10) Lin Rountree - Sumthin' Good (BDK Records)

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Mark Jayne: Sundays 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (Night Breeze)

1) Jeff Oster - True (Retso Records)

For two years in a row, Mr. Oster has won awards throughout the industry for his albums. This year he enlisted the help of Will Ackerman, formerly of Windham Hill Records to produce "True". Not normal thought of as a ambient instrument, Mr. Oster plays primarily the flugel horn. His sound is velvety smooth and extremely relaxing. One of the cuts, "Tibet", adds in overtone singing and chanting, to make a soothing departure from his somewhat smooth jazz orientation on the rest of the album. He has been nominated for a Grammy and NAR awards again this year.

2) Al Conti - Poeta (Poeta)

3) Tom Salvatori/Iris Litchfield - Song Of Hope (Salvatori Productions)

4) Fiona Joy Hawkins - Angel Above My Piano (Little Hartley Records)

5) Johnny Whitehorse aka Robert Mirabal - Totem Flute Chants (Silver Wave Records)

6) 2002 - Deep Blue Still (Gemini Sun Records)

7) James Todd - Quiet Beauty (Scottish Fox)

8) Levi Chen - Devocean (Ying Yang Records)

9) John Wubbenhorst - True Water (Facing East)

10) Patrick O'Hearn - Glaciation (Patrick O'Hearn Productions)