Another year over...

My list of favourite tracks this year is longer than ever. Which can only mean the quality is better than ever. Picking an overall favourite track is pretty much impossible. Slightly easier was picking three favourite CDs, as they several were superb from start to finish.

2010 was:
* Year of the keyboards with superb albums from Brian Simpson, David Benoit and Jonathan Fritzen.
* Year of the Bossa nova, particularly by Chris Standring's masterpiece project and Bossa blue track. Will's Chill and Botswana Bossa Nova from David Benoit. There were also some fantastic up-tempo tracks from Italian Bossa supremos, S-Tone inc. Beira Do Mar being a particular favourite.
* Year of the classical influenced and orchestral smooth jazz: Mark Antoine, Christ Standring and the exceptional Schroeder Variations of David Benoit's Freedom At Midnight.

This rich variety is more a return to roots of instrumental music, no longer boxed in by radio pressure. Lack of variety and too many vocals killed those stations.
There is always plenty of room for oldies though; I heard Earl Klugh's “The Rainmaker” for the first time this year and one of the thoughts that occurred to me was how well it fits with some of the fresh sounds on this years new albums.

..Favourite tracks from 2010 CDs:..

Steve Oliver – Fun in the sun
Chris Standring – Overture
Chris Standring - Bossa Blue
Chris Standring – Please mind the gap
Brian Simpson – All I want is you
The Jazzmasters – Touch and go
Jaared – Dancing with you
David Benoit – Will's chill
David Benoit - Botswana Bossa Nova
David Benoit - Freedom At Midnight (The Schroeder Variations)
Oli Silk – All we need
Tim Bowman – Let it shine

Best of the rest...

Brian Simpson – South Beach
Brian Simpson – Can't tell you why
Brian Simpson – Our love
Brian Simpson – Paradise island
Brian Simpson – Moonlit ocean
Chris Standring – Fast train to everywhere
Chris Standring – Sunrise
David Benoit - Brownie's gone
Steve Oliver – Barcelo
Steve Oliver - Ba Aye
S-Tone Inc - Beira Do Mar
S-Tone Inc – Blue Mood
Marc Antoine – Caprice
Marc Antoine – Carmen B
Marc Antoine – Wolfgang 40
Marc Antoine – Concierto
Paul Brown – Strollin'
Paul Brown – Midnight kiss
Dave Koz – When will I know for sure
Jonathan Fritzen – Feelin' the groove
Jonathan Fritzen – Vibrations
Jonathan Fritzen – Melting
Ottmar Liebert – Sixteen hours
Ottmar Liebert – Empty fields
Ottmar Liebert – Future green


* Fav track : Chris Standring – Overture
* Fav Albums: Chris Standring "Blue Bolero" / Brian Simpson "South Beach" / Marc Antoine "My classical way" /
* Fav live performance: Chris Standring - Blue Bolero show
* Fav vocal : Fourplay – Love TKO

Today I listened to the Yellowjackets CD Dreamland. Peace and goodwill.

Joe Sample - Ashes to Ashes

Peace and goodwill.

Lee Ritenour - Rit's House

Peace and goodwill.

Dave Hill - New World

Check this out. 75% of the Yellowjackets are on some of the tunes. This is a really good CD.

Crusaders - Rural Renewal

I have a DVD of them playing some of this music, so I also bought the CD. Way cool!