On 8 December 2014 I made my choice and it’s Majamisty TriO Love and you can read why here.

But until that date here were my thoughts:

I am predicting a few albums which will be in the race for my album of 2014:

Gwilym Simcock and Yuri Goloubev:  Reverie at Schloss Elmau on ACT out soon.  An exquisite romantic album by peerless musicians.    It may ignite the “is it jazz, is it classical?” debate but that won’t be the point. The real point is its beauty and I look forward to hearing them at The Forge in February.

Brad Mehldau and Mark Guiliana as  Mehliana:  Taming the Dragon.  When Brad Mehldau moves in a new direction – in this case into electronica – you have to gasp at how effortlessly he pulls it off, how it seems absolutely right.  Having raved about his recent Barbican gig (November 2013) I know that the subtleties as well as the power of this duo will be very apparent and I look forward to playing it many times.

Phronesis: Life to Everything.  This album was recorded over three shows at The Cockpit in London in November 2013. I was at two of the sets so it goes without saying that I love this album, reviewed here.  Having heard several of the compositions like Lost Nomads by Ivo Neame over several iterations over the last year, I can safely say the band peaked for these sets. There was an urgency about every note that made you sit on the edge of your seat, it was thrilling, moving and passionate.  Follow that anyone?

Marcin Wasilewski Trio:   Spark of Life    

Majamisty TriO:  Love  reviewed here.