The jazz and classics divisions pulled in 9 Grammy nominations. To say Concord Records had a stellar year would be a huge understatement. Record label of the year? Perhaps one of two but the more traditional use of major record label and the importance of being signed to a label such as Concord tends to date a critic or so a former editor tells me. The editor told me a great many things as editors do but the blatantly obvious seems to whisked right past him. When the record label in question also had critically acclaimed releases from Dave Grusin ( Grammy nominee ) and Marcus Miller then the quality of the product is never in doubt as it so often is with certain labels that left jazz over a decade ago but simply hold on to past glory with the never ending stream of reissues. For Concord I wanted to highlight my three favorites:
1. Karrin Allyson - Round Midnight
In reading the review you will notice that I make reference to this recording as a potential Grammy nominee. One of the finest vocal release not just for 2011 but over the last decade.
Next up: Terri Lyne Carrington - Mosaic.
An All Star female jazz summit that is ground breaking, jaw dropping and genre smashing.
Finally there is perhaps my favorite: Acoustic Alchemy - Roseland.
Not many groups can weather a volatile economic climate and take the time to literally reinvent their sound and come back better than ever. Arguable their finest release to date.
Congratulations and Happy New Year to Concord!
