The Decca/EmArcy family is another of the "major labels" to have had what could easily be considered a "label of the year" effort for 2011.
Charlie Haden, Gerald Clayton, James Carter, John Scofield, Michel Camillo etc...
James Carter had two of the most revolutionary and ground breaking releases in Caribbean Rhapsody and Crossroads but here I wanted to focus on my three favorites.
John Scofield - A Moments Peace
The ballads album but not just a bunch of worn down and worn out standards but a slightly eclectic and oddly quirky spin on the less is more zen like funk that is John Scofield. Easily a top ten desert island pick for me.
Julian Lage - Gladwell
An incredible ebb and flow shows off the versatility as well as the impeccable artistry of an icon in the making.
Michel Camilo - Mano a Mano
A mini Latin jazz summit. The piano trio broken down to a more unplugged status with the use of smaller Latin percussion and perhaps one of the two best piano trios for the year.
Congratulations to the Deca/EmArcy family of labels!
