Top 10s and lists - Top 10 Jazz Albums of 2017 by Stereophile

It's that time of the year when I shift away from the world's calamities to some of its finest achievements (for a minute anyway), which is to say, here is my list of the best jazz albums of 2017. Elaborations, with sound clips (often links to entire tracks) can be found in the version that I've written of this for my main gig at http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/music_box/2017/12/the_best_jazz_albums_of_2017_and_the_best_reissues.html" rel="nofollow - Slate , though followers of this blog will note—and will be reminded in some of the links below—that I've covered some of these albums in this space over the year. Also, below the list, I've jotted down a few things of interest for Stereophile readers.

The best (or at least my favorite) new albums:

1. https://www.stereophile.com/content/cecile-mclorin-salvant-dreams-and-daggers" rel="nofollow - Cecile McLorin Salvant, Dreams and Daggers (Mack Avenue, 2 CD/3 LP).
2. https://jasonmoran.bandcamp.com/releases" rel="nofollow - Jason Moran, MASS {Howl, eon} (Yes Records, CD).
3. http://www.ornettecoleman.com/" rel="nofollow - Various artists, Celebrate Ornette (Song X, 3 CD/4 LP + 2 DVD).
4. https://www.stereophile.com/content/william-parker-quartets-meditation-resurrection" rel="nofollow - William Parker Quartets, Meditation/Resurrection (AUM Fidelity, 2 CD).
5. http://wyntonmarsalis.org/discography/title/the-music-of-john-lewis" rel="nofollow - Wynton Marsalis & The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, The Music of John Lewis (Blue Engine, CD).
6. https://www.stereophile.com/content/steve-coleman-morphogenesis" rel="nofollow - Steve Coleman's Natal Eclipse, Morphogenesis (Pi Recordings, CD).
7. https://jasonmoran.bandcamp.com/album/thanksgiving-at-the-vanguard" rel="nofollow - Jason Moran's Bandwagon Trio, Thanksgiving at the Vanguard (Yes Records, CD).
8. https://www.amazon.com/Far-Over-Vijay-Iyer-Sextet/dp/B072NFJV3K/" rel="nofollow - Vijay Iyer Sextet, Far from Over (ECM, CD, LP).
9. https://www.greenleafmusic.com/little-giant-still-life/" rel="nofollow - Dave Douglas with The Westerlies, Little Giant Still Life (Greenleaf, CD).
10. https://www.amazon.com/Solo-Reflections-Wadada-Leo-Smith/dp/B074BNG12G/" rel="nofollow - Wadada Leo Smith, Solo—Reflections and Meditations on Monk (Tum, CD).

The best (or, again, my favorite) historical albums that have never been released before:

i. https://www.stereophile.com/content/bill-evans-another-time-hilversum-concert" rel="nofollow - Bill Evans, Another Time: The Hilversum Concert (Resonance, CD / LP).
ii. https://www.stereophile.com/content/thelonious-monk-les-liaisons-dangereuses-1960" rel="nofollow - Thelonious Monk, Les Liaisons Dangereuses 1960 (Sam Records/Saga, CD / 2 LP).
iii. http://www.resonancerecords.org/release.php?cat=HCD-2029" rel="nofollow - Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly, Smokin' in Seattle (Resonance, CD / LP).
iv. https://www.stereophile.com/content/taj-mahal-labor-love" rel="nofollow - Taj Mahal, Labor of Love (Analogue Productions, 2 LP).
v. http://www.resonancerecords.org/release.php?cat=HCD-2027" rel="nofollow - Jaco Pastorius: Truth, Liberty & Soul—Live in NYC: The Complete 1982 NPR Jazz Alive! Recording (Resonance, 2 CD/3 LP).

The crucial question, though: How do these albums sound? The short answer: They all sound good or better; most of them sound very good.

To get specific: The best-sounding new album is also the best, period: Cecile McLorin Salvant's Dreams and Daggers, especially the vinyl pressings. The best-sounding historical album is the Taj Mahal, available only as a double-QRP pressing. One unexpected note: The 1960 Monk album sounds better on CD than on LP. Go figure.

Happy holidays—and merry listening—to all!