The Way Up – Pat Metheny Group

The Way Up is a trilogy of contemporary jazz, a Grammy-winning, one-set concerto that astounds the imagination and mesmerizes the senses. It features Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays, whose collaborations with PMG over the years have tested the limits of harmony and thematic improvisation. For the entire 68 minutes of this album, as hard as I might try to keep any sound from escaping my ear, I am continuously surprised and charmed by the interplay between Metheny, Mays, and Sanchéz. What I would give to hear it performed live…

Live at Java Joe’s – Jason Mraz

I have been a big fan of Jason for years, mostly for this reason. Live at Java Joe’s was recently re-released by Atlantic under a different album name, though it still captures every second of his raw talent. Jason’s vocal dexterity, tone, and strength are awe-inspiring as always, and his songwriting is uniquely clever. Here he shows off his innate sense of improvisation and his knack for live performance, supported by the rhythm of Toca Rivera on djembe.

Heart of the Immigrants – Al Di Meola, World Sinfonia

As a guitarist, Al Di Meola is astonishingly quick and precise; as a composer, he is lavishly inspired. Heart of the Immigrants features the World Sinfonia orchestra and a number of arrangements to compositions by tango legend Astor Piazzolla and Turkish composer Arto Tuncboyaciyan. The album is rich with exotic guitar, bandoneon, and strings, all creating a vivid texture that is ideal for traveling or daydreaming. Di Meola’s complex, non-linear melodic lines may require several listens to unravel, but trust me on this one… it’s all worth it.

Rendezvous – Luna

Judging by Allmusic’s poor review of this album, I gather that some may disagree with me on this one; however, Luna’s final album Rendezvous is, in my opinion, their best. Effortlessly crafted and lyrically absurd, this album epitomizes ‘carefree’ in every sense of the word. Recorded live to analog two-track with minimal overdubbing, it is a departure from Luna’s typical style. Yet, its production is still somehow seamless, joining woozy guitars with beguiling vocals from Dean Wareham and guitarist Sean Eden. All in all, it is a fantastically warm album.

Worrisome Heart – Melody Gardot

Melody’s music is as stirring as her story. Five years ago, after surviving an accident on the streets, she turned to music to heal her sudden cognitive impairment. Although her sight, hearing, balance, and stability have all remained afflicted by trauma, her voice has matured quickly. Worrisome Heart is her first major album release since. Enthralling, seductive, and elegant, Melody’s voice is difficult to turn off in any mood. Her songwriting is equally persuasive, her improvisations memorable – if you are looking for a reason to be moved or inspired, look no further.

Tearing Sky – Piers Faccini

I think that Piers and I are alike in a lot of ways. For one, we both have a fascination for life’s strange unknowns. We are poets by necessity and musicians by choice. Maybe that’s why I enjoy this album so much. Then again, Tearing Sky is a subtle gem in its own right. Careful and hollowed, Piers’ voice is perfectly matched for the odd stillness that pervades this album. Combining folk, acoustic blues, and African vocal textures, he creates a style all his own, one that is both honest and unassuming.

A Great Day for the Race – Cities of Foam

Cities of Foam is probably the single most reason for my interest in electronica. Based in London, the group released A Great Day for the Race a few years back and made a bold statement for jazz fusion. By overlapping loops and electronic synths with acoustic guitar, horns, and vocal prowess, Sam Menter and Todd Wills create a sound that is refreshingly metro. The album is also an eclectic mix of cultural influences, a testament to Bristol’s diverse seaport community where the group began.

The Best of Simon & Garfunkel

Okay, so I added this somewhat as an afterthought, but let’s face it… you just can’t fit all of Simon & Garfunkel into one album! This classic folk rock duo is, without a doubt, my bread and butter of music. Ironically, “Kathy’s Song” – my favorite of theirs – is not included on this Best Of album. If I could pen lyrics like Paul Simon, I would quit my non-existent day job and do exactly what he did. Though I’d also need to find an Art Garfunkel to sing the high notes.