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The holiday season is a fun, but stressful time for anyone, but for the reviewer, it is doubly so, as this is the time to go back over the year's releases and compile a list of the best of the best. While it is exhilarating to hear all of the great music that came out during 2007 again (those who believe Jazz to be a dying art form need only listen to a few of the releases on this list to change their mind), it is also nerve-wracking to try to assign value to such disparate and worthy releases. This list could be rearranged daily, and I can think of nearly another 25 releases that the readers would find worthwhile to hear. Some may fault me for my omissions, but obviously it is impossible to hear everything. I didn't hear highly acclaimed releases by Nels Cline, Kurt Elling or Dee Dee Bridgewater, but my biggest regret is that based on his concert performance, I am sure McCoy Tyner would have easily made the list, but strangely, I did not receive the album as promised by his management. So sorry, Mr. Tyner. In looking over the list, I am amazed at the strength of the releases in 2007. McCaslin's album was the best of the year, but it was a tough call to make over Brecker's fine final release. And while arguments to change and reorder again and again dance through my head, one must finally put the foot down and say enough. I'll live and die with it as is. |
 "In Pursuit" |
 "Pilgrimage" |
 "The Word and the Days" |
Jack DeJohnette "My Foolish Heart" |
 "From the Plantation to the Penitentiary" |
 "Live at the Green Mill" |
 "Starflowers" |
"A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina)" |
"Brown Street" |
 "Follow the Red Line" |
 Wynton Marsalis "From the Plantation to the Penitentiary" Photo by Phil Bonyata |
 Chris Potter |
 Nicole Mitchell Photo by Brad Walseth |
 "Double Trouble" rolls double!!! Corey Wilkes & Maurice Brown For the second year in a row!!! photo by James Walker, Jr. |
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