Listening Booth: Published reviews and fave music of 1st quarter, January through March, 2017

Not too many albums covered here, partly because I did not write for the latest issue of Jazznytt, but worth the update nonetheless, not least because among these are some terrific albums. Below, 20 of the most notable new albums I heard form January through March (listed 20 because I had to stop somewhere. Albums to be released have not been included).

• Steve Swell Quintet: Soul Travelers (Rogue Art, released 2016) Reviewed for Musikkmagasinet/Klassekampen, Januray 16., 2017. Original grade 5 out of 6. -- A-

•  The XX: I See You (Young Turks) Reviewed for Musikkmagasinet/Klassekampen, Januray 16., 2017. Originally graded 5 out of 6. -- B+

• The Modern Times: This is the Modern Times (Drabant) Reviewed for Musikkmagasinet/Klassekampen, Januray 30., 2017. Originally graded 4,5 out of 6. -- B+

• Matthew Shipp: Piano Song (Thirsty Ear) Reviewed for Musikkmagasinet/Klassekampen, February 6., 2017. Originally graded 5 out of 6. -- A-

•  Liza Mezzacappa: avantNOIR (Clean Feed) Reviewed for Musikkmagasinet/Klassekampen, February 20., 2017. Originally graded 5 out of 6. -- A-

•  Angles 9: Disappeared Behind the Sun (Clean Feed) Reviewed for Musikkmagasinet/Klassekampen, February 27., 2017. Originally graded 5,5 out of 6. -- A

• Atomic: Six Easy Pieces (Odin/Grappa) Reviewed for Musikkmagasinet/Klassekampen, Feruary 27., 2017. Originally graded 5 out of 6. -- A-

•  Harriet Tubman (feat. Wadada Leo Smith): Araminta (Sunnyside Records) Reviewed for Musikkmagasinet/Klassekampen, March 6., 2017. Originally graded 5,5 out of 6. -- A

•  Eivind Opsvik: Overseas V (Loyal Label) Reviewed for Musikkmagasinet/Klassekampen, March 20., 2017. Originally graded 5 out of 6. -- A-

20 engrossing and enjoyable albums, January 1st. - March 31st.:

• Angles 9: Disappeared Behind the Sun (Clean Feed)
• Harriet Tubman (feat. Wadada Leo Smith): Araminta (Sunnyside Records)
• IDLES: Brutalism (Balley Records)
• Trio 3 (Andrew Cyrille, Oliver Lake, Reggie Workman): Visiting Texture (Intakt Records)
• Jens Lekman: Life Will See You Now (Secretly Canadian)
• Lisa Mezzacappa: avantNOIR (Clean Feed)
• Matthew Shipp Trio: Piano Song (Thirsty Ear)
• CP Unit: Before the Heat Death (Clean Feed)
• Eivind Opsvik Overseas: Overseas V (Loyal Label)
• Atomic: Six Easy Pieces (Odin)
• Lithics: Borrowed Floors (Water Wing Records, 2016)
• Orchestra Baobab: Tribute to Ndiouga Dieng (World Circut Records) 
• Led Bib: Umbrella Weather (RareNoise Records) 
• Priests: Nothing Feels Natural (Dischord Records)
• Miguel Zenón: Típico (Miel Music)
• Spoon: Hot Thoughts (Matador)
• Bardo Pond: Under the Pines (Fire Records)
• Sunny Sweeney: Trophy (Aunt Daddy Records)
• The Microscopic Septet: Been Up So Long it Looks Like Down to Me: The Micros Play the Blues (Cuneiform Records)
• Syd: Fin (Columbia)