A lot of good music issued this year, including Joe Farnsworth's 'The Big Room,' which had the feel of a stone-cold Blue Note classic without being an exercise in nostalgia. All-star band on it, including Jeremy Pelt, Emmet Cohen, Joel Ross and Sarah Hanahan, who is an amazing player!
Patricia Brennan's newest was huge for me too and two great Monk tribute albums by Xhosa Cole and Dayna Stephens that approached the great man's work in very different ways.
John Splithoff's 'Far From Here' was prime Yacht rock for the 21st century. Tyreek McDole's debut was also tremendous - a jazz vocalist to keep an eye out for.
Female singer-songwriters were also big for me this year: Hannah Cohen, Taylor Rae, Lucy Dacus, Emily Hines, Jessica Risker, Lili Anel, etc.
Reed Turchi's 'World on Fire' was back to basics blues and folk that was addictive listening.
SF Jazz Collective's 'Collective Imagery' was another very interesting album merging art and music. Had my favourite cut of all this year, Warren Wolf's magnificent, multi-part 'The Files.'
Movies: "One Battle After Another." I’d call this movie a “must-see” and say it is much better to see it in a theater. It reminded me a lot of “Inherent Vice,” which was also adapted from a Pynchon novel. In terms of today’s political environment, it takes on autocracy and white supremacy head on. I find that incredibly courageous. Moving performances. Likely several (!) Oscar nominations (Sean Penn, Chase Infiniti, music, cinematography). Loads of violence. Inside jokes about Steely Dan (loved those). And some essential truths. What’s not to like?
Pianist Yosuke Yamashita is one of the finest Japanese jazz artists IMHO, and(/but) his discography is extremely varied - from ultra-skronky ear-shredding free jazz with his early trios, to sometimes too comfortable and crowd-pleasing (for my taste), with his still-stellar New York Trio, with Cecil McBee and Pheeroan AkLaff.
Some of my favorite Albums:
Banslikana (Solo) - Brilliant, and showing not only his fervent virtuosity, but also his original interpretation of classics and his sense of humor.
Distant Thunder - Manfred Schoof with Yamashita's Japanese free jazz trio (Akira Sakata and Takeo Moriyama) - It does get wild, but wonderfully so.
Sakura (NY Trio - w/Cecil McBee and Pheeroan AkLaff) - A very accessible session, with the western band doing Japanese melodies.
Kurdish Dance (NY trio feat. Joe Lovano) - Great album, with a few tracks featuring unconventional time signatures. Still very accessible, and Lovano is in excellent form.
--------------
Masahiko Togashi was a great drummer/percussionist, and had many great albums, in various outfits, but one album that shouldn't be missed is Session in Paris (Vol. I), with Don Cherry and Charlie Haden - Pure gold!
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The list goes on, but my time's up. I'll just mention the wonderful Masabumi Kikuchi, who also collaborated with Paul Motian and Gary Peacock - check out Tethered Moon, Peacock's debut Voices, and if you can lay your hands on the 4-CD Great 3 Complete Sessions from 1994. Delightful.
An absolutely bizarre film starring Tim Robinson as a suburban Dad willing to alienate all those closest to him – wife, son, coworkers – in a desperate attempt to earn the friendship of the coolest guy in the neighborhood, played by Paul Rudd playing, essentially, himself.
A truly excellent and hilarious exploration of narcissism that has about half the audience enthralled and the other half appalled.
Watched this young band - Parcels- for the first time this week on Tiny Desk Concerts. Immaculate 4 part harmonies, and great musicianship all round. In my 70s but a band such as this - from Byron Bay, NSW - gives me hope for the future. https://youtu.be/eUjQkMma-Is?si=eR7xoovPNhecFzPY
Wow -Thank you for that link ! Such fine playing AND Harmonies / Singing.
Way back in the dark ages I was in a very good 4 pc. band that was "Country Rock" before it even had that title. We spent a lot of time working up good harmony. I loved it & so did audiences.
Extraordinary band. Glorious harmonies, superb musicianship. Their latest work, Loved, is my favorite 2025 Pop album. You can watch first rate videos of some of their live shows and recording sessions on YouTube.
I am absolutely OBSESSED with the show "Only Murders in The Building!" Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez in a comedy murder mystery set in New York City- a recipe for brilliance, and they don't disappoint. Guest stars have included Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Nathan Lane, Meryl Streep, Matthew Broderick, Jane Lynch, and many other greats! They just finished season 5, which added Renee Zelwiger, Christoph Waltz, and Keegan Michael Key to the star-studded cast. IMO it is the best show on TV in the history of television. Go binge it RIGHT NOW, and don't forget to try to guess the murderer before the big reveals in episode 10!
I read that as it not being really close to A New Hope etc. Unless you mean it is far better than everything else other than those and it isn't really a close contest? I would agree with that. Gritty, intelligent, good characters. You actually care for their outcomes, on both sides of the line.
Oh I meant it’s the best since the original trilogy - better scripted and acted than the prequels and the Disney movies (aside from Rogue One) are better left unmentioned
Admittedly, I have not seen too many new movies this year, but 'Weapons' was going to be my recommendation for best movie of the year. I knew from the opening scene, it was going to be a special and unique film. Scary, thrilling, absurdly and darkly funny at times. -Very intense. Zack Cregger did not hold back and kept me guessing up until the final scene. -Great storytelling. -Great acting. -Just overall, a very original and well-made horror film that will endure for decades to come.
I couldn’t agree more. I felt like I was given five short stories in one movie which contributed to a larger narrative; I loved what that did for the ability of the writers to play around with different genre flavors for each characters story. And the end… pure catharsis. So well done.
TV: Slow Horses
came here to comment this
A lot of good music issued this year, including Joe Farnsworth's 'The Big Room,' which had the feel of a stone-cold Blue Note classic without being an exercise in nostalgia. All-star band on it, including Jeremy Pelt, Emmet Cohen, Joel Ross and Sarah Hanahan, who is an amazing player!
Patricia Brennan's newest was huge for me too and two great Monk tribute albums by Xhosa Cole and Dayna Stephens that approached the great man's work in very different ways.
John Splithoff's 'Far From Here' was prime Yacht rock for the 21st century. Tyreek McDole's debut was also tremendous - a jazz vocalist to keep an eye out for.
Female singer-songwriters were also big for me this year: Hannah Cohen, Taylor Rae, Lucy Dacus, Emily Hines, Jessica Risker, Lili Anel, etc.
Reed Turchi's 'World on Fire' was back to basics blues and folk that was addictive listening.
SF Jazz Collective's 'Collective Imagery' was another very interesting album merging art and music. Had my favourite cut of all this year, Warren Wolf's magnificent, multi-part 'The Files.'
' Thank you for sharing this list!
Thanks for great recs!!
TV Series: The Pitt
Movies: "One Battle After Another." I’d call this movie a “must-see” and say it is much better to see it in a theater. It reminded me a lot of “Inherent Vice,” which was also adapted from a Pynchon novel. In terms of today’s political environment, it takes on autocracy and white supremacy head on. I find that incredibly courageous. Moving performances. Likely several (!) Oscar nominations (Sean Penn, Chase Infiniti, music, cinematography). Loads of violence. Inside jokes about Steely Dan (loved those). And some essential truths. What’s not to like?
Agreed!! One fantastic film to see on the big screen.
Book (non-fiction): Enshittification by Cory Doctorow.
Book (fiction): King Sorrow by Joe Hill. Scratches that itch for large horror tomes ala King + Straub.
Audiobook: The Devils by Joe Abercrombie. Like a dark medieval version of Suicide Squad, and perfectly performed by Steven Pacey.
Music: exploring Japanese Jazz artists
Film: del Toro’s Frankenstein. See it on a big screen if still possible.
Book and TV: Slow Horses. Read the books, watch the show. Both are excellent!
One more:
Manga: Blue Giant, about young Jazz musicians in Japan. Adapted into a fine anime film with a great score by Hiromi (on Netflix)
Any recommendations for Japanese jazz artists?
Pianist Yosuke Yamashita is one of the finest Japanese jazz artists IMHO, and(/but) his discography is extremely varied - from ultra-skronky ear-shredding free jazz with his early trios, to sometimes too comfortable and crowd-pleasing (for my taste), with his still-stellar New York Trio, with Cecil McBee and Pheeroan AkLaff.
Some of my favorite Albums:
Banslikana (Solo) - Brilliant, and showing not only his fervent virtuosity, but also his original interpretation of classics and his sense of humor.
Distant Thunder - Manfred Schoof with Yamashita's Japanese free jazz trio (Akira Sakata and Takeo Moriyama) - It does get wild, but wonderfully so.
Sakura (NY Trio - w/Cecil McBee and Pheeroan AkLaff) - A very accessible session, with the western band doing Japanese melodies.
Kurdish Dance (NY trio feat. Joe Lovano) - Great album, with a few tracks featuring unconventional time signatures. Still very accessible, and Lovano is in excellent form.
--------------
Masahiko Togashi was a great drummer/percussionist, and had many great albums, in various outfits, but one album that shouldn't be missed is Session in Paris (Vol. I), with Don Cherry and Charlie Haden - Pure gold!
--------------
The list goes on, but my time's up. I'll just mention the wonderful Masabumi Kikuchi, who also collaborated with Paul Motian and Gary Peacock - check out Tethered Moon, Peacock's debut Voices, and if you can lay your hands on the 4-CD Great 3 Complete Sessions from 1994. Delightful.
"Into The Heaven" - Terumasa Hino (1970). Essential hard bop/fusion. Title track is an absolute epic. Shades of late 60's Miles. A must.
I’ve only recently started exploring, but so far I like:
The aforementioned Hiromi Oehara is amazing, working across different styles.
Toshiko Akiyoshi, great pianist.
Some records I like:
Ryo Fukui’s Scenery
Hozen Yamamoto’s Beautiful Bamboo Flute
Akira Miyazawa’s Yamame
I’d love to hear some other recs!
Best Movie: Friendship
An absolutely bizarre film starring Tim Robinson as a suburban Dad willing to alienate all those closest to him – wife, son, coworkers – in a desperate attempt to earn the friendship of the coolest guy in the neighborhood, played by Paul Rudd playing, essentially, himself.
A truly excellent and hilarious exploration of narcissism that has about half the audience enthralled and the other half appalled.
Watched Friendship last night ---it's wild and perfect, "excellent and hilarious" as you so aptly describe. Thanks for the recommendation!
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Tim Robinson also has a new HBO show airing now where he plays a similar character, called The Chair Company
TV series: Pluribus
My books of the year, as Homer Simpson would say, "So far!"
The Pursuit of Happiness by Jeffrey Rosen
Flannery O'Connor and the Church Made Visible by Ralph Wood
Roger Scruton Intellectual Biography by Mark Dooley
The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan (sixth read)
John Newton by Jonathan Aitken (reread)
The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius
Selected Lives by Plutarch (Princeton ed.)
American Nietzsche by Jennifer Ratner-Rosenhagen
The Last Crusader by George Grant
How Doctors Think by Jerome Groopman
Mere Christian Hermeneutics by Kevin Vanhoozer
Age of Revolutions by Fareed Zacharia
Jesus Through Medieval Eyes by Grace Hamman
Unto the Ages of Ages by Sebastian Morello
Blaise Pascal by Graham Tomlin
The Unsettling of America by Wendell Berry
Cool list. The book that really stood out for me this year was Siddhartha by Herman Hesse. Not a new book, but wonderful.
I really enjoyed the pursuit of happiness
It's a terrific book! His follow up, The Pursuit of Liberty, looks equally good.
Book - The Revolt of the Masses by José Ortega y Gasset
Watched this young band - Parcels- for the first time this week on Tiny Desk Concerts. Immaculate 4 part harmonies, and great musicianship all round. In my 70s but a band such as this - from Byron Bay, NSW - gives me hope for the future. https://youtu.be/eUjQkMma-Is?si=eR7xoovPNhecFzPY
Wow -Thank you for that link ! Such fine playing AND Harmonies / Singing.
Way back in the dark ages I was in a very good 4 pc. band that was "Country Rock" before it even had that title. We spent a lot of time working up good harmony. I loved it & so did audiences.
Extraordinary band. Glorious harmonies, superb musicianship. Their latest work, Loved, is my favorite 2025 Pop album. You can watch first rate videos of some of their live shows and recording sessions on YouTube.
I just watched them and became an instant fan - so talented and what an original sound!
Best Movie : The Life of Chuck,
Best Series : Severance,
Best Album : Djesse Vol. 4: Jacob Collier
Most important book : Nobody’s Girl: Virginia Giuffre
I had read the Live of Chuck novella in the King book but sort of forgot about it. Then the movie...wow! Totally loved it!!
TV: Task
Book: Against the Machine - Paul Kingsnorth
I am absolutely OBSESSED with the show "Only Murders in The Building!" Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez in a comedy murder mystery set in New York City- a recipe for brilliance, and they don't disappoint. Guest stars have included Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Nathan Lane, Meryl Streep, Matthew Broderick, Jane Lynch, and many other greats! They just finished season 5, which added Renee Zelwiger, Christoph Waltz, and Keegan Michael Key to the star-studded cast. IMO it is the best show on TV in the history of television. Go binge it RIGHT NOW, and don't forget to try to guess the murderer before the big reveals in episode 10!
I just started season 1. I'm a little late, but at four episodes in, I am definitely hooked and enjoying it!
Cinema: Eddington, One Battle After Another, Weapons, Materialists, No Other Choice and Superman, Bugonia
Music: Geese "Getting Killed"
Comics: DC's Absolute Batman (specifically), the Absolute Universe (Generally).
TV Series: "Andor"
Yes, I will definitely go with Andor . Too bad it will likely be dismissed by many just for what it is actually Not
It's the best Star War since the Holy Trilogy. and it's not really close.
I read that as it not being really close to A New Hope etc. Unless you mean it is far better than everything else other than those and it isn't really a close contest? I would agree with that. Gritty, intelligent, good characters. You actually care for their outcomes, on both sides of the line.
Oh I meant it’s the best since the original trilogy - better scripted and acted than the prequels and the Disney movies (aside from Rogue One) are better left unmentioned
"The Ballad of Wallis Island. " A gentle UK comedy movie. for those singer-songwriters, like myself, comfortable with playing to an audience of one.
Movie: Weapons
Admittedly, I have not seen too many new movies this year, but 'Weapons' was going to be my recommendation for best movie of the year. I knew from the opening scene, it was going to be a special and unique film. Scary, thrilling, absurdly and darkly funny at times. -Very intense. Zack Cregger did not hold back and kept me guessing up until the final scene. -Great storytelling. -Great acting. -Just overall, a very original and well-made horror film that will endure for decades to come.
I couldn’t agree more. I felt like I was given five short stories in one movie which contributed to a larger narrative; I loved what that did for the ability of the writers to play around with different genre flavors for each characters story. And the end… pure catharsis. So well done.