Midweek pick, July 31st, 2024: Small Medium Large

A Mid-Year Jazz Critics Poll discovery

The results of the first Mid-Year Jazz Critics Poll were posted on the Arts Fuse, with an accompanying essay by Tom Hull. Only the top 50 new albums made the publication, with a further 20 “Rara Avis” releases listed.

Some of my picks placed well overall. Others didn’t make a dent on the top 50 at all (seriously, folks, Perelman/Helias/Rainey’s Truth Seeker is a real gem). A few more from my “long list” of 30 mid-year faves (which is still only the tip of the iceberg of the music I’ve enjoyed so far this year) registered.

Regardless of the final results, what I find most use for with such polls are the individual ballots. Even without any explanations, the whats and whys, seeing a mention of a release in the ballot of a writer whose ears I trust, or among a list of other picks that intrigues me, will undoubtedly pique my interest.

One such instance this year is Small Medium Large by the quintet SML. Released by International Anthem in early July, it had completely slipped me by. Partly because I was on vacation at the time, partly because the label has stopped sending me updates on their upcoming releases, never mind advance copies.

Regardless, I don’t mind being late to the party, and this quintet’s mixture of looping saxophone lines, spacious and atmospheric synthesizer and guitars, with groovy bass and percussion/drums, has been a very welcome discovery. The album is available on LP, CD and digitally.