The Decade in Jazz and World Music

Soundcheck | May 3, 2010

We continue our Critics' Week coverage of the decade in music with a look at the best of world music and jazz. Siddhartha Mitter, world music critic for the Boston Globe, and Will Layman, jazz critic for PopMatters.com, give us their picks for the decade that was.

Blog: John Schaefer on "niche market" breakthroughs

Siddhartha Mitter's Top Ten World Music Albums:
Three from 2009:
1. Buraka Som Sistema, Black Diamond
2. Kailash Kher, Yatra
3. Otto, Certa manhã acordei de sonhos intranquilos
Seven from the decade:
4. Youssou N'Dour, Egypt
5. Cafe Tacuba, Cuatro caminos
6. Souad Massi, Mesk elil
7. Andy Palacio, Watina
8. Kekele, Kinavana
9. Ali Farka Toure, Savane
10. Buika, Niña de fuego

Will Layman's Top Ten Jazz Albums:
Three from 2009:
1. Vijay Iyer Trio, Historicity
2. John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, Eternal Interlude
3. Henry Threadgill, This Brings Us To, Volume I
Seven more, chronologically:
4. Andrew Hill, Dusk
5. William Parker, O'Neal's Porch
6. The Bad Plus, These Are the Vistas
7. Wayne Shorter, Beyond the Sound Barrier
8. Steve Bernstein, Millennial Territory Orchestra, Volume One
9. Robert Glasper Trio, In My Element
10. Cassandra Wilson, Loverly

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