01.01.2010
Several ACT releases ranked among the most important records of 2009

We are happy to announce, that several ACT releases were ranked among the most important records of 2009 by the international press.

The LONDON TIMES awarded the album E.S.T. Live In Hamburg (ACT 6002-2) the most important jazz album of the decade. “In a decade when Scandinavia staked a claim as the home of progressive jazz, no one had more success than this piano trio, melding Keith Jarrett-style lyricism with rock rhythms, electronic textures and a restless sense of adventure. The tragic death of Esbjörn Svensson halted their march to global success”

With overwhelming reactions the international press responded to the album Historicty (ACT 9489-2), the first ACT release of the American pianist Vijay Iyer. Among numerous awards in the European media, the album was awarded #1 jazz record of the year by THE NEW YORK TIMES, VILLAGE VOICE, LOS ANGELES TIMES, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, BOSTON GLOBE and JAZZWISE (UK). “The depth of his sound, the originality of his conception and the epic scope of his performances make Vijay Iyer a singular figure in contemporary jazz. […] No other ascending jazz pianist today sounds like this, or conceives improvisations on such a herculean scale.” (Chicago Tribune) “No record defined the jazz landscape in 2009 quite like this release on a German label from a New York based piano trio led by the son of Indian immigrants.” (LA Times)

The album Live At Schloss Elmau (ACT 9758-2) by Joachim Kühn and Michael Wolly received the CHOC DE L’ANNÉE 2009 by the French JAZZ MAGAZINE / JAZZMAN for the best jazz album of the year 2009. The recording is “a masterful achievement by two of Germany’s finest pianists separated by two generations but joined by a shared respect and understanding of each other’s music.” (Jazzwise)

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