Here's the edge of Jazz Top Ten albums of the year as chosen by the presenter after long hours of listening, thinking, self-debating with a soupcon of panic thrown in. It claims nothing, isn't based on any known sales pattern or anyone elses playlist, but is here for you to enjoy, perhaps marvel over and most of all disagree with!

5. Southern Nights - Sullivan Fortner.

I got this is February after having had it recommended by a friend. It's a magnificent piece of piano trio recording. Noy only is Fortner a brilliant improviser and performer with his own personal developing style but he's joined by two amazing sidesmen. Marcus Gilmore is certainly a go-to drummer for this kind of rrecording but Peter Washington is equally empathetic on bass. However what stand out, apart from the tunes and the virtuosity is the fact that the album exudes togetherness and enjoyment, something quite often missing in a lot of contemporary jazz.

4. El Viejo Caminante: Dino Saluzzi.

About as left field as it could get, this wonderfully produced ECM record was recorded in Buenos Aires by Father and Son Dino and Jose Maria Saluzzi together with Jacob Young. Dino plays bandoneon, Jose maria classical guitar and Young electric and accoustic guitar. . Of the twelve tracks 5 are written by Dino, 1 by Jose Maria and 2 by Young. The resyt are from a wide variety of other writers. The overall ambience is a totally relaxed, well constructed and well executed by of ensemble pieces, with everyone able to stretch out at times. It's mainly fairly low tempo, but a delicious fusion of different styles and eras of jazz. 

3. Woven: Jeremy Pelt.

Trumpeter Pelt has assembled a frontline with a difference with Jalen Baker on vibraphone and Misha mendelenko on guitar. Backed by a solid rythm section that at time is extended by the judicious use of synthsiser and with one vocal track from Marie-Ann Hedonia. Everybody is given space to stretch out with Pelt not always taking the led in improvisations. Pelt has been appearing on albums by several other artist recently, but this is a rather special headliner album. If I'd had to write a half year Top Ten this album would have been number one. It really is a very splendid album.

2. Lisane Bahir: Kibrom Bihane.

  It was billed as "A new dimension in Ethiopian music". It's certainly all that but also an amazing example of what can be done with an analogue modular synthsiser together with a patient label owner, a unique concept and some amazing compositions. There's secular, religious, regional and soulful music on this album which I readily identified as being jazz. Actually trying to describe it fully is intimidating and not really very useful as its an album that deserves repeated playing. Find it if you can on the tiny Flying Carpet records label.

1. After the last sky: Anouar Brahem.

    A wondeful synthesis of styles. In addition to Brahem on oud, two very respected jazz musicians Django Bates on Piano and Dave Holland on double bass are joined by the wonderfully sonorous tone of Anja Lechner on cello. Given the subject matter, which is clearly rooted in arabic traditions the music is respendent in its gravity, tone and joyous celebration of creating some in some very very ethereal undertones. It's beautifully recorded and clearly laid out - an album to sit down and listen to in its entireityThis is another one where words can barely describe how good I think this is.

Another one that nearly made it:

Inkyra: Emma Rawicz.

A wonderful player on Tenor and alto saxes, Rawicz leads a sextet that plays an entire album of self written compositions recorded over 3 seperate but consecutive days this is a fusion of a working British jazz tradition fused with a band following a very British forward thinking fusion. The next album should be even more outstanding.

Thanks for all the support this year. The Edge of Jazz returns January 6th 2026 - the start of its 18th year on - air.