“Compassion” by Vijay Iyer, Linda May Han Oh & Tyshawn Sorey
A jazz album that exudes grace, class, and showmanship.
Hello! 😊👋
Welcome to a new edition of the Best Music of All Time newsletter!
Today’s music pick is a terrific showcase for one of jazz’s great composers and players.
Genre: Jazz, Classical
Label: ECM
Release Date: February 2, 2024
Vibe: 😍
If nothing else, Compassion is yet another opportunity to marvel at Vijay Iyer’s capabilities as a musician and composer. In addition to being a tenured Harvard professor, Iyer has received a MacArthur Fellowship and the Greenfield Prize, been nominated for a Grammy award, and been named Jazz Artist of the Year on multiple occasions. After contributing to my favorite album of 2023, he returns with another stunner, playing with the same instrumentalists heard on 2021’s Uneasy: Iyer, bassist Linda May Han Oh, and drummer Tyshawn Sorey. What unfolds is a soulful, serene jazz that incorporates pop, funk, classical, and even some experimental ambient elements. But, to interpolate a phrase from a Coen Brothers favorite, Iyer’s vision and elegant piano playing really tie the album together.
Those strong points are on full display right out of the gate. After Sorey sets the tone on the opening title track, Iyer and Oh immediately exude grace and class as they build and change tempos multiple times, all before closing the number on a subdued note. “Maelstrom” and “Tempest” increase the intensity as they widen the space for the players, grappling with notes of pain and suffering. There are also moments of incredible, quiet beauty, including “Prelude: Orison” and “Overjoyed.” The latter, an interpretation of the Stevie Wonder classic, is inspired at least in part by Chick Corea’s magical cover of the song. This performance was part of the legend’s final live (albeit online) performance. It’s a choice that reflects Iyer’s deep respect for jazz’s greats and his willingness to build on that history for a modern audience.
It’s another gem in a discography that has no shortage of them.
👉 Don’t forget to click the album image to stream the album on your favorite platform 👈