New In Music This Week: December 12th

New in Music This Week: December 12th is filled with reissues. There are also two albums that were released last week that should have been included.

My top pick is:

JAZZ: THE KÖLN CONCERT 50^th ANNIVERSARY EDITION – Keith Jarrett – ECM Records VINYL RELEASE

In 1975 Ketih Jarrett’s The Köln Concert was just starting its journey to becoming the best-selling solo album in jazz. Sales are said to be in the neighborhood of 4 million units. That figure is likely to grow with this outstanding sounding new vinyl reissue.

More importantly, it is considered one of the most important jazz concert recordings of all time. 

ECM Records releases this week the 50^th anniversary edition of this landmark album. This is a 2 LP album with an 8-page booklet filled with photos and new liner notes.

But it’s the music that matters most and this remains an extraordinary live performance (from January 24, 1975 at the Opera House in Köln, Germany.) 66 minutes of Jarrett doing what he does best.

Here are the other fine recordings that are New In Music This Week: December 12th:

JAZZ: NOT TIRED – Johannes Wallmann – Shifting Paradigm Records

The title track for pianist/composer Wallmann’s twelfth album is a lullaby. Or appears to be until it expands into something more intricate and compelling.  The second track, Into the Rain, is more mysterious and evocative. Blind Spot, which follows, is far more rhythmically focused. 

All of this to say is that Wallmann has multiple ways of expressing himself through his music. Kudos to the musicians who joined him on Not Tired: trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, bassist Nick Moran, drummer Adam Nussbaum and saxophonist Dayna Stephens.

I really like this album, but the standout track is Bad Apple. Smartly staggered individual playing by all five musicians coalesces into shared playing and then goes back to some parallel solos. It’s a stunning piece of writing and playing that reveals itself to be many different things through its 5 minutes.

This album was released on December 5th.

MUSICALS (ADJACENT): THE LAST SHIP (EXPANDED EDITION) – Sting

This expanded edition of Sting’s The Last Ship was actually released on December 5^th, but word got to us a bit late to make New In Music.

You might know that Sting is heavily involved with new productions of his musical based on this album. Part of his reworking of the show is the addition of five new songs: Island of Souls (2025), Shipyard, Ship of State, If You Ever See Me Talking to a Sailor and O’Brien’s Hymn.

The new songs are performed with special guests including Joe Caffrey, Brian Johnson, Jo Lawry, Renée Fleming and Frances McNamee.

The reworked production will play in Amsterdam (the world premiere of this new version takes place there in January 2026), Paris (February 18^th – March 7^th), Brisbane (April 9^th – May 3^rd) and culminating in a week of performances at the Metropolitan Opera (June 9^th – June 14^th).

REISSUES:

JAZZ: MARCHIN’ ON – Heath Brothers featuring Stanley Cowell – Mack Avenue Music and Strata-East Records – VINYL and CD REISSUE

This album was originally released in 1976. The Heath Brothers are Albert “Tootie” Heath on drums and flute; Jimmy Heath on saxophone and flute and Percy Heath on bass. Stanley Cowell plays piano.

You know the album is a document of its time when its third track is The Watergate Blues written by Percy Heath. The other tracks are Warm Valley, Tafadhali, Maimoun and Smilin’ Billy Suite Parts I-IV.

Warm Valley was written by Duke Ellington. Cowell wrote Maimoun. Albert Heath wrote Tafadhali. Jimmy Heath wrote the four-part Smilin’ Billy Suite.

JAZZ: MUSIC INC. – Charles Tolliver/Stanley Cowell/Cecil McBee/Jimmy Hopps – Mack Avenue Music and Strata-East Records – VINYL and CD REISSUE

Tolliver and Cowell were the founders of Strata-East Records and Music Inc. was their first release in 1971. The album features trumpeter Tolliver and pianist Cowell joined by McBee on bass and Jimmy Hopps on drums.

The six tracks on Music Inc. are Ruthie’s Heart, Brilliant Circles, Abscretions, Household of Saud, On the Nile and Departure.

This week was my first time hearing Music Inc. and I think jazz fans are in for a real treat here.

JAZZ: MUTIMA – Cecil McBee – Mack Avenue Music and Strata-East Records – VINYL and CD REISSUE

This debut album by bassist McBee was released in 1974 and is considered a major statement on the idea of improvised contemporary music. McBee, who also plays electric bass, composed all six tracks on the album.

They are: From Within, Voice of the 7th Angel, Life Waves, Mutima, A Feeling and Tulsa Black.

McBee assembled a large ensemble for Mutima including George Adams on tenor saxophone and soprano saxophone; Tex Allen on trumpet and flugelhorn; Allen Braufman on alto saxophone; Michael Carvin on gong and percussion; Onaje Allen Gumbs on piano and electric piano; Jabali Billy Hart on percussion; Lawrence Killian on congas, Jimmy Hopps on drums; Allen Nelson on drums and Art Webb on flute.

Fans of Dee Dee Bridgewater will want to check out Voice of the 7th Angel as it features her vocals.

JAZZ: A SPIRIT SPEAKS – The Descendants of Mike and Phoebe – Mack Avenue Music and Strata-East Records – CD REISSUE

This Bill Lee project was released on vinyl for Record Store Black Friday Day and now the album is available for purchase on CD.

Composer/bassist Bill Lee is Spike Lee’s father and this album is a true family affair as its features his brother Cliff Lee (trumpet) and sisters Grace Lee Mims (a glorious soprano) and Consuela Lee Moorhead (piano).

There are ten tracks on A Spirit Speaks: Two Songs for a Boy Named Mark: a) Little Bitty Baby, b) Soliloquy to a Man-Child, Coltrane, Chick Chick, Well Done, Weldon, A Spirit Speaks, Attica, Take My Hand, Precious Lord, Boll Weevil, Don’t Be a Stranger and Too Little, Too Late.

That’s all for New In Music This Week: December 12th.

Enjoy your week and enjoy the music.

Main Photo: Part of the album art for Keith Jarrett’s The Köln Concert (Courtesy ECM Records)