ECM and Eicher win Downbeat Critics Poll

[GA Russell]

I received this press release from ECM today:

Manfred Eicher and ECM top DownBeat Critics Poll

Manfred Eicher is voted Producer of the Year and ECM Records is Label of

the Year 2008 in the DownBeat Critics Poll: this double-win is announced

in the August issue of internationally renowned DownBeat magazine,

which includes full results of their 56th Annual International Critics

Poll.

The awards arrive as Munich-based ECM, founded 1969, approaches its 40th

anniversary year. While Eicher won DownBeat's Top Producer award in

1976, and ECM was Label of the Year in 1980, the 2008 poll marks the

very first occasion that label and producer have simultaneously held the

#1 slot.

Eicher and his independent label have received significant recognition

over the years, notably Eicher's Grammy for Classical Producer of the

Year in 2002, and most recently in 2007 by receiving awards as both

Classical Label of the Year and Jazz Label of the Year (prizes from,

respectively, the MIDEM Classical Awards in Cannes, and the Jazz

Journalists Association).

[Alexander Hawkins]

Well...I suppose there were the Evan Parker/Roscoe Mitchell things...

[Aggie87]

also in 08:

Charles Lloyd - Rabo de Nube

Bjornstad/Rydal - Live from Leipzig

Wacilewski Trio - January

Bennie Maupin - Jewel in the Lotus reissue

Though I'm assuming this award is for 2007...

[Alexander Hawkins]

Ah...also 'The Struggle Continues'! Just being facetious really. I don't keep up with 'typical' ECM releases, so I can't really comment!

[GA Russell]

My favorite is Carla Bley and the Lost Chords find Paolo Fresu.

I also like

Norma Winstone - Distances

Nik Bartsch's Ronin - Holon

John Surman - The Places In Between

Manu Katche - Playground