The KEXP DJs hear thousands of albums every year, but in 2011, which ten really stood out for them? Find out as KEXP looks at each DJ’s list through the month of December, leading up to our 2011 Top 90.3 Countdown, as voted on by YOU, the KEXP listener! Voting ends TOMORROW Monday, December 19th at 5:00 PM PT, so let us know your favorites now, and tune in on Friday, December 30th to hear which albums made the list!
Ambrose Akinmusire // photo courtesy of the artist
John Gilbreath’s 2011 Top Ten Albums
| Rank | Album | Artist | Label |
| 10 | Wo!Man | Archie Shepp & Joachim Kuhn | Harmonia Mundi |
| 9 | Avenging Angel | Craig Taborn | ECM |
| 8 | Steampunk Seranade | Honey Ear Trio | Foxhaven |
| 7 | Captain Black Big Band | Orin Evans | Posi-tone |
| 6 | Endangered Blood | Endangered Blood | Skirl Records |
| 5 | The Art of the Improvisor | Matthew Shipp | Thirsty Ear |
| 4 | Silent Movies | Marc Ribot | PI Recordings |
| 3 | Sotho Blue | Abdullah Irbahim & Ekaya | Sunnyside |
| 2 | When the Heart Emerges Glistening | Ambrose Akinmusire | Blue Note |
| 1 | Athens Concert | Charles Lloyd Quartet with Maria Farantouri | ECM |
John Gilbreath is the host of Jazz Theater every Monday morning from 1AM-3AM.
