Konstantin Rega

Fire Records is 40. Formed in 1984 by Clive Solomon and Jonny Waller, the UK-based label began with a handful of forward-thinking records in the post-punk underground, quickly developing a roster of bands steeped in psychedelia and carrying that thread on for four decades up to the present. It’s been home to legends like Spacemen 3 and Pulp, more recently releasing standout records by the likes of Jane Weaver and Vanishing Twin, and has likewise picked up legends ranging from Guided by Voices to Kristin Hersh as well as reissuing the catalogs of Pere Ubu and Black Lips. As the groundbreaking imprint celebrates its anniversary, we tip our hat with 10 of our picks for the best Fire Records albums.

It can be rewarding to follow along with a musician as they grow. I’ve been a fan of American singer/songwriter Marina Allen ever since her debut album, 2021’s Candlepower. On Eight Pointed Star

Pat Metheny ’s MoonDial is a singular work of patience and technique composed by a singular artist. Aptly titled, the album reveals Metheny’s return to his quiet, almost nocturnal pieces that are at once private and open to the public. The American jazz guitarist is a master improviser, working in a minimalist style to create shadowy, desolate songs that are simultaneously beautiful and filled with a lightness. His 2003 album

Jazz is all about moving forward and finding new ways to make music that touches hearts and minds. Here London-based vocalist and violinist Alice Zawadzki teams up with pianist and drummer Fred Thomas and double bassist Misha Mullov-Abbado on a stylish and folk-tinged jazz album. Za Górami incorporates folk songs, chamber music and improvisational jazz styles to meld a mesmerizing sound. The trio works hard and succeeds in the balancing act of offering a tune and providing more free-flowing passages.

It is difficult to create a big or stirring sound with a small group of musicians. However, Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen and his trio offer an expansive, sophisticated and diverse sound on their album Seeing. With its meditative qualities, the album follows in the footsteps of the trio's previous releases, such as The Other Side

On their cult indie classic debut 'Some Dusty', Birdie merged '90s-era jangle pop with the brightness of '60s sunshine pop

First albums are not the end-all-be-all, but they certainly count for something. London bassist Myra Brownbridge crafts a strong debut that shows a younger musician with spirit and intuition. The Voyage Out delivers softer melodies that still have a groove to them. With guitarist Tom Ollendorff, George Garford on alto sax and

Danish-born, New York-based pianist Rasmus Sørensen finds melody as well as fluidity in At The Right Time. This rising jazz star stands alongside other young musicians like Joey Alexander and Fergus McCreadie, exhibiting his ability to craft pieces that have a generous listenability matched by a sophisticated musicality in more freestyle sections. With this release, Sørensen showcases 12 diverse and original compositions with the talented help of Jon Henriksson on double bass and Francesco Ciniglio on drums.

We’ve revealed our favorite albums of the year, along with our favorite songs, plus the best in metal and reissues. And now we’re continuing our coverage of the best music of 2024 with deeper dives. Today we focus in on the best jazz albums of 2024. Among our favorites this year were young lions growing bolder, ambient jazz with a sense of physicality, veterans showcasing a new approach, acclaimed supergroups and more—all of them continuing to push a century-old form into the future.

Every year is a good year for jazz. With homages to more traditional styles as well as exciting innovations that push musical boundaries, there's never a dull moment. 2024 kept the good vibes flowing; it was a superb year for playful interpretations, various musical fusions and sophisticated performances.