Brad Sroka is running a poll over at the Christgau Expert Witness forum where folks are supposed to pick out their 20 favorite albums from 20.5 years. I went through my database and found 201 albums in those years that I had graded A or A+ (13 of the latter, a grade I'm awful stingy with). I argued, to no avail, that one should be able to vote for more than 20 albums. (Even the Pitchfork poll, which somehow inspired this one, let voters list up to 100 albums, or 6-7 per year.) Having done that much work, I figured I would entertain the crowd with a list of the jazz subset from my 201 -- Christgau doesn't cover much jazz, so most of these albums would be outside of his domain (unlike the remaining non-jazz albums, which mostly do show up on his A-lists). However, thanks to the software geniuses at Microsoft, I couldn't post this list there.

So here it is: all the A/A+-rated jazz from 1992-2012, in rank order (more or less):

1. James Carter: Chasin' the Gypsy (2000, Atlantic)
2. Sonny Rollins: This Is What I Do (2000, Milestone)
3. William Parker: Sound Unity (2005, AUM Fidelity)
4. Sonic Liberation Front: Ashé a Go-Go (2004, High Two)
5. Billy Bang: Vietnam: The Aftermath (2001, Justin Time)
6. David Murray: Creole (1998, Justin Time)
7. Rudresh Mahanthappa/Steve Lehman: Dual Identity (2010, Clean Feed)
8. Ornette Coleman: Sound Grammar (2006, Sound Grammar)
9. Adam Lane: New Magical Kingdom (2006, Clean Feed)
10. Spaceways Inc.: Version Soul (2002, Atavistic)
11. Billy Jenkins: True Love Collection (1998, Babel)
12. Matthew Shipp: Harmony and Abyss (2004, Thirsty Ear)
13. Billy Bang: Prayer for Peace (2010, TUM)
14. William Parker: Scrapbook (2003, Thirsty Ear)
15. David Murray: Like a Kiss That Never Ends (2001, Justin Time)
16. Alexander von Schlippenbach: Monk's Casino (2005, Intakt)
17. William Parker: Raining on the Moon (2002, Thirsty Ear)
18. Tommy Smith/Brian Kellock: Symbiosis (2005, Spartacus)
19. Rich Halley/Dan Raphael: Children of the Blue Supermarket (2011, Pine Eagle)
20. Massimo Urbani: The Blessing (1993, Red)
21. Vandermark 5: Target or Flag (1998, Atavistic)
22. Don Pullen: Ode to Life (1993, Blue Note)
23. James Carter: The Real Quietstorm (1995, Atlantic)
24. Orlando Cachaito Lopez: Cachaito (2001, World Circuit/Nonesuch)
25. Triage: American Mythology (2004, Okka Disk)
26. Nils Petter Molvaer: Solid Ether (2000, ECM)
27. David Murray: Long Goodbye: A Tribute to Don Pullen (1998, DIW)
28. Roberto Juan Rodriguez: El Danzon de Moises (2002, Tzadik)
29. Paraphrase: Pre-Emptive Denial (2005, Screwgun)
30. William Parker: . . . And William Danced (2002, Ayler)
31. Steve Lehman: Dialect Fluorescent (2012, Pi)
32. The Fully Celebrated: Drunk on the Blood of the Holy Ones (2009, AUM Fidelity)
33. James Carter: Conversin' With the Elders (1996, Atlantic)
34. David Murray: Sacred Ground (2007, Justin Time)
35. David Sanchez: Obsesion (1998, Columbia)
36. Vandermark 5: Elements of Style . . . Exercises in Surprise (2004, Atavistic)
37. Jewels and Binoculars: Ships With Tattooed Sails (2007, Upshot)
38. William Parker: Double Sunrise Over Neptune (2008, AUM Fidelity)
39. Powerhouse Sound: Oslo/Chicago Breaks (2007, Atavistic)
40. Thelonious Monk/John Coltrane: At Carnegie Hall (2005, Blue Note)
41. Nik Bärtsch: Rea (2006, Ronin Rhythm)
42. Harry Allen: Blue Skies (1994, John Marks)
43. David S. Ware: Corridors and Parallels (2001, AUM Fidelity)
44. Nils Petter Molvaer: ER (2006, Thirsty Ear)
45. Mostly Other People Do the Killing: Shamokin!!! (2007, Hot Cup)
46. Matthew Shipp: Harmonic Disorder (2009, Thirsty Ear)
47. Barney Wilen: New York Romance (1994, Sunnyside)
48. Avram Fefer/Eric Revis/Chad Taylor: Eliyahu (2011, Not Two)
49. Jon Faddis: Teranga (2006, Koch)
50. David Murray: Gwotet (2004, Justin Time)
51. Lee Konitz: Jazz Nocturne (1992, Evidence)
52. William Parker: The Peach Orchard (1998, AUM Fidelity)
53. Arthur Blythe: Focus (2002, Savant)
54. Vandermark 5: Free Jazz Classics Vols. 3 & 4 (2006, Atavistic)
55. Allen Lowe: Blues and the Empirical Truth (2011, Music & Arts)
56. Yusef Lateef/Archie Shepp: Tenors of Yusef Lateef and Archie Shepp (1992, YAL)
57. Benjamin Herman: Hypo Christmas Treefuzz: More Mengelberg (2010, Dox)
58. Craig Harris: Souls Within the Veil (2005, Aquastra)
59. Randy Sandke: Unconventional Wisdom (2008, Arbors)
60. Ernie Wilkins: K.a.l.e.i.d.o.d.u.k.e. (1994, Birdology)
61. World Saxophone Quartet: Political Blues (2006, Justin Time)
62. William Parker: I Plan to Stay a Believer: The Inside Songs of Curtis Mayfield (2010, AUM Fidelity)
63. Vijay Iyer: Tragicomic (2008, Sunnyside)
64. Mark Lomax: The State of Black America (2010, Inarhyme)
65. Kenny Barron/Mino Cinelu: Swamp Sally (1995, Verve)
66. Michael Hashim: Green Up Time (2001, Hep)
67. Abraham Burton: The Magician (1995, Enja)
68. Zu/Spaceways Inc.: Radiale (2004, Atavistic)
69. West Nkosi: Rhythm of Healing (1992, Earthworks)
70. Bernardo Sassetti: Ascent (2005, Clean Feed)
71. Mi3: Free Advice (2007, Clean Feed)
72. Angles: Epileptical West: Live in Coimbra (2010, Clean Feed)
73. David Murray: Jazzosaurus Rex (1993, Red Baron)
74. Lester Bowie: The Fire This Time (1992, In+Out)
75. Stephen Scott: Aminah's Dream (1993, Verve)
76. Anthony Braxton: 20 Standards (Quartet) 2003 (2005, Leo)

But since we're here, might as well do the non-jazz part of the list, too:

1. Lily Allen: It's Not Me, It's You (2009, Capitol)
2. Pavement: Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1993, Matador)
3. Beck: Odelay (1996, DGC)
4. Pet Shop Boys: Very (1993, Capitol)
5. Cornershop: When I Was Born for the Seventh Time (1997, Warner Bros)
6. Iris Dement: My Life (1994, Warner Bros)
7. Buck 65: Talkin' Honky Blues (2003, Warner Music Canada)
8. Lucinda Williams: Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (1998, Polygram)
9. Sonic Youth: Dirty (1992, DGC)
10. Jimmie Dale Gilmore: Spinning Around the Sun (1993, Elektra)
11. The Roches: A Dove (1992, MCA)
12. Leonard Cohen: Live in London (2008, Columbia)
13. John Prine: In Spite of Ourselves (1999, Oh Boy)
14. Manu Chao: Proxima Estacion: Esperanza (2001, Virgin)
15. DJ Shadow: The Private Press (2002, MCA)
16. Los Lobos: Colossal Head (1996, Warner Bros)
17. Maria Muldaur: Richland Woman Blues (2001, Stony Plain)
18. Todd Snider: The Devil You Know (2006, New Door)
19. Dave Alvin: King of California (1994, Hightone)
20. Amy Rigby: Little Fugitive (2005, Signature Sounds)
21. Loudon Wainwright III: High Wide and Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project (2009, 161)
22. Bruno Mars: Doo-Wops and Hooligans (2010, Elektra)
23. Lyrics Born: Later That Day . . . (2003, Quannum Projects)
24. Brian Wilson: Presents Smile (2004, Nonesuch)
25. OutKast: Stankonia (2000, LaFace)
26. P.J. Harvey: To Bring You My Love (1995, Island)
27. Iris Dement: The Way I Should (1996, Warner Bros)
28. Liz Phair: Exile in Guyville (1993, Matador)
29. Cornershop: Handcream for a Generation (2002, Beggars Banquet)
30. Moby: Play (1999, V2)
31. The Coup: Party Music (2001, 75 Ark)
32. Todd Snider: East Nashville Skyline (2004, Oh Boy)
33. Amy Rigby: Diary of a Mod Housewife (1996, Koch)
34. Mavis Staples: We'll Never Turn Back (2007, Anti-)
35. L7: Bricks Are Heavy (1992, Slash)
36. Rachid Taha: Made in Medina (2001, Ark 21)
37. Gogol Bordello: Super Taranta! (2007, Side One Dummy)
38. Kanye West: Late Registration (2005, Roc-A-Fella)
39. Lucinda Williams: Sweet Old World (1992, Chameleon)
40. John Prine: Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings (1995, Oh Boy)
41. Cachao: Master Sessions Volume 2 (1995, Crescent Moon/Epic)
42. NERD: In Search of . . . (2002, Virgin)
43. Loudon Wainwright III: Older Than My Old Man Now (2012, 2nd Story Sound)
44. Buck 65: Man Overboard (2001, Metaforensics)
45. Youssou N'Dour: Rokku Mi Rokka (2007, Nonesuch)
46. Randy Newman: Harps and Angels (2008, Nonesuch)
47. Jimmie Dale Gilmore: One Endless Night (2000, Rounder)
48. Blackalicious: Nia (2000, Quannum Projects)
49. Van Morrison: Down the Road (2002, Universal)
50. Leonard Cohen: The Future (1992, Columbia)
51. Orchestra Baobab: Specialist in All Styles (2002, Nonesuch)
52. Mzwakhe Mbuli: Resistance Is Defence (1992, Earthworks)
53. Amadou and Mariam: Dimanche à Bamako (2005, Nonesuch)
54. Handsome Boy Modeling School: So . . . How's Your Girl? (1999, Tommy Boy)
55. Kanye West: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010, Roc-A-Fella)
56. K'Naan: The Dusty Foot Philosopher (2008, IM Culture)
57. The Roots: Rising Down (2008, Def Jam)
58. The Beautiful South: 0898 Beautiful South (1992, Go! Discs)
59. V.V. Brown: Travelling Like the Light (2009, Capitol)
60. Buck 65: Square (2002, Warner Music Canada)
61. Nelly: Country Grammar (2000, Universal)
62. Hayes Carll: Trouble in Mind (2008, Lost Highway)
63. DJ Shadow: Endtroducing (1996, Mo Wax)
64. Ghostface Killah: Fishscale (2006, Def Jam)
65. Rilo Kiley: More Adventurous (2004, Brute/Beaute)
66. Todd Snider: Live: Near Truths and Hotel Rooms (2003, Oh Boy)
67. Manu Chao: Clandestino (1998, Ark 21)
68. Public Enemy: Rebirth of a Nation (2006, Guerrilla Funk)
69. Iris Dement: Infamous Angel (1992, Philo)
70. Raphael Saadiq: The Way I See It (2008, Columbia)
71. K'Naan: Troubadour (2009, A&M/Octone)
72. Oumou Sangare: Seya (2009, World Circuit/Nonesuch)
73. Sufjan Stevens: Illinois (2005, Asthmatic Kitty)
74. Youssou N'Dour: Nothing's in Vain (2002, Nonesuch)
75. The Roots: How I Got Over (2010, Def Jam)
76. John Fogerty: Revival (2007, Fantasy)
77. Beck: Mellow Gold (1994, DGC)
78. Le Tigre: This Island (2004, Island)
79. The Streets: Original Pirate Material (2002, Vice/Atlantic)
80. Eminem: The Marshall Mathers LP (2000, Interscope)
81. Sue Foley: Without a Warning (1993, Antone's)
82. Sonic Youth: Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star (1994, DGC)
83. Les Amazones de Guinée: Wamato (2008, Sterns Africa)
84. Robyn: Body Talk (2010, Konichiwa/Cherrytree/Interscope)
85. Mekons: OOOH! (Out of Our Heads) (2002, Quarterstick)
86. Todd Snider: Agnostic Hymns and Stoner Fables (2012, Aimless/Thirty Tigers)
87. The Beautiful South: Blue Is the Colour (1996, Ark)
88. Lucinda Williams: Essence (2001, Lost Highway)
89. Stevie Wonder: Conversation Peace (1995, Motown)
90. The Perceptionists: Black Dialogue (2005, Definitive Jux)
91. Manu Chao: La Radiolina (2007, Nacional/Because)
92. Kelis: Tasty (2003, Star Trak/Arista)
93. L7: Hungry for Stink (1994, Slash/Reprise)
94. The Coup: Pick a Bigger Weapon (2006, Epitaph)
95. The Highlife Allstars: Sankofa (2001, Network)
96. Steinski: Nothing to Fear: A Rough Mix (2002, Soul Ting)
97. Loudon Wainwright III: Career Moves (1993, Virgin)
98. Willie Nelson/Asleep at the Wheel: Willie and the Wheel (2009, Bismeaux)
99. Spoon: Kill the Moonlight (2002, Merge)
100. Jesus and Mary Chain: Stoned and Dethroned (1994, Warner Bros)
101. M People: Elegant Slumming (1994, Epic)
102. The Klezmatics: Wonder Wheel: Lyrics by Woody Guthrie (2006, JMG)
103. Tricky: Blowback (2001, Hollywood)
104. Lobi Traoré: Bwati Kono "In the Club" (2011, Kanaga System Krush)
105. Billy Bragg/Wilco: Mermaid Avenue (1998, Elektra)
106. Justin Warfield: My Field Trip to Planet 9 (1993, Warner Bros)
107. Girls Against Boys: House of GVSB (1996, Touch & Go)
108. Vampire Weekend: Contra (2010, XL)
109. Amy Rigby: Middlescence (1998, Koch)
110. Cee-Lo Green: Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections (2002, Arista)
111. Imperial Teen: On (2002, Merge)
112. Bob Dylan: Love and Theft (2001, Columbia)
113. Transplants: Transplants (2002, Hellcat)
114. Elastica: The Menace (2000, Atlantic)
115. The Chills: Soft Bomb (1992, Slash)
116. Mr. Lif: I Phantom (2002, Definitive Jux)
117. Mekons: Ancient and Modern (2011, Bloodshot)
118. L.L. Cool J: 14 Shots to the Dome (1993, Def Jam)
119. Big Boi: Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty (2010, Def Jam)
120. La Cherga: Fake No More (2008, Asphalt Tango)
121. Dessa: A Badly Broken Code (2010, Doomtree)
122. Sam Phillips: Martinis and Bikinis (1994, Virgin)
123. Jimmie Dale Gilmore & the Wronglers: Heirloom Music (2011, Neanderthal Noise)
124. Jonatha Brooke: The Works (2008, Bad Dog)
125. Garbage: Garbage (1995, Almo)

No compilations in the above, per Sroka's rules, although a lot of world music (and some others) is available in no more accessible form. Didn't try to pull out the A- grades: 20 years worth would get us close to 2000 records -- most of which I'm sure hold up quite well, and some of which should be promoted.

UPDATE: Sroka wrote to correct me that some compilations are eligible: "they just can't be of material released before 1992." He then muddied the waters by saying he would accept King Sunny Adé: The Best of the Classic Years, released in 2003 but containing music previously released in 1967-74 (i.e., well before 1992, albeit only on Nigerian labels).

A quick recheck reveals 61 A/A+ compilations released in 1992 or later, but all of them have material previously released before 1992. It is possible that a few of the African comps have nothing previously released in the US, but that's very difficult to determine. Individual artist albums like the aforementioned King Sunny Adé would be even harder to search out. It certainly is the case that some Various Artists comps would be eligible, if only they were better -- tributes, dance remixes, maybe some hip-hop comps. I can think of some A- records like that, but none showed up on the A/A+ list.