Never has anyone made spunky roots rock go down so easy like Robert Randolph and his Family Band. All that’s needed is a heapin’ helping of soul and, of course, maximal pedal steel guitar. There’s plenty of both on ‘Got Soul.’

From their first, self-titled album of 2005, Kneebody has been bringing a fresh conception to fusion or electric jazz.

“N.T. Bag” isn’t played by a trio where one player dominates over the others. With the AMP Trio, everyone dominates.

The sextet Trouble Kaze and their debut album ‘June’ is an inspired way to extend and expand on the ideas first put forward by the Japanese/French quartet Kaze.

In understanding the vital, father-son sax-drums core of Rich Halley’s ensembles, ‘The Wild’ is revelatory.

Victor Assis Brasil left behind several quality works to explore but his Jobim tribute ‘Toca Antonio Carlos Jobim’ now reissued is a fine place to start on that journey.

In the exclusive premiere of Eivind Opsvik’s “Brraps!”, the guy making those deft moves on the double bass is the same one wearing a raincoat making deft dance moves in his living room.

In what will likely go down as one of the best uncategorizable releases of the year, Harriet Tubman’s ‘Araminta’ is a swaggering statement from four musicians who thrive on taking chances.

“The Reckoning” track has just been released as a stream and is the opening salvo in this latest campaign by Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, from the upcoming first leg of the trilogy ‘Ruler Rebel’.

Blurring the lines between art and wit for fourteen years running, Mostly Other People Do The Killing are still making absurdity in jazz fun.