By distilling from ambitious artists like the Coltranes, Anthony Braxton, Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor and others, Ingebrigt Håker Flaten was able to achieve his own, far-flung ambitions with ‘Breezy.’

Starting with his 2014 big label debut ‘Rising Son,’ Takuya Kuroda preserved the integrity of jazz as he stretches far beyond its tradition to make it embraceable for newer generations.

The concept of making creative music solely with four reeded horns isn’t a new one but under Ivo Perelman’s direction, the concept has been thoroughly refreshed.

Peter Van Huffel gets with the German Kneer and the Greek Dimitriades in a combo that cuts across different countries, cultures and backgrounds to find a common vision in improvised music.

Emily Remler’s string of records during her short lifetime revealed an astonishing, groundbreaking guitar talent but didn’t reveal how that talent translated to the stage. ‘Cookin’ At The Queens, Live In Las Vegas 1984 & 1988′ at long last rectifies that.

‘SPIN’ continues Nik Bärtsch’s ritualistic groove safari, keeping it familiar but incremental enough to delight even longtime listeners

Trombonist Dan Blacksberg’s ‘The Psychic/Body Sound System’ is targeted for very open minds (and ears). For those who are, hitching a ride on this journey can be quite rewarding.

Released 15 years ago this week, ‘The Fall’ revealed Norah Jones as a far more compelling artist than she seemed at first.

Recorded in 1966 at their peaks, ‘Forces of Nature: Live at Slugs’ finds jazz giants McCoy Tyner and Joe Henderson freed from studio constrictions.

Christmas is a joyful time of the year but there’s melancholy running through Lydia Salnikova’s heartfelt yuletide song “Christmas Means a Different Thing This Year.”