Neal Francis is making the most of his second chance to make a first impression, creating quality soul music earnestly by hand.

Miles Okazaki constructs songs that go against convention, telling a different, engaging musical story with each piece.

This is drumming extraordinaire Mike Pride taking DIY to the extreme, not only in recording these solo, but also in engineering, mixing & mastering these series of improvisations.

‘Testament’ leaves me wondering why Avram Fefer isn’t more widely noticed. He consistently brings the goods in composition, technique and sidemen – and delivers.

Here is the streaming premiere of “Peaceable” by Quin Kirchner, Daniel Van Duerm, Matthew Lux w/guest Jaimie Branch.

“Just Another Story” arrived 25 years ago today as part of Jamiroquai’s sophomore release, ‘Return of the Space Cowboy.’

Pearring Sound is the moniker affixed to music led by alto saxophonist Jeff Pearring, and that sound is jazz that’s sometimes playful and always daring.

The only way to lose with Ameondola Vs. Blades’ funky delight ‘Everybody Wins’ is if you miss out on putting an ear to it.

Divergent, fearless, unpredictable and vulnerable, Jaimie Branch has made good on the great promise of ‘Fly or Die’ by soaring again on ‘Fly or Die II: bird dogs of paradise.’

Perhaps ‘Good Hope,’ the new collaboration from Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain and Chris Potter, was meant to be. It sure sounds that way.