Even now, no one else in jazz compares to Moppa Elliot’s returning Mostly Other People Do the Killing. Audacity with the chops to make it work remains the basic recipe.

‘Contending and Contention’ is a harmonic, vocal and sonic journey, held together by its message – and Evie Asio’s distinct sound.

Dan Weiss’ innate understanding of tradition picked up from key influences made it possible to move forward in the salient, discriminating way that he did for ‘Dedication.’

Preston Frazier’s Best of 2022 list includes studio projects from David Paich, Monkey House, Ben Craven, Adrian Quesada and others.

Some might quibble over whether this is contemporary, smooth or crossover jazz. It’s actually a hybrid from Everette Harp, Jeff Lorber and Paul Jackson Jr.

It’s no match for ‘Slave to the Grind,’ of course, but ‘The Gang’s All Here’ certainly belongs in the conversation with Skid Row’s early albums.

Ivo Perelman and Joe Morris are hardly the first saxophone-guitar duo, but they take that combination to its highest possible level with ‘Elliptic Time.’

On ‘Seriana Promethea,’ David Murray, Brad Jones and Hamid Drake swagger their way through seven Murray originals and one really cool cover with relaxed confidence.

‘Unfamiliar Ceilings’ by violinist Lina Tullgren and koto player Alec Toku Whiting is an excursion into unfamiliar territory alright, but it’s territory where the ceilings look open like blue skies.

A number of book, CD, DVD/Blu-ray, and vinyl releases kept Beatles fans busy this year. Kit O’Toole is here to help Santa sort them all out.