‘Santana IV’ remind us of what made the Santana band so groundbreaking, influential and appealing back in the day, plus a little bit more.

Featuring Tomas Fujiwara, Ben Goldberg and Mary Halvorson, the Out Louds aren’t always necessarily loud – but they are sure enough ‘out.’

Starting perhaps around the time Ben Goldberg assembled his New Klezmer Trio and The Klezmatics was formed, the clarinet went from being a meek instrument associated with the traditional and archaic — like trad jazz and Polish weddings — to becoming You May Also Like: Ben Goldberg School – VolRead More

No matter how much saxophonist Walt Weiskopf mixes things up for the vibes and organ-powered jazz ‘The Way You Say It,’ the craftsmanship shines through.

‘Spark’ is Hiromi’s fourth go aorund with a formula that might get a little tiresome by now if she wasn’t so danged daring and exuberant in how she goes about it.

Once you accept the weird, wonderful microtonal world of David Fiuczynski, the universe gets much, much bigger. And better, too.

Iyer and Smith’s ‘a cosmic rhythm with each stroke’ is an encounter of two distinct voices from two distinct generations but of a single, spiritual mind.

Rodriguez wrings a compelling, simple charm from a broken down piano that’s as undeniable as the weathered ’55 Bel Airs lumbering around downtown Havana.

The jazz/hip-hop hybrid ‘In The Moment’ from drummer Makaya McCraven retains the energy and impulsiveness of the live performances within hypnotic looped and sampled grooves.

Steve Kuhn has been an original and dynamic pianist for over five decades, and that young spirit is very much present today on “My Shining Hour” and the rest of ‘At This Time.’