Coming out of trying times, something new from the Wood Brothers might just be what we need. ‘Heart Is The Hero’ is an extra-rootsy effort that satisfies the soul.

The the music of ‘MYSTIC’ by the expanded Sun of Goldfinger ensemble The Sunny Four lives entirely in the moment while justifying multiple moments re-hearing it.

Here are a pair of streaming premieres of songs from Matt Mitchell’s upcoming piano/drums double-disc album ‘Oblong Aplomb.’

The unworldly communion of Ivo Perelman and Matthew Shipp is a sacred musical bond. During ‘Live In Carrboro,’ Jeff Cosgrove uncannily knows just how to not only keep that bond intact, but strengthen it further.

The electric-jazz foray ‘Fire Illuminations,’ like most Wadada Leo Smith albums, is not just another record. It’s another chapter in his fascinating, ongoing story.

Sprung from the prolific mind of Rob Mazurek, the Exploding Star Orchestra started out in 2007 reaching toward towering heights of artistry and attaining them. Most amazingly, they still manage to do that today with ‘Lightning Dreamers.’

Here is the video premiere of “Neverending,” from the debut album of Gregg Belisle-Chi’s post-rockers Good Intentions.

Pianist and composer David Ake continues to make his infrequent releases count. ‘Green Thumb’ is plenty good enough the savor until Mr. Ake is ready to make another quality collection of modern and mainstream jazz.

The Vincent Meissner Trio found a perfect moment that covers youth and European, turning a brisk cover of “Young Folks” into an appealing jazz song.

Seven albums in, the Kaze concept shows no sign of going stale. Every time out they freshen that concept in ingenious ways and ‘Crustal Movement’ with Ikue Mori returning is their most audacious undertaking yet.