Through the thirteen short tracks of ‘Variations,’ Daivd Cain takes us through a safari of sounds and styles, tied together by a single theme.

Will Galison’s “Every Child Loved” is a heartfelt song that underscores this harmonica virtuoso’s flair as a singer-songwriter.

‘Good Intentions’ is an astonishing start from a saxophonist and composer still absorbing the more daring sides of jazz, because Alden Hellmuth is not interested in biding her time before putting her own imprint on the music form.

On ‘Breaking the Shell,’ Bill Frisell, Andrew Cyrille & Kit Downes get to expand their home base of creatively improvised music using the stately yet otherworldly sounds of the pipe organ.

When Brandon Seabrook does a solo banjo and guitar project as he did with ‘Object of Unknown Function,’ there’s even more of his uniqueness to ponder, appreciate and – yes – enjoy.

‘The Data’ is some of Matthew Shipp’s most heartfelt and ardent of his solo piano albums, informed with a lifetime of jazz and classical studies behind it.

A band that pairs a Fender Rhodes player with a pianist and no bass perhaps shouldn’t work, but with sheer flair that not only overcome that challenge, Kira Kira utterly thrives in it.

Here is the world streaming premiere of “Avrils,” from alto saxophonist Michael Attias’ upcoming new album ‘Quartet Music Vol. II: Kardamon Fall.’

The Necks’ ‘Bleed’ is briefer but there remains plenty of time to insert many small intriguing new twists into their incomparable brand of modern, minimalist music.

Throughout ‘Luminary,’ Tonino Miano often takes chances and stretches out while somehow making the music very melodic and pretty at the same time.