Starting with his 2014 big label debut ‘Rising Son,’ Takuya Kuroda preserved the integrity of jazz as he stretches far beyond its tradition to make it embraceable for newer generations.

Recorded in 1966 at their peaks, ‘Forces of Nature: Live at Slugs’ finds jazz giants McCoy Tyner and Joe Henderson freed from studio constrictions.

This creative burst mostly came with help from jazz luminaries, but ‘The Omnichord Real Book’ still sounds like the singular Meshell Ndegeocello.

With the lively ‘Lifted,’ Trombone Shorty lifts up people with feel-good music rooted in the 20th century but is the perfect tonic for the 21st century.

Guitarist extraordinaire Julian Lage’s ‘Squint’ is the record of an established veteran composing, playing and leading on a high plane.

“Saint Rose” is the advance single from Julian Lage’s upcoming new release for Blue Note Records, ‘Squint.’

Whatever expectations you can make about a new Nels Cline Singers release, ‘Share the Wealth’ exceeds them all.

Ron Miles’ music is always both relaxed and cerebral, a rare combination of qualities that few can pull off so convincingly. But once again with ‘Rainbow Sign’ he does, and with the ample help of some very special friends.

Sublime simplicity comes from attention to detail, a Bill Frisell hallmark found all over ‘Valentine.’ It’s another fine entry point into his massive discography.

Tone Poet audiophile reissues of classic albums by Kenny Burrell, Dexter Gordon and Andrew Hill continue Blue Note’s celebration of its 80th year.