The James Brandon Lewis Quartet is an eminent ensemble for a number of good reasons and every one of those reasons can be found on ‘Abstraction Is Deliverance.’

On an album full of outlier music stars, no star shone brighter on ‘Live In Philadelphia’ than the one who has been around the longest. Marshall Allen is the living embodiment of the miracle of jazz.

The new Hearts & Minds release ‘Illuminescence’ is party music for both the heart and the mind.

John Blum’s ‘Deep Space’ might have some Sun Ra flavor in it thanks to Marshall Allen, but the free jazz pianist follows his own muse and it’s a good one.

James Brandon Lewis’ quartet albums showcase other sides of his advanced artistry and that heavyweight band. ‘Transfiguration’ is jazz soul music of the highest order.

jaimie branch’s final missive on Earth ‘Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((world war))’ makes clear that our world is worse off because she’s no longer in it.

‘For Mahalia, With Love’ is an inspiring manifestation of the gospel music from Mahalia Jackson long embedded inside James Brandon Lewis.

On ‘Juba Lee,’ Avram Fefer’s Quartet picks right up where 2019’s ‘Testament’ left off, resulting in another excellent entry from the underrated saxophonist, composer and leader.

James Brandon Lewis’ ‘Jesup Wagon’ feels just like the musical embodiment of George Washington Carver.

‘Molecular’ uses the double helix DNA component structure as a compass to guide James Brandon Lewis’ own harmonic map.