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.

With Neil Podgurski and Brian Settles by Chad Taylor’s side, ‘The Daily Biological’ manages to cover a lot of fertile ground found in Taylor’s artistry.

Some current notables from Chicago’s progressive music scene got together and formed 85bears, named after the town’s the most celebrated football team.

Here is the streaming premiere of “Batida” by the re-formed Chicago Underground Quartet.

‘Testament’ leaves me wondering why Avram Fefer isn’t more widely noticed. He consistently brings the goods in composition, technique and sidemen – and delivers.

Divergent, fearless, unpredictable and vulnerable, Jaimie Branch has made good on the great promise of ‘Fly or Die’ by soaring again on ‘Fly or Die II: bird dogs of paradise.’

Chad Taylor’s first solo album shows you stuff you won’t hear on all the numerous, critically acclaimed projects he became involved with.

With the unusual structure of the electro-acoustic trio Hearts & MInds come opportunities to implement ideas you couldn’t really pull off in a ‘normal’ trio setting. ‘Electroradiance’ adroitly exploits those opportunities.