Like a fingerprint or snowflake, Ivo Perelman’s and Matthew Shipp’s ‘Magical Incantation’ is unique within a collection of other unique tie-ups even if the basic approaches are similar.

The highly individual trumpet of Steph Richards and the interesting twists heard on “Zephyr” set the pattern for the rest of the upcoming adventurous album of the same name.

The Fourth Qorld Quartet’s ‘1975’ documents that brief time talented brothers and a colleague came together and really went for it blending free jazz, rock and modern classical.

Wadada Leo Smith’s ‘Sacred Ceremonies’ is a divine communion among legends, but it’s also yet another ambitious statement from an artist who produces lofty works with so many different accomplices on a regular basis.

‘Anemone’ by the Andrew Barker + Jon Irabagon Duo is sax-and-drums improvisation at its most impulsive and connective.

A meeting of artists who do not impose any rules on themselves is bound to produce music that dares to be dazzling in ways not previously heard, and that’s just what ‘Dust of Light/Ears Drawing Sounds’ by Ivo Perelman and Pascal Marzan delivers.

If you’re going to go extreme, do it with conviction. Jon Irabagon, Mike Pride, Mick Barr and Ava Mendoza are committed as ever for ‘I Don’t Hear Nothin’ But The Blues Volume 3: Anatomical Snuffbox.’

Veteran drummer and novice record label entrepreneur Whit Dickey finds ways to keep things fresh, this time with a new trio for ‘Expanding Light.’

For this festival set performed in Italy ‘Live In Florence,’ Otomo Yoshihide, his guitar and his turntables match wits with Chris Pitsiokos with his alto saxophone and his electronics.

Across five tracks of varying length is a showcase not just for the finesse of Sabir Mateen, Patrick Holmes and Federico Ughi but also the ingenuity and diverse talents of Mateen himself.