Jeff Arnal and Dietrich Eichmann were on their game for ‘Tides of Unrest / Berlin 2023’ as there is synergism galore, and it never wavers no matter how many chances each take.

Taking the trombone and electric guitar to places rarely visited, Matthias Muller and Andreas Willers generate a pure form of “echtzeitmusik” – or “real-time music.”

Roscoe Mitchell leads a new trio/quartet using his decades-old ideas with a new freshness and proving with ‘One Head Four People’ that his approach still stands in the vanguard of jazz.

The moments are long on ‘Chrononaux’ but there aren’t any dull ones. Camila Nebbia, Dietrich Eichmann, John Hughes and Jeff Arnal are just too dialed into each other for that to happen.

Peter Van Huffel gets with the German Kneer and the Greek Dimitriades in a combo that cuts across different countries, cultures and backgrounds to find a common vision in improvised music.

Trombonist Dan Blacksberg’s ‘The Psychic/Body Sound System’ is targeted for very open minds (and ears). For those who are, hitching a ride on this journey can be quite rewarding.

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.