Defying smooth jazz stereotypes, David Sanborn shined when joined fellow ex-Julius Hemphill pupil Tim Berne in adventurous performances of Hemphill songs.

Often situated in a cloud of opaque neo-funk, the late David Sanborn’s talents could be understandably obscured. Yet, there’s no mistaking, or escaping, that tone.

Spin-offs usually aren’t as successful as the original thing. That axiom never applies to Ivo Perelman projects, though, and for ‘Duologues 1-Turning Point,’ a peak performing Perelman gets Tom Rainey’s best.

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.

Emphasizing a loosely-structured, open approach, the Tomeka Reid Quartet builds on the success of the prior two outings with ‘3+3.’

Now out in complete, remastered and legal form, ‘Poppin’ in Paris: Live at L’Olympia 1972′ should serve to get Cannonball Adderley’s final era the attention it deserves.

With James Brandon Lewis and the Son Lux rhythm section, Dave Douglas keeps pushing forward fresh ideas with that same old vigor he’s had from the start.

The Matthew Shipp Trio’s ‘New Concepts in Piano Trio Jazz’ further obliterates the line between composed and cursive, allowing for prettier melodic development while retaining all the element of surprise.

With ‘The Love Insane,’ Wabi Sabi learned new ways to piece together an LP, using various pieces recorded in various locations rather than having each other present.

Collaborating with Mark Helias and Tom Rainey makes ‘Truth Seeker’ a whole new, tantalizing artistic quest for Ivo Perelman.