Though tim Berne’s Snakeoil band lives and thrives dangerously, ‘Incidentals’ never goes off the rails; there’s a constant sense of surprise but coupled with a sense of purpose.

Four masterfully intuitive musicians who regularly aspire for greater heights with each venture reach the summit together on Satoko Fujii’s ‘Aspiration.’

Dead Neanderthals often play with collaborators, but ‘The Depths’ features just two musicians – and it is lovely.

Guitar whiz Dave Stryker gets back to meat ‘n’ potatoes soul-jazz with ‘Strykin’ Ahead.’

Great audio quality and Jack DeJohnette’s rare presence makes ‘Another Time: The Hilversum Concert’ a “new” Bill Evans album that’s also easy to recommend for reasons well beyond merely completing a catalog.

Dylan Howe had already made a name for himself as a jazz bandleader and a sideman before he joined his father’s group.

It’s probably a little too hyperbolic to call Mke Reed’s ‘Flesh & Bone’ the most important release of the year. At the same time, it’s impossible to overstate the importance of its message at this critical time.

By not limiting himself within a narrow concept and exploiting a multiple of possibilities presented by the larger sextet, Vijay Iyer’s variety of tactics benefit ‘Far From Over,’ making this an insightful window into his wide-ranging capabilities.

Just as Nellie Bly was able to show what a woman is capable of when gender barriers are confronted or outright ignored, Sam Boshnack is an example of a growing number of women leading a resurgence of creativity in jazz.

‘Fountain Of Youth’ has the energy and enthusiasm of someone striving to make his mark, but with the discernment of the accomplished veteran that Weiskopf is.