Dan Costa and an all-star cast celebrate light in key physical and metaphysical forms on ‘Beams,’ and the result is a beautiful, peaceful listen.

For those who favor fire-breathing fusion as their progressive music of choice, ex-Dream Theater member Derek Sherinian’s ‘Vortex’ nicely fits the bill.

What we get from fusion icons Mike Stern and Jeff Lorber are the best of both worlds and that’s the strongest reason why ‘Eleven’ merits a lot of listens.

The international element is strong on ‘Spirit’ like a lot of jazz albums these days but Zem Audu is long beyond that concept of throwing together different ingredients and has mastered making his stew simmer with sophistication.

Andy Galore’s ‘Out and About’ works on many levels, from its strong compositions to its production and playing.

“Benny Man’s Blues” lives up to the outsized, genre-bending expectations surrounding a studio pairing of Eric Johnson and Mike Stern.

Perhaps like a lot of jazz guitar fans, I came to Leni Stern by way of her husband Mike, the owner of the so-called “Chops of Doom.” You May Also Like: Mike Stern – Trip (2017)

Carol Morgan is part of two jazz scenes, the NYC epicenter and the underrated Houston, Texas one. Her new, fifth release features this ace trumpeter with jazz luminaries from both towns. You May Also Like: Lee Morgan – ‘I Called Him Morgan’ (2017, DVD)

There are more than a few jazz fusion bassists out there with outstanding dexterity, who’ve mastered every Jaco Pastorius lick and made some fusion record full of endlessly serpentine melodies. You May Also Like: The Chick Corea + Steve Gadd Band – Chinese Butterfly (2018)

He was a founding member of Blood Sweat & Tears, a part of Billy Cobham’s seminal fusion band Dreams and one-half of one of the most exciting rock-jazz combos of the 70s and early 80s, the Brecker Brothers. You May Also Like: Brecker Brothers – ‘Live and Unreleased’ (2020)