Music has always been a pick-me-up elixir, and the new Matt Wilson album arrives just in time. Right now, we can all use a ‘Hug!’

Brian Landrus took a step back into tradition for ‘The Deep Below’ with Lonnie Plaxico and Billy Hart — albeit on his own terms — and made a reconnect with the roots that had always anchored his playing.

Never mind the studio setting, the highly lyrical and entrancing beauty of Fred Hersch’s piano and his empathetic rhythm section makes this another winning outing for this trio.

The thing about Matt Wilson isn’t that he leads a band from behind a drum kit…shoot, man, that’s been done at least since Chick Webb in the 1930s. You May Also Like: Matt Wilson Quartet – ‘Hug!’ (2020) Jeff Cosgrove, with John Medeski + Jeff Lederer – ‘History Gets AheadRead More

Fred Hersch has done plenty of duet albums and plenty of live albums, so perhaps it’s inevitable that the brilliant, reflective pianist would make a live, duet album with a guitarist. You May Also Like: Julian Lage – Arclight (2016) Fred Hersch – Sarabande (1987, 2016 reissue)

The sharp, agreeable Haymaker will be Noah Preminger’s first album since the last one Before The Rain (2011) catapulted the tenor saxophone master to the front ranks of today’s current crop of young lions. You May Also Like: Noah Preminger – Pivot: Live at the 55 Bar (2015) Jeff Cosgrove,Read More

Among the voluminous amount of Christmas music recently released lies a fun stocking stuffer: “Spend Christmas with Me,” a duet with jazz chanteuses Jane Monheit and Sara Gazarek. You May Also Like: Sasha’s Bloc + Jane Monheit, “Feels Like Jazz” (2015): Exclusive Something Else! stream Velvet Underground, “Sweet Jane [EarlyRead More