Brandon Seabrook puts all sides of his virtuosity to work on ‘Hellbent Daydream:’ imaginative composition, elite musicianship and band leadership.

Patricia Brennan’s ‘Of The Near And Far’ has all the originality, fearlessness and range that you look for to affirm that there are so many exciting avenues in music still left to be taken.

The constant, ‘going for the jugular’ posture uncorking one unexpected thunderbolt after another make ‘Trio of Bloom’ a sum greater than its substantial parts.

With their third collaboration ‘Bone Bells,’ Sylvie Courvoisier and Mary Halvorson have become a entity that’s a major force unto itself.

When Brandon Seabrook does a solo banjo and guitar project as he did with ‘Object of Unknown Function,’ there’s even more of his uniqueness to ponder, appreciate and – yes – enjoy.

With ‘Breaking Stretch,’ Patricia Brennan continues to build upon her uniquely inventive style of jazz simply by building up her ensemble.

With Ches Smith’s recently-earned reputation comes higher expectations, and his upcoming ‘Laugh Ash’ lives up to it with another ambitious project that’s not a mere repeat of what he’s done before.

In greatly expanding the possibilities for vibraphone and marimba, Patricia Brennan’s ‘More Touch’ takes us to exciting new sonic territory fueled by exceptional musicianship and a lot of gumption.

Getting it right instead of getting it sooner paid off handsomely for Trevor Dunn and his Trio-Convulsant on ‘Séances.’

Highly individual artists on their own when they got together the first time, Sylvie Courvoisier and Mary Halvorson forge a highly individual piano/guitar duo for ‘Searching for the Disappeared Hour.’