Samuele Strufaldi and Tommaso Rosati’s ‘1.15 K’ is fascinating not just because of the colliding of two musical worlds, but the creativity that went into it.

It’s clear how Gordon Grdina?’s Nomad Trio got their name: They wander without a clear map through vast musical terrain few can even attempt, and make it to the other side unscathed.

With Kait Dunton’s ‘trioKAIT Live at the Blue Whale,’ the integrity of the compositions and the sheer musical ability holds up just fine on stage, thank you very much.

As the Radical Empathy Trio, Thollem McDonas, Nels Cline and Michael Wimberly brew up two extended 20-minute performances that liberally mix acoustic with electronics.

‘Become the Discovered, Not the Discoverer’ by Keiji Haino, Merzbow and Balazs Pandi ain’t got no edits, no overdubs, nothing planned in advance. Just pure unadulterated impulsiveness.

With ‘Ineffable Joy,’ Ivo Perelman makes a significant addition to free jazz’s most fabled record company catalog.

Even if the music isn’t so simple, the intricacy on Matt Mitchell’s ‘Phalanx Ambassadors’ makes it so absorbing.

With their fourth album ‘Brain Drain’, Gorilla Mask is often in your face. That said, their tactics with rhythm and harmony remain an integral part of their attack, too.

There’s no better way to remember the brilliance of the late Paul Bley and Paul Motian – as well as that of the still-thriving Gary Peacock.

Avant garde jazz could use more joy and wit, which is Reut Regev R*Time’s secret weapon for making you want to listen.