The big accomplishment of the first ‘Dirigo Rataplan’ was in Devin Gray’s insight in conceptualizing ways to get the most out of his fellow musicians and himself. That’s the same kind of brilliance found on ‘Dirigo Rataplan II.’

‘Change In The Air’ is the same sort of capacious, thoughtful and lyrical sound from Cuong Vu’s 4-Tet as it’s always been but now it feels more of four major voices than ever before.

Oslo’s Anders Aarum is a jazz pianist capable of tackling just about any style of jazz, from his membership in the New Orleans jazz troupe Funky Butt to the downtempo soul of Beady Belle to free jazz with You May Also Like: How Anders Osborne Came Into His Own WithRead More

Before any of those seminal recordings by the AACM family could happen, Roscoe Mitchell’s ‘Sound’ needed to.

Shai Maestro was already living up to his flattering last name when we first noticed him as the pianist in Avishai Cohen’s trio back in ’08. He would stay with You May Also Like: Avishai Cohen’s Melodic, Masterful Gently Disturbed Was a Canny Update Jorge Roeder – ‘El Suelo Mío’Read More

‘trioKAIT 2’ was released last spring, but that doesn’t mean that Kait Dunton and her sharp, small squad aren’t done creating some buzz with it.

Following a tribute to Afrobeat great Fela Kuti, Butcher Brown goes back to doing their usual analog, bell bottoms thing.

Calling this band “Rogério Boccato Quarteto” instead of the “Rogério Boccato Quartet” serves notice that this is Brazilian jazz music and ‘No Old Rain’ is a very good celebration of that music.

The ample leftovers from Walter Becker’s ’11 Tracks of Whack’ sessions continue to be pulled out of the frig, warmed in the microwave and set on the table for feasting.

Henry Kaiser has long found spiritual fulfillment playing music informed by the ancient songs of Korean Shamanism. This time he finds further fulfillment in the comradery of musicians who like him understand the power of the mudang.