Jason Stein has made many very good records before, but in reaching deep inside himself, he came forth with a truly great one with ‘Anchors.’

‘For Mahalia, With Love’ is an inspiring manifestation of the gospel music from Mahalia Jackson long embedded inside James Brandon Lewis.

Kirk Knuffke has long been called a rising-star cornet player but ‘Gravity Without Airs’ is not the work of an ascending artist but a completely developed musician.

Whit Dickey’s deep trust in his bandmates and himself was greatly rewarded for his highly improvisational quartet outing ‘Astral Long Form: Staircase in Space.’

An instrumentalist of the highest order, Michael Bisio is underrated as a leader and composer. ‘MBefore’ is but the latest instance where he excels in those areas as well.

Listening to Matthew Shipp create on unaccompanied piano is like peering into the soul of a man. ‘Codebreaker’ exposes the soul of an artist absorbing decades of accomplishment but still capable of decades more.

‘Village Mothership’ is not merely Whit Dickey, William Parker and Matthew Shipp going off to their corners doing their own thing, these are three strongly distinct musical personalities able to interlock with each other while unconsciously maintaining their identities.

James Brandon Lewis’ ‘Jesup Wagon’ feels just like the musical embodiment of George Washington Carver.

The Ivo Perelman Trio’s ‘Garden of Jewels’ is a feast of ear food delivered with passion, fearlessness and a unity of purpose.

Veteran drummer and novice record label entrepreneur Whit Dickey finds ways to keep things fresh, this time with a new trio for ‘Expanding Light.’