By distilling from ambitious artists like the Coltranes, Anthony Braxton, Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor and others, Ingebrigt Håker Flaten was able to achieve his own, far-flung ambitions with ‘Breezy.’

Recorded in 1966 at their peaks, ‘Forces of Nature: Live at Slugs’ finds jazz giants McCoy Tyner and Joe Henderson freed from studio constrictions.

Jazz pianist and composer Luther Allison makes his first splash as a leader with his introductory, Memphis Mafia-inspired album ‘I Owe It All to You.’

As an advanced bassist and composer, Kim Cass with his star colleagues meet his challenges head-on, making ‘Levs’ such a breathtaking ride.

By painting impressionistic portraits out of cues and basic figures for ‘Words Unspoken,’ John Surman got the best contributions from his quartet.

Rarely ever going far outside, Vijay Iyer continues to pursue his piano trio jazz revolution from within with a persistent creative spark and an inspired rhythm section.

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

With Sunna Gunnlaugs’ latest release ‘Becoming,’ the art of the trio is alive and well under her leadership.

Dan Weiss’ innate understanding of tradition picked up from key influences made it possible to move forward in the salient, discriminating way that he did for ‘Dedication.’

John Escreet’s first trio album ‘Seismic Shift’ is that rare record where both massive chops and innovative harmonic ideas both come in spades.