Divergent, fearless, unpredictable and vulnerable, Jaimie Branch has made good on the great promise of ‘Fly or Die’ by soaring again on ‘Fly or Die II: bird dogs of paradise.’

Even with standard formats, Steve Lehman is dragging jazz into the future kicking and screaming. Tough love never sounded that good.

‘The Fine Line’ leaves you wondering why the wider public hasn’t picked up on what all insiders have known for years: Bob Sheppard is a top-shelf jazz musician.

The Jason Stein, Greg Ward-led project ‘Nature Work’ is highly recommended for those who like adventurous, impulsive jazz.

Strong musical personalities impose themselves on these Dave Douglas originals, and it makes for a riveting trio that sounds like no other.

On ‘Ride Angles,’ the band is an extension of Sam Ospovat’s mind, a very fertile mind at that.

Dave Stryker’s third Baby Boomer covers album ‘Eight Track III’ is a can’t-lose proposition because the melodies are rich with timeless soul.

Charles Rumback’s ‘Cadillac Turns’ has all the energy and capriciousness of a free-jazz blowing session but still retains a strong sense of melody.

Reaching within his household for inspiration, bass master Joe Martin takes a rare turn leading a star-studded group.

Can both transcendental and earthly jazz coexist on the same record? With ‘In the Key of the Universe,’ Joey DeFrancesco answers with an emphatic ‘yes.’