Makaya McCraven’s ‘Universal Beings’ is a handmade mishmash of sounds that isn’t alien, but is never completely familiar, either.

Harriet Tubman continues with the lofty ideas found on 2017’s ‘Araminta,’ and one ups it with deeper experimentations into rhythms.

Aaron Parks’ progressively minded ‘Little Big’ might not be the direction jazz is currently headed, but it should be.

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

‘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.

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.

No adjustment was necessary for this new collaboration, because Sonar or David Torn complement each other uncommonly well on ‘Vortex.’

Is it jazz-rock fusion or just instrumental jam-rock? Such descriptions are superfluous when the music connects as ‘Let It Wander’ by Circles Around The Sun does.

The Rob Dixon Trio’s ‘Coast To Crossroads’ is funk-jazz that’s the best because it comes from the best.

Sounding very much like themselves while incrementally reinventing themselves, The Necks’ constant tweaking of their formula keeps the music fresh and full of fascination. ‘Body’ nudges the band forward on their long, highly rewarding journey.