Jim Black & The Shrimps - Better You Don't

Label: Intakt Records, 2025

Personnel - Asger Nissen: alto saxophone; Julius Gawlik: tenor saxophone; Felix Henkelhausen: bass; Jim Black: drums.

Highly influenced by alternative rock, avant-garde jazz, and electronic music, American drummer Jim Black has explored countless group configurations alongside a wide range of artists. His 12th recording of original songs, Better You Don’t, is his second with The Shrimps—a sharp, eruptive Berlin-based trio featuring Danish altoist Asger Nissen and German musicians Julius Gawlik on tenor saxophone and Felix Henkelhausen on bass.

The buoyant “The Sheila” captures Black’s subversive knack for rock-inflected textures, channeling raw energy and spontaneity. These qualities come alive through a motorik-like rhythm that heightens kineticism, a sturdy, funky bass groove, and loose, creative saxophone lines that may align briefly before splitting apart to interact freely. “Better You Don’t” and “Backtracks” follow a similar path—indie rock-leaning tracks powered by muscular drumming and energetic solos that never lose sight of melody.

“OK Yrself’ is an expressive, communicative ballad shaded by cymbal restraint. Black extends that sophistication across the kit, crafting a chamber jazz mood steeped in mournful tones before opening toward hope in the final saxophone improvisation. “Cane Di Male”, introduced by dark bass-and-drum contours, arrives with plenty of saxophone obliqueness, evolving into a punk-rock demeanor marked by sturdy bass lines, nimble drum fills, and occasional kick-drum surges.

While “Stone Placid” unfolds conversationally within an open framework— its ending enlivened by phenomenal percussion under sustained horn drones— “Actually Probably Matters” thrives on jostling horn interplay, with the saxophonists soaring in playful upper-register zigzags. Occasional multiphonics emerge before Nissen and Gawlik consolidate the melody over a robust swinging rhythm.

Always thought-provoking and firmly contemporary, Jim Black and his Shrimps show how their rapport has deepened through mutual dedication to the music.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - The Sheila ► 04 - OK Yrself ► 06 - Cane Di Male ► 09 - Actually Probably Matters

Ingebrigt Haker Flaten (Exit) Knarr - Drops

Label: Sonic Transmissions Records, 2025

Personnel - Karl Hjalmar Nyberg: tenor saxophone, electronics; Amalie Dahl: alto saxophone; Marta Warelis: piano, electronics; Jonathan F. Horne: guitar; Ingebrigt Håker Flaten: bass; Olaf Olsen: drums; Mette Rasmussen: alto saxophone (#1); Veslemøy Nervesen: drums (#1).

Free-spirited Norwegian bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flaten returns with his remarkable (Exit) Knarr project, whose lineup has shifted multiple times since its 2022 debut. On the group’s third studio album, Drops, the now-stable sextet sees a few changes from Breezy (2024), with altoist Amalie Dahl and pianist Marta Warelis replacing Mette Rasmussen and Oscar Grönberg, respectively. He has also removed trumpet from the instrumentation, incorporating heavier doses of electronics to achieve an overwhelming realization of his experimental, post-modern jazz vision. Graphic scores—an unconventional notation learned from Mats Gustafsson and Anthony Braxton—were also introduced.

The opene, a thought-provoking deconstruction of Wayne Shorter’s “Deluge”, expands the group to an octet with the return of former members Rasmussen and drummer Veslemøy Nervesen. The piece brims with the methodical, slashing guitar chords of Jonathan F. Horne, who layers jarring harmonies over a vibrant rhythmic mesh of bass and drums. Coiled saxophone extemporizations fill the spaces left from the main idea, leading to a tense, abstract passage marked by chromatic bass motion and daring piano gestures. Buzzing swarms of sound, squeaking and growling reeds, and primal drumming emerge, with electronics lending a stratospheric dimension that lingers until the fade-out. 

If that rendition surprises, the closer, “Austin Vibes” (Håker Flaten has been based in Austin, Texas, since 2009), is a quirky yet catchy fusion of electro-avant-jazz tweaked by tenorist and electronic artist Karl Hjalmar Nyberg. Together with Dahl, he fires scorching blasts before the piece concludes with the swagger of a triumphant march. In contrast, the title track, “Drops”, feels like slow-mo chamber music, subtly stirred by Warelis’ fleet-footed piano notes falling in the background.

The richly textured “Kanón”, written for drummer Paal Nilssen-Love, opens with percussion turned persistent snare ruffs and long sax notes reworked with flickering motions. A central figure emerges from bass and guitar, while drummer Olaf Olsen answers the call with equal precision. Nyberg’s saxophone improvisation is both acrobatic and forceful, though the mood softens into moments of serenity underscored by walking bass and understated drumming. At this juncture, Horne and Dahl are free to explore while Warelis drifts in and out, releasing stylish cascades of notes. The swing intensifies, shifting into an odd-metered vamp before the final electro-punk rave that closes out the piece.

Håker Flaten orchestrates with a singular touch, displaying an exquisite sense of form. Drops is one of those albums better absorbed than analyzed—yet unquestionably essential for adventurous jazz listeners.

Favorite Tracks: 
01 - Deluge ► 03 - Kanon

Linda May Han Oh - Strange Heavens

Label: Biophilia Records, 2025

Personnel - Ambrose Akinmusire: trumpet; Linda May Han Oh: bass; Tyshawn Sorey: drums.

The power of the jazz trio is strongly felt on Strange Heavens, the new outing from acclaimed bassist and composer Linda May Han Oh. This 12-track recording finds the bassist teaming up with drummer Tyshawn Sorey, her rhythmic partner in the Vijay Iyer Trio, and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, an exceptional narrative builder who also appeared on her debut trio album Entry (2009).

With each track reflecting Oh’s distinct personality, the album opens with “Portal”, inspired by the stress-inducing nature of today’s social media. A driving bass figure sets the journey in motion, soon joined by delicate trumpet lines and crisp drumming, advancing with rhythmic nuance and melodic breath. The melancholic and moody title track, “Strange Heavens”, stands in contrast to “Living Proof”, which—drawn from her mother’s life story—comes with a rougher attitude, blending punk rock pugnacity with the iridescent hues of modern jazz.

Each members plays with overt virtuosity, crafting a flexible framework where dynamic interplay and solo statements are open to exploration. “The Sweetest Water” is one such piece, hitting hard with limpid trumpet melodicism over astute bass work and tireless drum buoyancy. Other examples include “Home” and “Paperbirds”, two of four compositions inspired by Australian author Shaun Tan’s graphic novel The Arrival. The former—infectious, complex, and ever-shifting—ventures into avant-garde and free territory, while the latter sustains a sense of flow and spontaneity regardless of the unusual time signatures.

“Noise Machinery” is a deliciously groovy number infused with funk, rock, and R&B elements, underscoring the trio’s shared wavelength. Their gift for abstraction shines, and the rendition of late pianist Geri Allen’s “Skin” reaches an exceptional polyrhythmic level with thoughtful push-pull undercurrents. In turn, trombonist Melba Liston’s “Just Waiting”, a softly brushed lullaby, closes the album with the soulful elegance of a timeless jazz standard.

By the time the album draws to a close, listeners are caught in an inescapable musical web, drawn by a creative triangulation rooted in raw, honest interplay. This marks a brilliant return for Oh to the trio format.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Portal ► 03 - Living Proof ► 06 - Noise Machinery ► 11 - Skin

Silke Eberhard Trio - Being-A-Ning

Label: Intakt Records, 2025

Personnel - Silke Eberhard: alto saxophone; Jan Roder: bass; Kay Lübke: drums.

German saxophonist and composer Silke Eberhard reunites with her simpatico Berlin-based trio—featuring Jan Roder on bass and Kay Lübke on drums—to deliver ten melodically intricate trialogues built on agile rhythmic ideas. Formed in 2006, the trio navigates lucid structures with both precision and intuition, each member deeply attuned to their instrument while keeping an ear open to the others. Being-A-Ning is her fifth album with the trio.

The trio’s rigor and quick-reacting interplay are evident on the frisky, intricate opener, “What’s in Your Bag”, fruit of countless hours playing together at a virtuosic level. Lübke’s shuffling drums bears a hand to the exclamatory statements jointly unleashed by Eberhard and Roder. A four-note saxophone riff initially underpins the drum solo, while a tensile bass figure shifts the momentum toward the close. With its distinctive tone, “Sao” offers a feast of staccato delineation over exotic rhythms and gentle rattles, evoking the atmosphere of a  near-tribal African ceremony.

The sole piece not penned by Eberhard is “Hans im Glück”, a Lübke’s composition whose motivic transparency and well-crafted metric framework unfold with rich intuition. “New Dance” pulses with frantic enthusiasm, an electro-funk oddity featuring a dazzling Eberhard improvisation, intriguing effects, and a measured drumbeat.

Swinging with eloquence, “Being-A-Ning” nods to Thelonious Monk not only in its title but also in its sound, while also carrying shades of Steve Lacy and Ornette Coleman. It includes an invigorating bass solo and trades with the drummer, who also shines on “Lake”, a freebop-inflected piece that makes us think of Oliver Lake, intentionally or otherwise. “Rubber Boots”, another dance-like number crafted with a firmly established groove and plenty of outside venture, brings the album to a close.

Technically capable and ever in search of fresh possibilities, Eberhard infuses Being-A-Ning with masterful collective articulations and improvisatory flights that celebrate the free spirit.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - What’s in Your Bag ► 05 - New Dance ► 07 - Being-A-Ning

David Murray Quartet - Birdly Serenade

Label: Impulse! Records, 2025

Personnel - David Murray: tenor saxophone; Marta Sanchez: piano; Luke Stewart: bass; Russell Carter: drums; Ekep Nkwelle: vocals (#1,3); Francesca Cinelli: spoken word (#8).

The quartet of iconic saxophonist David Murray returns with Birdly Serenade, an eight-track album inspired by birds—the original improvisers—and their songs. Part of producer Randall Poster’s ongoing Birdsong Project, the record marks Murray’s debut on Impulse! Records and was captured at the legendary Van Gelder Studio.

The album opens with the enthrallingly vivid title track, “Birdly Serenade”, featuring Cameroonian-American vocalist Ekep Nkwelle, singing lyrics adapted from a poem by Murray’s wife and manager, Francesca Cinelli. Driven by a lilting waltz pulse, the piece radiates spiritual power, with solos from Murray on tenor saxophone and Spanish pianist Marta Sánchez. Nkwelle also graces “Song of the World”, an exquisite Latin-tinged ballad, melodically driven by bass clarinet and featuring an engrossing bass solo from Luke Stewart. The piece was written for Mixashawn Rozie, an Indigenous musician and activist.

Composed in the studio during the recording session, “Black Bird’s Gonna Lite Up the Night” bursts with fierce avant-garde energy, amplified by spiraling piano figures, a mix of bowed and pizzicato bass textures, and thunderous tom-tom resonance from drummer Russell Carter. The music builds into a vortex of sound before Stewart grounds it with steady bass steps. “Capristano Swallow”, which evokes memories of Murray’s youth of the Springtime Swarm at the Mission San Juan Capristano in California, is another avant-garde foray, reinforcing Murray’s outside playing proclivities and including a spellbinding solo piano interlude before the quartet returns with wind-like force.

“Bald Ego” channels Charlie Parker through blues and bop grandeur, featuring bar trades between the quartet and the drummer, while “Nonna’s Last Flight”, with Murray revealing borderline chromatic mechanisms on bass clarinet, is delivered with a hip posture that drowns itself in groovy funk and hip-hop vibes. Sanchez supplies rich harmonic layers beneath her elegantly intricate phrasing. The album closes with “Oiseau de Paradis”, a cascade of playful ideas paired with a French poem written and recited by Cinelli.

Murray is more interested in playing his own songs at this phase of his career, and this project, structurally disciplined but wide open to improvisation, allowed him to do just that.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Birdly Serenade ► 04 - Black Bird’s Gonna Lite Up the Night ► 05 - Nonna’s Last Flight

Plainspeak - Someone to Someone

Label: Irabbagast Records, 2025

Personnel - Jon Irabagon: alto saxophone; Russ Johnson: trumpet; Clark Sommers: acoustic bass; Dana Hall: drums.

A love letter to Chicago, Someone to Someone marks the debut of PlainsPeak, a finely tuned acoustic quartet led by saxophonist and composer Jon Irabagon. The album features six Irabagon originals, brought to life by seasoned artists deeply connected to Chicago and fully in command of their authentic selves: trumpeter Russ Johnson—reuniting with Irabagon 17 years after appearing on his debut Outright!—bassist Clark Sommers, and drummer Dana Hall. The project was conceived after Irabagon relocated to his hometown of Chicago, where he was born and raised, following nearly two decades in New York.

The title track, a love song dedicated to Irabagon’s family, opens the album in balladic, rubato mode with bowed bass as main support. Sommers holds the spotlight for thirty seconds before horns and drums join him. Then, it’s Hall who forges a dynamic, swampy corridor over which Johnson and Irabagon roam freely. 

The frontline, whether threading chain-linked ideas or conjuring fervid, polyphonic near-cacophonies that delight the ear, radiates contagious energy. Both “Buggin’ the Bug”, an old blues march revitalized with swinging motion and emphatic melodic punctuation, and the awesomely coordinated “Malört is My Shepherd” showcase this spirit. The latter, referencing the traditional wormwood-based digestif with deep roots in Chicago, is elevated by Irabagon’s alto saxophone stretch, where he skillfully explores multiple sonorities of the instrument. 

Cooked hot with shifting meters, the thought-provoking “At What Price Garlic” rides on magnetic grooves from the tightly interlocked bass and drums. Melodic crescendos and stirring solos strike a fine balance between tension and release. “Tiny Miracles” turns inward, carrying elliptical intensity, while “The Pulseman”, a snappy tribute to Hall and Chicago drummers, brings the album to a climactic close through playful staccatos and agile runs.

Irabagon is one of those amazing musicians and gifted composers with a broad interest in styles and sounds. Whether leading an A.I.-inspired nonet (Server Farm, 2025), engaging in exploratory duets (Blue Hour, 2024), or celebrating the vibrancy and lyricism of Chicago jazz—as he does here—he never fails to captivate.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Someone to Someone ► 02 - Buggin’ the Bug ► 04 - At What Price Garlic

Alexa Tarantino - The Roar and the Whisper

Label: Blue Engine Records, 2025

Personnel - Alexa Tarantino: alto and soprano saxophones, flute; Steven Feifke: piano; Philip Norris: bass; Mark Whitfield Jr.: drums; + Guests -  Cécile McLorin Salvant: vocals (#6,9); Keita Ogawa: percussion (#9).

Released on the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s label, Blue Engine Records, The Roar and the Whisper marks the fifth studio album by award-winning saxophonist and composer Alexa Tarantino. A member of the prestigious Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the all-female quintet Artemis, Tarantino forms a pliant quartet with pianist Steven Feifke, bassist Philip Norris, and drummer Mark Whitfield Jr, inviting guest vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant to join them in two pieces, the last of which also features percussionist Keita Ogawa. 

This is a work of contagious post-bop irradiation that begins with “Inside Looking Out”, a mutable, dynamic piece showcasing strong interaction between Tarantino and Feifke—an encouraging accompanist who is very much in sync with the saxophonist’s moves—and a swinging rhythmic core propelled by Norris’ rolling bass lines. Smokin’ and soulful modal Coltranean inflections run deep here, particularly during Tarantino’s soprano solo. The title track, “The Roar and the Whisper”, balances stealth and restraint before erupting into bursts of energetic fire.

While Wayne Shorter’s “This is For Albert” is rendered with balletic agility, “Provoking Luck” carries a blissful hard-bop swagger in the vein of Art Blakey, Clifford Brown, or Lou Donaldson, with rhythm changes that sparkle flawlessly. On the latter, Tarantino plays alto, but she’s equally soulful on soprano sax and flute, showing off her formidable chops on the graceful waltz “Portraits of a Shadow” and “Luminance”, respectively. The latter comes wrapped in a gentle Brazilian bossa feel.

McLorin Salvant brings her vocal charisma to her own composition “Moon Song”, a ballad grand by flute airiness, and to Billy Strayhorn’s “Tigress”, a Latin-tinged cocktail, where she sings wordlessly to evoke an exotic soundscape, garnished by Ogawa’s percussive textures and Tarantino’s lithesome soprano.

Narrated with a feisty temperament, “Back in Action” features the alto sax front and center, radiating an infectious energy and swinging verve. The track includes exchanges with the drummer, who punctuates with a series of playful swells. On The Roar and the Whisper, Tarantino and her ensemble bring undeniable quality to both originals and covers.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Inside Looking Out ► 04 - Portraits of a Shadow ► 06 - Moon Song

East of West with Romano Crivici - Pastorale

Label: 4000 Records, 2025

Personnel - Philip Griffin: oud; Goran Gajić: double bass; Malindi Morris: percussion; Romano Crivici: piano.

East of West, a world jazz trio based in Brisbane, Australia, has a new record, Pastorale, where they infuse each of the six tunes with pictorial vividness. Featured on piano here is Australian pianist Romano Crivici—also a contemporary classical violinist and leader of the Elektra String Quartet—who adds a gorgeous touch to the jazz-meets-Balkan/Mediterranean influences of the trio, led by Bosnian-born bassist and main composer Goran Gajić. Oud player Philip Griffin and percussionist Malindi Morris complete the lineup.

“Where Is Your Accent From” sets an inviting tone, opening with an oud introductory section before an arpeggiated piano riff and ‘singing’ bass lines substantiate the whole through colorful layers. Crivici digresses, subtly accompanied by percussion, leading to calm waters and dreamy places before interjecting across a final six-beat cycle vamp where Griffin steps forward, playing the oud with suave grace.

With a deeply evocative world sound, “Quiet Days in West End” unfolds in seven, immersed in tranquility and conveying beauty through the unison theme statement professed by oud, piano, and bass. The engagingly propulsive “Small Eyes” flows dramatically and passionately with metronomic consistency, tied together by bass and percussion with substantial assist from Crivici.

“Takt” initiates its journey like a call-and-response between piano and oud. Crivici and Gajić also communicate assertively within certain passages, and the piece culminates in a crescendo orchestrated in septuple meter. Motif developments are at the core of Gajić’s compositions, and everything is refined to perfection in the title track, “Pastorale”, which came to life in 2016. Its modal tension, serving as foundation, makes the beautiful surface shine even more. Gajić delivers a fine bass solo before taking the piece to a close with his hypnotic arco work.

Fans of world fusion will certainly resonate with East of West’s musical intuition and ethnic sophistication.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Where Is Your Accent From ► 03 - Small Eyes ► 06 - Pastorale

Mats Gustafsson / Ken Vandermark / Tomeka Reid / Chad Taylor - Pivot

Label: Silkheart Records, 2025

Personnel - Mats Gustafsson: baritone and tenor saxophones, flute; Ken Vandermark: tenor saxophone, Bb and bass clarinets; Tomeka Reid: cello; Chad Taylor: drums.

This mighty exploratory quartet—featuring a dazzling frontline with saxophonists Mats Gustafsson and Ken Vandermark, and the rhythm section of cellist Tomeka Reid and drummer Chad Taylor adding both drive and nuance—will leave avant-gardists and free jazz enthusiasts in heaven with their control of structure and unrestricted freedom. The session was recorded in Chicago in late 2024 and comprises four compositions each by Gustafsson and Vandermark, along with six freely improvised duos featuring every possible pairing within the lineup.

“The Sensation of Sliding” begins with cello pizzicato joining the horns in a quiet unison theme. Yet suddenly, it veers into a ferocious burst of energy with cacophonous saxophone layers, slashing cello, and sturdy drumming. A groovy 12-beat cycle then kicks in, evoking the Black American music tradition with its anthemic melody. Jaw-dropping solos—from Vandermark on bass clarinet and Gustafsson on baritone sax—are darkly hued and substantively muscular. Like the former track, “Drops of Sorrow, Accelerating” is a Gustafsson composition inspired by the writings of Danish poet and novelist Inger Christensen. Here, the group adopts an ancient, Sun Ra-like feel that channels his modal Nubian journeys. Gustafsson’s intense outcries contrast with the melodic contours of Vandermark’s phrasing.

The remaining two Gustafsson narratives are “Unmeasured Mile”, a cinematic, dramatic piece with standout work from Reid and Taylor, who gets heavy on toms; and “Popular Music Theory”, which concludes the album in furious avant-garde delirium.

The Vandermark-penned pieces are equally striking, especially “Blowing Out From Chicago”, a supple display of timbral and textural imagination. Rusty, serrated cello underpins the ecstatic theme statement, with Reid building added tension through chromaticism and staccato attacks, complementing Gustafsson’s fiery tenor improvisation. Though Gustafsson blows from deep within, Vandermark is equally fervent in his tribute to the city he loves, delivering an authoritative tenor solo. His “Epistemological Slide” highlights Taylor’s rhythmic prowess, while “I Am Aware, Standing in Snow” reveals eclecticism through cello lines evoking Eastern chants, as gospel tradition fuses with radiant jazz fanfare. The two horn players close the piece unaccompanied, gently restating the theme in unison after previously leading the off-the-hip explorations with focus and intensity.

Flexible pulses, melodic incisiveness, and distinctive timbral qualities - all blend beautifully at the hands of a reference quartet we can only hope records together more often.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - The Sensation of Sliding ► 02 - Blowing Out From Chicago ► 04 - Drops of Sorrow, Accelerating

Fred Hersch - The Surrounding Green

Label: ECM Records, 2025

Personnel - Fred Hersch: piano; Drew Gress: bass; Joey Baron: drums.

Following an excellent solo album—Silent, Listening (ECM, 2024)—pianist and composer Fred Hersch reunites with longtime friends and collaborators, bassist Drew Grass and drummer Joey Baron, for a fine trio session. They perform three Hersch originals, one jazz standard, and three spectacular, distinct covers of tunes by free jazz saxophonist Ornette Coleman, Brazilian guitarist Egberto Gismonti, and influential bassist Charlie Haden.

Hersch’s “Plainsong”, a piece previously recorded on the solo piano album Open Book (Palmetto, 2017) opens the proceedings with dreamy romanticism and vast erudition. “The Surrounding Green” is another of his meditations, radiating light through every note and grounded by the aesthetics of Baron’s classy brushwork.

The trio leans on joyous melodic gestures on “First Song”, a gem by the late Charlie Haden, with whom Hersch played on Sarabande (Sunnyside, 1987), a recording that also features Baron behind the drum kit. Gress launches this charming ballad with a fine bass intro, creating a welcoming space. Gismonti’s early ‘80s composition “Palhaço” is a 3/4 joy that showcases the trio’s emotional synchronicity and deep musical rapport built through years of collaboration. This is a lovely melodic number with wide possibilities to expand.

Yet, not quite as expansive as Ornette Coleman’s “Law Years”, whose freer gestures use ambiguity as a tool, along with a few well-placed crescendos that create a tense elasticity. After Gershwin’s well-known standard “Embraceable You”, here rendered at an unexpectedly dynamic tempo, the trio closes with Hersch’s “Anticipation”, a lyrical yet motion-filled piece delivered with a sophisticated jazz-meets-bossa flair.

Hersch, who has also played for years with a different trio—featuring John Hébert and Eric McPherson—discovers fresh nuances in this configuration, in a record where the standout moments come through the lesser-known covers.

Favorite Tracks:
02 - Law Years ► 04 - Palhaço ► 06 - First Song

Three-Layer Cake - Sounds the Color of Grounds

Label: Otherly Love Records, 2025

Personnel - Brandon Seabrook: guitars, banjos, tapes; Mike Watt: electric bass, vocals; Mike Pride: drumset, marimba, glockenspiel, dumbeks, bongos, organ; Jonathan Moritz: tenor saxophone (#8).

Sounds the Color of Grounds, the sophomore album by the progressive trio Three-Layer Cake, is full of surprises, oozing a rebellious sense of freedom and energy that is unmistakably the group’s own. The trio consists of adventurous guitarist/banjoist Brandon Seabrook, bassist Mike Watt, and drummer Mike Pride. The group made its debut in 2021 with Stove Top (RareNoise), recorded remotely as an incendiary response to the pandemic. This new album follows the same approach—with the curious detail that Watt, who lives in California, has never met Seabrook or Pride in person. They plan to get together soon at Pride’s studio in Chester, NY, to record their upcoming third album.

“Deliverdance” channels the punk rock spirit of Minutemen—Watt’s former band—but adds complex banjo ornamentation atop the muscular bass and drum texture. Watt’s spoken word here and on a couple other tracks were written for visual artist Raymond Pettibon, designer of the punk band Black Flag’s logo. “From Couplets to Crepuscles” unfolds with altered jazzy guitar chords, loose bass lines turned methodical, steady rhythmic steps, and effervescent drumming.

Pride drums with jaunty mischief on “The Hasta Cloth”, a piece firmly grounded in a bass groove, featuring bold guitar incursions and tinged with funk-rock and New Wave influences. Another lever fusion of funk, rock, and reggae is on display in “Tchotchkes”, where Seabrook adds unexpected crunch to the rhythmic architecture. The sound evokes Marc Ribot and The Lounge Lizards.

In an album that embodies the passion and fire of creative rockers, there’s space for a brushed, groovy jazz piece - and yet “Occluded Ostracized and Onanistic” is delightfully warped by eccentric melodies. “What Was Cut From the Negative Space” begins as a downtempo journey—thanks to Pride’s irresistible rhythm— before evolving into noise-rock territory with fusion hints, having Seabrook’s banjo attacks and distorted guitar simultaneously woven into cathartic ferocity. Studio overdubs were handled by Pride, whose inexorable tom-tom rumbling on “Lickspittle Spatter” perfectly accommodates the Oriental flavors emanated from Seabrook’s bowed banjo. There’s also funk and electronic music influence here.

Moving through pitches and timbres with passionate drive, Three-Layer Cake has crafted an uplifting, hooky-filled album that forges a distinctive style by distilling the best of its eclectic influences.

Favorite Tracks:
02 - From Couplets to Corpuscles ► 04 - What Was Cut From the Negative Space ► 07 - Tchotchkes

Alchemy Sound Project - Under the Surface

Label: Artists Recording Collective, 2025

Personnel - Sumi Tonooka: piano; Gregg August; bass; Johnathan Blake: drums; Erica Lindsay: tenor saxophone; Salim Washington: tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, flute; Samantha Boshnack: trumpet; Michael Ventoso: trombone.

Alchemy Sound Project invites bassist Gregg August and drummer Johnathan Blake to join them in their third album, Under the Surface, which comprises seven formidable compositions by Philadelphian pianist Sumi Tonooka, an adept of both angularity and lyrical melodicism. 

Inspired by the roots of trees and how they function as interconnected underground systems, the album begins with a texturally open-minded piano trio number, “Points of Departure”, showcasing a drum solo at the outset before a great riffing groove forged by the pianist—alongside funkified bass lines—come to prominence. Tonooka’s harmonic voicings and cascading phrasings feel remarkably fresh, her musicality resonating in her fierce, compelling delivery. “Savour”, a meditation on mindfulness, features trombonist Michael Ventoso, who nods to Bubber Miley and Ellingtonian tradition with his muted wah-wah technique. The arrangement holds some surprising twists. Tonooka’s piano work is imaginative, and tenorist Erica Lindsay’s improvisation, rich with melodic inspiration, is fantastically supported by Blake’s vibrant drumming.

Bookended by excellent bowed bass, “Interval Haiku” is fed by a collateral riff that leads to Samantha Boshnack’s trumpet solo over an intense bass-and-drums flux and sparse piano comping. Multi-reedist Salim Washington delivers a bright tenor solo, gliding atop a slightly Latinized rhythmic tapestry. He also takes center stage at one point on the title track, “Under the Surface”, which closes the album with a mantra-like piano figure and horns soaring above it with expressive freedom.

One can’t deny there’s something special in Tonooka’s compositions. The contrast between “Mother Tongue” and “For Stanley” confirms her versatility. The former, full of sophistication and set in a bright septuple meter, features flute, sax, and trumpet in melodic consonance, as well as striking counterpoint; the latter, written for Tonooka’s mentor—the brilliant pianist Stanley Cowell— leans toward a more traditional jazz sculpting, delivered in trio format with rhythmic nuance, intimacy, and control.

There’s nothing pretentious about the way these musicians play. What comes to the fore is their ability to remain loose for a while and then return to form in a natural, effortless way.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Points of Departure ► 02 - Savour ► 05 - Mother Tongue

Scheen Jazzorkester & Fredrik Ljungkvist - Framat!

Label: Grong, 2025

Personnel - Fredrik Ljungkvist: tenor saxophone, clarinet, composition;  André Kassen: tenor and soprano saxophones; Guttorm Guttormsen: alto saxophone, flute; Jon Øystein Rosland: tenor saxophone; Line Bjørnør Rosland: clarinet, bass clarinet; Finn Arne Dahl Hanssen: trumpet; Thomas Johansson: trumpet; Mats Äleklint: trombone; Frøydis Aslesen: trombone; Åsgeir Grong: bass trombone; Mathias Ståhl: vibraphone; Jan Olav Renvåg: acoustic bass; Audun Kleive: drums.

Scheen Jazzorkester, a deliciously progressive Norwegian big band whose works often feature guests, invited Swedish saxophonist Fredrik Ljungkvist to compose for and perform with them. Ljungkvist’s eight compositions form a sumptuous suite crafted with a broad palette of sounds, fascinating dynamics, and creative nuance. Framåt!—meaning ‘going forward’—is dedicated to the composer’s father, who passed away in 2023, and is formidably executed by a fine roster of like-minded players, including two fellow Swedes: trombonist Mats Äleklint and vibraphonist Mathias Ståhl.

Initially immersed in dark tones, “Mörk” creates a mysterious soundscape that gradually dissolves through chromatic tonal shifts, leading to Thomas Johansson’s trumpet solo over harmonic vibraphone textures, resolute pizzicato bass, and gently brushed drums. Intensity ebbs and flows until the final theme reemerges. More restrained yet relying on well-defined melodic trajectories in unison, “Bågarna Och Rörelserna” features the rich woodiness of Ljungkvist and Line Bjørnør Rosland’s clarinets. 

The fresh orchestral vitality of “Framåt!” And “No Time to Loose” is on full display. The former, propelled by a beseeching force in five, shifts from elegant melodic contours into a wild sonic eruption driven by a dense horn concentration. Ljungkvist enjoys an unaccompanied exchange with Äleklint in a section that moves seamlessly from tense to tranquil. The latter piece, impeccably arranged and luxuriantly open, begins with flute over a droning backbone, and is elevated by Ståhl’s sophisticated improvisation and Ljungkvist’s explosive saxophone bursts.

While “Glassolalia”—translated as ‘speaking in tongues’—swings with a playful, uncompromising energy, “Leif Håkon” is a ballad of the impressionistic kind. The album closes with two dedications: “En Hyllning till Kerstin”, for writer Kerstin Ekman, and “Keijsers Dans”, for Ljungqvist’s former teacher, saxophonist Roland Keijser. The former, launched by saxophone over drums, emits classical essences in a chamber jazz setting; the latter exudes an infectious, feel-good rock vibe in waltz time, further animated by puissant saxophone exchanges.

With the band showcasing remarkable chemistry, Ljungkvist’s magnetic presence and compositional adroitness are felt throughout. This is serious big band work, where every musician contributes meaningfully to strike that sweet spot between individual improvisation and collective cohesion.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Mörk ► 03 - Framåt! ► 04 - No Time to Loose ► 08 - Keijsers Dans

Mary Halvorson - About Ghosts

Label: Nonesuch Records, 2025

Personnel - Mary Halvorson: guitar, pocket piano (#1,2,3,8); Immanuel Wilkins: alto saxophone (1,2,4,5); Brian Settles: tenor saxophone (#1,2,5,8); Adam O’Farrill: trumpet; Jacob Garchik: trombone; Patricia Brennan: vibraphone; Nick Dunston: bass; Tomas Fujiwara: drums.

Produced by Deerhoof’s John Dieterich, About Ghosts allows another worthy journey into the musical imagination of one of contemporary jazz’s most creative minds. Groundbreaking guitarist and composer Mary Halvorson presents eight originals, impeccably arranged for her widely praised Amaryllis sextet, plus two guest saxophonists: Immanuel Wilkins on alto and Brian Settles on tenor. Her remarkable talent is on full display throughout the album, where she also plays pocket piano on four tracks.

“Full of Neon” exhibits an exquisite, route-defining navigational pulse, across which unison melodies traverse unflaggingly. Jacob Garchik’s adventurous trombone solo sparks spontaneous reactions from Halvorson, while Settles’ tenor excursion unfolds over a distinct, snare-charged drum flow crafted by Tomas Fujiwara. “Carved From” opens and closes in a chamber jazz mode—horns up front—before entering a rich, uptempo waltz over which Halvorson’s atonal, provocative solo captures the ear and imagination. This is followed by Wilkins’ magnetic discourse.

“Eventual”, a somber ballad infused with mournful solemnity, spotlights vibraphonist Patricia Brennan, while the title track, “About Ghosts”, evokes an Ellingtonian movement reimagined with a 21st-century vision. Still, “Polyhedral”, with its angular, snappy theme delivered at a dazzling tempo, makes an even stronger impact. It’s a two-minute collective effort rather than a showcase for individual soloing.

Wilkins offers another improvisational blast on “Absinthian”, weaving long and fragmented phrases. This highly inventive piece, which blurs boundaries between indie electronic, alternative rock, and avant-garde jazz, stands out through its driving propulsion and fascinating counterpoint. Trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, in his eloquent yet sharply discerning style, also reveals outstanding melodic sensibility. The album concludes with “Endmost”, a 4/4 sonic mission featuring Settles and closing with Fujiwara’s drum solo over synth.

The material is unmistakably Halvorson’s. She and her constellation of superstars explore vast sonic territories without compromising accessibility, constructing intricate textures and bridging sections with both logic and audacity.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Full of Neon ► 02 - Carved From ► 04 - Absinthian

Jaleel Shaw - Painter of the Invisible

Label: Changu Records, 2025

Personnel - Jaleel Shaw: alto saxophone; Lawrence Fields: piano; Ben Street : bass; Joe Dyson: drums + Lage Lund: guitar (#4,10); Sasha Berliner: vibraphone (#6,11).

American altoist Jaleel Shaw releases his first album in 13 years. Throughout the 11 original tracks of Painter of the Invisible, he showcases not only powerful soloing instincts but also a gift for modern jazz composition that carries the rich aroma of tradition. Shaw, who rose to prominence as a bandleader while working with the late drummer Roy Haynes in his Fountain of Youth Band, reunites with pianist Lawrence Fields—featured on Soundtrack of Things to Come (2013)—and Norwegian guitarist Lage Lund, a strong presence on his first two albums, Perspective (2005) and Optimism (2008). Lund was a last-minute addition, as was vibraphonist Sasha Berliner. The core rhythm section features the seasoned bassist Ben Street and rising-star drummer Joe Dyson.

“Contemplation” is a high-energy, modal post-bop piece infused with Coltrane-inspired flavors, while “Beantown” blends elements of funk and R&B within a modern jazz framework—joy and positive energy radiate from its melodic statement, firmly anchored by Street’s gripping 14-beat cycle bass groove and Dyson’s incompressible snare/hi-hat-driven flow. The group jumps off from there.

Both “Distant Images” and “Gina’s Ascent” were written for Shaw’s late family members. The former, dedicated to his grandmother, is a rhythmically challenging piece whose rubato intro features Lund’s effulgent guitar playing and clear tone, while the latter, penned for his cousin, features Berliner’s dreamy vibes, whose figure in seven is mirrored by the bass.

Every piece has the post-bop thread running through it, yet “Tamir”, dedicated to murdered 12-year-old boy Tamir Rice, introduces Middle Eastern and African inflections in a 6/4 modal journey. Shaw’s eloquent, burnished saxophone channels spiritual consciousness, soaring again on “Invisible Man”, a tour-de-force in seven that reflects his experience as a Black man. Lund’s solo here is a marvel, enhancing a piece inspired by Ralph Ellison’s novel. The album concludes with the awe-inspiring melody of “Until We Meet Again”, a tribute to the late saxophonist, keyboardist, and vocoderist Casey Benjamin—co-founder of the Robert Glasper Experiment—where Berliner’s vibraphone brings warmth and tenderness.

Shaw retains his much-appreciated musical identity while exploring new directions. Painter of the Invisible is where melody, harmony, and rhythm come alive with pure intention. A great album to enjoy without reservations.

Favorite Tracks:
03 - Beantown ► 04 - Distant Images ► 07 - Tamir ► 10 - Invisible Man

John Yao and his 17 Piece Instrument - Points in Time

Label: See Tao Recordings, 2025

Personnel - John Yao: trombone; 

Trombonist, composer, and bandleader John Yao assembles a 17-piece ensemble, enlisting more than just improvisers to perform big band arrangements of his small group compositions. Throughout, you’ll encounter dense layers of sound and punchy collective passages that at times feel overly cerebral.

“Upside” features well-placed horns in a loosely through-composed piece with an uplifting vibe. It begins to swing during David Smith’s trumpet solo, then incorporates staccato punches to support Tim Armacost’s tenor sax narrative before returning unabashedly to swing, punctuated by some engaging shifts. “Not Even Close” pays tribute to Thad Jones, evoking the classic old-school vibes of Ellington and Basie.

“Triceratops Blues”, originally written for Yao’s three-horn chord-less quintet and featured on his album How We Do (See Tao, 2019), evolves with confidence, reaching its peak in the conversational exchanges between saxophonist Billy Drewes—a member of Yao’s Triceratops quintet, here on alto—and bass trombonist Max Seigel. Revolving horn eruptions prompt crisp responses by drummer Andy Watson. “The Other Way” introduces another staccato sequence, fierce counterpoint, and athletic, rock-infused drumming. Quick-silver horn lines inject high energy into a piece that showcases veteran tenorist Rich Perry and a trombone excursion by Yao himself.

A more recent composition, the breezy “Song For Nolan” also features Perry and includes a spontaneous dialogue between baritonist Carl Maraghi—who boasts a burningly meaty sound—and trombonist Matt McDonald. While this piece, written for Yao’s son, highlights cyclical mutations in the rhythm flow, Herbie Hancock’s “Finger Painting”—the album’s sole cover—is presented with a broader instrumental palette, though, like the majority of the selections here, it doesn’t quite dazzle the ear or leave a lasting impression.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Upside ► 03 - Triceratops Blues ► 07 - Song For Nolan

Hedvig Mollestad Trio - Bees in the Bonnet

Label: Runne Grammofon, 2025

Personnel - Hedvig Mollestad: guitar; Ellen Brekken: electric bass; Ivar Loe Bjørnstad: drums.

Supported by her faithful trio, Norwegian guitarist Hedvig Mollestad continues to amaze with her explosive blend of instrumental hard rock and progressive jazz. The six-track album Bees in the Bonnet arrives four years after Ding Dong. You’re Dead and features Ellen Brekken on electric bass and Ivar Loe Bjørnstad on drums. The trio has been playing together for 15 years now.

“See See Bop” is a hauntingly pretty track—its title and sound nodding to ZZ Top—driven by a vigorous rhythm and defined by the full-throated abandon of power chords, sturdy bass lines, and intrepid drumming. A strong sense of structure anchors the piece, with nuanced tempo shifts and a bluesy tonal detour for the guitar solo.

“Golden Griffin” mixes folk-metal riffage à-la Steve Vai with spiky, chromatic soloing. It’s not the only track co-written by Mollestad and Brekken. There's also “Bob’s Your Giddy Aunt”, which opens with psychedelic textures and loose drumming before evolving into stylish funk rock, then prog-rock fury, and finally a Rage Against the Machine-esque burst powered by odd meter; and “Apocalypse Slow”, which amps up the distortion in an alternative metal that mutates and shapes each time with a different mood and intensity.

The jewel of the record is indisputably “Lamament”, a balladic tribute to Mollestad’s father. Rooted more in jazz, it unfolds over a slow 10-beat bass groove, with delicately brushed drums and volume-swelled guitar tremolo, offering a poignant, mindful atmosphere rich in emotion. Also noteworthy is “Itta”, named after Doctors without Borders’ project coordinator Itta Helland-Hansen, which pairs staccato guitar and bass with a swaggering drum flow before shifting into a melodic passage guided by an additive septuple meter.

With tightly locked rhythms and strapping guitar work, Bees in the Bonnet generates that kind of energy that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. 

Favorite Tracks:
03 - Itta ► 04 - Bob’s your Giddy Aunt ► 05 - Lamament

Kneebody - Reach

Label: GroundUP Music, 2025

Personnel - Ben Wendel: tenor saxophone, effects; Shane Endsley: trumpet, synth bass, effects; Adam Benjamin: keyboards; Nate Wood: drums, electric bass.

Formed in 2001, Kneebody is a progressive and eclectic unit featuring Nate Wood simultaneously on electric bass and drums, Ben Wendel on saxophone, Shane Endsley on trumpet, and Adam Benjamin on keyboards. While Wood and Wendel are based in Brooklyn, Benjamin and Endsley reside in Reno and Denver, respectively. Reach is the group’s ninth studio album and features compositions by all members except Wood. 

The album opens with two Wendel compositions: the crisp and forceful “Repeat After Me”, brimming with soulful attacks from the authoritative drummer and multiple psychedelic effects, in a seamless blend of Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters’ funk-laden synth strut with the heavy muscularity of rock bands; and “Reach”, a piece that could easily hit the dancefloor with its on-the-nose, 10-beat-cycle electro-rock demeanor. With Endsley on board, we can expect a high premium on dynamic range, and that’s exactly what he delivers here.

Inspired by old-time music, “Natural Bridge” injects more groove into the mix, with clear R&B influences and the two horns in harmonious consonance. Like the former, “Top Hat” was penned by Endsley, featuring spasmodic staccatos, skillful drumming enhanced by clever syncopation, and electronic embellishments, resulting in a futuristic fusion soundscape. 

Benjamin’s “Glimmer” leans on simple riffs and spectral ambient diffusions, while Wendel’s “Say So” creates a giddy mood, placing a catchy riff over a rock-infused progression. A tasteful synth solo closes out the piece.

There’s an underground energy you can dance to, but I expected more from a band of this caliber. Their experimentation is commendable, but at times it feels like they aim to be hip without fully realizing the potential of their hybrid sound.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Repeat After Me ► 04 - Natural Bridge ► 09 - Say So

Mark Solborg - Tungemal: Confluencia

Label: ILK Music, 2025

Personnel - Mark Solborg: guitar, electronics; Susana Santos Silva: trumpet; Simon Toldam: piano, keys; Ingar Zach: percussion, vibrating membranes.

Danish-Argentine guitarist and composer Mark Solborg offers nine aesthetically compelling avant-garde chamber pieces that leave a bold imprint due to their originality. While the written sections are well-considered, the improvisation unfolds confidently from the fabric of each composition, insidiously performed by his Tungemal quartet, featuring Portuguese trumpeter Susana Santos Silva, Danish pianist Simon Toldam, and Norwegian percussionist Ingar Zach.

Emitting melancholic and dark sounds, “Spoke” feels like a meditation on loss and grief. It’s layered with dismal piano chords, lachrymose trumpet lines sculpted with emotional fragility and enchanting effects, and understated guitar coloring. “Southern Swag” thrives on an offbeat prepared piano pulse which, accompanied by precise percussion, forms the bed over which Solborg and Silva deliver reassuring melodies in parallel. The guitar solo is alluring, marked by unanticipated note choices.

The group keeps listeners hooked with “The Wires”, in which Solborg’s meditative acoustic guitar stands out against the moody background. There’s a simultaneous embrace of anguish and tranquility here, yet “Cantamos” brings more optimistic tones without ever feeling cathartic. Its 4/4 arpeggiated riff is supported by sizzling percussion and extra bass notes that provide a cushioning foundation. “Planes” returns to a spatial, rubato desolation that immerses the listener in an imperturbable state of languidness. 

“Janus - Og Sidste Ord”, the longest track on the record at nearly 11 minutes, opens with metallic percussion, introspective guitar fingerpicking, and synth consistency, passing through a buzz-soaked stillness suddenly populated with clear piano raindrops. It all ends in atmospheric haze with Zach’s vibrating membranes and subtle key changes. The album winds up with “Pitches & Peace”, a softly mantric act co-composed by Solborg, Toldam, and Silva. The latter, employing extended techniques and pixelating her own ideas with varying degrees of timbre and pitch, steps into the foreground.

Tungemal, which means idiom or tongue, is deeply connected to communication and diversity. For all its risk-taking approach and keen sense of atmospherics, Solborg’s neatly-organized yet intriguing project deserves attention.

Favorite Tracks:
02 - Southern Swag ► 03 - The Wires ► 04 - Cantamos

Emiliano D'Auria - The Baggage Room

Label: Via Venetto Jazz, 2024

Personnel - Dayna Stephens: tenor saxophone; Philip Dizack: trumpet; Emiliano D’Auria: piano; Rick Rosato: acoustic bass; Kweku Sumbry: drums.

For his Brooklyn-recorded album, The Baggage Room, Italian pianist and composer Emiliano D’Auria assembles a formidable quintet rounded out by American musicians. The album features a dynamic frontline composed of first-caliber improvisers—saxophonist Dayna Stephens and trumpeter Philip Dizack—while bassist Rick Rosato and drummer Kweku Sumbry join the bandleader to form a cohesive rhythm section. Consisting of nine gorgeous D’Auria compositions, the album pays tribute to the Italian and European migrants who left their homelands in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in search of a better future in America. 

The narrative opens with impact, as the first two tracks make an immediate impression. The title track, “The Baggage Room”, showcases rhythmic accents reminiscent of electronic music, underpinned by a snare-driven marching impetus and ecstatic horn lines that carve out compelling melodies. After an introspective passage where Stephens and Dizack alternate solos, the two horn players juxtapose their voices in a vibrant dance athletically underpinned by the rhythm team. “1891: Ellis Island”, introduced by Sumbry’s assertive drumming and marked by a strong piano-bass alignment, evolves with a danceable rock-tinged progression that serves as a springboard for Dizack’s expressive brilliance. Stephens follows with a more meditative solo, supported by D’Auria’s sparse harmonic textures.

“Temporarily Detained” emulates the tension and uncertainty faced by detainees at Ellis Island through taut, incisive melodic lines. A descending trumpet motif evokes “The Peacocks”, before the piece bursts into a frenzied swing, concluding on a 12-beat vamp. “Searching For the New World” conjures an Enrico-Rava -meets-Mike-Turner landscape, while “The Story of Sacco and Vanzetti”—inspired by the two anarchist laborers controversially convicted and executed in 1927 Massachusetts—cracks into classic hard-bop with a moody swing, channeling the vibes of Lee Morgan, Art Blakey, and Kenny Dorham. The horns are stellar here, improvising fluidly over an articulated mesh of piano, bass, and drums.

While “The Long Wait” is largely a piano trio ballad, the horns catch up in the final section for a touching resolution. then “Third Class” begins with a sustained bass pedal, a fine ride cymbal pulse, and unison folk-tinged melodies before shifting moods via reverb-soaked transitions that sweep across the stereo field.

D’Auria’s American adventure has culminated in a strong album, crafted by a simpatico unit energized by the commanding presence of its frontline.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - The Baggage Room ► 02 - 1891: Ellis Island ► 03 - Temporarily Detained