Jason Stein - Anchors

Label: Tao Forms, 2024

Personnel - Jason Stein: bass clarinet; Joshua Abrams: bass; Gerald Cleaver: drums; Boon: guitar (#1,7)

After a six-year hiatus, Chicago-based bass clarinetist Jason Stein makes a compelling return with Anchors, an album that is consistently intriguing, surprising, and invigorating. Inspired by the disciplines and practices that helped him overcome a creep-threatening injury, Stein demonstrates technical mastery and profound sonority throughout the record’s narrative arc. He is joined here by bassist Joshua Abrams and drummer Gerald Cleaver, who provide a cohesive yet adaptable foundation. 

The album is bookended by the piece “Anchor”, a delicate rubato duet revolving around a particular melody that serves as a meditation on stillness and motion. Written by the guitarist and co-producer Boon, it serves as a gentle entry point into the album's explorations. The following track, aptly titled “Boon”, unfolds as a loose avant-garde rumination that is both uncompromising and erratic, without ever feeling sinister. The co-composed “Crystalline” uses stagnation and fragility as launching points, with Stein offering temperate phrases and circular breathing techniques in a nuanced arrangement of notes. Abrams transitions from bowed bass to sparse pizzicato, while Cleaver shifts from pulsing cymbal glee to tom-tom commotion, culminating in a beautiful finish.

With freedom and focus as key elements, the trio shapes “An Origin” with deep, repetitive droning sounds of bass and bass clarinet. Abrams and Stein explore the lower reaches of their instruments over Cleaver’s shuffling, dynamic drumwork, evoking ambiguous black-and-white images in a monochromatic reference to suffering and chronic pain. As the track progresses, groove and color are gradually infused, with Abrams’ bass serving as the gravitational center while guiding us through a polished harmonic progression. 

“Holding Breath”, inspired by a technique Stein used for physical and mental benefit, is the album’s longest track at 12 minutes. It begins with air sounds, raspy bass tones, and rattling percussive, evolving from a suspended mode into a bluesy 4/4 modal structure. As the track swings fluidly, Stein’s elaborately articulated language invites the listener to hang in there. In stark contrast, “Cold Water” is a scorching free improvisation that leaves the listener breathless, only to bring a clear melody into focus by the end.

Anchors is a first-rate musical experience that encourages listeners to revel in Stein's sinuous, addictive narratives and vivid expressions of life experiences.

Favorite Tracks:
03 - Crystalline ► 05 - An Origin ► 06 - Holding Breath

Geof Bradfield - Colossal Abundance

Label: Calligram Records, 2024

Personnel - Geof Bradfield: tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, mbira; Greg Ward: alto saxophone; Anna Webber: tenor saxophone, flutes; Ben Goldberg: clarinet, contra alto clarinet; Derrick Gardner: trumpet; Russ Johnson: trumpet; Norman Palm: trombone; Momo Hasselbrink Seko: french horn; Scott Hesse: guitar; Clark Sommers: bass; Dana Hall: drums; Gregory Beyer: berimbau, mbira, marimba, percussion.

Chicago-based saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer Geof Bradfield assembles a top-notch crew for his most ambitious album to date, Colossal Abundance. This project serves as a meditation on the complex interplay of wealth—material, intellectual, and spiritual—and the poverty that contrasts it in today’s world. Bradfield’s tenth album as a leader straddles contemporary jazz while drawing from a rich palette of influences, including African music, southern blues, Caribbean grooves, and more.

The journey opens with the folk exoticism of the traditional Shona mbira song “Mahororo”, a mbira-berimbau piece that reflects Bradfield’s curiosity for and connection with the Zimbabwean music. This world music vibe is soon transferred into John Coltrane’s classic “Lonnie’s Lament”, reimagined with a sextuple meter that shifts to cushion a soulful, Grant Green-like solo from guitarist Scott Hesse. Following him are Bradfield, whose tenor sax smolders with clear articulation, and altoist Greg Ward, whose joyfully volatile discourse finds compelling support from the percussive backdrop. 

Another African-flavored number, “Tuku”— a dedication to the late Zimbabwean guitarist Oliver Mtukudzi—flows softly in 3/4 time with an irresistible, dance-like quality that feels dreamlike at times. Bassist Clark Sommers and drummer Dana Hall provide vivid comfort for trumpeter Derrick Gardner’s melodic facility. Both “Kaleidoscope” and “Mrs. Parker of K.C.” delve into odd-meter; the former initially highlights the agile melodic patterns of flutist Anna Webber over a 5/4 tapestry woven by guitar and contra alto clarinet, while the latter, a Jaki Byard composition, features Hesse’s fluid bends, twists, and harmonic colors over a 14-beat bass cycle. Byard dedicated this piece to Charlie Parker’s mother, and Bradfield mirrors that intention with his own “Adelaide Bailey”, unfolding in seven with Ben Goldberg’s sinuously angular contra alto clarinet, joined by melodic horn fills and responsive drumming. Trumpeter Russ Johnson also delivers before the ensemble’s richness takes enter stage. 

Following a vibrant post-bop rendition of Wayne Shorter’s “United”, the album closes with two extraordinary blues pieces: the contemplative “Gandanga Blues”, with its enchanting pulse and emotive solos from bass flute and muted trumpet, and Henry Threadgill’s “Bermuda Blues”, which offers a celebratory reggae-infused Caribbean groove. Colossal Abundance bears the marks of Bradfield’s openness, curiosity, and fearlessness, making it a tasteful opus certainly worth getting lost in. 

Favorite Tracks: 
03 - Adelaide Bailey ► 04 - Tuku ► 09 - Gandanga Blues

Micah Thomas - Mountains

Label: Artwork Records, 2024

Personnel - Micah Thomas: piano; Immanuel Wilkins: alto saxophone; Nicole Glover: tenor saxophone; Adam O’Farrill: trumpet; Caleb Smith: trombone; Kanoa Mendenhall: bass; Kweku Sumbry: drums.

After capturing the public’s attention with his trio albums Tide (2020) and Reveal (2023), as well as his solo effort Solo Piano (2022), pianist Micah Thomas has now ventured into composing for a large ensemble for the first time. The result is Mountains, a live recording from The Jazz Gallery in New York in 2023, featuring 11 tracks that strike a fine balance between structure and freedom—sure to appeal to fans of both contemporary mainstream and avant-garde jazz. The album’s complex charts traverse a range of ambiances, demanding both precision and adaptability from its players.

“Life” starts the proceedings in a lushly orchestrated trade: the four-horn frontline commands attention while the rhythm section weaves an opaque rhythmic flow. Thomas’ solo, denoting motivic and modern classical predispositions, is separated from tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover’s chanting statement through a section packed with unison lines. That’s before a groovy vamp hits us with shades of Latin. The next piece, “Processing”, presents a stratospheric swinging outline reminiscent of George Russell, mixing traditional and avant-jazz currents while melodically pushing in different directions. It sounds just great.

“Lament” highlights trumpeter Adam O’Farrill wandering through a quiet piano landscape, his unexpected intervallic leaps creating moments of surprise as the atmosphere shifts from classical balladry to kinetic radiance. “Libre”, inspired by the duo recordings of Paco de Lucia and Camarón de la Isla, starts as a downright marching rag piece filled with charm and color, but then falls into silent mode, becoming a skimpy yet impulsive reflection. This leads seamlessly into “No Answer”, where horn melodies define a transparent harmonic progression in anticipation to that rag feel, reinstated with an arresting sense of freedom. Alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins stands out here with a fearful, visceral, and throaty solo over an unorthodox texture.

Wilkins and O’Farrill dialogue on the vibrant “The Mountain, spreading thoughtful observation over Kanoa Mendenhall’s funky bass strut and Kweko Sumbry’s steamy cymbal environment and punchy kick drum patterns. “Nomad” combines a cool vibe with rhythmic effervescence, featuring engaging exchanges between sax and trumpet, while “Collapse” is a contrapuntal cacophony that radiates energy. The session ends with “Through”, which evolves from drones and buzzes into a gradually cathartic climax.

The album’s consistent arcs of tension and release create a daring and inclusive sonic experience, showcasing the expansive scope of Thomas' compositional vision.

Favorite Tracks: 
02 - Processing ► 05 - No Answer ► 07 - The Mountain

Patricia Brennan Septet - Breaking Stretch

Label: Pyroclastic Records, 2024

Personnel - Patricia Brennan; vibraphone with electronics, marimba; Jon Irabagon: alto and sopranino saxophones; Mark Shim: tenor saxophone; Adam O’Farrill: trumpet (with electronics on #1,3,9); Kim Cass: bass; Marcus Gilmore: drums; Mauricio Herrera: percussion.

This tour-de-force septet album from New York-based vibraphonist Patricia Brennan showcases her dedication and expansive approach to composition. Breaking Stretch is lushly conceived, with occasional cultural references to the Caribbean and Latin America, offering intriguing textures, varying pulses, cohesive ensemble passages, and probing improvisation. Brennan, whose mallet-induced vibes shimmer through each track, trusts an incisive three-horn frontline—trumpeter Adam O’Farrill and saxophonists Jon Irabagon and Mark Shim—to join her More Touch Quartet, featuring bassist Kim Cass, drummer Marcus Gilmore, and percussionist Mauricio Herrera.

The soca music-inspired “Los Otros Yo” sets a colorful rhythmic matrix at the intersection of avant-garde jazz and calypso. A concise, to-the-point theme gives way to exuberant solos by Brennan and O’Farrill, who enhances his sound with electronic effects, and then a passage where Irabagon and Shim swap angular licks, their horns singing simultaneously in a thrilling display of vitality. The title cut, “Breaking Stretch”, opens with a triangular horn dialogue, its deep-rooted bass contributing to a juxtaposition of binary and ternary rhythmic feels. The resulting enigmatic atmosphere is reminiscent of Henry Threadgill’s sonic explorations, with Shim populating it with dark tones and fractal interpolation. Shim also takes center stage on “555”, a piece based on a rhythmic sequence of three beats divided by five. Cass provides a free funk substructure for the vibraphone solo, and Irabagon finishes the proceedings with a stratospheric display of tonal abundance. “Palo De Oros” stands out as a favorite, introduced by Cass with harmonics, vibratos, and impeccable articulations before unfolding into a 10-beat rhythmic cycle. The time signature shifts throughout a gripping arrangement that includes precise horn unisons, hooky solos, triumphant transitions, and frenetic drumming marking the final vamp. 

“Sueños de Coral Azul” brings a breezier mood, serving as a nostalgic nod to Brennan’s Mexican hometown, Vera Cruz. Meanwhile, “Five Sun” blends Latin and funk elements in an infectious, electrified romp driven by a key-shifting bass figure and invigorated by accents and rhythmic stretches. The album closes with the dazzling, disorienting “Earendel”.

The musicians are at the top of their games, feeding off one another’s energy organically and navigating every compositional challenge without a glitch. Breaking Stretch is an impressive showcase of Brennan’s broad musical vision and stands as one of the year’s strongest jazz releases. 

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Los Otros Yo ► 04 - Palo de Oros ► 09 - Earendel

Trygve Seim / Frode Haltli - Our Time

Label: ECM Records, 2024

Personnel - Trygve Seim: tenor and soprano saxophone; Frode Haltli: accordion.

Effortlessly navigating between folk-inspired melodies and open drift, the Norwegian duo of saxophonist Trygve Seim and accordionist Frode Haltli returns with Our Time, their second collaborative release following their 2008 debut Yeraz. The duo exhibits a sharp-eared empathy for diverse, world-inspired sounds, infusing each track with unique energy and churning detail, all while maintaining their characteristically lyrical approach.

This distinctive synergy is apparent from the outset. Haltli’s “Du, Mi Tid” plunges into a folk-ambient soundscape, exuding transcendent beauty. The delicate saxophone lines soar over shimmering layers of accordion, a design that continues on “Improvisation No. 1/Fanfare”, where the duo evokes distant worlds through a blend of cries and whispers. A buzzing, cyclical pattern leads to the pure melody of Seim’s “Fanfare”, a piece emotionally heightened by the musicians’ deeply felt intonation.

Seim’s “Arabian Tango” is delivered with fervent passion, while the traditional Ukrainian lullaby “Oy Khodyt Son, Kolo Vikon” serves as a soothing balm, flowing graciously as upper register soprano melodies spool out leisurely. The duo arranged this piece with the harpist Ruth Potter, a member of the Trondheim Symphonic Orchestra.

The album takes a detour into North Indian folk with “Improvisation No. 2/Shyama Sundara Madana Mohana”, yet it’s the brief, free take on Stravinsky’s “Le Cinq Doigts No. 5” that stands out. Here, modern classical elements are transformed into a philosophical dialogue, further intensified in “Improvisation No. 4”, where it grows dramatically interesting. Haltli’s rippling, enigmatic accompaniment in this piece has the power to transport listeners to another realm. The album closes with “Elegi”, a mournful chant delivered with deep-seated melancholy.

Having played together for nearly a quarter of a century, Seim and Haltli’s deep musical connection is evident in their well-versed exploration of texture and melody. Our Time is a work that may leave some purists of sound sighing with pleasure, a testament to the depth of their artistic expression.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Du, Mi Tid ► 02 - Improvisation No. 1 / Fanfare ► 07 - Improvisation No. 4 / Les Cinq Doigts No. 5

Miguel Zenón - Golden City

Label: Miel Music, 2024

Personnel - Miguel Zenón: alto saxophone; Diego Urcola: trumpet, valve trombone; Alan Ferber: trombone; Jacob Garchik: trombone, tuba; Matt Mitchell: piano; Miles Okazaki: guitar; Chris Tordini: bass; Dan Weiss: drums; Daniel Diaz: percussion.

Puerto Rican alto saxophonist and composer Miguel Zenón has long been a formidable presence in the eclectic jazz scene, known for his deft handling of compositions that seamlessly blend Latin rhythms with contemporary jazz, serving as fertile ground for improvisation. Golden City, his 16th album as a leader, is a visceral work inspired by the rich history of San Francisco and its surrounding areas, specifically from the perspective of its immigrants and minority groups. For this project, Zenón leads a distinctive nonet, featuring a four-horn frontline that includes two trombones.

Written for the Ohlone people, “Sacred Land” makes a terrific post-bop opener, introduced by the sobering clarity of Zenón’s saxophone chants. The piece acquires a polyrhythmic feel before evolving into a delicious rhythm in seven over which there are luminous solos from pianist Matt Mitchell and Diego Urcola, a trumpeter who, on this track, skillfully navigates the valve trombone. Following a sequence of parallel phrases with no harmonic backdrop, Puerto Rican percussionist Daniel Diaz rhythmically accentuates the vamp leading to the thematic melody.

“Rush”, a nod to the California Gold Rush of 1848, unfolds with methodical steps in a 5/4 meter, anchored by pulsating piano and Dan Weiss’ precise drumming. The mood shifts after a while, and the rhythm is intensified for a slightly more turbulent and dramatic finale. “Wave of Change” is bracingly direct, marching optimistically with the horns ‘singing’ a riff that resonates with both protest and victory. The rhythm section shines in its coordinated movements, and the track concludes on a sweet note.

“Acts of Exclusion” is a vehement shout against racism and xenophobia while addressing the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Following a firm pedal point created by bassist Chris Tordini, and a series of wild unison lines, Zenón and guitarist Miles Okazaki lead their own spontaneous riots. While the former serves up a dazzling stream of notes with occasional fractal dimension and a glimmer of Wayne Shorter, the latter creates lavishly with elements of free funk, rock, and experimental jazz in mind. It’s avant-fusion what you get. “Cultural Corridor” transports listeners to San Francisco’s multi-ethnic places, featuring Jacob Garchik on tuba and elated horn playing.

“Displacement and Erasure” critiques gentrification, employing a slow-simmered yet pulsing additive meter flow (3+2). Dave Holland Quintet suddenly comes to mind, and trombonist Alan Ferber delivers an absorbing solo, preceding Zenón’s blend of folk and post-bop dialects.

Golden City is both assured and daring, a manifestation of Zenón’s artistry as a composer, arranger, and world-class saxophonist. The results allow some exquisite finds.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Sacred Land ► 02 - Rush ► 03 - Acts of Exclusion ► 05 - Displacement and Erasure

Adam O'Farrill - Hueso

Label: Food Records, 2024

Personnel - Adam O’Farrill: trumpet; Xavier Del Ccastillo: tenor saxophone; Walter Stinson: double bass; Zack O’Farrill: drums, percussion.

Brooklyn-based trumpeter Adam O’Farrill is a force of nature whose mature and innovative compositions epitomize contemporary jazz boldness. Hueso marks the return of his quartet, Stranger Days, featuring saxophonist Xavier Del Castillo, bassist Walter Stinson, and his brother, drummer Zack O’Farrill.

The album opens with a solo trumpet rendition of Radiohead’s “Truth Ray I”, where Adam's stunning technique is on full display, utilizing synth-like effects and multiphonics pushed to tremolo extremes. “Truth Ray II” brings the full quartet into play, showcasing deep camaraderie as Adam and Del Castillo engage in intricate counterpoint and staccato precision, while a shift in the drum flow provides Stinson with space for a tactful improvisation.

“Dodging Roses” starts with Zack's gorgeous, stable rhythm, later having saxophone and bass alternating riffs and thoughts in advance of impeccable horn-fronted unisons and a more invigorating rhythm. Adam’s angular solo ascends with tremendous ease, backed by constant flare ups and slowdowns in the chord-less accompaniment. Showcasing muscular rock insinuations, “Hueso” illustrates why Adam and Del Castillo form an enthusiast, powerful frontline, employing  intense counterpoint over a nuanced bass pedal point and understated drumming. Their improvisations are imbued with emotion and creativity.

“Proximity of Clouds” unveils lumbering, droning parallels at the outset, a particularly yielding quintuple rhythm at the base, and classical nuance during the sax-trumpet interplay. “Gesturing Towards the West” is grandiose in sound and defiant in posture, evincing attributes like coordination, tension, and timbral depth. The album culminates with the darker atmospherics of “Cumulus”, where the horns wrap their sounds around bass and drums, creating an intriguing soundscape.

Hueso invites listeners to explore and internalize  its emotional depth without ever disappointing. Adam O’Farrill further solidifies his progressive credentials as both a modern trumpeter and a forward-thinking composer.

Favorite Tracks:
03 - Dodging Roses ► 05 - Hueso ► 08 - Cumulus

Trichome - Parallel Universe

Label: NHOW Records, 2024

Personnel - Benedikt Jahnel : piano; Nesin Howhannesijan: bass; Diego Pinera: drums

Trichome is the brainchild of Berlin-based bassist Nesin Howhannesijan, who composes all the music for his eclectic jazz trio, featuring Benedikt Jahnel on piano and Diego Pinera on drums. The term Trichome refers to an outgrowth on a plant's epidermis that defends against external factors and facilitates the absorption of sunlight, water, and minerals. This is meant as a metaphor in a group that takes inspiration from various stylistic sources.

Their 12-track album, Parallel Universe, navigates between transient free-form pieces and well-structured originals, seamlessly traversing different musical realms while keeping improvisation at its core. The album’s opener, “Brainchild”, gets off the ground in a deliciously dragging 3/4 time, presenting a solemn arco bass solo upfront, with support of a compelling harmonic sequence and tactfully brushed drums and cymbals. Sheets of piano notes and buoyant drum chops spike up the remaining solo segments in a piece with contemporary views.

“Clusters” combines an odd-metered groove with modal insight, enriched by perceptible bluesy and dancing electro-rock tinges. A final vamp in seven encourages kinetic energy. In contrast, “Pure at Heart” plays like a romantic ballad, stepping into more traditional jazz territory with echoes of the Bill Evans Trio. “On the Bandstand” is a hard-bopish, blues-based burner where Howhannesijan takes center stage in the head, and then pointing out the direction through a crisp bassline drive before delivering an energetic solo that culminates in descending movements with the pianist.

Jahnel mounts a pathos-filled intro in “Parallel Universe”, soon joined by Howhannesijan’s rumbling bass and Pinera’s coruscating brushwork before an emotional unaccompanied passage. “Free Form Ballad” surprises by adding tension and density in its second half, only to fall back in line with a cool posture. The album closes with the bubbly “Notes Into Space”, offering an elated swinging vibe and stimulating bar exchanges between the trio.

Trichome plays with maturity, rising to meet the challenges of creating a consistent whole with diverse feels and genres. Their effort results in a satisfying experience marked by fruitful interplay and fine individual statements.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Brainchild ► 03 - Clusters ► 11 - Free Form Ballad

Lux Quartet - Tomorrowland

Label: Enja / Yellowbird, 2024

Personnel - Myra Melford: piano; Allison Miller: drums; Dayna Stephens: alto, tenor and soprano saxophones; Scott Colley: upright bass.

Lux Quartet is co-led by two distinctive and accomplished musicians — pianist Myra Melford and drummer Allison Miller — whose formidable bodies of work set high expectations for this debut. With the well-rounded saxophonist Dayna Stephens and the formidable bassist Scott Colley rounding out the group, the anticipation is well-founded. This project, which explores philosophical and spiritual themes, offers a sound that is more accessible than the avant-jazz of Melford’s Fire and Water Quintet and less sprightly than the jazz-rock hybrids of Miller’s Boom Tic Boom.

The album features compositions from all four members, beginning with Melford’s “Intricate Drift”, which exhibits impeccably intonated unisons, a cool, marching flow, and oblique improvisations. On this piece, Melford seamlessly picks up where Stephens’ solo leaves off, driving the music forward with creativity and logical progression. The longer compositions on the album are hers, on the lookout for exploration and spontaneity, and “The Wayward Line” is another highlight, beginning with sympathetic bass-drums activity and evolving through an inventive structure. This track includes parallel sax-piano lines, burnished saxophone coloration over revolving drums, and a section where piano curlicues and focused arco bass coexist, placing the quartet firmly in avant-garde territory.

Miller’s contributions bring a different flavor to the album. “Congratulations and Condolences” offers a rich, comforting, and fulfilling plate of modal post-bop, highlighted by soprano sax flights and rock-solid drumming, “Deeply Us” contrasts with its rubato ballad feel, gaining further genuine expression with Colley’s prominent thoughts. Miller also revisits the staccato-infused “Speak Eddie”, first recorded in 2013 as part of the album No Morphine No Lillies (Royal Potato Family), here distinguished by its walking bass and conspicuous ride cymbal pulses.

The album is marked by a deep sense of rapport, wit, and small epiphanies, with each piece consistently arriving at a satisfying destination, regardless of pace or texture. Stephens and Colley each contribute one composition, exuding peculiarity in their processes. Stephens’ “23 Januarys” draws inspiration from Messiaen’s modes of limited transposition, blending fluxes and energies to create polyrhythms, supported by a swinging bass flow and softly brushed snare and hi-hat. Colley’s “Tomorrowland,” a piece retrieved from his 2010 album Empire (Cam Jazz), is notable for its use of drama, ambiguity, and space, culminating in a dark, torpid atmosphere.

The levels of composition and execution are top-notch, and Tomorrowland is filled with the musical maturity and inventiveness expected from prestigious anchors and improvisers of the scene.

Favorite Tracks:
01- Intricate Drift ► 03 - Congratulations and Condolences ► 05 - The Wayward Line

Don Peretz / Jacob Sacks - Numerals

Label: Deepdig Records, 2024

Personnel - Don Peretz: drums; Jacob Sacks: piano.

On his latest album, Numerals, New York-based progressive drummer Don Peretz, renowned for his electronica-jazz-rock fusion, collaborates with the adventurous pianist Jacob Sacks, whose sharp and exploratory style perfectly complements Peretz’s dynamic approach. The duo shares an intuitive musical connection, balancing spontaneous creativity with composed pieces specifically crafted for this project. Peretz and Sacks first recorded together in 1999 for the album Spiral, a quartet setting that also featured saxophonist Sam Sadigursky and bassist Eivind Opsvick.

I have to admit, the first two tracks, “Kairin” and “Arthur’s Bread,” left me uncertain about whether I would enjoy the album. “Kairin”, with its muscular core and circular power chord progression borrowed from hard rock, was solid but not particularly special. “Arthur’s Bread”, which paired echoing Rhodes outputs with an unhurried yet firmly placed rhythm, felt like it was missing something. However, from that point on, the album captivated me, fascinating with its detail as the duo employed their state-of-the-art techniques and language to deliver an ultimately winning program. 

“Épater Le Bourgeois” gains extra oomph through its odd meter, knotty melodic tangles, and a rich harmonic crusade that is perfectly anchored by Peretz’s rock-solid drumming and timely cymbal pulses. On occasion, I thought of it as a brainy fusion between E.S.T. and Chick Corea. “Suburban Talent”, channeling playful Monk-inspired riffs, maintains a logic avant-garde context, sliding steadily toward a final vamp that demands percussive expansion.

One of my favorite tracks is “Bag Chags”: asymmetric in tempo and carried by deep, tense, beautiful voicings supported by an unwavering rhythmic drive. Then, it shifts focus and key, leading to contrasting and surprising passages. The title cut, “Numerals”, plays like a modern Bach fugue, with arpeggiated piano sequences, tumbling dry toms, and sparkling cymbals extending the classical doctrine in interesting ways. In contrast, “Tyranny of Fine” leaves us wanting more after haunting us with a contemporary electronic vibe, snippets of melodic minimalism, and an irresistible hip-hop beat.

Numerals becomes more interesting with each listen, showcasing Peretz and Sacks in a raw, intimate fashion. They have this ability to effortlessly energize in smaller settings.

Favorite Tracks:
03 - Épater Le Bourgeois ► 04 - Suburban Talent ► 06 - Bag Chags

Ingrid Laubrock / Tom Rainey - Brink

Label: Intakt Records, 2024

Personnel - Ingrid Laubrock: tenor and soprano saxophone; Tom Rainey: drums.

Saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and drummer Tom Rainey present a fresh and captivating exploration of sound in their latest album, Brink. This album not only showcases their individuality as creative artists but also highlights the unique duo identity they have honed through numerous sessions, including those recorded in their Brooklyn apartment during the pandemic. 

Brink continues their intimate and nuanced relationship with sound and texture, alternating between shorter, intricately designed pieces ("brinks") and more extended forms where they deftly navigate both tempestuous and delicate atmospheres. What fuels the album’s opening track, “Flock of Conclusions”, is the fluidity of a conversation that ebbs and flows vividly, reaching a relevant expressive dimension.

The co-composed piece “Coaxing” showcases Laubrock’s assertive tenor saxophone phrases, which gradually gain weight and meaning over Rainey’s deep, resonant tom-tom work. The controlled flow gives way to an eruptive rhythmic surge in the final section, a cathartic exploration of freedom. Rainey, with his acute sense of musical integration, contributes significantly to Laubrock’s enigmatic composition “Liquified Columns”, where sparse yet tense free musings are punctuated by metallic sounds, deep drumming, and growling saxophone multiphonics. The closing track, “Said, Been Said”, shares a similarly intense spirit.

In “A Peculiar Logic”, another collaborative composition, the duo creates a tight lock-step rhythm, with Laubrock soaring high on soprano sax over Rainey’s comfortable cymbal and snare chatter. “Scrunch Repercussions”, which came out of Laubrock’s mind, is obliquely cut through, a masterclass in articulation and synergistic interplay that evolves in a distinctly tangy style, incorporating martial snare fluxes, well-aligned saxophone outputs, and powerful riffs that trigger dynamic rhythmic motions.

Throughout the album, the telepathic communication between Laubrock and Rainey is on full display, bringing unpredictable forms, surprising timbres, and strains of melody underpinned by exquisite rhythms. Sparking with inventiveness, these freewheeling pieces navigate a range of moods, offering a rich source of inspiration for creative jazz explorers.

Favorite Tracks:
03 - Coaxing ► 07 - A Peculiar Logic ► 09 - Scrunch Repercussions

Tomeka Reid Quartet - 3+3

Label: Cuneiform Records, 2024

Personnel - Tomeka Reid: cello; Mary Halvorson: guitar; Jason Roebke; bass; Tomas Fujiwara: drums.

American cellist and composer Tomeka Reid has been a vital force in the creative jazz scene, playing in groups led by flautist Nicole Mitchell, pianist Myra Milford, and multi-reedist Roscoe Mitchell, while also leading her own acclaimed quartet. This ensemble, featuring guitarist Mary Halvorson, bassist Jason Roebke, and drummer Tomas Fujiwara, shines brightly in 3+3, Reid’s sublime third outing with the group, comprising pieces that delve into extended forms, blending notated passages with ample space for free improvisation. From the opening notes to the final moments, the chemistry among these exceptional musicians is palpable.

“Turning Inward / Sometimes You Just Have to Run With it” begins as an open exploration, leading to touching chamber moments where Reid’s cello and Roebke’s bowed bass resonate in melodic consonance. Cymbal splashes anchor the bottom line, with Halvorson’s guitar texturing the top. Reid and Halvorson work in tandem, laying down well-delineated figures and phrases that build into solos over cyclic progressions made groovy by Roebke and Fujiwara. Halvorson excels at giving harmonic direction, sounding more bluesy and melodic than usual, while Roebke’s every single move feels like pure groove — his playing and sound are a true delight.

“Sauntering with Mr. Brown” is propelled by an off-kilter pace, showcasing staccato prowess and developing into a rock-flavored narrative, with Fujiwara adding even more steam to the mix. On occasion, one can experience a full-fledge experimentalism but there are also signs of tradition and counterbalanced collective interplay. “Exploring Outward / Funambulist Forever” encapsulates this blend, starting in a free fashion with well-measured actions by each member before Halvorson’s blend of electronic sounds and angular phrasing takes center stage. Afterward, she slowly toggles between two chords, enhancing chromatic movement in a more introspective passage. The piece then transitions effortlessly into a swinging section, with a call-and-response interplay between Reid and Halvorson that injects the music with kinetic energy.

Undoubtedly Reid’s finest album to date, 3+3 will stand the test of time. It’s one of the year’s best albums and a testament to Reid’s extraordinary artistry. 

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Turning Inward / Sometimes You Just Have to Run With it ► 02 - Sauntering With Mr. Brown ► 03 - Exploring Outward / Funambulist Forever

Matt Mitchell - Zealous Angles

Label: Pi Recordings, 2024

Personnel - Matt Mitchell: piano; Chris Tordini: bass; Dan Weiss: drums.

Notable pianist Matt Mitchell has earned accolades as an inventive composer and improviser, known for his brainy avant-jazz (de)constructions often layered with motivic ideas, which bolsters tension and broaden options. His work is characterized by unpredictable flows and polyrhythmic complexity. In this trio with sharp-eared bassist Chris Tordini and multi-faceted drummer Dan Weiss, Mitchell continues to explore intricate, non-obvious time frameworks. 

The album opens with “Sponger”, an impressive track that lays puzzling rhythms beneath sinuous phrases, exploring contrasting timbres and textures. “Apace” showcases both chanting and swinging qualities, similar to “Rapacious”, which thrives on zestful, energetic drumming. “Jostler” introduces humor-infused motifs over an irregular beat and hopping bass patterns, while “‘Rejostled” perpetuates cyclic anxieties.

“Angled Languor” features deliberately indolent piano playing, at times reminiscent of Paul Bley, set against a foundational tapestry weaved by sure-footed bass notes and sizzling brushwork. A similar languidity appears on “Apical Gropes”, an abstracted reverie that can’t quite match the haunting serenity of “Gauzy”.

“Cinch” is delivered with intention and intensity, establishing an irrepressible rhythmic flow that only breaks down towards the end. In contrast, “Optical Gripes” presents a significant mood shift, leading Weiss to abandon the syncopated beat in favor of soft brushing. “Grail Automating” emphasizes fluidity, with Mitchell’s excellent note choices adding textural color against the full-bodied backdrop of bass and drums.

The 17 tracks that make up Zealous Angles — a monument to unbridled creativity — were recorded in just three hours, capturing Mitchell and his peers in a gracious state of grace. The album keeps listeners on their toes, always curious about what will come next.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Sponger ► 02 - Apace ► 03 - Jostler ► 12 - Gauzy

Alex Sipiagin - Horizons

Label: Blue Room Music, 2024

Personnel - Alex Sipiagin: trumpet; Chris Potter; tenor and soprano saxophone; John Escreet: piano, keyboards; Matt Brewer: electric and acoustic bass; Eric Harland; drums.

Seasoned trumpeter Alex Sipiagin joins forces with frequent collaborators on his latest record, Horizons, which features two compositions by guitarist Pat Metheny and six Sipiagin originals. He pairs up with the formidable saxophonist Chris Potter for a striking frontline, and enjoys the rhythmic and harmonic contributions from pianist John Escreet, bassist Matt Brewer, and drummer Eric Harland. 

Metheny’s first piece, “While You Weren’t Looking” opens the album with an eruptive post-bop energy, alternating fluid phrases and stop-and-go rhythmic drive. Sipiagin and Potter - working together for the 11th time on a project of the former - interact upfront before their respective solos, with the trumpeter fearlessly exploring the full range of his instrument, and the saxophonist infusing humor into his motifs and in-and-out excursions. Escreet concludes the improvisation section with brio. The other Metheny composition is a sweet ballad, “When is it Now?”, played with infallible inspiration.

Sipiagin’s “Jumping Ahead” also carries a Metheny-esque vibe despite its primary inspiration from Hermeto Pascoal’s technique of reiterative melodies and harmonies. A lively theme and metric modulation also characterize numbers like “Clean Cut” and “Lost”, which reference Sipiagin’s move to Italy in 2020 after 30 years in the US, revealing the organic nature of his compositional grammar.

Dedicated to Charles Mingus and Wayne Shorter, “Overseen” is another velvety ballad initiated by dreamy keyboards and soaring soprano sax evoking Shorter-evoking glides, with Brewer’s thick bass notes gaining significance. The centerpiece, “Horizon” is divided into three parts: “Horizon 1” feels rubato at first and then rambles freely with a gripping rhythm as a backdrop; “Horizon 2” promotes  modern cool jazz with suggestive electronic vibes; and “Horizon 3” makes a bright, hopeful conclusion, painting within the frame. The album finishes with the breezy contemporary flow of “AIVA-tion”, an airy, sun-filled piece built with crisp unisons, a driven backbeat, and futuristic keyboard dimensions.

Horizons is quite adventurous within the structured post-bop envisioned by Sipiagin, whose music feels more even-tempered and comfortable than ever.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - While You Weren’t Looking ► 05 - When is it Now? ► 10 - AIVA-tion

Mark Guiliana - MARK

Label: Edition Records, 2024

Personnel - Mark Guiliana: drums, cymbals, percussion, piano, vibraphone, marimba, celeste, pump organ, mellotron, jupiter 8, electronics, drum programming, spoken word

MARK is the latest solo effort by world-class drummer Mark Guiliana, who, influenced by electronic music and other non-jazz styles, showcases not only his dazzling rhythmic prowess but also his remarkable harmonic and melodic explorations. The arrangements are exceptional, inviting us to unpredictable and emotional places described with impressive clarity.

“Just Listen” makes for a killer opening, designed with vast propulsive stimuli that flow with irresistible elan. “Hero Soup” features bass pedal-pointed vistas holding down the bottom line, occasional beat displacement, terse and nervy guitar-like contours, and a resonant hip-hop trap rhythm. This arrangement is prime Guiliana, with elegant flourishes highlighting the accomplishment.

Defying conventions, “Question Mark” generates a peculiar thrust in support of the lingering harmonies that emerge atop. Also, “Kamakura” exhibits solid harmonic conduction with keyboards emulating strings, a firm pulsation, and synth-pop melodies suspended above.

“Introspection Station” is architecturally intriguing with marimba parallelism, a simple pulse pocket, and a momentary bass synth underpinning that springs up before its cyclic finale. “Costello”, a love letter to Guiliana’s mother’s side of the family, is a delightfully brushed 3/4 number with a gorgeous, positive emotion-induced melody. Both “Alone” and “Peace, please” are reflective expressions of Guiliana’s sensitivity — the former takes you to a downhearted journey into the heart of solitude, cradling our ears in the final moments with a doorway to hope, while the latter is a tearful, hair-raising rubato meditation with piano at the center; so powerful in its crescent shape.

Conjuring a panoply of grooves and rhythms, often adapted to appropriate harmonic contexts, MARK is a statement of individuality and freedom, solidifying Guiliana's status as a forward-thinking musician.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Just Listen ► 03 - Hero Soup ► 10 - Peace, please

Dan Loomis - Revolutions

Label: Adhyâropa Records, 2024

Personnel - Dan Loomis: bass, words; Sebastian Noelle: guitar; Owen Broder: clarinet; Rodrigo Recabarren: drums; Ches Smith: tanbou (#1,3,5,7,9,11, 13,15,17,19) Jeff Miles: guitar (#1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19); Taïna Cerat Ligonde: spoken word.

New York-based bassist and composer Dan Loomis generates high expectations with his new conceptual album, Revolutions. This narrative suite is dedicated to the heroes and ideals of both the Haitian and South America revolutions. Loomis wrote the words that introduce the historic figures - tracks featuring percussionist Ches Smith, guitarist Jeff Miles, and Haitian spoken word artist Taïna Cerat Ligonde - and composed all the music on the album, except for the last track, “Hay Una Mujer”, a protest song by singer-songwriter and activist Holly Near. The core quartet playing the longer instrumental tracks include German guitarist Sebastian Noelle, American clarinetist Owen Broder, and Chilean drummer Rodrigo Recabarren.

Dedicated to Venezuelan politician and activist Franisco Miranda, “Skies” is also influenced by Ornette Coleman’s orchestral opus Skies of America (Columbia, 1972). It starts as a sheer reflection, touched by the woody tone of the bass with clarinet atop and a subtle cymbal pulse at the bottom. A few minutes later, Noelle’s guitar thickens the texture by following the melody with tidal chordal waves, and a clear bass dissertation precedes the reprise of the theme.

The leader of the Haitian Revolution, Toussaint Louverture, is homaged with two pieces: “Toussaint” begins in chamber classical quietude, with bowed bass providing emotional depth, then shifts to a vigorous backbeat and magnetic harmonic drive for the clarinet and guitar solos. In turn, “Trunk of Liberty” offers a free-flowing introductory section before transitioning to a smooth Latin breeze, with Noelle and Broden focused on fusion-like unisons atop Reabarren’s effervescent snare eruptions.

Highlights include “The Road”, written for the Venezuelan liberator of America Simon Bolivar, which marches at a slow 7/4 tempo, loosely based on the Argentine milonga style; and “Dessalines”, where Loomis breaks loose with an unreserved intro and Noelle delivers a well-calibrated solo with bold intervallic choices before texturizing the scene with a 12-beat cycle figure. In a different context, “Centaur of the Plains” traverses colorful Brazilian landscapes with vividness, paying homage to the first president of Venezuela, General José Antonio Páez.

By pairing down every element in Revolutions with assertive instinct, Loomis proves to be a no-nonsense storyteller, arranger, and conceptualist.

Favorite Tracks:
04 - Skies ► 10 - The Road ► 16 - Dessalines

Simon Nabatov Quartet feat. Ralph Alessi - Lovely Music

Label: Clean Feed Records, 2024

Personnel - Simon Nabatov: piano; Ralph Alessi: trumpet; Sebastian Gille: tenor saxophone; David Helm: bass; Leif Berger: drums.

Russian-born, Cologne-based pianist and composer Simon Nabatov has been a constant presence in the European creative jazz scene, boasting a 30+-year career with fruitful collaborations and numerous recordings worth revisiting. On Lovely Music, his latest outing, we find him at the helm of his Cologne quartet - featuring saxophonist Sebastian Gille, bassist David Helm, and drummer Leif Berger - and relying on resourceful American trumpeter Ralph Alessi to enrich nine original compositions, both old and new.

Each of Nabatov’s records showcases his interesting and versatile compositional skills, and “Koscha’s Delight”, dedicated to his pet cat, dazzles out of the gate with a staccato-infused theme, smart counterpoint, and remarkable confidence from all players. Gilles and Alessi engage in a game of interjections over an oddly rhythmic accompaniment, but it’s the trumpeter who first demonstrates his advanced lyricism. The following track, “Nature Morte 8”, is bookended with intriguing arco bass interpolations, reserving the middle part for a smooth harmonic progression in five. Nabatov leads the group on a vamping climb to the summit before a peaceful conclusion.

Both “Rickety” and “Old Fashioned” are retrieved from the excellent quintet album Last Minute Theory (Clean Feed, 2019). The former stands out with plenty of call-and-response and a cyclical flow in seven, carrying a broad sense of freedom. Highly composed and structured, there are sections of exceptional beauty and others where our ears are taken to places of energy. In that sense, “Autumn Music” starts as a ballad, navigates bluesy avenues, and ends with stimulating exchanges between the horn players. Alessi and Gilles also interact successfully on the closer, “No Doubt”, taking pleasure in the sympathetic support of the rhythm section.

“Amour Fou” features adroit single lines over hefty chord voicings and cerebral textures, with Nabatov creating improvised moments suffused with melodic invention, while “Margarita” is a meter-shifting, immensely melodic piece inspired by Bulgakov’s novel The Master and Margarita, which also served as inspiration for Nabatov’s 2001 album of the same name (Leo Records).

Lovely Music adds a whole new dimension to Nabatov’s body of work as its music exceeds expectations on almost every turn.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Koscha’s Delight ► 02 - Nature Morte 8 ► 03 - Rickety

Brian Marsella / Jon Irabagon - Blue Hour

Label: Irabbagast Records / Red Palace Records, 2024

Personnel - Jon Irabagon: mezzo soprano, tenor and sopranino saxophones; Brian Marsella: piano, Yamaha CS-60, Korg BX-3, Ritm-2.

Saxophonist Jon Irabagon never lets me down, regardless of the context or format he’s playing in. He can compose exceptional straightforward tunes inspired by jazz tradition and be a spectacular improviser who colors outside the lines, bringing novelty to the setting. The fully improvised duo album Blue Hour marks his first collaboration with innovative pianist/keyboardist Brian Marsella, known for his work with iconic saxophonist and composer John Zorn.

Purposely unsystematic in form, the music often volleys between enigmatic atmospherics and fleshier impulsions. The first two tracks were recorded live at The Stone. The album’s opener, “A Day That Will Live in Infamy”, starts with a psychedelic freeflow of effect-drenched keyboards and a panoply of saxophone timbres. There’s a passage that seems to evoke liturgical classical music with poignant saxophone melodies atop, later evolving to something more contemporary, in an agitated cacophony filled with whirling figures. The piano is louder than it should be at this phase, and the piece ends enigmatically, exploring darker alleys.

The second track, “Zeros and Ones and a Nine”, puts Marsella’s synths on the rise with glitchy sounds and digital frequencies, insistent bass notes, and animated piano delivered with a rag feel. This abrasive experimentalism suits Irabagon, a master of timbral mutation who uncoils ever-climbing spirals, racing, swinging, and grooving through the harmonic tapestries. The mood veers to dreamy before ending in manifest discomposure.

Tracks 3 to 6 are studio recordings, where the impressive technical quality of the players also unveils their impeccable sense of direction. The title “Centrifugal Machine Goes to the Scrapyard” makes you take your own conclusions beforehand, displaying saxophone extended techniques and gritty dissonance before morphing into wistful melancholy. The rollicking final track, “Bird Games With a Tragic Ending” surprises, hitting at swing, blues, and stride with a disarming naturalness.

This is killer stuff, deeply ingrained in the experimental side of jazz. For both artists, Blue Hour feels like a creative leap in a different direction that we urge them to explore further.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - A Day That Will Live in Infamy ► 02 - Zeros and Ones and a Nine ► 06 - Bird Games With a Tragic Ending

Frank London and The Elders - Spirit Stronger Than Blood

Label: ESP-Disk, 2024

Personnel - Frank London: trumpet; Marilyn Lerner: piano; Hilliard Greene: bass; Newman Taylor Baker: drums + Greg Wall: tenor saxophone (#1,2,3,4).

In addition to being the co-founder of The Klezmatics and the leader of Glass House Orchestra and Klezmer Brass Allstars, trumpeter and composer Frank London has worked with a wide range of artists in different musical contexts such as John Zorn, Lester Bowie, Pink Floyd, Iggy Pop, LL Cool J, and David Byrne. Recently diagnosed with myelofibrosis, an extremely rare blood cancer, London decided to release Spirit Stronger Than Blood as a celebration of life.

Encompassing six originals, the program kicks off with “Let There Be Peace”, an eternal prayer whose modal jazz appeal evokes the elated spirit and pure fire of Pharaoh Sanders. London pairs beautifully with saxophonist Greg Wall in the frontline, well supported by the rhythm section of pianist Marilyn Lerner, bassist Hilliard Greene, and Matthew Shipp Trio’s drummer Newman Taylor Baker.

The swinging modalism of “Resilience”, which London dedicates to the late trumpeter Lester Bowie, serves the burning saxophone outpours of Wall, who, very much in the foreground here, works on top of Lerner’s unceasing harmonies. The title track, “Spirit Stronger Than Blood”, is heartbreakingly introduced by piano and trumpet in a meditative rubato passage that soon gives way to a 3/4 rhythmic flux delicately underpinned by bass and drums. Imbued with an encouraging, positive energy, this number ends with emotive trumpet wails conveying both beauty and sorrow with dramatic flair.

“Poem for a Blue Voice” is soulful ballad sweetness with its rich theme expressed in unison, while the groovy “Abundant Love”, dedicated to London’s family - his artist wife Tine Kindermnann and their two children - carries a gorgeous Eastern-tinge throughout that certainly feels very liberating for the soloists. The album concludes with “Resistance/Healing”, another modal tour-de-force delivered at 3/4 tempo that brings Alice Coltrane’s spiritual excursions to mind. It’s dedicated to trumpeter Ron Miles.

This is a solid effort by London, who shows no signs of weakness in his music but rather an optimism and a magnetic energy that are laudable. Wishing him a quick recovery and a triumphant return to the jazz world in which he’s passionately immersed.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Let There Be Peace ► 02 - Resilience ► 03 - Spirit Stronger Than Blood

Tarbaby - You Think This America

Label: Giant Steps Records, 2024

Personnel - Orrin Evans: piano; Eric Revis: bass; Nasheet Waits: drums.

Tarbaby is the cooperative trio of pianist Orrin Evans, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Nasheet Waits, all well-established musicians in the jazz scene. Formed in the late 1990s, the trio reached a peak in its career in 2022 with the release of Dance of the Infidels (Clean Feed, 2022), featuring alto saxophonist Oliver Lake. Their fifth album, You Think This America comprises two originals - one each by Evans and Waits - along with covers from several genres.

The album opens with Ornette Coleman’s “Dee Dee”, a driving mid-tempo tune expressed with striking accentuations in a triangular dialogue that grooves and moves. The group is on the verge of swinging here without ever being explicit on that direction. Yet, they do it in-the-pocket on Jimmy Cox’s blues “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out”, with Waits sensitively brushing the skins of his drum kit.

Evans’ “Red Door” uncovers an elated theme with fragments of post-bop and Latin, showcasing a robust bass solo and effusive, technique-driven drum chatting. In contrast, Waits’ “Kush” is a waltzing ballad with some twists and a bluesy touch. Saxophonist David Murray’s “Mirror of Youth” is an unexpected and bold choice, with the members navigating different directions for a polyrhythmic feel that later coheres into a polished post-bop waltz wrapped in sweetness. 

The level of engagement remains evident on Andrew Hill’s “Reconciliation”, expressed with churning detail, and on Sunny Murray’s “Tree Tops”, a triangulated open-ended cycle with a frenetically brushed rhythmic flux, pedal-anchored bass, and a reiterative melody on piano.

Although these talented musicians don’t quite surpass their previous heights, You Think This America remains a consistently enjoyable listening.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Dee Dee ► 03 - Red Door ► 10 - Tree Tops