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A great blend of Brazilian roots and piano jazz – played here by a trio that's all-solid, all the way through – serving up some really wonderful music that never relies on bossa cliches, or any sort of tricks and gimmicks! Instead, there's a really rich mixing of modes – one that'... read more

A compelling conception from drummer Jaimeo Brown – a set that mixes the jazz performance of his trio with inspiration from older gospel music – in particular the famous work of the Gee's Bend Singers, who are sampled here on a number of tracks! About half the record draws vocals from... read more

Drummer Will Calhoun's got a rich array of styles on this well-crafted set – differing modes and differing phrasing for each different track – thanks to an array of top-shelf guest players on the date! Will's work on drums is at the core of each selection – often bold, but never... read more

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Rondi Charleston's a heck of a great jazz singer – but also turns out to be a strong songwriter as well – with a depth that makes the record way more than just another collection of standards! Even better, Rondi's got a strong respect for an older jazz vocal tradition – which you... read more

A wonderful idea for a record – very unique, and with a style that makes for one of the freshest jazz vocal sets we've heard in years! The tunes here are all numbers penned by saxophonist Pepper Adams – a great change from overdone standards – and they've got some inventive... read more

A great one from this all-star group – an incredibly righteous combo that's given Billy Harper one of his best chances to play in years! As with the previous album by The Cookers, the Harper influence really runs strong – not just in the use of some of his great tracks in the... read more

The album's hardly breakthrough for pianist Eldar Djangirov, given his success in recent years – but it is another bold step forward, served up in his richly flowing approach to the keys! Eldar's trio rolls out here with tight energy from the start – gathering force as they move... read more

Really lovely sounds from Jana Herzen – a set that features her own vocals and guitar, with just the bass of Charnett Moffett for accompaniment! The spare setting is beautiful – and Jana sparkles here in ways that few other singers could hope to match – bringing out a key... read more

A lovely little tribute to the genius of Joao Gilberto – and quite possibly the best album we've ever heard from vocalist Ithamara Koorax! The set's quite spare – just Ithamara's vocals and a bit of guitar to back her up – and the stripped-down setting hardly gives Koorax any... read more

A bit of ballads, but probably a bit more blues too – given that Joe Locke's approach here is mighty darn soulful, and really keeps things moving nicely – even during mellow moments! Locke bills the album as dedicated to folks who've worked a hard day, and need to slow down in the... read more

A great setting for the vibes of Joe Locke – set amidst the larger sounds of the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra – whose soft flourishes prove to be a perfect backdrop for Joe's rich colors and tones! The format is wonderful – an approach that's hardly done this well with other vibist... read more

Maybe the greatest album we've ever heard from bassist Nilson Matta – a set that mixes Brazilian jazz modes with a much more complex approach – all in a style that offers up a really rich reworking of the famous soundtrack to the film Black Orpheus! The original score by Antonio Carlos... read more

A compelling combination of Brazilian forro and jazz, with a touch of American roots thrown in for good measure – all served up in a style that's pretty darn unique! Bold accordion lines are at the lead on most numbers – much more Brazilian than any sort of US or European use of the... read more

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Wonderful work from Gregory Porter – easily one of the best new jazz singers to emerge in the past decade or so, and one whose approach is soulful enough to rival the greats of the 70s! There's echoes here of Bill Withers, Gil Scott-Heron, and Al Jarreau – and like all those artists,... read more

Gregory Porter's a hip little singer – just the sort we love to discover in jazz, and the type that only comes around once in a blue moon! Like Jon Hendricks, Mark Murphy, or Kurt Elling – all perfect references for Porter's style – Greg has a wonderful way of coming up with his... read more