Trumpeter Avishai Cohen has given us many great records over the years, yet this time around, he seems to be cooking up something extra-special – an album that still echoes some of his older ideas, but which maybe has a bit more warmth, and a bit more unity – qualities that seem to come partly from the album's use of two different guitarists, whose electric elements provide a nice backdrop for the Cohen's trumpet! Uzi Ramirez plays one guitar, and Yonatan Albalak plays the other, and a bit of bass – but there's also maybe a more pointed drum sound too – not too funky or rhythmic, yet more than we're used to hearing from Avishai, and maybe ECM too. Aviv Cohen and Ziv Ravitz handle the drums – and the latter does some live sampling – and Avishai also adds some electric touches to the record, as well as uses a few effects on his horn. Titles include "The Cow & The Calf", "This Time It's Different", "Fractals", "Hidden CHamber", "Honey Fountain", "The Things You Tell Me", and "Teno Neno". CD

A great celebration of the first decade of this legendary jazz group – one that showcases compositions from some of its key members, mixed with original arrangements of music by John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Ornette Coleman, and Stevie Wonder! The octet is rock-solid throughout – a fantastically well-hewn group, with no ego getting in the way at all, even though a group like this could certainly boast plenty – given that the lineup includes David Sanchez on tenor, Miguel Zenon on alto, Avishai Cohen on trumpet, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Warren Wolf on vibes, and Edward Simon on piano. Titles include "Union", "Visions", "Moment's Notice", "And What If I Don't", "Alcatraz", "More Than Meets The Ear", and "Frosted Evils". CD

The songs of Chick Corea were a hit with the rest of the jazz world, right from the start – subject to so many great reinterpretations, as is definitely the case here – as the SF Jazz Collective mix Chick's music with some great originals of their own! There's a soaring spirit to the performance that really lives up to the best Corea style of the early 70s – that generation when the keyboardist taught us all how to fly – thanks to tunes played here that include "Matrix", "Spain", "Rumble/City Gate", "Space Circus", "La Fiesta", and "500 Miles". The group also uses the vibes of Stefon Harris to evoke some of the Corea/Gary Burton collaborations – and the rest of the lineup includes Miguel Zenon on alto, David Sanchez on tenor, Avishai Cohen on trumpet, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Edward Simon on piano, Obed Calvaire on drums, and Matt Penman on bass. Nearly every member of the group contributed an original to the set, and titles include "Gibraltar", "Let's Take A Trip To The Sky", "Home Is", "Grand Opening", and "Incessant Desires". CD

Saxophonist Miguel Zenon was a key part of the SF Jazz Collective for almost 15 years – not just an alto saxophonist who's presence was an essential part of their sound, but also a great composer who brought a range of sublime originals to the group! This 2CD set brings together recordings from a dozen years – put together after Zenon had left the group, but as a way of remembering all the contributions he'd made – which show up here in performances by Stefon Harris on vibes, David Sanchez on tenor, Avishai Cohen on trumpet, and Robin Eubanks on trombone. Many of the tunes were composed with specific group performers in mind – and titles include "Grand Opening", "The Mystery Of Water", "Lingala", "2 & ", "No Filter", "Frontline", "Life At The End Of The Tunnel", "More To Give", and "Collective Overture". CD

The songs of Horace Silver never grow old – they've had a special sort of soulful energy from the early Blue Note years onward – really kept alive here in a set of great performances by this all-star group, who also mix in some excellent originals of their own! The lineup is rock-solid – an octet, but one who swings with the dexterity of a quartet – thanks to the skills of Miguel Zenon on alto, Mark Turner on tenor, Avishai Cohen on trumpet, Stefon Harris on vibes, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Edward Simon on piano, Matt Penman on bass, and Eric Harland on drums. The vibes are a great addition to the Horace Silver sound – as the group make their way through versions of "Cape Verdean Blues", "Sister Sadie", "Peace", "Song For My Father", "Senor Blues", "The Lady From Johannesburg", and "Baghdad Blues" - plus originals that include "Triple Threat", "Collective Presence", "More Than Meets The Ear", and "Harlandia". CD

The moody genius of Joe Henderson is a perfect match for the highly creative talents of this wonderful group – an all-star octet that features Miguel Zenon on alto, David Sanchez on tenor, Warren Wolf on vibes, Avishai Cohen on trumpet, Edward Simon on piano, Matt Penman on bass, and Obed Calvaire – all giants on their own, coming together here in a wonderfully balanced ensemble! This isn't just a group playing head arrangements then taking off into solos – as there's a very cohesive spirit throughout, as the music of Joe Henderson is mixed with originals by the group – given fresh arrangements by Wolf, Zenon, Simon, and others. Titles include "Recorda Me", "A Shade Of Jade", "Afro Centric", "Synthesis Of A Band", "Eternal Wait", "Fire", "Jinrikisha", "Absolvents", and "Black Narcissus". CD

The San Francisco Jazz Collective, recording in New York – doing a really wonderful job with a host of tunes from the mighty Stevie Wonder! These aren't soul songs, or easy cover versions – as the tunes are complex and jazz-based right from the start – stretched out in ways that only use the compositions as an initial framework, before adding in all these really creative arrangements, and strong solos from just about every member of the group! This time around the lineup features Stefon Harris on vibes, Mark Turner on tenor, Miguel Zenon on alto, Avishai Cohen on trumpet, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Edward Simon on piano, Eric Harland on drums, and Matt Penman on bass – an instrument that's really important to the shape of many of these tunes. The group also brings in a few originals – most in the spirit of Stevie – and titles include "Orpheus", "Young & Playful", "Sir Duke", "Creepin", "Race Babbling", "Superstition", "Do I Do", "Blame It On The Sun", "My Cherie Amour", "Visions", and "Life Signs". CD

Maybe the straightest jazz set we've heard to date from Kandace Springs – a record that's got a great old school vibe overall, and the sorts of moody, dark-tinged qualities that takes us back to vintage material by Abbey Lincoln or Nina Simone – something we might not have said about Kandace on previous albums! Springs plays piano, and mostly keeps things in a tight combo mode – with her vocals in the lead, but with occasional guest help from artists who include Chris Potter on tenor, Avishai Cohen on trumpet, David Sanborn on alto, Christian McBride on bass, and Norah Jones on piano and vocals – on tunes penned by artists as diverse as Bob Dorough, Hoagy Carmichael, Lauryn Hill, and Sade. Titles include "Devil May Care", "The Nearness Of You", "Strange Fruit", "Killing Me Softly", "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life", "Ex-Factor", "Pearls", "I Put A Spell On You", and "Gentle Rain". CD