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A really compelling set from trombonist Roswell Rudd – one of our favorite players of the 60s avant garde, and an artist who's started to grow tremendously since coming out of his recent retirement! The set is a brilliant criss-crossing of styles – as Rudd's working here with Mali-based musicians led by kora player Toumani Diabate, in a set of post-colonial world jazz that recalls some of the best Paris-based experiments in the genre during the 70s. Rudd's tone is darkly evocative – juxtaposed nicely against the percussion and stringed instruments of the ensemble – and the album makes for a really striking new chapter in his long career! Titles include "Hank", "Johanna", "Malijam", "Sena Et Mariam", "Bamako", "Rosmani", and "Jakie-ing". (Jazz, Global Grooves) CD

One of the most creative albums we've heard from Dee Dee Bridgewater in years – a set of tracks recorded with a host of Malian artists – in a unique cross-cultural mode that's unlike anything else Dee Dee has ever recorded! The core style here is still very firmly rooted in Bridgewater's jazz roots – but that sound is augmented strongly by the additional singers and musicians – in a mix of jazz and Mali musics that comes off surprisingly well. There's hardly any of the overdone cliches that you might expect from such a record – and Dee Dee herself seems creatively re-ignited in the setting – singing with a sense of freedom and exploration we haven't heard in a long long time, and which is a great reminder of why we've always stood by her over the years. Guest artists include Toumani Diabate, Kasse Mady Dibate, Zoumana Tereta, Baba Sissoko, and Oumou Sangare – and the jazz side of the music is handled quite strongly by pianist Edsel Gomez and bassist Ira Coleman. Titles include "Afro Blue", "Bad Spirits", "Dee Dee", "Mama Don't Ever Go Away", "Footprints", "No More", "Four Women", "The Griots", and "Oh My Love". Also features 3 Parisian tracks too – "Compared To What", "Red Earth", and "Meanwhile". (Vocalists, Global Grooves) CD

The rare first album by Ocho – and a killer batch of Latin tracks that breaks down all definitions of the music! Ocho were a seminal group in the NuYorica scene of the early 70s – blending soul, funk, Latin, jazz, and other styles into a groove that was perhaps a bit too complicated for the audiences of their time, which might be why they're only finally getting their due these days. This first record's excellent all the way through – with loads of great little numbers like "Flautira", "Undress My Mind", "Coco May May", "Suena Tu Bongo", "Que Pelota", and "Oriza". There's a great mix of electric piano, percussion, vibes, and some pretty sharp work on tenor and flute! (Latin, Global Grooves) CD