A really different record from drummer Joe Farnsworth – a player we always love for a rock-solid approach to his music, but who here is clearly opening up a new chapter in his life – one that really offers a great variation on the sorts of expectations you might have when you see his name on a record! The record's got a gentle flow that's different than the usual Farnsworth drive – with the drummer laying back, and letting some electric elements in the group flow nicely – including the piano and Fender Rhodes of Julius Rodriguez, guitar of Kurt Rosenwinkel, and alto of Immanuel Wilkins – all players we've never heard with Joe before. Bassist Robert Hurst is as rock-solid as always – and titles include a wonderful remake of the spiritual classic "In What Direction Are You Heading", plus "Safe Corners", "Bobby No Bags", "Someday We'll All Be Free", "Filters", "Terra Nova", and "Anyone But You". CD

The music of Leonard Cohen, but served up in a style that's quite different than you might expect – yet that's maybe no surprise, as right from the start, Cohen's magical songs were already getting interpretations by artists in a range of different styles! The setting here is Blue Note, but the artists are a wider range than those you'd normally hear on the label – with a mix of rock and soul talents next to jazz artists – on titles that include "If It Be Your Will" by Mavis Staples, "Suzanne" by Gregory Porter, "Steer Your Way" by Norah Jones, "Avalanche" by Immanuel Wilkins, "Hey That's No Way To Say Goodbye" by Luciana Souza, "Bird On The Wire" by Bill Frisell, "Famous Blue Raincoat" by Nathaniel Rateliff, "Coming Back To You" by James Taylor, "Here It Is" by Peter Gabriel, and "You Want It Darker" by Iggy Pop. CD