These guys already had our attention the moment we looked at the back cover – and noted that they were playing songs by Phil Cohran, Sun Ra, and Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre – then they really won us over once we heard the very first few notes of the set! The group's only a quartet on most tracks, but they've got a sense of majesty to really live up to the music – definitely making magic with the roots they refer to in their name – in a lineup that features Alberto Popolla on clarinet and bass clarinet, Errico De Fabritiis on alto and baritone sax, Gianfranco Tedeschi on bass, and Fabrizio Spera on drums and percussion. There's some nice surprises along the way – harmonica, zither, and "objects" used in the performances – and there's a way of reworking avant traditions that remind us of some of the most innovative sides of the Italian scene at the end of the 80s – on titles that include "When There Is No Sun", "Karen On Monday", "Frankiphone Blues", "Devil Got My Woman", "Humility In The Light Of The Creator", and "A Girl Named Rainbow". CD

Improvised duets, but at a level that's a real surprise – often not what you might expect, given the instrumentation used by the duo! Isach Skeidsvoll plays piano, and Lauritz Heitmann handles saxes – but the musicians really work apart from any easy thoughts you might have about how such instruments might come together in a series of free improvisations – shifting the way things combine over some very long tracks in the set, and maybe throwing a real wrench into the proceedings when Skeidsvoll moves over to a bit of melodica at one point too! The record's overflowing with the sort of surprises that can make improvised music so great – and titles include "Chanting Moon Dancing Sun", "From The Wasteland I Ascend", "Skeidsvoll Brothers Out In The Fog", and "My Withering Soul". CD

There's a really compelling mix of sounds going on here – including both electric and acoustic feedback (we're not sure what they mean by the latter!) from the director of the proceedings, Rafael Toral – who handles an amplifier next to the performance of Hugo Antunes on bass, Hugo Morao on drums and percussion, and Nuno Torres on alto sax! Torres also handles some electronics, but the moments when his reedwork comes into play are some of our favorites – as he brings a sense of brightness to some of the darker sounds on the session, and really greats a great balance in the sonic exploration of the set. Titles include "Landing In Copenhagen", "Generation", "Starlight", "Freedom Of Tomorrow", and "Black & White". CD

Guitarist Tim Stine is in great Chicago company here – a hip quartet that features Nick Mazzarella on alto, Matt Ullery on bass, and Quin Kirchner on drums – all players who contribute a tremendous amount to the set! There's a nice mix of arrangement and freedom going on here – and Tim's solos have this lean, raspy edge – which is balanced out by some deeper lines coming from Mazzarella's alto – all laid out over these romping rhythms from Ullery and Kirchner – almost harmelodic in thought, but a lot more complex overall! Titles include "SH8", "Ride Wild Rides", "Kjallstert", "Quietus", "Fred Waltzing", and "Trempealeau". CD

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You may not know the name of Ricardo Toscano, but he's a hell of a player on the alto – one to match the best energy of better-known tenorists from the contemporary scene – especially in the unbridled format of this trio setting! There's an energy here that takes the alto to trio territory once explored by Sonny Rollins and others – and almost like Rollins, Toscao's got a way of moving between inside and outside with effortless ease – working with a wonderfully expressive style that really seems to unlock new possibilities in his very familiar instrument! Other trio members are great too – Romeu Tristao on bass and Joao Pereira on drums – and titles include "Totem", "Played Twice", "Suplica/Vagas Paixoes", and "Chasing Contradictions". CD

There's some very dark-themed titles on this record from guitarist Juanma Trujillo – "Sludge", "Bolt Cut", "Rumination", and "Oil Tank" – and those names almost seem to hint at the heavy power of the record within! Trujillo improvises on electric guitar with a fair bit of distortion at times – maybe in a Sonny Sharrock legacy, but without as much of Sharrock's "noise for noise sake" qualities – which is great, as it really brings more attention to Juanma's skills on the strings, and sense of tonal imagination – spun out here alongside work from Kenneth Jimenez on bass and Gerald Cleaver on drums! CD

Portuguese trumpeter Luis Vicente has created a wonderful American/European quartet here – a group of really like-minded players who seem to have the easygoing interaction hinted at with their pose on the cover, delivered with the sonic promise of the speakers that stand above their heads in the image! The tracks are quite long, and the work has this way of rising, falling, and cascading wonderfully over passages that are sometimes quite free and unbridled, sometimes more tied together in these waves of energy – Vicente on trumpet, alongside John Dikeman on tenor, Luke Stewart on bass, and Onno Goevart on drums. Titles include "Anahata/Little Dance" and "Luisa's Laugh/House In The Valley". CD

That's a striking name for this all-star group – and the music is equally striking too – a large piece composed by Muhal Richard Abrams, recorded here in memory to his long legacy in jazz! The work is a classic example of the way that Abrams was able to mix larger orchestrations and improvised performance – a standard that he held high in the early days of the AACM, explored strongly on his Black Saint records, and which is championed here by a lineup that includes Josh Evans and Dave Ballou on trumpets, Julian Pressley on alto, Alfred Patterson on trombone, Robert Debellis on tenor and soprano, Graham Haynes on cornet, Tom Lawton on piano, and Chad Taylor on drums – plus alto from Marty Erlich and Bobby Zankel, the former as the group's conductor, the latter as the music director. A wonderful long performance – one that certainly would have made Muhal proud! CD

Bassist Per Zanussi always seems to give us wonderful sounds, no matter what the session – and here, he's at the helm of a larger ensemble with a really compelling mix of instrumentation – one that gives the record a sonic complexity that's a bit hard to describe in words! Familiar elements includes trumpets from Didrik Ingvaldsen and Simen Kill Halvorsen, and reeds from Heidi Kvelvane, Kjteil Moster, and Kristoffer Alberts – but the lineup also has violin, modular synth, and guitar – elements that are balanced out in these textures of sonic energy that really complicate the palette of the record. There's also two drummers on the date – Borge Fjordheim and Oyvind Skarbo – who do a great of of interacting with Zanussi – on titles that include "Uragano", "The Dunes", "Noon Moon", "Golden Spike", "Spots & Ripples", and "Murmuration". CD

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The compelling title of the record is almost a hint at the music within – a really unusual balance of sounds that's nicely unsettling throughout – not in a noisy way, but at a level that always keeps you guessing where things might go next! The alto of Patrick Brennan is a key part of the music throughout – restless and almost jittery at times – sometimes more strongly unified with the rest of the group, other times wandering off to the side. The mix of structure and freedom is great here – and other players include Brian Groder on trumpet and flugelhorn, Rod Williams on piano, Hillard Greene on bass, and Michael Thompson on drums. CD

Steve Lehman on alto and sopranino sax, Mark Dresser on bass, and Pheeroan akLaff on drums. CD

Two of the greatest living string-based improvisers – working here in a set of duets recorded in the elm city of New Haven a few years back – really spare, sensitive tunes that offer up some great interplay between the guitar of Joe Morris and bass of Barre Phillips! The record's a strong testament to Phillips' many years on the left side of the jazz spectrum – as Morris cites him as a key influence on his music (and decision to be an improviser) in the notes, and clearly draws much from his playing here in the duets. Some moments are sensitive and poetic, with a really fragile sort of sound – and others have these darker textures that are especially nice. Tracks include "Recite", "Saved Stones", "June Song", "Spirals", and "Translate". CD

The great Oliver Lake joins the Tarbaby trio of pianist Orrin Evans – along with a few other players who really help the group knock the record out of the park! There's a vibe here that's different than some of Evans' other Tarbaby sets – not just the presence of Lake's alto, which is superb, and given a showcase that could make the album one of his best in years – but also because there seems to be a higher sort of spirit to the whole record overall – really reaching for new goals in the music, as Evans piano resonates strongly with the bass of Eric Revis and drums of Nasheet Waits – with added guest work from Josh Lawrence on trumpet and Dana Murray on percussion. The set begins with Orrin singing on a composition by the great Trudy Pitts (one of our all-time heroes of jazz) – the tune "Blessed Ones The Eternal Truth" – and other tunes are by group members, and include "Purple", "Paix", "Bonu", "Bumper", "Round Robin", "House Of Leaves", and "Dance Of The Evil Toys" – plus a version of the Prince tune "Sometimes It Snows In April". CD

The title's a great one for a number of reasons – first because there's some nicely muted trumpet on the session, played both by Magnus Broo and Goran Kajfes, both players we really love – and secondly, because the energy of the session is nicely muted too – like a fire that's kept slow-burning and under control, but which ends up delivering a lot more heat over a lot more distance – and that's saying a lot from a lineup of players who could easily go off like a firecracker! There's a strong sense of composition and individual identity here – kind of an evolution of a Charles Mingus spirit, but taken to territory that's perfect for the contemporary Scandinavian lineup – which also features Mats Aleklint on trombone, Mattias Stahl on vibes, Alexander Zethson on piano, Johan Berthling on bass, Konrad Agnas on drums, and Martin Kuchen on alto sax – the last of whom composed the three long titles on the set – "A Muted Reality", "The Hidden Balcony", and "Fkk Down Fkk Off". CD

A renku is a collaborative form of Japanese poetry, and that name definitely fits for this session – as it's a gentle batch of jazz numbers performed with equal energy from all members of the group – a lineup that includes Michael Attias on alto, John Hebert on bass, and Satoshi Takeishi on drums and percussion! Some tunes are relatively free, but still hold onto a poetic quality – lovely structures and sounds that have an almost painterly approach at times. Titles include "Creep", "Thingin", "Do & The Birds", "Sorry", "Wels", "Fenix Culprit", and "Universal Constant". CD

With Jason Ajemian on double bass, Tomas Fujiwara on drums, Angelica Sanchez on piano and Nate Wooley on trumpet. CD

Michael Attias on alto and baritone saxophone, Tony Malaby on tenor and soprano saxophone, Sean Conly on double bass, and Pheeroan Aklaff on drums. CD

Guitarist Marc Ribot again joins the group of reedman Avram Fefer – a match that really seems to be a highlight in the recent careers of both musicians! Ribot's work in the group is maybe the most focused and meaningful we've heard from him in years – a really back-to-basics return to the strength of his sense of tone and timing – which also really seems to bring out a lot on Fefer too, especially when he hits these straight, soulful lines that come across with a richness that seems distinct from other projects. The rest of the group features the great Chad Taylor on drums – always a treat – and Eric Revis on bass – on titles that include "Juba Lee", "Sky Lake", "Love Is In The Air", "Gemini Time"- "Say You're Sorry", "Showtime", and "Bedouin Dream". CD

Alvin Fielder on drums and percussion, Chris Parker on piano, and Dennis Gonzalez on trumpet. CD

Charles Waters on saxophone, Adam Roberts on double bass, and Andrew Barker on drums. CD

Paul Flaherty on alto saxophone, Joe McPhee on tenor and soprano saxophone and pocket trumpet, Steve Swell on trombone, John Voigt on double bass, and Laurence Cook on drums and percussion. CD

Kirk Knuffke on trumpet, Doug Wieselman on clarinet and guitar, and Kenny Wollesen on drums. CD

Kirk Knuffke on trumpet, Brian Drye on trombone, Reuben Radding on bass, and Jeff Davis on drums. CD

Tenorist Igor Lumpert has roots in Slovenia, but he works here on the New York scene – a contemporary home that's really helped him unlock some of the fullest potential in his music, as you'll hear in this wonderfully fresh and ambitious project! The record often has many horns coming together in once – not really in large group arrangements, but these balanced waves of sound that move between group formation and individual action – often with an edge, but usually never too far out – in keeping with Igor's legacy on other projects. Players include Greg Ward and Caleb Curtis on alto, John Ellis on bass clarinet, Peter Evans on trumpet, Jeff Miles on guitar, Chris Tordini on bass, and Kenny Grohowski on drums – and titles include "Zoo Fog", "Rimbaud", "Looking For Your Own Sky", "Slovenian Fight Song", and "East Block Party". CD

Jon Irabagon on tenor and sopranino saxophone, Peter Evans on trumpet, Moppa Elliott on double bass, and Kevin Shea on drums. CD

Jon Irabagon on saxophone, Kris Davis on piano, Reuben Radding on bass, and Jeff Davis on drums. CD

Four long improvisations recorded at Wesleyan University – with Joe Morris on guitar and Anthony Braxton on various reed instruments. CD

Mid-sized ensemble led by guitarist Matt White. Tracks are alll originals and include "Grizzly Bear", "November 25th", "In Jarama Valley", and the title track "Dying Will Be Easy". CD

Some of the most beautiful work we've heard from Evan Parker in a long time – sublime duets on tenor with pianist Alexander Hawkins – on long, improvised tracks that build up with a really sort of special energy between the players! Parker's got a way of being every bit as sharp and experimental as ever, yet blows with a current of soul at times – quite a surprise, and a quality that seems to be unlocked by Hawkins' thoughtful work on piano – in a style that lays out blocks of tones from the keys, which provide a perfect foil for Evan to explore with a raspy reed style. We've loved Parker for year – but it's a really special record like this that makes us sit up and take notice all over again! Titles include "Jump Start", "Capriole", "The Shimmy", and "Gambade". CD

John Herbert on double bass, Benoit Delbecq on piano, clavinet and synthesizer, and Gerald Cleaver on drums. CD

Joe Morris on guitar – with Jim Hobb on alto, Timo Shanko on bass, and Luther Gray on drums. CD

Pianist Mario Pavone always has a nicely cascading sensibility in his music – and that seems to be the case here more than ever, in a trio that moves along nicely with bass from Matt Mitchell and drums from the wonderful Tyshawn Sorey! The group has a sense of energy that leaps and lopes along – gently galloping at most moments, with these cascades of sounds, tones, and colors from Pavone's strong hands on the piano – almost building in intensity more and more as the album moves on! Titles include "Iskmix", "Noka", "Circles", "Philosophy", and "The Beginning". CD

Eric Revis on double bass, Ken Vadermark on tenor saxophone and clarinet, Jason Moran on piano, and Nasheet Waits on drums. CD

The Rova Sax Quartet not only pay tribute to the late Steve Lacy – whose work on soprano sax was such a huge influence on their sound – they also reunite with guitarist Henry Kaiser, a Bay Area associate from the early days who was a key part of their scene! The quartet rework the songs that Steve Lacy first presented on his groundbreaking Saxophone Special album – but the presence of both Kaiser's guitar, and analog electronics from Kyle Bruckmann really make the whole thing sound quite unique – certainly in a mode that Lacy would approve, but also with maybe more of the noisy elements that marked the generation or Rova and Kaiser's early improvisations. Titles include "Staples", "Swishes", "Sops", "Dreams", and "Snaps" – plus bonus tracks "Cliches" and "Sidelines". CD

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Lynn Cassiers on voice and electronics, Ananta Roosens on violin, Sylvain Debaisieux on soprano and tenor saxophone, Niels Van Heertum on euphonium, Erik Vermeulen on piano, Manolo Cabras on double bass, and Marek Patrman on drums. CD

Bram De Looze on piano, leading an unsual septet with three horns and two cellos! CD

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The title might be a bit of a joke, but the music here is something else entirely – tremendously well-formed, well-played work from a group headed by bassist Mark Dresser – who also wrote all the material on the set! There's almost an AACM vibe to the whole thing – a mixture of larger concepts and individual spirits, always coming together in a highly collaborative way – and shining in the brilliance of players who include Nicole Mitchell on flutes, Marty Erlich on clarinet and bass clarinet, Michael Dessen on trombone, Joshua White on piano, David Morales Boroff on violin, and Jim Black on drums and percussion. The woodwinds have these shading, sliding qualities that are completely sublime – and often echoed, and augmented by the violin – in work that takes us back to the 70s brilliance of players like Leroy Jenkins or Billy Bang. Dresser's presence is felt strongly throughout – and titles include "Sedimental You", "Newtown Char", "Two Handfuls Of Peace", "Will Well", and "Trumpinputinstoopin". CD

Gerry Hemingway on drums, Ellery Eskelin on saxophone, Ray Anderson on trombone, and Mark Dresser on double bass. CD

Tony Malaby's got a great quartet here – Ben Monder on guitar, Eivind Opsvik on bass, and Nasheet Waits on drums – all musicians who help Malaby reach the moodiest corners of his music! Tony plays both tenor and soprano sax – often in angular lines that are matched by the tones of Monder's guitar, with these deft expressions that really resonate strongly in the setting – as both Opsvik and Waits know how to drop out and hold back in their performance, then shape the sounds along with the rest of the group. Titles include "Glass", "Artifact", "Hive", and "Procedure". CD

Andre B Silva on electric and acoustic guitar, Filipe Louro on double and electric bass and acoustic guitar, and Pedro Melo Alves on drums, electronics and screams. CD

A solo piano album – includes a mix of standards, three pieces by Thelonious Monk, and the originals "Promessas", "Caminho Ate Aqui", "Preludio Em Sol Menor", "Elegia", and the four part suite "Musica Callada". CD