Kajfeš, Goran and Tilliander, Andreas: In Cmin
They say : Kajfeš has been a relentless innovator in jazz, playing a central role in Oddjob, Subtropic Arkestra, Tropiques, Nacka Forum and Fire! Orchestra. Here he joins electronic techno pioneer Andreas Tilliander for 8 tracks of finely crafted electronic dub/jazz (Kontra KM060) https://andreastilliandergorankajfes.bandcamp.com/album/in-cmin
Kilner, Matthew: The Space In Between
They say : An exciting new release from Scottish rising star saxophonist, Matthew Kilner with Alyn Cosker (drums), Paul Harrison (piano) and Ewan Hastie (bass). Fellow saxophonist Paul Towndrow features on “The Lighthouse”. The music is firmly rooted in the jazz tradition, clearly shown through the choice of instrumentation and is a nod to the classic saxophone-fronted quartets of the past. The album, a reflection on Matthew’s home town of Aberdeen, adds to the ever-developing Scottish Jazz canon. (Self release MRK25CD / MRK25VNL) https://youtu.be/maEMD1CDHY0?si=0TZJyT3zhGUkrISw
Kirilova, Victoria: Roots & Skies
They say : Bassist and composer Victoria Kirilova blends jazz, Bulgarian and Middle Eastern folklore, and contemporary chamber music in her album “Roots &Skies”. The album’s title reflects Victoria’s vision of connecting her perception of Bulgarian traditional music to the “open space” of different musical impacts. (Da Vinci Jazz C00997) https://www.youtube.com/@victoriakirilovamusic
La Sorsa, Germana Stella ft. Ollendorff, Tom: After Hours
They say : Italian singer and storyteller Germana Stella La Sorsa’s innovative style has found the perfect partner in British guitarist Tom Ollendorff, starting a collaboration envisioned as a celebration of the beauty of simplicity. After Hours is a small but stunning collection of inspired arrangements of legendary songs and originals and pays homage to well-known composers and songwriters from a wide spectrum including Brazilian composer Pixinguinha and The Beatles. (33 Jazz Records) https://youtu.be/cm0u9QE5A2I
Lagon Nwar: Lagon Nwar
They say : Saxophonist Quentin Biardeau and bassist Valentin Ceccaldi, both from the flamboyant Tri-Collectif, invite us with their album Lagon Nwar to a meeting with Réunionese singer Ann O’aro and Burkinabé (Burkina Faso – West Africa) drummer-percussionist-singer Marcel Balboné. Their debut album paints a world as powerful as it is tender, as luminous as it is shadowy, as gentle as it is furious. Lagon Nwar’s music – unclassifiable and fascinating – sits somewhere between Creole tradition, and Afro-jazz. (Airphono – AF0424510 CD) https://lagonnwar.bandcamp.com/album/lagon-nwar-2
Lagon Nwar: Lagon Nwar
They say : Saxophonist Quentin Biardeau and bassist Valentin Ceccaldi, both from the flamboyant Tri-Collectif, invite us with their album Lagon Nwar to a meeting with Réunionese singer Ann O’aro and Burkinabé (Burkina Faso – West Africa) drummer-percussionist-singer Marcel Balboné. Their debut album paints a world as powerful as it is tender, as luminous as it is shadowy, as gentle as it is furious. Lagon Nwar’s music—unclassifiable and fascinating—sits somewhere between Creole tradition, and Afro-jazz. (Airphono – AF04245100 LP) https://lagonnwar.bandcamp.com/album/lagon-nwar-2
Landæus Trio: Resilience
They say : Active on the international scene for three decades and with over 20 albums to his name, Swedish pianist Mathias Landæus presents Resilience (May 9th, SFÄR Records) with his acclaimed trio. Mathias pays tribute to the freedom fighters of the world in his liner notes, and the musicians on this record undoubtedly belong to that group. (SFÄR)
Laubrock, Ingrid: Purposing the Air
They say : Innovative composer Ingrid Laubrock has curated a library of moods from the poetry of Erica Hunt and four adventurous vocal-instrumental duos on her fascinating and rewarding double album. The 60 brief yet evocative koans feature the pairings of Fay Victor/Mariel Roberts, Sara Serpa/Matt Mitchell, Theo Bleckmann/Ben Monder, and Rachel Calloway/Ari Streisfeld (Duo Cortona). (Pyroclastic Records)
Liebowitz, Carol & Lyons, Nick: The Inner Senses
They say : The Inner Senses is an album of contemporary jazz improvisation played by longstanding NY-based piano-sax duo Carol Liebowitz and Nick Lyons. The music, at once both complex and direct, takes listeners through territories and textures straight ahead as well as abstract. The beautiful and personal sounds combined with the melodic sensibilities and open listening of the two players act as the album’s through-lines. (SteepleChase/LookOut SCCD 33152) https://youtu.be/hhyRyQcCULA?si=vtRNM5e5sRZeRkQ0
Lindvall, Johan: End
They say : Third album from Lindvall (piano), Adrian Myhr (bass) and Andreas Skår Winther (drums). The trio’s dynamic interplay and musical prowess is entirely at the service of the music, moving through subtlety and suggestion, to restrained declamation. (Jazzland Recordings 3779691) https://orcd.co/vp5orxr
Liu, Zishi: American Anxiety
They say : Jazz saxophonist and composer Zishi Liu unveils American Anxiety—a bold, genre-blurring EP arriving June 1, 2025. Blending avant-garde jazz with Chinese traditional music, including the Guzheng—an ancient instrument with over 3,000 years of history, Liu delivers a powerful sonic portrait of identity, tension, and transformation in modern America. (Self release) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiPDvQuG-OA&ab_channel=ZISHILIU
Lovano, Joe: Homage
They say : Master saxophonist Joe Lovano and pianist Marcin Wasilewski’s trio (with bassist Slawomir Kurkiewicz and drummer Michal Miskiewicz) are endowed with an especially adventurous spirit on “Homage”, their second collaboration for ECM. Building on the lyrical strengths that inhabited the group’s previous recording (“Arctic Riff”, 2020), the quartet investigates free-flowing interplay and expansive passages of improvisation across five Lovano originals and a piece by violin virtuoso Zbigniew Seifert. (ECM 7567799)
Lutz, Oliver: Calamari Fantasy
They say : Oliver Lutz, regarded as one of the most innovative and accomplished electric bass players in contemporary jazz, takes a bold new step with Calamari Fantasy. This album represents the culmination of his journey as a composer over the past three years. It combines deep grooves, futuristic synths, and daring improvisation, pushing the boundaries of jazz, experimental, funk, and fusion genres, with hints of cinematic flair. Collaborating with saxophonist Tineke Postma, keyboardist Pablo Held, and drummer Peter Gall, Lutz has created a sonic landscape that is both expansive and intimate. (Self release) https://youtu.be/2owNe6n5_cQ
Lux, Sandra-Mae: Seasons In Jazz
They say : A collection of original songs inspired by the Great American Songbook by award-winning songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Sandra-Mae Lux featuring two stellar bands: one with pianist Rob Barron, Canadian guitarist Tristan Paxton, bassist Calum Gourley and drummer Sebastiaan de Krom; the other with pianist Christian Vaughan, bassist Dave Jones and drummer Tristan Maillot. (Sandra-Mae Lux Music – SML002CD/LP)
