Lateef, Yusef: Into Something
They say : By 1961, ‘Into Something’ (presented here) and ‘Eastern Sounds’, Yusef Lateef’s dominant presence within a group context had emerged. His “Eastern”’ influences are clearly audible in all these recordings. The tunes themselves are a mixture of jazz standards and blues: YUSEF LATEEF – tenor sax, flute, oboe; BARRY HARRIS – piano; HERMAN WRIGHT – bass; ELVIN JONES – drums. Record Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, December 29, 1961. (Waxtime 772372 LP)
Levitt, Yosef-Gutman: Shir Yedidot
They say : Bassist and composer Yosef Gutman Levitt returns with Shir Yedidot, exploring melodies adorned with prayer for two thousand years. Featuring renowned pianist Yonathan Avishai, kamancheh player Yagel Haroush, and percussionist Yishai Afterman, this album moves between Chabad nigunim and original compositions. Levitt’s approach neither strips the music of its roots nor forces modernization, letting traditional and new material find its own space while maintaining spiritual depth and authentic expression through improvised, soul-driven performances. (Soul Song Records)
Lindvall, Johan: End
They say : Pianist Johan Lindvall is joined by Adrian Myhr on double bass and Andreas Skår Winther on drums. Melodies are omnipresent, yet frequently weave and duck within stumbling chord progressions, camouflaging themselves one moment then pouncing from the darkness the next. (Jazzland 3779691)
Lophae: Imagine More
They say : Debut independent LP ‘Perfect Strangers’ achieved over 111,000 streams, over 170 album sales, over 300 radio plays world-wise, Spotify editorial playlist placement. Follow-up LP ‘Imagine More’ contains more lyrical accessible psychedelic modern jazz, with “world-music” nods. Recorded live-t0-tape at the Fish Factory studios in London, with Ben Lamdin (Nostalgia 77) engineering. You might hear echoes of Bill Frisell, Blake Mills, The Meters, Jeff Parker, Chief Commander Ebeneezer Obey, Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto… (Gregory J E Sanders, GJESLP002)
Lyne, Tom: Well Mixed Blue
They say : Well Mixed Blue is the latest album from bassist, composer and producer Tom Lyne. Created with long-time collaborator pianist Dave Milligan, the duo explores lyrical melodies, rich harmonic textures and conversational improvisation. Influenced by artists like Sheila Jordan and Harvey S, the music is reflective, inventive and deeply personal. From meditative to playful, the album celebrates emotional depth, storytelling and Lyne’s renewed dedication to his instrument and artistic voice. (LisaLeo Records – LISALEO1001)
Madre Vaca: Yukon
They say : The jazz collective Madre Vaca performs originals ranging from infectious fusion to adventurous post-bop on Yukon. The quartet features inventive solos from guitarist Jarrett Carter and keyboardist Jonah Pierre with infectious grooves set by bassist Thomas Milovac and drummer Benjamin Shorstein. (Madre Vaca Records MVR-020)
Masters, Mark and Billy Harper: Dance, Eternal Spirits, Dance!
They say : Legendary saxophonist Billy Harper and the brilliant big band arranger Mark Masters have collaborated on a new recording devoted to Harper’s own powerful compositions creatively rearranged for Masters’ large ensemble, with Harper himself as the featured soloist. Renowned trumpeter Tim Hagans is also featured with Masters’ big band. (Capri Records)
Masters, Mark and Billy Harper: Sam Rivers 100
They say : Renowned arranger and bandleader Mark Masters and his ensemble are celebrating the music of Sam Rivers with an album that captures both the beauty and creativity of Rivers’ compositions. All six tracks that Rivers recorded on his debut album Fushia Swing Song are brilliantly rearranged for Masters’ big band. Among the featured soloists are two legends: saxophonist Billy Harper and trumpeter Tim Hagans. (Capri Records)
Maurseth, Benedicte: Mirra
They say : Mirra is a concept album where concrete sound plays a central role in the compositions. The music is repetitive and marked by the hypnoitic repetitions of folk music, also inspired by American minimalism, krautrock and free improvised music. (Hubro CD 2667)
McPherson, Eric: Double Bass Quartet
They say : One of the preeminent figures in modern jazz drumming is Eric McPherson. This live recording finds him debuting his double bass quartet. He’s joined by the fascinating Cuban pianist David Virelles as well as two distinguished and very different bassists: John Hébert and Ben Street. The recording includes compositions by both Virelles and Hébert as well as a solo drum piece by McPherson and works by Andrew Hill, Thelonious Monk, and Jaki Byard. (Giant Step Arts)
Montez, Bobby: Viva! Montez
They say : Vibraphonist and band leader Bobby Montez (1934 – 2003) is considered a pioneer of Latin jazz of the late 1950s and early 1960s, and stylistically close to the sound of Cal Tjader. Montez came from a musical family and learned to play several instruments, among them piano, double bass, and vibraphone. (Descarga 637010 LP)
Morley: Follow The Sound
They say : Known as Morley, Morley Shanti Kamen-Bruce is a singer, songwriter, whose music blends folk, jazz, and global traditions into an uplifting and healing sound. Moreley debuted with 1998’s ‘Sun Machine’ and continued to expand her style on albums like ‘Days Like These’, ‘Seen’, and ‘Undivided’. She has worked with jazz musicians including William Parker, David Amram, and drummer Brian Blade, and contributed to albums by Lizz Wright, Youn Sun Nah, Richard Bona, and Yuri Buenaventura. (Autre Distribution OM250121 CD)
Mueller, Tobin: Fragments
They say : A collection of upbeat World Jazz Fusion, Tobin Mueller’s album ‘Fragments’ uses as inspiration tunes by Lennon-McCartney, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, and more. Shards from Harold Arlen’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” to the prog rock band Yes’ masterpiece “Close to the Edge” are sharpened into new focus. The album starts off with two covers: “Feels So Good” by Chuck Mangione and “Tobacco Road,” a classic blues tune Mueller puts through variations. (Mirror Image Music Group)
Murphy, Greg: Snap Happy
They say : Snap Happy is pianist Greg Murphy’s fifth release on Whaling City Sound, blending infectious rhythms, soulful melodies, and bold interpretations of jazz standards and fusion classics. Featuring his dynamic trio with guests Mark Whitfield and Sy Smith, the album moves effortlessly through swing, ballads, and free jazz. Lively, uplifting, and rooted in tradition with a modern edge, Snap Happy showcases Murphy’s deep musicality and creative spirit in a set that’s both accessible and adventurous. (Whaling City Sound 144)
Nehemya, Ofri: Time Traveler
They say : Drummer and composer Ofri Nehemya releases his debut album, Time Traveler, a deeply personal project blending contemporary jazz, fusion and Middle Eastern influences and featuring Nitzan Bar on guitar, Tomer Bar on piano and Tal Mashiach on acoustic bass. Nehemya recorded two albums on ECM with pianist Shai Maestro and has also worked with Avishai Cohen (bass), Omer Avital, Ben Wendel, Eli Degibri, Aaron Goldberg, Gilad Hekselman, Yotam Silberstein and Avishai Cohen (trumpet) to name just a few. (Adhyâropa Records)
Nilssen, Gard: Great Intentions
They say : Expanded to include saxophonist Signe Emmeluth and saxophonist Kjetil Møster, Gard Nilssens Acoustic Unity unleash an album packed with dissonance and harmony. (Action Jazz ACJZ011)
Nowosad, Curtis: I’m Doing My Best
They say : I Am Doing My Best is the fourth album from JUNO-nominated NYC drummer Curtis Nowosad, out June 2025 on La Reserve Records. Co-produced with Joey Landreth and featuring Joanna Majoko and Andrew Renfroe, the album explores themes of healing, self-compassion, and personal growth through all-original music. A staple of the NYC jazz scene, Nowosad blends emotional depth with inventive musicianship, offering a heartfelt, powerful statement at a pivotal point in his artistic journey. (La Reserve CN002)
Orè: Matter Antimatter
They say : Amsterdam-based bassist Pedro Ivo Ferreira leads a quartet exploring the tension between free improvisation and contemporary composition, with strong influences from Brazilian rhythmic traditions. Featuring José Soares (alto sax), Miguel Petruccelli (guitar), and Onno Govaert (drums), Matter Antimatter blends lyricism and abstraction across original material resulting in a raw and energetic sound, rooted in contemporary creative music. (Trytone TT559-113)
Ortiz, Aruán: Créole Renaissance
They say : Award-winning pianist and composer Aruán Ortiz releases Créole Renaissance, a brilliant new solo album. (Intakt Records)
