MacDonald, Doug: Tribute to South Central
They say : Doug MacDonald’s newest recording, Tribute to South Central, features the prolific jazz guitarist at the head of a new quintet/sextet that includes trumpet, keyboards, bass, drums, and percussion. The colorful group performs three standards and five of MacDonald’s inventive originals which contain plenty of subtle surprises. (Dmac Music, DM 29)
Makhathini, Nduduzo: The Myth We Choose
They say : Co-produced by his son Thingo Makhathini, the album moves between multiple influences and genres whilst holding onto Makhathini’s distinctive sound and features bassist Dalisu Ndlazi, drummer Lukmil Perez as well as collaborations from Black Coffee, Shabaka, Omagugu, Thando Zide & Muneyi. (Blue Note Records )
Marquès, Albert / Therrien, Rachel: Dialogue Vol. II
They say : Catalonian pianist Albert Marquès and Grammy-nominated Canadian trumpeter Rachel Therrien release Dialogue Vol. II, the second installment in a two-part collaboration resulting from a decade-long musical friendship, sharing a playfulness and freeness over well-known standards. This second album again captures the spontaneous chemistry between two genre-bending artists whose musical conversation takes many forms. Bleeding authenticity – unfiltered and vulnerable, Dialogue Vol. II places the listener right inside the creative landscape of the studio. (Chronograph Records – CR-128) Hear Albert Marquès.
Martin, Heidi: Attunement
They say : Having completed two years of research at Rutgers University (2023-2024) which focused on the American jazz vocalist, songwriter, actress and civil rights activist Abbey Lincoln, Heidi Martin was subsequently awarded a Jazz Studies Dana Library Fellowship in 2024. During this time, Heidi reached out to bassist Michael Bowie and pianist Mark Cary, who both played with Abbey Lincoln for over a decade. Heidi began composing to notes of the research and conversations, then poems, then through the experience of aligning with Abbey Lincoln’s philosophy and attuning to her spirit. Could compositions be channelled through this energy as a tribute to Abbey Lincoln (Aminata Moseka), but not in the traditional sense of “tribute album”? As songs were emerging, Heidi brought them to Michael Bowie who became her MD. (Independent)
Maza, Ana Carla: Alamar
They say : With Alamar, Cuban cellist and singer Ana Carla Maza presents a personal and luminous musical work, in which memory, love and cultural transmission are transformed into a contemporary, universal language. The album, which is supported by a UK tour from the 24th April to 31st May, takes its name from Alamar, a seaside neighbourhood of Havana, Cuba. Written and composed by the Maza, Alamar unfolds through a singular dialogue between voice and cello, blending musical traditions with a refined, modern sensibility. (Autre Distribution ACM83662026LP – LP)
Melford, Myra and Satoko Fujii: Katarahi
They say : Two of the most acclaimed pianists in creative music, Myra Melford and Satoko Fujii, come together for their first duet album since 2007. A deep and beautiful musical conversation, the album was recorded live at JazzFestival Lebnitz. (Rogue Art)
Melnyk, Lubomyr: Windmills
They say : In this remarkable 45 minute long piano epic, the composer has created a milestone in piano history, marking the highest levels of piano playing ever done before …. and that involve every aspect of his Continuous Music … from Static Position Pattern work to his glorious Bel-Canto Melodics, and even includes him playing at the fastest possible speed — of over 19 notes per second .. beyond what any other pianist can do. Recorded live direct to analog tape using a Studer A 80 1/4” two-track tape recorder without any editing or overdubbing. (Jersika Records, JRA029) Hear Lubomyr Melnyk.
Metropole Orkest: Arakatak
They say : Metropole Orchestra presents Arakatak, a brand new collection of music to celebrate the monumental orchestra’s 80th anniversary. Through 8 pieces by 8 different prominent composers, the group sheds light on the Metropole Orchestra of the past, present, and future. Conducted by one of the Orchestra’s regular guest conductors, composer and arranger Miho Hazama, Arakatak also features compositions by Vince Mendoza, Donny McCaslin, Tineke Postma, Mark Guiliana, Shai Maestro, and Louis Cole. (V2 Records)
Mockūnas, Liudas / Samuel Blaser / Marc Ducret: Twisted Summer
They say : OUT: 10.04.2026 Inspired by the sound of the legendary jazz clarinetist and saxophonist Jimmy Giuffre’s trio, which also featured jazz icons such as guitarist Jim Hall and trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, the Mockūnas – Blaser – Ducret trio creates their own music, original compositions composed by all three members of the trio. Recorded live direct to analog tape using a Studer A 80 1/4” two-track tape recorder without any editing or overdubbing. (Jersika Records, JRA025) Hear Liudas Mockūnas.
Molina, Pedro: A Name I Knew
They say : How does time sound as it dissolves, as forgetting lays waste to what was once certain? A Name I Knew moves through this landscape, centering on Alzheimer’s: from jazz to pop/rock, from structure to the freedom of free improvisation. Each composition is a fragment of memory that fades and transformsmoments of lucidity, notes suspended in the tragedy of what will no longer be remembered when names and faces disappear (Porta-Jazz, PJ123) Hear Pedro Molina.
Montgomery, Wes: The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery (Crystal Clear Vinyl)
They say : Special limited edition of Wes Montgomery’s classic album that became the inspiration for pf countless other guitarist guitarists, including such players as Pat Metheny and John Scofield. Reissued as a special collectors’ edition on crystal clear viny, ‘The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery (Riverside Records) was his third album as a leader and accompanied by the great Tommy Flanagan on piano, and the equally great Percy Heath on bass and brother Albert “Tootie” Heath on drums. (Waxtime Crystal Clear 526034 – LP)
Morgan, Lee: Take Twelve
They say : ‘Take Twelve’ showcases Lee Morgan’s fiery hard‑bop trumpet in a spirited, thoughtful set full of original (Jazz Wax Records JWR4647LP – LP)
Morrin, Chase’s IZE Trio: Global Prayer
They say : The IZE Trio – featuring pianist Chase Morrin, cellist Nazeem Alatrash, and percussionist George Lernis, joined by special guests including bassist John Patitucci – melds jazz, classical, and maqam (microtonal music from Greece, Turkey, Cypress, Palestine and other Arab countries), in a prayer for humanity. (Independent)
Mueller, Tobin & Tomás Martínez: Blue Side Vol. 1
They say : Pianist-composer Tobin Mueller teams up with saxophonist Tomás Martinez and others to create a fresh sound as presented in Blue Side Vol. 1. The recordings were mixed and mastered at Factory Underground Studio, produced by Kenny Cash and Mueller. The warmth and context of each piece brings to mind the great studios of the past, putting Mueller in the room with the performers, surrounded by a widely mic’d piano and the fullness of Martinez’s saxophone. (ArtsForge 2112)
Nils Are Drønen, Inge Weatherhead Breistein : No Need For A Driver´s License
They say : Nils Are Drønen and Inge Weatherhead Breistein are both highly active musicians in the Bergen jazz community. As a duo, their focus is acoustic free jazz, pointing towards the 1960s and 1970s. Rooted in tradition, but also shaped by newer music, the duo’s sound carries both historical and contemporary elements. From spacious sound exploration to blues-rooted melodic fragments, their music moves through textural improvisation, moments of melodic and rhythmic motifs, both clear and deconstructed. (scatterArchive)
Novos Londrinos: Novos Londrinos
They say : Bossa nova, samba, baiao, spiritual jazz and Cape Verdean rhythms form an enchanting mosaic on the debut EP from London-based Novos Londrinos. Brought together by a shared love of 60s/70s Brazilian music, the group combines sophisticated songwriting, tight grooves, exhilarating flute improvisations and emotive Portuguese-language vocals to create a record full of colour and variety. Lyrically the EP moves between lightness and introspection, reflecting on new arrivals, time’s flow, the beautiful and the unfamiliar. (instagram.com/novos.londrinos) Hear Novos Londrinos.
Ocean Fanfare: Third Nature
They say : Celebrated Danish-Polish quartet Ocean Fanfare return with Third Nature, the final instalment in their long-form Nature Trilogy. Led by trumpeter Tomasz Dąbrowski and saxophonist Sven Dam Meinild, the group pushes further into structurally open, improvisation-led music, embracing a freer, more volatile approach to layered and non-linear time. (Independent)
Ochoa, Audrey: The Sorceress
They say : Juno Award-nominated powerhouse trombonist, Canada’s Audrey Ochoa, releases a vibrant fusion of jazz, electronica, swing, and pop in a sonic portrait that brings together many influences. Each track blends improvisation with infectious hooks and lush harmonies. The trombone takes centre stage as a voice of emotion and empowerment, weaving stories of resilience, humour, and acceptance – and listen for her sultry and fun vocals that bring the magic of her live show to the recording. (Chronograph Records – CR-119) Hear Audrey Ochoa.
Open Thread: Waiting Music
They say : Australian–Canadian quartet Open Thread return with Waiting Music, a richly textured new album that captures the evolving chemistry of four distinctive improvisers. A documentation of an evolving collaboration born from a series of improvised performances at Melbourne’s Bar 303 in 2023, Waiting Music is set for release on May 22nd, 2026 via Earshift Music. (Earshift Music)
