Ellington, Duke: Jungle Nights in Harlem 1927-1931
They say : Dedicated to one of the founding figures of orchestral jazz, this box set produced by Alain Pailler and Tony Baldwin explores the decisive years of Duke Ellington, a leading force of the Harlem Renaissance between 1927 and 1931. From the earliest iconic recordings (Black and Tan Fantasy, 1927) to sonic frescoes such as Jungle Nights in Harlem (1930), Ellington forged a “jungle” aesthetic blending blues, theatricality, and urban modernity. Driven by major soloists, this collection captures the emergence of an orchestral art in full transformation, rich in unprecedented timbres and powerful expressiveness. Carefully restored, this set brings out the full sonic richness of the Duke’s orchestras, with a presence and clarity that immerse the listener at the very heart of the era. Patrick FRÉMEAUX (Frémeaux & Associés, FA5934)
Enten Eller + Gianluigi Trovesi: Ελπίδα (Elpida)
They say : Produced by Dodicilune and distributed by IRD and Believe Digital, “Ελπίδα (Elpida)” is the new album by the historic Italian jazz group Enten Eller, featuring Alberto Mandarini, Maurizio Brunod, Giovanni Maier and Massimo Barbiero, with special guest Gianluigi Trovesi. Founded in 1984, the ensemble is regarded as one of Italy’s most original jazz groups, with a long history of international collaborations and festival appearances. The album includes liner notes by Guido Festinese. (Dodicilune – ED621-6) Hear Enten Eller + Gianluigi Trovesi.
Eriksen, Espen: Almost There
They say : After a highly successful string of 7 albums in 16 years – including two with prominent UK sax player Andy Sheppard – “Almost There” is yet another melodic masterclass from pianist and composer Espen Eriksen. Captivating and lyrical, always melodic and often melancholic and uplifting at the same time, these are all real tunes, whether instantly catchy or needing a couple of spins to grow. (Rune Grammofon RCD2239)
Evening Sky: Meeting Of The Four
They say : There are bands that fit neatly into a genre, and then there is Evening Sky. The Rhode Island quartet’s new album arrives on June 26, weaving together pedal steel, soul-jazz, reggae grooves, and cinematic storytelling. Meeting of the Four follows instinct rather than convention, drawing from the deep well of American roots music while allowing jazz improvisation to lead the way. The result is an expansive instrumental record where pedal steel drifts through soulful grooves, folk melodies meet psychedelic textures, and country, R&B, jazz, and rock coexist without boundaries. (Independent)
Falcón, Alejandro: Falcon In Blue
They say : Havana-based composer, and arranger revisits foundational Cuban genres—among them danzón, son, rumba, cha-cha-chá, and bolero as first part of Cuban Notes artistic and cultural project (Dot Time Records) Hear Alejandro Falcón.
Falgren, Bjarke: Turkis
They say : Danish violinist and composer Bjarke Falgren releases Turkis on June 26, 2026, a record shaped by openness, intuition, and a highly physical relationship with his instrument. Built around the idea of letting music unfold without force, the album centres on flow, space, and presence, with Falgren allowing compositions to emerge organically rather than directing them toward fixed outcomes. (Zack’s Music)
Fluidian & Nils Petter Molvaer: Windscapes
They say : “Windscapes” released on March 6, 2026, featuring Norwegian trumpeter Nils Petter Molvaer and guitarist-composer Emil Gherasim “Fluidian” proposes a sound adventure in an imaginary state of mind, where the visual perception could be confused, often lack of clarity surrounded by obscure visions, pulsating continuously, drawing unrealistic sandfaces, shaping soundtales in a blurred darkscape, floating in the moonlight breeze. A series of miniature momentary pieces drawing vague stories about stares and profound feelings. (Fluidian Music) Hear Fluidian & Nils Petter Molvaer.
Fujii, Satoko and Bunker Ulmenwall Orchestra: Bunker Ulmenwall Orchestra
They say : This newly discovered 2014 live recording by pianist/composer Satoko Fujii and a large ensemble is a revelation. The double CD captures the enthusiasm of the orchestra members which included not only professionals but also music students from Bielefeld, Germany. (Libra Records)
Gaza, Francesca: Crown Shyness
They say : Francesca and her Kugelförmigkeit Ensemble trace intimate sound-worlds of sonic architecture that never collapse into each other, but remain delicately interwoven: close, fragile, and alive with quirky tension and breath. The compositions, written specifically for the ensemble’s rare cross-genre mix of early music, jazz, and contemporary instruments, create a genre-defiant, textured and layered world of sound. (NWAM212 New Amsterdam Records)
Goodrick, Mick: In Pas(s)ing
They say : Mick Goodrick (1945-2022), hailed as “technically among the finest players around” by Downbeat magazine, in their review of this album, was a subtle master on the guitar and an equally understated composer – both qualities to the fore on this, his only leader-recording for ECM. Re-issued as part of ECM’s Luminessence series, In Pas(s)ing arrives in a tip-on gatefold jacket with new liner notes by Joel Harrison and photos from the archive. (ECM 1139)
Goretti, Andrea / Sivan Arbel: Bazrima
They say : Produced by Dodicilune with the support of NuovoImaie and distributed by IRD and Believe Digital, “Bazrima”, released on 28 January 2026, is the new album by pianist Andrea Goretti and Israeli vocalist and composer Sivan Arbel. Formed in 2023, the duo has performed across Europe, developing an original repertoire that blends composition and improvisation. Their music combines American and European jazz with Indian, African and Brazilian influences, while all lyrics are written by Sivan Arbel. (Dodicilune – ED611-7) Hear Andrea Goretti / Sivan Arbel.
Grabowski, Jan: Jazz Mysteries
They say : Washington D.C. based Polish-Australian pianist/ composer Jan Grabowski takes an unconventional path into jazz on Jazz Mysteries – a record shaped not by formal training, but by instinct, deep listening, and a lifelong obsession with the music. A self-taught musician, Grabowski draws on spontaneous ideas that emerge in moments of heightened emotion, creating music that explores the connection between improvisation and feeling. (Independent)
Griffin, Johnny & Thomas Clausen – Trio: Live in Helsingborg 1990
They say : Johnny Griffin, the legendary tenor saxophonist known as the Little Giant, is accompanied by Danish musicians Thomas Clausen (piano), Mads Vinding (bass), and Svend-Erik Nørregård (drums) on this previously unreleased 6-track live recording: Live in Helsingborg 1990. (Storyville Records, 1018548)
Gulliver + Roberto Ottaviano: The Billia Session
They say : Produced by Dodicilune and distributed by IRD and Believe Digital, “The Billia Session”, released on 18 June 2025, is the new album by the Gulliver trio (Maurizio Brunod, Danilo Gallo and Massimo Barbiero), featuring saxophonist Roberto Ottaviano. Recorded live at the Grand Hotel Billia in Saint Vincent during the Open Papyrus Jazz Festival, the album presents original compositions and reinterpretations of musical traditions from various cultures, shaped through an improvisational approach that blends jazz, avant-garde, folk and rock influences. (Dodicilune – ED586-8) Hear Gulliver + Roberto Ottaviano.
Hamilton, Scott / van Bavel, Rob / van Geest, Frans / Koning, Vincent: The Ghost, The King And I featuring Scott Hamilton & Strings
They say : This new (Live) album was recorded on 26th October 2025 in Hilversum, the Netherlands and released by Soundliaison (a dutch audiophile company) on SACD/CD as well as high resolution downloads on their website. The trio ‘The Ghost, the King and I’ is: Rob van Bavel (piano), Frans van Geest (bass), Vincent Koning (guitar) featuring Scott Hamilton (tenor saxophone) and on some tracks accompagnied by a South Korean Stringtrio. Swing, Ballads, Bossa & Classical… also available on all streaming platforms. (Sound Liaison SL-1084A) Hear Scott Hamilton, Rob van Bavel, Frans van Geest & Vincent Koning.
Heise, Mathias & von Bülow, Pelle : Repertoire
They say : Two of the most distinctive voices on the contemporary Danish jazz scene, chromatic harmonica player Mathias Heise and guitarist Pelle von Bülow, join forces on Repertoire, a duo album built on interplay, shared intuition, and a carefully selected body of songs spanning jazz standards, soul, pop, and contemporary material. (Storyville Records 1014372)
Heshmat, Colin: Elastic Groove
They say : The promising young jazz pianist Colin Heshmat makes his studio recording debut with Elastic Groove. The adventurous improviser performs post-bop originals and jazz standards with a superior quartet. (HMC Records)
Hill Collective: Fire In Orbit
They say : Brighton’s Hill Collective make their Batov Records debut with Fire In Orbit, their most focused studio statement to date. Led by alto saxophonist Pete Piskov, the ensemble moves through chorus–solo–chorus structures, call-and-response passages and collective improvisation, drawing on spiritual jazz, Latin rhythm and Arabic modality. Leaner and more assured than their praised 2024 debut Tonal Prophecy, the album engages Sun Ra’s influence philosophically as much as musically. FFO: Ancient Infinity Orchestra, Ebi Soda, Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders, Charles Mingus, Ill Considered, The Sorcerers. (Batov Records BTR137)
Holiday, Billie: Songs For Distingue Lovers
They say : Nothing (20th Century Masterworks 350304 LP)
Ingram, Randy: Sound Within: A Celebration Of Bill Evans
They say : Pianist Randy Ingram offers a heartfelt and profoundly personal tribute to the legendary Bill Evans on this album featuring Evans trio alumni Joe La Barbera on drums and Rufus Reid on bass. (Chill Tone)
Inserto, Ayn and the WDR Big Band featuring Sean Jones: Jagged Edges & Elegant Lines: The Music of Ayn Inserto
They say : Acclaimed composer Ayn Inserto presents an evening of her powerful large-ensemble music with the WDR Big Band. The recording presents a career-spanning set of compositions along with a newly commissioned suite for guest trumpeter Sean Jones. Miguel Zenón calls the album “a fabulous tour de force…a joy to listen to.” (Summit Records)
JabFung: In Real Life
They say : Toronto-based quintet JabFung returns with In Real Life, a powerful new release exploring human connection in an increasingly digital world. Led by bassist Julian Anderson-Bowes and drummer Anthony Fung, the group features standout performances from Luis Deniz, Rafael Zaldivar, and guest trumpeter Adam O’Farrill. Recorded immediately after a spring tour, the album captures the band’s instinctive chemistry through eight original compositions that balance intensity, lyricism, and adventurous improvisation. (Independent)
James McGowan Ensemble: Threads Of Fate
They say : James McGowan Ensemble’s Threads of Fate is a sweeping, genre-blurring work that merges jazz, classical, and theatrical storytelling. Inspired by a contemporary reimagining of the Greek myth of the three Fates, the album explores themes of control, free will, and community. Featuring a 14-piece ensemble of horns, strings, and rhythm section, the music unfolds cinematically, blending intricate composition with improvisation. This is McGowan’s most ambitious and compelling project to date. (Independent)
Jobim, Tom, Vinicius De Moraes: Um Encontro
They say : The only existing audio recording of the legendary 1962 concerts featuring Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes, João Gilberto, and Os Cariocas together. In August 1962, Brazilian producer Aloysio de Oliveira created a landmark moment in music history by uniting the founding trio of the Bossa Nova genre on stage for the very first time. Featuring recordings from two concerts the Au Bon Gourmet, unearthed and now carefully remastered and released in this new edition. (Jazz Samba 709130 LP)
Jones, Mike: Mike Jones with Strings
They say : On his new live album, jazz piano virtuoso Mike Jones embraces hard-driving chamber jazz with a swinging drummerless trio featuring guitarist Graham Decheter and bassist Alex Frank. A deep dive into the Great American Songbook, it’s a masterpiece from start to finish. (Capri Records)
