Track of the Week: Tortoise, ‘Oganesson,’ International Anthem/Nonesuch **** recommended

Mellow, mighty groover of a return from Tortoise, with a sting in the tail - a…

Toomas Keski-Säntti, Unearth, Fresh Sound New Talent ***1/2

Finnish pianist Toomas Keski-Säntti revels in a post-hard bop and romantically styled setting. Joey Curreri figures…

The Saturday Morning Lili Listen: Tom Bourgeois ‘Thèmes et variations #1’ (Igloo/BMC)

For our Saturday morning listen Belgian reedist Tom Bourgeois pays tribute to Lili Boulanger on his…

Matthias Van den Brande, Fields of Color, Fresh Sound New Talent ***1/2

Moody Rothko inspired sounds from the Belgian saxist and pals.

Mette Juul, Thank You & Other Stories, Nilento ****

The singles released so far make this a big prospect. 'Lucky' and 'Let Me Go' from…

Dayna Stephens, Hopium, Contagious Music ***

Passionate saxophone playing, masterful drums - the latest from the Dayna Stephens sound strong in both…

Branford Marsalis Quartet, Belonging, Blue Note *****

Moving, reverential, profound instrumentalism - the New Orleans icon Branford Marsalis digs deep on his first…

Yardbirds classics swooped in on in a Childish twist

Storming mod friendly acid jazz is in our Saturday listening. File under damn good noise

Anouar Brahem, After the Last Sky, ECM ****

The dark cello tonalities from Anja Lechner make After the Last Sky into one of oud…

John Taylor, Close to Mars, CAM Jazz *****

A remarkable trio studio recording from 2006 just released is yet another reminder from beyond the…

Sun-Mi Hong, Fourth Page: Meaning of a Nest, Edition ***1/2

Sophisticated free-ish chamber jazz from the talented Amsterdam scene drummer Sun-Mi Hong and her simpatico quintet.

Nnenna Freelon, ‘Changed,’ Origin **** recommended

The singer's soul is the mirror.

Nicolas Masson, Renaissance, ECM ****

Album of the week - there's poeticism in the elegiac.

Kaisa’s Machine, Moving Parts, Greenleaf Music ***1/2

Blue Note sax star Melissa Aldana is a guest on this latest from bassist Kaisa Mäensivu's…

Nels Cline, Consentrik Quartet, Blue Note ****

Ingrid Laubrock at her finest, cool tunes from Cline - a tonic for the senses. Outside-in…

Silk Jazz, Into the Unknown, Dreyer Gaido ***

A rewarding kind of bamboo collaboration featuring classical Chinese and progressive jazz improvised flavours

Christian McBride and Ursa Major, More Is, Mack Avenue ****

Track of the Week: a Savannah Harris composition performed by bass titan Christian McBride and his…

Neil Burns, Golden Sunsets, Second Degree Burns Records ***1/2

So charming, what grace