Streamnotes: May 28, 2026

Most of these are short notes/reviews based on streaming records from Napster (formerly Rhapsody; other sources are noted in brackets). They are snap judgments, usually based on one or two plays, accumulated since my last post along these lines, back on April 28. Past reviews and more information are available here (26500+ records).

New Music

أحمد [Ahmed]: Play Monk (2025 [2026], Otoroku): British quartet of Pat Thomas (piano), Joel Grip (bass), Antonin Gerbal (drums) and Seymour Wright (alto sax), formed in 2017 as a tribute to Ahmed Abdul-Malik, seventh album, really came into their own with the 5-CD live box Giant Beauty (2024). Just six tunes, five running over 20 minutes, an extrapolation which can leave their models deeply buried. But they continue to impress, mightily. A- [sp]

Atmosphere: Jestures (2025, Rhymesayers Entertainment): Hip-hop duo from Minneapolis, rapper Slug (Sean Daley) and producer ANT (Anthony Davis), debut 1997, many albums, most very good. More consistently interesting than most, runs long (26 songs, 71 minutes) and gets stronger along the way. A- [sp]

MC Paul Barman & Kenny Segal: Antinomian Pandemonium (2026, Fused Arrow): Rapper from New Jersey, debut an EP in 2000 (It's Very Stimulating), only his fifth album, producer has long worked in similar circles. Seems to have slowed down a bit. B+(**) [bc]

Steven Bernstein/Scotty Hard: ResoNation Trio/Ultra Resonance (2025 [2026], Royal Potato Family): Two LPs on one CD, the first a trio of Bernstein (trumpets), Scott Colley (bass), and Nasheet Waits (drums); the second where the same music was reprocessed by the producer ("all instruments replayed, rearranged, and redeployed by Scotty Hard"), with Jeremy Gustin credited for extra percussion. Both are interesting on their own, but a bit underwhelming run together. B+(***) [cd] [06-05]

Black Nile: Indigo Garden (2026, Hen House Studios): Los Angeles jazz fusion group, principally Aaron Shaw (sax) and Lawrence Shaw (bass), with keys (Luca Mendoza) and drums (Myles Martin), seems to be their fourth album since 2019 (but none on Discogs). More conventional than my initial take, which may just mean the sax is growing on me. B+(***) [sp]

Carsie Blanton & the Burning Hell: Everything Is Great! (2026, self-released): Political. Sure, "nobody wants to talk about it" is as ironical as "everything is great!" (what with starting world war three and all — "third time's the charm?"). But what can we do about it? After a disclaimer, political violence may not be the exclusive fantasy of the right. Sample quotes: "going to turn the one to the zero percent"; "fascists are best when they're under the ground"; "hoist the guillotine"; "them billionaires aren't worth a hill of beans"; "the American dream is a pyramid scheme"; "let the fire into our hearts." Sure, these suggestions are not exactly reasonable, but I have news for her: the day of "your car has a six-disc changer" is already gone. Then there's: "It took a lot of love to end the war to end all wars." A [sp]

Carsie Blanton: The Red Album Vol. 2 (2026, self-released, EP): Eight-song, 19:54 sequel to 2024's six-song, 13:25 Vol. 1, which spawned the two-sided single "Ugly Nasty Commie Bitch"/"The Democrats" (will shoot you in the back). Contempt for Elon Musk, and sympathy for Luigi Mangione. A sign of the times. A- [sp]

Jane Ira Bloom/Brian Shankar Adler: Once Like a Spark (2025, Adhyâropa): Soprano saxophonist, steady stream of albums since 1980. Adler plays "a hybrid drum set that includes North Indian tabla, Argentine bombo legüero and an array of found objects. Seems like a perfect match. B+(***) [sp]

Ryan Blotnick: The Woods (2024 [2026], Fishkill): Guitarist, fourth album since 2007, quartet with Tyler G. Wood (piano/organ), Adam Chilenski (bass), and Otto Hauser (drums). Some nice stuff scattered about here, but more often when it breaks with the sweet guitar than when running with it. B+(**) [dl]

Bobby Broom: Notes of Thanks (2025 [2026], Steele): Guitarist, originally from New York, based in Chicago, has at least 15 albums since 1981, 4 Deep Blue Organ Trio albums, many side credits, including with Dr. John and Sonny Rollins. Trio here, with Dennis Carroll (bass) and Kobie Watkins (drums), playing nine Rollins songs (plus one by Carroll). [Received CD, but unplayable.] B+(*) [sp]

Garret T. Capps: I Still Love San Antone (2026, Nudie): Country singer-songwriter, has several previous albums, including 2021's I Love San Antone, turns up the Tex-Mex when Joe King Carrasco and Augie Meyers drop in, before swinging into Bob Wills. B+(***) [bc]

Sarah Elizabeth Charles: Dawn (2024-25 [2025], Stretch/Ropeadope): Singer-songwriter, mostly in jazz, based in New York, teaches, has at least six albums since 2004, this one played by Maya Keren (keyboards), Linda May Han Oh (bass), Savannath Harris (drums), with strings (Stkye Steele and Marika Hughes, plus Jarrett Cherner arrangements on four tracks). B+(**) [sp]

Dawn Clement: Dear Ms. Dearie (2025 [2026], Origin): Pianist, sings often, obviously the point on a tribute to Blossom Dearie (1924-2009, dropped her first name, also a pianist of some note, wrote four songs here). With Steve Kovalcheck (guitar), John Clayton (bass), and Jeff Hamilton (drums). B+(**) [cd] [05-22]

J. Cole: The Fall-Off (2026, Cole World/Dreamville/Interscope): Rapper Jermaine Cole, opened with a mixtape in 2009, seventh studio album since 2011, all charted at number one, billed as his final album (he's 41), supporting a world tour with 73 dates running from July to December. I've followed the studio albums, impressed by his flow and beats, put off the N-word intensity, but I paused when I saw the size (24 tracks, 101:17) of this effort. Turns out it wasn't much effort. B+(**) [sp]

Braxton Cook: Not Everyone Can Go (2025, Nettwerk): American saxophonist, several albums since 2015, sings some, also plays guitar and keyboards. B+(*) [sp]

Chick Corea: Forever Yours: The Farewell Performance (2020 [2025], Candid): Pianist (1941-2021), debut 1966, early on played fusion with Gary Burton and Miles Davis, and continued with his popular Return to Forever and later with his Elektrik Band, but did much more, including the avant-garde Circle group (with Anthony Braxton), and a lot of conventional solo and trio work, which serves as a reminder that no matter what you think of his choices — and I've panned a lot of his records — he was unquestionably an extraordinary pianist. This collects two solo concerts from three months before his death. This offers a good summary, including a set of his "Children's Songs" and reflections on Monk and Powell (and Evans and Ellington and Mozart). B+(**) [sp]

George Cotsirilos: In the Wee Hours (2017-25 [2026], OA2): Guitarist, half-dozen albums since 2003, mostly trio or quartet. This one is solo, two originals and various standards (two from Ellington), recorded on nylon string acoustic guitars. B+(*) [cd] [05-22]

Sylvie Courvoisier Trio: Éclats - Live in Europe (2025 [2026], Intakt): Swiss pianist, debut 1997, mostly plays duos, this just her fourth Trio per Discogs. With Drew Gress (bass) and Kenny Wollesen (drums), picked from four sets in Germany and France. B+(***) [sp]

Theo Croker/Sullivan Croker: Play (2023 [2025], ACT Music): Trumpet and piano duo, young American players, one piece composed by Croker, the rest improvised. B [sp]

Amalie Dahl's Dafnie Extended: Live at Moldejazz (2025 [2026], Sonic Transmissions): Danish saxophonist, based in Oslo, group Dafnie comes from a 2022 quintet album with trumpet, trombone, bass, and drums, "extended" here to 12 pieces, adding baritone sax and flute, but mostly filling the middle with piano, accordion, and synths, and doubling down on bass and drums. B+(*) [bc]

Daoud: Ok (2025, ACT Music): French trumpet player, Discogs lists him as a hip-hop producer, last name Anthony, and shows one previous album. Lots of synths and percussion. B+(*) [sp]

Mikaela Davis: Graceland Way (2026, Kill Rock Stars): Singer-songwriter from Rochester, third album since 2012. Cover shows her in western wear including a white hat, instructing us to "file under canyon country," and title makes a connection to Elvis Presley and Memphis, but neither is very clear in the grooves. Her main instrument is reportedly harp. B+(*) [sp]

Delivery: Force Majeure (2025, Heavenly): Garage rock and/or post-punk band from Australia, second album. Catchy until they start to wear thin. Sonically, they remind me of a group called the Rezillos, although I recall them as funnier. B+(**) [sp]

Alabaster DePlume: Dear Children of Our Children, I Knew: Epilogue (2026, International Anthem): British saxophonist, spoken word poet, actual name Angus Fairbairn, half-dozen albums since 2015, counts this as an EP (5 songs, 26:02), styled as an epilogue to his 2025 album A Blade Because a Blade Is Whole, and a bookend to his 2024 EP Cremisan: Prologue to a Blade. Also plays synths, sampler, and guitars, backed by bass (Shahzad Ismaily) and drums (Tcheser Holmes). B+(**) [sp]

Jessye DeSilva: Glitter Up the Dark (2024 [2026], Nine Athens): Singer-songwriter from Boston, plays keyboards, several previous albums (one on Discogs), writes songs "about religious alienation, mental health struggles, and societal injustice to create a uniquely queer and unholy ruckus." Some politics, some solid rock guitar. B+(**) [sp]

Django Festival Allstars: Evolution (2026, Motéma): Group originally organized for the Django Reinhardt NY Festival in 2002, have released a couple previous albums, back for a 25th anniversary reunion, led by Dorado Schmitt (guitar), with Ludovic Beier (accordion), and Pierre Blanchard (violin), with a drumless rhythm section of Antonio Licusati (bass) and Francko Mehrstein (rhythm guitar). B+(*) [sp]

E-Dancer: E-Dancer (2025, One House): Techno producer, originally an alias for Kevin Saunderson, now Danitiez Saunderson (middle son of Kevin and Ann Saunderson), family from Detroit but Danitiez now based in Chicago, with singles under his own name starting 2013. I'm not familiar with the father, but this is pretty classic Detroit techno. B+(***) [sp]

Wendy Eisenberg: Wendy Eisenberg (2026, Joyful Noise): Singer-songwriter from Boston, but first established herself as a jazz guitarist, Wikipedia (which has a page on this album but not on the artist) dubs this "folk rock" and "country pop." High AOTY ratings (85/6), but the songs aren't hitting for me, and I don't care for the changes. B [sp]

Gabriel Espinosa: The Brazilian Project (2022-25 [2026], Origin): Mexican bassist, not listed as playing here but is the composer, with arrangements by Rafael Rocha (trombone) and Bruno Santos (flugelhorn). Recorded in Rio de Janeiro, "enhanced by the Tallinn Studio Orchestra." B+(*) [cd] [05-22]

Ella Eyre: Everything, in Time (2025, Play It Again Sam): British singer-songwriter Ella McMahon, second album, has some soul influence (father Jamaican, mother Maltese). Voice is distinctive, and she's got some songs. B+(**) [sp]

Christine Fawson: It Could Happen to You (2025 [2026], self-released): Standards singer, also plays trumpet. Has at least two previous albums, as well as a credit in Diva Jazz Orchestra. Great songs, done well. B+(***) [cd] [06-01]

Michael Formanek: New Digs (2025 [2026], Intakt): Bassist, own albums started appearing in 1990, as well as many groups and side-credits. One of his most successful groups has been Thumbscrew, a trio with Mary Halvorson (guitar) and Tomas Fujiwara (drums). They're the core here, augmented by John O'Gallagher (alto sax), Chet Doxas (tenor sax/clarinet), João Almeida (trumpet), and Alexander Hawkins (organ). This starts to get real interesting seven cuts in, which has sent me back to the beginning several times. B+(***) [sp]

David Friedman & Tony Miceli: Glow (2019 [2026], SteepleChase): Two vibraphonists, as was Samuels (1948-2019). Friedman's discography goes back to 1975, Miceli's nearly as far but picks up around 2005. Duets, a mix of standards and originals, including one song credited to Samuels and Friedman, another to Samuels alone. B [sp]

Friko: Something Worth Waiting For (2026, ATO): Indie rock band from Chicago, principally Niko Kapetan (vocals, guitar) and Bailey Minzenberger (drums), second album after a couple of EPs. Has the sound, not that I much care. B [sp]

The Ghost Wolves: Consumer Waste (2024, Saustex): Austin Texas garage/punk band, principally Carley Wolf (guitar, vocals) and Jonny Wolf (drums, synth, vocals), seventh album since 2011, 12 songs in 26:16. B+(**) [sp]

Richard Gilman-Opalsky: A Fierce and Gentle Force (2025 [2026], Edgetone): Drummer, has a couple albums, following early groups like Jody Crutch, The Judas Iscariot, Countdown to Putsch, and End Times Trio. This one is solo. Caught me in an agreeable mood. B+(***) [cd]

Gordon Grdina: Martian Kitties (2025, 577): Canadian guitarist, also plays oud, prolific, duo here with the drummer also on electronics. B+(**) [sp]

Gordon Grdina/Russ Lossing: Turnpike (2026, Attaboygirl): Oud and piano duets. The oud has a distinctive sound that dominates here. B+(**) [sp]

Gordon Grdina's Nomad Trio: Ash (2026, Attaboygirl): Third group album since 2020, with Matt Mitchell (piano) and Jim Black (drums). B+(**) [bc]

Hang on the Box: Spiritual War (2025, Beijing Modern Sky Cultural Development): All-female Chinese punk rock band, formed 1998, debut album 2001, Wikipedia lists seven albums through 2017, Discogs has four of them plus a 2020 live cassette and a 1998-2008 2-CD compilation. I was clued to this by a stray reader comment, but I haven't found anything about the album, other than that it is on streaming. Some punk edges, but mostly post, with new wavish vamps, and an interesting ballad/ambient break. B+(**) [sp]

Jasper Høiby's 3 Elements: Conversations of Hope (2026, Edition): Danish bassist, based in London, third album with this trio with Xavi Torres (piano) and Naima Acuña (drums). B+(**) [bc]

Peter Holsapple: The Face of 68 (2025, Label 51): Singer-songwriter, started in a 1970 band with Mitch Easter and Chris Stamey, founded the dB's with Stamey, and has several duo albums with Stamey (starting with Mavericks in 1991). Only has a couple albums under his own name, with this one produced by Don Dixon. Not much interesting here, until "That Kind of Guy" reveals his Rolling Stones collection. B [sp]

Ize Trio: Global Prayer (2023-25 [2026], self-released): Names, also on the cover: Chase Morrin (piano), Naseem Alatrash (cello), and George Lernis (percussion), plus a "featuring John Patitucci" (bass). Second group album. B+(**) [cd] [06-12]

Kim Jung Jae: Shamanism (2023 [2025], Relative Pitch): Tenor saxophonist, from Korea, based in Berlin, has several previous albums on a Portuguese label as Jung-Jae Kim. Quartet with a second saxophonist (Sunjae Lee, alto/soprano) and two drummers (Junyoung Song and Sunki Kim). Hews close to the edge between irritable and exciting. B+(**) [sp]

David Janeway Trio: Live at Blue LLama (2024 [2026], SteepleChase): Pianist, debut album 1986, but not much more until 2021, when he landed on SteepleChase. Third album there, trio with Robert Hurst (bass) and Billy Hart (drums), playing two originals and a bunch of standards. B+(*) [cd]

Ingrid Jensen: Landings (2025 [2026], Newvelle): Trumpet player from Canada, debut 1995, seems like her recent efforts have been lost in collaborations (including Artemis) and exotica, but this one focuses on her trumpet, backed by Gary Versace (organ), Marvin Sewell (guitar), and Jon Wikan (drums). B+(***) [dl]

Sven-Åke Johansson With Pierre Borel/Seymour Wright/Joel Grip: Two Days at Café Oto (2025, Otoroku): Swedish drummer (1943-2025), recorded this April 8-9, shortly before his death on June 15. First album was 1972, Discogs credits him directly with 88 albums, 168 performance credits. Five pieces, one short and four in the 23:05-31.45 range. Grip (bass) and Johansson play on all five, Wright (alto sax) on four, Borel (alto sax) also on four (so three tracks have both). B+(***) [bc]

Aubrey Johnson: The Lively Air (2025 [2026], Greenleaf Music): Jazz singer, from Wisconsin, niece of Lyle Mays, studied in Boston, based in New York, fourth album since 2020, Mays' bandmate Steve Rodby produces (both were in Pat Metheny Group). Group includes Tomoko Omura (violin), Alex LoRe (woodwinds), Chris McCarthy (keyboards), bass, and drums. I should note that sometimes I'm blown away by the amount of technical skill, and even the breadth of creativity, even in albums I don't especially like. One cut I do love is her Joni Mitchell cover ("Help Me"). B+(**) [sp]

Audrey Johnson/Helen Sung/Dave Douglas: Lives of the Saints: Portraits in Song With Words by David Hadju (2025, Sunnyside): Voice, keyboards, and trumpet, also credited for the music along with Renee Rosnes. Hajdu has been music critic at The New Republic and The Nation, and has seven books, starting with a biography of Billy Strayhorn in 1996. His texts honor ten women: Ada Lovelace, Angelina Napoitano, Lena Hornse, Bessie Hall, Sophie Scholl, Hyapatia, Hedy Lamarr, Vivian Maier, Leonore Carrington, and his sister Barbara Ann Hajdu. The band I associate mostly with Douglas: Chet Doxas (clarinet/tenor sax), Marika Hughes (cello), Simón Willson (bass), Rudy Royston (drums), Samuel Torres (percussion). B+(*) [sp]

Paul Kahn: Willingness (2026, Carl Cat, EP): Singer-songwriter, unless I'm confused, has a previous album from 1999, various production credits as far back as 1977. Six rather breezy songs (24:05), produced with backing vocals by Catherine Russell (also pictured on cover), with some reputable jazz musicians helping out. B- [cd] [06-19]

Kehlani: Kehlani (2026, Atlantic): R&B singer-songwriter, fifth studio album since 2017, first couple certified gold. B+(**) [sp]

The Klezmatics: We Were Made for These Times (2025 [2026], Asphalt Tango): Klezmer group from New York City, principally Lorin Sklamberg (vocals/accordion), they consider this release their 40th anniversary (first album appeared in 1989; this is only their second album since 2011). B+(**) [sp]

Kneecap: Fenian (2026, Heavenly): Hardcore hip-hop group from Belfast, "political" is an understatement, as they've been banned from touring in countries like Hungary, and one member was charged under UK's "Terrorism Act" for "expressing support" for a banned group. Title refers to reuniting divided Ireland. One song features Palestinian rapper Fawzi; another Kae Tempest. I'm not following the words very closely, but the beats and sounds hit the mark. A- [sp]

Chris Lake: Chemistry (2025, Black Book): English DJ/electronica producer, started 2002 making bootleg remixes, has lots of singles, three EPs from 2006, but this is only his second studio album (first in 2009). B+(***) [sp]

Ella Langley: Dandelion (2026, Sawgod/Columbia): Country singer-songwriter from Alabama, second album (after an EP), this one keynoted by a hit single, with a Miranda Lambert duet. B+(***) [sp]

Timo Lassy Trio: Live in Helsinki (2023 [2025], We Jazz): Finnish tenor saxophonist, a dozen or so albums since 2007, this a trio with Ville Herrala (bass) and Jaska Lukkarinen (drums). B+(***) [bc]

The Gareth Lockrane Big Band: Box of Tricks (2025, Whirlwind): British flute player, everything from piccolo to bass flute, second album for his conventional big band (plus guitar, percussion, chromatic harmonica, and flute), his compositions. B+(*) [sp]

David Lord: Way Over the Rainbow (2025, Cloud Ear): Guitarist, from Wichita, four previous album since 2018 all volumes of Forest Standards. Mostly trio with bass (Dale Black) and drums (Charles Rumback), with guest spots for Jeff Parker (guitar on three tracks) and Sam Hake (vibes one). B+(*) [sp]

Los Cenzontles/Taj Mahal/David Hidalgo/Gary Haleamau/Sonny Lim: Adios Ke Aloha: Waves of the Same Sea (2026, Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center): Mexican-American group, based in San Pablo, California, name is Nahuatl for mockingbirds, discography goes back to 1995, this particular project reminds us of "1832 when Mexican vaqueros brought cattle wrangling, and the guitar, to Hawai'i." Mahal and Hidalgo offer signature bits, while Haleamau and Lim authenticize the Hawaiian effects. B+(*) [sp]

Los Thuthanaka: Wak'a (2026, self-released, EP): Bolivian-American electronica/collage duo, originally Elysia and Joshua Crampton, the former aka Chjuquimamani-Condori, had an eponymous album that placed high on some 2025 EOY lists, return here with a 3-track, 18:27 EP. Considerable noise quotient here, one I'm finding hard to take. B [bc]

Loveseat: Our Way (2025, Reckless Pedestrian): Married duo from Effingham, Illinois, Bill and JJ Passalacqua, only album, they tend to trade verses, Bill often opening up with his best John Prine impersonation, playing 12-string acoustic guitar. She finishes them off with aplomb. Ends with a Tex-Mex dance number, a real bonus. A- [sp]

Brian Lynch: Torch Bearers (2024-25 [2026], Holistic MusicWorks): Trumpet player, started in a group with Charles McPherson (1980-81), moved on to Horace Silver, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Art Blakey, and especially Eddie Palmieri, with his own string of albums starting in 1986. He's reunited with McPherson (alto sax) here, along with Boris Kozlov (bass), various pianist and drummers, and singer Samara Joy (2 tracks). Has an old bebop feel, especially with McPherson. B+(***) [sp]

Doug MacDonald: Tribute to South Central (2026, Dmac Music): Jazz guitarist, first record 1982, second a decade later, gradually picked up the place and has become quite prolific of late. Five originals, covers from Ellington, Jobim, and Wes Montgomery, comes with trumpet (Wayne Cobham), keyboards (Richard Turner Jr.), bass, and drums/percussion. B+(**) [cd] [06-01]

Jennifer Madsen: Girl Talk (2026, SingBaby Productions): Jazz singer, Discogs lists one previous album from 1983, website suggests she has more since then. Has a large band (12 instrumentalists listed, plus 7 guest artists), with pianist Brent Edstrom arranging. Standards, the title song preceded by "Besame Mucho" and followed by "You Turn Me On Baby." Good singer, good band, more or less according to the songs. B+(**) [cd] [06-26]

Taj Mahal & the Phantom Blues Band: Time (2026, Resonatin'/Thirty Tigers): Hard to read the Discogs scan, but for now that's all the credit info I have. Looks like he's cruising through his roots catalog, with a band that is jazzy and not just because it's loaded with horns. A- [sp]

MC Yallah & Debmaster: Gaudencia (2025, Hakuna Kulala): Rapper from Kenya/Uganda Yallah Guadencia Mbidde, third album, second of those with Berlin-baased French producer Julien Deblois. Too fast to follow, and too rough to get comfy with. B+(*) [sp]

Nicole McCabe: Color Theory (2026, Birdwatcher): Alto saxophonist, several albums since her impressive Introducing in 2020, this with Yvonne Rogers (piano/synth), Kanoa Mondenhall (bass), Eliza Salem (drums), plus spots for Adam O'Farrill (trumpet on 4 tracks), Christie Dashiell (vocals on 1), and more. Original pieces, some postbop, some farther out. B+(***) [sp]

Media Puzzle: New Racehorse (2026, Impressed): Australian post-punk (or egg punk?) group, first album (if you credit 12 songs, 23:19), group named for a race horse (winner of the 2002 Melbourne Cup), led by Tom Peter (vocals, guitar, bass, synth, sax, percussion), includes other singers and bits of trumpet and violin. B+(*) [sp]

Melanie C: Sweat (2026, Red Girl/Virgin): Former Spice Girls singer Melanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice, or Mel C), ninth solo studio since 1999. Pretty good. B+(***) [sp]

Myra Melford/Satoko Fujii: Katarahi (2024 [2026], RogueArt): Duets by two of the avant-garde's world class pianists, b. 1957-58, Melford got a start with a 1990 album that Francis Davis rated a pick hit for his brief Village Voice Consumer Guide, Fujii was a student at New England Conservatory in 1994 when she was introduced to Melford by Paul Bley. They have a previous duo album from 2007. I'm not a big fan of solo, let alone duo, piano, but they are astonishing, which by now is just what you expect. A- [cd] [05-15]

Michaela Anne: These Are the Days (2026, Georgia June): Country singer-songwriter, surname Neller, sixth album since 2011. B+(**) [sp]

Hedvig Mollestad Weejuns: Bitches Blues (2026, Rune Grammofon): Norwegian guitarist, trio with Ståle Storløkken (keyboards) and Ole Mofjell (drums), group name from a 2023 live album (evidently some slang term for Norwegians). Opens with tough fusion, then relaxes a bit. B+(***) [sp]

The Monochrome Set: Lotus Bridge (2026, Tapete): British group, appeared in the post-punk new wave of 1980, took breaks 1985-90 and 1995-2012, singer Bid Seshadri the only constant member, although Andy Warren (bass) has been around nearly as long, with Athen Aryen (keyboards) and Steve Gilchrist (drums) recent additions. I recall the name but not the sound (I had an LP in my ungraded list). This lacks the edge I associate with the early 1980s, moving it more into Cure-Suede territory. B [sp]

Andrew Moorhead: Mirage (2025 [2026], OA2): Pianist ("and mathematician"), has a previous album from 2023, this a trio with François Moutin (bass) and Ari Hoenig (drums). Original pieces, presented as "a suite of etudes," often rhythmic drills with considerable thought and appeal. B+(***) [cd] [05-22]

Azuka Moweta and His Anioma Brothers Band of Africa: Kenechukwu (2026, Palenque): Nigerian singer and bandleader, from Asaba in the Delta State. Sounds like near classic highlife. A- [sp]

Kacey Musgraves: Middle of Nowhere (2026, Lost Highway): Country singer-songwriter, seventh studio album since her breakthrough hit in 2013. B+(***) [sp]

Nandipha808: Who Made Who (2026, Stena Academy): South African amapiano album, 9 songs running 56:22. Some sources also credit this album to CAAZA, with Givem Tyler Litch, Nation Deep, Shoes Meister, and possibly others appearing on song credits. Minimalist beats, with occasional sonic fillips, some vocal, some reminiscent of Kraftwerk. I've seen it suggested that this is nice to nap to, hypnotic even, but I find myself hanging on details, and in many ways prefer it to last year's more highly touted (but also recommended) No Vocal Album. A- [sp]

Camila Nebbia/James Banner/Max Andrzejewski: Presencia (2024 [2025], Ears & Eyes): Tenor saxophonist from Argentina, albums since 2015, six in 2025, this one with bass and drums, recorded in Berlin. B+(***) [bc]

Neurosis: An Undying Love for a Burning World (2026, Neurot): Atmospheric sludge metal group, from Oakland, released 13 studio albums 1987-2016, went on hiatus, back here a decade later, absent long-time front man Scott Kelly. Normally I wouldn't bother — it's not like I've heard any of their previous albums — but this is AOTY's top-rated album of 2026 (89/8; note that 5 of the top 7 albums there are metal, which seems suspicious, like metal critics mostly move in a tight pack; there are enough to impact the standings, but non-fans rarely bother). Power riffs and deep-growled vocals (saying what? I have no idea), pretty much par for the course, if you ask me. B [sp]

The New Gypsies: The New Gypsies Featuring Vic Juris (2017 [2026], SteepleChase): Only album by a Reinhardt-inspired group led by Tony Miceli (vibes), with Chico Huff (bass guitar) and Dan Monaghan (drums), long shelved, reported due to poor sound, but revived by Nils Winther. The guest guitarist (1953-2019) fills the obvious hole. B+(*) [sp]

Octo Octa: Sigils for Survival (2026, T4T LUV NRG): American house producer Maya Bouldry-Morrison, several albums since 2011, beats steady here with minor frills. B+(***) [sp]

Maisy Owen: Dark on a Sunny Day (2026, Tompkins Square): Folkie singer-songwriter, a Nashville native, plays guitar, viola, bass, and piano, first album, 8 songs, 26:31. B+(*) [sp]

Genesis Owusu: Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge (2026, Ourness): Australian rapper, born Kofi Owusu-Ansah in Ghana, moved to Australia when he was 2, third album. B+(***) [sp]

Jeremy Pelt: Our Community Will Not Be Erased (2025 [2026], HighNote): Trumpet player, close to 30 albums since 2002, mostly quartet with piano (Orrin Evans), bass (Buster Williams), and drums (Lenny White), plus extra keyboards on three tracks. B+(**) [sp]

Sergio Pereira: Colors of Time (2025 [2026], Sergio Pereira Music): Brazilian guitarist, sings some, moved to New York in the 1980s, fifth album, recorded in Spain, Norway, and the USA, with a large but seamless cast. B+(***) [cd] [05-15]

Leigh Pilzer: Keep Holding On (2025 [2026], Strange Woman): Baritone saxophonist, DC native, teaches at University of Maryland, seems to be her first album, original compositions, trio with Paul Bratcher (organ) and Greg Holloway (drums), starts with a "hard bop tribute" and keeps swinging. B+(***) [cd] [06-19]

John Pizzarelli: Dear Mr. Bennett (2026, Green Hill Music): Guitarist, like his father, and standards singer, many albums since his 1983 debut, I'm Hip (Please Don't Tell My Father), including many tributes, especially to Nat King Cole. Bennett's just a prism into everyone else's songbook, which is fine, especially as I like Pizzarelli's "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" more than the original. Backed with piano (Isaiah J. Thompson) and bass (Mike Karn), also listed as co-producers. B+(***) [sp]

Jefferson Ross: Low Country Wedding (2026, self-released): Folkie singer-songwriter, moved to Georgia after years in Nashville, Discogs lists four previous albums (since 2008), and I should check them out. (Spotify has nine.) I didn't like his voice at first, but "Livin' in a Red State Blues" got my attention — my main complaint there is that I'm not fast enough to quote it (and the internet isn't hip enough to recount the lyrics), so I'll quote the closer instead: "I won't dwell on the liars and the haters, and all the despicable things they do; I just thank God for peaches and tomatoes." A- [sp]

Andreas Røysum Ensemble: With Marvin Tate (2025, Motvind): Norwegian clarinetist, large group (tentet here) has three previous albums, digital was rushed out a week after recording, but LP could qualify as a 2026 new release. Tate is a poet/artist from Chicago, has several albums since 1997, mostly with his D-Settlement group, as well as appearing on albums by Mike Reed and Jaimie Branch. Strong spoken word over delightful music, lost a bit at the end. B+(***) [bc]

The Rumjacks: Dead Anthems (2025, Four Four Music): Australian punk band, from Sydney, half-dozen albums since 2010. Emphasis on anthems here, Gives them a Pogues vibe, without those explicit merits. B+(*) [sp]

Dabin Ryu: Trio! (2025, Endectomorph Music): Pianist, from South Korea, studied at Berklee, based in New York, second album, trio with Joe Martin (bass) and Johnathan Blake (drums). B+(**) [sp]

Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band: Arsenio and Beyond: Live at the Bronx Music Hall (2026, Jazzheads): Drummer, from the South Bronx, started with Mongo Santamaria in 1983, recorded an album in 1993, and many more since 2000, adopted Multiverse in 2012, has several big band tributes to prominent Afro-Cuban figures, including Arsenio Rodriguez here. A mind-boggling tsunami of vocals, horns, and percussion. B+(*) [cd]

Christopher Sánchez: Latin Jazz Meets Opera (2026, Zoho): Dominican "baritone singer," you know he's serious when the range is specified, based in New York, seems to be his first album. Nothing I've received this year looked less appealing, but he hid the Bizet and Mozart arias behind a tango, and followed them with a deliciously torchy "Unforgettable." The Latin rhythms grease the skids, and I'm duly impressed by the voice, even though I normally put little weight on pure skill. Appeals to me as grand camp. Your mileage may vary. B+(***) [cd]

Maria Schneider Orchestra: American Crow (2025 [2026], ArtistShare, EP): Big band composer/arranger, a Gil Evans protégé, albums start with Evanescence in 1994, has swept the Jazz Critics Poll three times[*], every album since 2007's Sky Blue. Undoubtedly talented, but I've never warmed to her work — the only occasion where Francis Davis doubted not just my judgment but my sanity. Title piece here was commissioned in 2022 and recorded along with a second piece, totalling 18:37, but here is padded out with an alternate take and some crow vocal samples. [*Her 2015 album was tied for 1st on points, but had fewer votes, which at the time was the tie-breaker; but Davis declared a tie.] B [os]

Serokolo 7: Maramfa Musick Pro (2026, Nyege Nyege Tapes): DJ/producer/sound system operator from Limpopo, in far northeastern South Africa. B+(*) [bc]

SFJazz Collective: Collective Imagery (2025, SFJazz): Group assembled periodically by SFJAZZ, a San Francisco-based non-profit which presents an annual Jazz Festival, initially to play composer repertoire (first few, starting in 2004, were Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter), although they've also been known to tour. Eight pieces, composed by members, two by Edward Simon (piano), one each by Chris Potter (reeds), David Sanchez (tenor sax), Michael Rodriguez (trumpet), Warren Wolf (vibes), Matthew Brewer (bass), and Kendrick Scott (drums). Wolf's piece has a spoken word vocal by Cava Menzies, about the FBI and the Black Panthers. B+(***) [sp]

Bria Skonberg: Brass (2025 [2026], Cellar Music Group): Trumpet player from Canada, also sings (just the last song), eighth album since 2009, backed by piano (Luther Allison), bass, and drums. B+(**) [sp]

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra: Ellington Masterworks (2024 [2026], MCG Jazz): Charlie Young is conductor and artistic direction, for "a live program of rare Duke Ellington compositions from 1940-68" — the only titles I recognize are "Jack the Bear" and "Ad Lib on Nippon," and few of the musicians ring a bell, but the Ellingtonia is unmistakable. B+(***) [cd] [06-12]

Dayna Stephens: Monk'D (2022 [2025], Contagious Music): Normally a tenor saxophonist, has a dozen-plus albums as leader since 2007, a lot of side credits, usually makes a strong impression, plays bass here for this "stripped down, deeply personal tribute to Thelonious Monk," although "stripped down" is the same quartet Monk favored, here with Stephen Riley (tenor sax), Ethan Iverson (piano), and Eric McPherson (drums). Riley is an especially good fit. B+(***) [sp]

Harry Styles: Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. (2026, Erskine/Columbia): English singer-songwriter, started in boy band One Direction, has by far the biggest solo career of the quintet, fourth chart-topping album. I've never been a fan, but this is fairly agreeable. B+(*) [sp]

Earl Sweatshirt/MIKE/Surf Gang: Pompeii//Utility (2026, 10k): Rappers from Los Angeles and New York, respectively, each gets a disc (former, aka Thebe Kgositsile, gets 18 tracks, 35:06; latter, Michael Bonema, does 15 tracks, 29:28), both produced by the New York-based Surf Gang collective. B+(**) [sp]

Joe Syrian Motor City Jazz Octet: A Blue Time (2023-25 [2026], Circle 9): Drummer, third group album since 2015, personnel varies over sessions, but Adam Birnbaum (piano) and Doug Beavers (trombone) are constants, and help with arrangements (which also draw on outsiders, like John Fedchock and Rich DeRosa). All standards, including a Jobim and a Lennon-McCartney, with feature spots for Paul Bollenback (guitar) and Lucy Yeghiazaryan (vocals). B+(**) [cd]

Talk Show: Miss America (2023 [2025], We Jazz): Duo of Steph Richards (trumpet) and Qasim Naqvi (drums/electronics). B+(**) [bc]

Isaiah J. Thompson: The Book of Isaiah: Modern Jazz Ministry (2024 [2025], Mack Avenue): Mainstream jazz pianist, won a bunch of prizes early on, half-dozen albums since 2018, just 27 when he recorded this "8-song autobiographical statement exploring faith, musicianship, race and humanity," produced by Cyrus Chestnut, with more gospel (or maybe just more vocals) than I'd prefer. B+(**) [sp]

Tokischa: Amor & Droga (2026, Warner Latina): Dominican rapper-singer, as a bunch of singles since 2018, seems to be her first album, with ties to rap and reggaeton and who knows what else. B+(***) [sp]

Álvaro Torres Trio: Mairena (2025 [2026], Fresh Sound New Talent): Spanish pianist, based in New York, website has several previous albums, trio with Masa Kamaguchi (bass) and Kresten Osgood (drums), but recorded live in his old home town of Madrid. Five originals, plus a Cole Porter cover. B+(**) [cd]

The Twilight Sad: It's the Long Goodbye (2026, Rock Action): Post-punk band from Scotland, some industrial slag combined with shoegaze guitar fuzz, sixth album since 2007, a 7 year break this time. B+(**) [sp]

Vaiano's Paisanos: Vaiano's Paisanos (2026, Jalopy): Rachel Meirs (violin) and Van Burchfield (guitar), who have a previous duo album, expanded their Louisville-based folk ensemble here, to play a set of tunes from the NYC melting pot of the 1920s and 1930s, some from Europe, others from the Caribbean. B+(***) [sp]

Vaiano's Paisanos: Vaiano's Paisanos Presents Rachel Meirs & Van Burchfield (2025, Jalopy): Violin and guitar duo, their group name already conceived without the extra players of their eponymous group album. Same basic idea, a bit more minimal. B+(**) [bc]

Adia Vanheerentals: Taking Place (2025, Relative Pitch): Belgian soprano saxophonist, solo here, limited appeal. B [sp]

Sammy Virji: Same Day Cleaning (2025, Capitol): English DJ/producer, started releasing singles in 2017, second album. First vocal wrongfooted me, as they vary widely thereafter, and the beats get better. B+(**) [sp]

Marta Warelis/Ada Rave: Peel/Mondo (2024 [2025], Relative Pitch): Piano and soprano sax duo. Both do good work, but results are marginal. B+(*) [bc]

Marta Warelis: Still Life With Lemons (2024 [2026], Relative Pitch): Polish pianist, based in Amsterdam since 2014, recordings since 2019 include work with Dave Douglas. Sextet here includes Ben LaMar Gay (trumpet/electronics), Ab Baars (clarinet/tenor sax), Karen Ng (clarinet/alto sax), Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (bass), and Frank Rosaly (drums). B+(**) [bc]

Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble: Groove in the Face of Adversity (2025, Mack Avenue): Don Fagenson, took the name Don Was when founding the Detroit duo Was (Not Was), which released four albums 1981-90 (a fifth appeared in 2008; David Weiss performed as David Was). By then, Was had developed a reputation for producing records, winning six Grammys, and working around the industry, including as president of Blue Note Records. Band here includes saxophonist Dave McMurray and vocalist Steffanie Christi'an. Includes a cover of Curtis Mayfield's "This Is My Country." Nothing else that obvious, but if these aren't all funk covers, they're pretty classic. (Documentation sucks. Seems to be live.) B+(***) [sp]

Rich Willey: Laid Back Vol. 1 (2025 [2026], Boptism): Trumpet player, early credits go back to 1993 (with Mel Tormé, on trombone), has more recently released albums as Rich Willey's Boptimism Big Band and his Boptimism Funk Band. Splits the difference here, with a featuring credit for John Swana (EVI) and arrangements by Wally Minko. B+(*) [cd] [05-30]

Ben Williams: Between Church & State (2025, Safe Space): Bassist, originally from DC, studied at Michigan State and Juilliard, won a Monk Prize which got him a debut album in 2011, several albums and many side credits since then. B+(**) [sp]

Anthony Wilson Nonet: House of the Singing Blossoms (2025, Sam First): Guitarist, son of bandleader Gerald Wilson, well established on his own with albums since 1997, and many side credits. Group with trumpet/french horn and trombone (CJ Camerieri and Alan Ferber), three saxophones (Nicole McCabe, Bob Reynolds, Henry Solomon), and piano-bass-drums (Gerald Clayton, Anna Butterss, Mark Ferber). B+(**) [sp]

Steve Wilson: Enduring Sonance (2025 [2026], Smoke Sessions): Saxophonist (alto/soprano, also flute), has a couple dozen albums since 1992, many more side credits, including big bands (notably Maria Schneider). With Joe Locke (vibes), Renee Rosnes (piano/electric), Jay Anderson (bass), and Kendrick Scott (drums), plus french horn on two tracks. B+(*) [sp]

Winona Fighter: My Apologies to the Chief (2025, Rise): Pop-punk trio from Nashville, first album after singles back to 2022: singer-songwriter Coco Kinnon (Chloe Kinnon, also plays drums), Dan Fuson (guitar), and Austin Luther (bassist, co-writer and producer). B+(***) [sp]

XG: The Core (2026, Xgalx): X-pop vocal group, identified as Japanese but based in South Korea and mostly rap and sing in English, first album after two EPs, 10 songs, 29:46. I'm not going to think about the lyrics beyond "if you don't like it, fuck you." As snappy as anything I've heard this year. Follows the most infectious song with a ballad, which works nearly as well. A- [sp]

Recent Reissues, Compilations, Vault Discoveries

Terry Callier: At the Earl of Old Town (1967 [2025], Time Traveler, 2CD): Singer-songwriter from Chicago (1945-2012), ranges into soul and jazz but mostly figures as folk. Has something of a cult rep, but Christgau dismissed him as "the black Jim Webb, only warmer — and less talented." Live set here at a Chicago folk club, just singer and guitar, predates his 1968 debut album, and is all cover songs, with "Work Song," "The Seventh Son," "Gallows Pole," "and "My Girl Sloopy" the ones I most readily recognize. Seems like a nice night out with a fairly distinctive interpreter. B+(**) [cd]

Ray Charles: No One Does It Like . . . Ray Charles! (1962-65 [2025], Tangerine): A restored "lost album" from the mid-1960s, or alternatively a collection of "mid-1960s singles, B-sides, and non-LP tracks." I count six non-album singles here ("Hide Nor Hair," "No One," "Don't Set Me Free," "My Baby Don't Dig Me," "My Heart Cries for You," "Without Love"). None were really big hits, but several will be familiar from his comps, and they keynote a pretty consistent album, with touches of, yes, genius. A- [sp]

Antoine Dougbé: Antoine Dougbé Et L'Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou (1977-82 [2026], Analog Africa): I was initially tempted to file this under the Benin band, which already has a substantial database entry (starting in 1973). Dougbé (1947-96), dubbed the Devil's Prime Minister, released three albums in this brief period. A- [bc]

Duke Ellington: Copenhagen 1964 (1964 [2026], Storyville): After a few bars of "Take the 'A' Train," opens with a medley of early tunes, followed by a 14:52 "Harlem Suite," and new material from the then-unrelesed Far East Suite. Lots of good stuff, especially "Kinda Dukish," an intro for the piano player that explodes into "Rockin' in Rhythm." A- [bc]

Bill Evans: Portraits at the Penthouse: Live in Seattle (1966 [2025], Resonance): One of many recently unearthed live shots of the pianist and his trio, here with Eddie Gomez (bass) and Joe Hunt (drums). B+(**) [sp]

Fight the Fire: Digital Reggae, Conscious Roots and Dub in Nigeria 1986-91 (1986-91 [2026], Soundway): Reggae has had a niche role in West Africa since the mid-1970s, with Alpha Blondy perhaps the best known exponent. No names I recognize here, but these 14 pieces are remarkably steady. B+(***) [bc]

Benny Golson: Gone With Golson (1959 [2025], Craft): Tenor saxophonist (1929-2024), fifth album since 1957, three original compositions plus two standards, quintet with trombone (Curtis Fuller), piano (Ray Bryant), bass, and drums. B+(***) [sp]

Roy Hargrove: Bern (2000 [2026], Time Traveler): Big-time trumpet player (1969-2002), has had a couple of stellar archival releases recently. Live set from Switzerland, a quintet with Sherman Irby (alto sax), Larry Willis (piano), Gerald Cannon (bass), and Willie Jones III (drums). B+(**) [cd]

Daunik Lazro/Joëlle Léandre/Paul Lovens: For Baritone Sax, Double Bass & Drumset (2013 [2026], Relative Pitch): French saxophonist, plays baritone here but primary instrument is probably alto, many albums since 1980, several previous encounters with the bassist and drummer. This is one improv piece, titled "Temps du Corps" for the venue in Paris. B+(**) [sp]

Morphine: Bootleg Detroit [Deluxe Edition] (1994 [2025], Rykodisc/Rhino): Rock band formed 1989 in Massachusetts, principally Mark Standman (2-string bass) and Dana Coley (sax, mostly baritone, sometimes two at once), with one or two sets of drums. Five studio albums 1992-2000, the latter released after Standman died and the group disbanded. At that time, Rykodisc also released this live tape (2000), expanded here from 40 to 65 minutes. I like the sound. Not so sure about the songs. B+(**) [sp]

The Oscar Peterson Trio: At Baker's Keyboard Lounge: The Complete Recordings (1960 [2026], Verve): With Ray Brown (bass) and Ed Thigpen (drums), five full sets, in the order performed, from a single Friday in a two-week engagement, recorded for a live album that never got released. At best, this is what you expect from jazz piano c. 1960, fast and sparkling. B+(***) [sp]

This Is Lorelei: Box for Buddy, Box for Star [Super Deluxe] (2022 [2026], Double Double Whammy): Nate Amos, the tunesmith behind singer Rachel Brown in Water From Your Eyes, released this solo album in 2024, followed by a "Deluxe" edition (+3 songs) in 2025, and now this "Super Deluxe" (+10 songs, all covers by others). Variety is nice, but doesn't make a lot of difference. B+(**) [sp]

Vardis: 100 M.P.H. '79 Revisited (1978-80 [2026], High Roller): British hard rock band, formed 1973 as Quo Vardis, shortened their name in 1977, frontman Steve Zodiac, early singles included covers of Chuck Berry and Status Quo, first album was live, reissued and supplemented with extra tracks here. As such, at least here they have more in common with pre-punk metal bands (I'm thinking Blue Öyster Cult, but also Rick Derringer) than with post-punk (post-hardcore) developments — which I've rarely listened to, beyond Hüsker Dü and Motörhead (and, grudgingly I insist, Deafheaven). B+(***) [sp]

Mike Westbrook Orchestra: The Cortège: Live at the BBC (1980 [2025], Cadillac): One of the British composer's major works, with a later studio recording released in 1982 and reissued by Enja in 1993. The piece was commissioned in 1979, and recorded here in the BBC studios in London on Oct. 25, 1980, with a 17-piece orchestra, counting vocalists Kate Westbrook (who also played tenor horn and piccolo) and Phil Minton (who also played trumpet). I didn't care for the studio album — often the vocals are a personal peeve in albums like this, but while dramatized I don't particularly mind them here. The band, of course, is often terrific. B+(**) [bc]

Lester Young: Lester Leaps In: Live at Birdland 1951-1952 (1951-52 [2025], Liberation Hall): Eight previously unreleased tracks from four "Jumpin with Symphony Sid" radio shots, with various piano, bass, and drums, plus some trumpet (Jesse Drakes). B+(***) [bc]

Old Music

Ryan Blotnick: Kush (2016, Songlines): Guitarist, third album, mostly quartet with Michael Blake (tenor/soprano sax), Scott Colberg (bass), and RJ Miller (drums), plus guest pedal steel on one track. Blake is often impressive here, and the guitar fills in expertly. A- [sp]

Gary Burton: New Vibe Man in Town (1962, RCA): Vibraphonist, first album, not yet 20 years old (b. 1943), trio with Gene Cherico (bass) and Joe Morello (drums). Nimble rhythm, standards, a pleasant surprise. B+(**) [sp]

Gary Burton/Sonny Rollins/Clark Terry: 3 in Jazz (1963, RCA): Label sampler, three separate groups, each gets about 5-6 minutes a side, in credit order. The vibraphonist, who debuted on RCA in 1962 and recorded there through 1966, assists Jack Sheldon (trumpet), along with bass, and drums. Rollins landed on RCA after his 1960-62 break, and recorded major works from 1962-64. He has a quartet with Don Cherry (cornet), Henry Grimes (bass) and Billy Higgins (drums). Terry appears with a swinging rhythm section of Jones (piano), Milt Hinton (bass), and Osie Johnson (drums), plus Willie Rodriguez (bongos/congas) for two tracks. As far as I know, this is the only thing Terry recorded for RCA, so maybe they were just trying to salvage a short session? No real insights here, but the music is enjoyable. B [sp]

Terry Callier: The New Folk Sound of Terry Callier (1964 [1968], Prestige): Black singer from Chicago ("childhood friend of Curtis Mayfield, Major Lance and Jerry Butler"), learned piano before guitar, started in doo-wop groups, recorded a single for Chess in 1962, moved into folk clubs, had a brief duo with David Crosby. First album, folk/blues covers (mostly trad.), with guitar and bass. Good singer, but not especially interesting music. [The 2018 reissue added a bunch of bonus tracks, but the 2025 remaster dropped them.] B [sp]

Barbara Carr: The Best of Barbara Carr (1997-2001 [2003], Ecko): Blues/soul singer from St. Louis (1941-2026), released some singles on Chess (1966-72), but didn't get to albums until 1989, with this compilation from five albums the core of her output. By the 1990s, neo-soul was floating off in the pop ether, while vintage soul singers were being revived on blues labels. This starts risqué, with "Bone Me Like You Own Me" and "If You Can't Cut the Mustard" ("don't go sniffin' around the jar"), then slips in a disco joint, before coming up with titles like "If the Lord Keeps the Thought of You out of My Head, I'll Keep Your Booty out of My Bed." B+(***) [sp]

Justin Golden: Golden Country: Volume 1 (2024, Vocal Rest): Richmond-based singer-songwriter, plays guitar, claims roots in the Mississippi Delta and Chicago, nothing on Discogs but Bandcamp has a 2022 album, folowed by this set of 8 songs (25:16). Tags for blues and folk, mostly covers, some old-timey twang to the picking. B+(**) [bc]

Justin Golden: Golden Country: Volume 2 (2024, Vocal Rest): Eight more songs (25:51), starting with "Sitting on Top of the World" and "Sixteen Tons," including a "St. James Infirmary" and a "Diving Duck Blues." B+(**) [bc]

Hang on the Box: Yellow Banana (2001, JingWen/Scream): Chinese punk rock band, four women, first album, Scream seems to be the name of a club in Beijing. Most titles in English, like "No Sexy," "For Some Stupid Cunts at 'BBS,'" "Kill Your Belly," "and "Ass Hole, I'm Not Your Baby." Another scene I know nothing about, but they're clearly plugged into a familiar world. B+(**) [sp]

The Monochrome Set: Strange Boutique (1980, Dindisc): British group, made some noise in the early post-punk period, caught my attention but didn't sink in enough to make my early ratings database. Singer-songwriter went as Bid, with Lester Square (lead guitar), Andy Warren (bass guitar), and JD Haney (drums). Upbeat stuff has some snap and crunch, but not all that memorable. B+(*) [sp]

Azuka Moweta and His Anioma Brothers Band: Ekobe Global (2025, Palenque): Nigerian singer and bandleader from Asaba, on the delta of the Niger River, second (of three so far) albums on this Colombian label (ignoring singles and remixes). Ekobe refers to a style with traditional Igbo instruments, and global is where they're headed. Hard to choose between the albums without spending a lot more time. B+(***) [sp]

Evan Parker/Derek Bailey/Han Bennink: The Topography of the Lungs (1970 [2023], Otoroku): Sax-guitar-percussion trio, Penguin Guide filed this under the guitarist, but label is pretty consistent in its ordering, and Discogs now lists this as the first album under Parker's name. This might have seemed abstract and scratchy at the time, but looking back could hardly have been the work of anyone else. A- [bc]

Sonny Rollins: Sonny Boy (1956 [1961], Prestige): The preeminent tenor saxophonist of the late 1950s (1930-2026), a few years younger than Dexter Gordon (1923-90) and John Coltrane (1926-67), but already towering above them by decade-end, his signature title Saxophone Colussus seeming, if anything, too modest. After his death, I wondered what I had missed: my database script showed 82 albums rated (45 A- or above, where "above" included 3 A+ and 12 A; 10 albums and 5 compilations), with only two RCA from 1962-63 listed but unrated[*] — the music I've heard on The Complete RCA Victor Recordings, as I've previously heard the music on this, the first unlisted album I've found, as included in The Complete Prestige Recordings. For that matter, three tracks here were previously heard on Rollins' last proper album for Prestige, Tour De Force, and a fourth (the title tune) appeared on its OJC CD reissue, leaving just one extra track (an outtake from Rollins Plays for Bird). Prestige, grubbing for product, as they were wont to do, issued this in 1961, and it's been kicking around ever since, including an OJC reissue in 1989. So redundant/unnecessary, sure, but on first hearing it's pretty awesome. A- [sp]

[*] My albums database was largely built in the early 2000s, at a time when I was buying lots of CDs, so while one purpose was to track what I had, another was to build up shopping lists. As such, I scoured through many record guides (including all of the Penguin Guide editions), and jotted down everything that seemed promising. While I've continued to add everything I've since listened to, I've less and less regularly added to the "shopping" lists, so I regard them as dated, unreliable, and/or inconsistent. (One common problem is that they include editions or compilations that have since been superseded by alternatives.) On the other hand, since I've been streaming, I've used them as guides for deep dives. For instance, I reviewed 20 Sonny Rollins albums in May, 2020, including many of the Milestone albums I had missed. The list of A/A+ Rollins albums is in the ACN below. I've included two albums filed under other artists (Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk) that list Rollins in the artist credit. The two still unheard Rollins database albums are On the Outside and All the Things You Are: both are compilations from the RCA period (1962-64), released in 1990, and long out of print. The music should all be in the 6-CD box, The Complete RCA Victor Recordings (rated A-).

Sonny Rollins: Brass/Trio (1958 [1962], Verve): Originally released as Sonny Rollins and the Big Brass in 1958 by MetroJazz, the first side combines the brass of a big band with a single tenor saxophonist (with Nate Adderley's cornet for one of the trumpets, and Don Butterfield's tuba for bass trombone), and a rhythm section of Dick Katz (piano), René Thomas (guitar), Henry Grimes (bass), and Roy Haynes (drums), with Ernie Wilkins arranging and conducting. Verve later (1999) reissued this under its original title, but in 1962 (and later on CDs in Europe and Japan) they opted for this more accurate title. After all, the big brass is done after four songs, and the second side is a trio set, with Grimes and Charles Wright (drums), recorded the day before. Nothing particularly wrong with either half, but he doesn't quite rise above the brass, and his "Body & Soul" isn't the obvious breakthrough the precedents demand. B+(***) [sp]

Jefferson Ross: Azalea (2008, Deep Fried Discs): First album. Songwriting solid, including one about "Stillwater Oklahoma," one about "The Prophet Elijah," and one mentioning peaches and tomatoes." He's right about "Lucky Now & Then." B+(***) [sp]

Jefferson Ross: Hymns to the Here and Now (2011, Deep Fried Discs): Second album. Starts with the assertion, "there's no such thing as ordinary people." Title track is the odd one out, a cappella where most of this veers between bluegrass and Western swing. The more it swings, the better. B+(***) [sp]

Jefferson Ross: Isle of Hope (2013, Deep Fried Discs): Third album, runs 16 songs (53:48), recorded by Thomm Jutz. Seems like both the songwriting and the music have gotten subtler, which may well pan out in the end, but is less obvious at first blush. Or maybe this is just "easy listening"? B+(**) [sp]

Jefferson Ross: Dogwood Cats (2015, Deep Fried Discs): Fourth album, thirteen more songs (52:22). B+(*) [sp]

The Mike Westbrook Concert Band: Celebration (1967, Deram): British pianist (1936-2026), started with this debut album, leading a 12-piece group, where young saxophonists Mike Osborne and John Surman were soon to become famous. This is regarded as a classic of the British avant-garde. It could be. B+(***) [yt]

Grade (or other) Changes

Sometimes further listening leads me to change an initial grade, usually either because I move on to a real copy, or because someone else's review or list makes me want to check it again. Also some old albums extracted from further listening:

S.G. Goodman: Planting by the Signs (2025, Slough Water/Thirty Tigers): Folk singer-songwriter, from Kentucky, third album. Surprised to find this soft, unassuming album ranked 5th on the 2025 Dean's List. Sounds plausible at first, slips a bit, two duets don't exactly help, but the 8:59 closer ("Heaven Song") is transcendent. [was: B+(**)] A- [sp]

Taj Mahal & Keb' Mo': Room on the Porch (2025, Concord Jazz): The former has been warming up blues and roots songs since 1967, has written plenty of his own but has a genius for covers that rivals and has probably caught up with Ray Charles. The latter got a lot of hype in the 1990s when he tried to fill those shoes but failed. They finally got together, hyped as two "blues giants," in 2017 for a nondescript album, but this one is better, perhaps because it's loose enough to just let that genius seep to the surface. I discounted that looseness at first, but I'm getting to where I treasure it. [was: B+(***)] A- [sp]

Sonny Rollins: Nucleus (1975, Milestone): Possibly the first Sonny Rollins album I heard — Christgau wrote a rave review, although I also picked up More From the Vanguard around then — and I hated this album at the time. (For that matter, I've never been a fan of 1957's A Night at the Village Vanguard, which I have graded five packages of, although I've warmed a bit on it, giving the 2024 Complete Masters a high B+.) I can still hear why I disliked this so, with fusion-minded rhythm section (George Duke, Chuck Rainey, Blackbyrd McKnight, David Amaro, Mtume; Bob Cranshaw also plays electric bass, but his presence on a Rollins album is usually perfunctory), and Bennie Maupin flitting about. Still, it's not that bad, nothing that Rollins can't cut straight through, or simply blow up. [was: B-] B+(*) [sp]

Rechecked with no grade change:

Body Type: Expired Candy (2023, Poison City): Australian rock group, number 4 on 2025 Dean's List, half the songs hold together beyond reproach, so I'm not surprised that someone could latch onto them, but multiple plays leave me not quite caring. B+(***) [sp]

Margaret Glaspy: The Golden Heart Protector (2025, ATO, EP): Idiosyncratic Dean's List top pick, hard for me to figure why let alone concur. Seven songs (25:23), all covers and most duets, the more familiar the more touching. B+(***) [sp]

Rhett Miller: A Lifetime of Riding by Night (2025, ATO): Eighth solo album, many more in Old '97s, as noted before "easy to listen to, and not without merit." A couple of songs touched me, but not enough to upgrade. B+(**) [sp]

Additional Consumer News:

Sonny Rollins albums with A/A+ grades:

• Work Time (1955, Prestige/OJC)
• Saxophone Colossus (1956, Prestige/OJC) [A+]
• Way Out West (1957, Contemporary/OJC)
• On Impulse! (1965, Impulse!)
• Alfie (1966, Impulse!)
• Plays G-Man (1986, Milestone) [A+]
• Falling in Love With Jazz (1989, Milestone)
• This Is What I Do (2000, Milestone)

Sonny Rollins compilations/reissues with A/A+ grades:

• The Complete Prestige Recordings (1949-56 [1992], Prestige, 7-CD)
• Way Out West [Deluxe Edition] (1957 [2018], Craft, 2LP)
• The Essential Sonny Rollins: The RCA Years (1962-64 [2005], RCA/Legacy, 2CD)
• Silver City (1972-95 [1996], Milestone, 2CD) [A+]
• Milestone Profiles (1972-2001 [2006], Milestone)

Other Sonny Rollins credits with A/A+ grades:

• Dizzy Gillespie/Sonny Rollins/Sonny Stitt: Duets (1958, Verve)
• Thelonious Monk/Sonny Rollins (1953-54, Prestige)

Music Weeks

Music: Current count 36534 [36534] rated (+0), 149 [149] unrated (+0).

Excerpts from this month's Music Week posts:

Notes

Sources noted as follows:

• [cd] based on physical cd
• [cdr] based on an advance or promo cd or cdr
• [lp] based on physical lp (vinyl)
• [dvd] based on physical dvd (rated more for music than video)
• [bc] available at bandcamp.com
• [r] available at napster.com (formerly Rhapsody)
• [sc] available at soundcloud.com
• [sp] available at spotify.com
• [yt] available at youtube.com
• [os] some other stream source
• [dl] something I was able to download from the web; may be freely available, may be a bootleg someone made available, or may be a publicist promo

Grades are probably self-explanatory, aside from B+, which is subdivided 1-2-3 stars, because most records that come my way are pretty good, but they're not all that good.