S. Victor Aaron

John Hollenbeck once again takes a somewhat odd assortment of musicians and shaped them into the something truly fresh and compelling.

It probably goes without saying that if you like The Necks previous records, you’re going to like ‘Travel,’ too, guaranteed. It’s a familiar sound but the songs will still take you on an engaging journey where you’re not sure beforehand where they wind up.

The Vincent Meissner Trio found a perfect moment that covers youth and European, turning a brisk cover of “Young Folks” into an appealing jazz song.

Kate Gentile held back no ambition in making the vast, unencumbered ‘Find Letter X,’ as her band carried out thoroughly conceived, nonconformist concepts.

Because it’s all handmade with an uncluttered classic sound, the lightly funky jazz of Kait Dunton’s ‘Keyboards’ is a guilt-free guilty pleasure.

Drummer extraordinaire Jeff Cosgrove joins Noah Preminger and Kim Cass for an inspired sax/bass/drums performance, ‘Confusing Motion for Progress.’

Released 45 years ago this month, UK’s trio-led sophomore effort ‘Danger Money’ is past due for a reevaluation.

‘Lucid/Still’ captures a live performance of Tim Berne, Hank Roberts and Aurora Nealand’s unique brand of improvised chamber music.

“Short Visit” was David Sanborn’s early hat tip to his sometimes-employer Gil Evans, but it wouldn’t be his last.

Tired of the same old?