Sublime, ridiculous and everything between.
Afro Yaqui Music Collective, "Maroon Futures" (Neuma). Wait a minute for the funky tumult to kick in, then take the ride -- honkin' baritone sax, sparkin' indigenous strings, raps, mariachi flavors, drummer bangin' against everything . . . this multinational gang loads up the ecstasy that's been missing from the revolution. And what a video! Thanks to Kraig Grady for the tip. Sample/buy here.
Zane Carney Quartet, "Alter Ego" (Orenda). Like early Tull on crank, electric guitarist Carney parries with windman Katisse Buckingham afront the loco stampede of drummer Gene Coye and bassist Jerry Watts Jr. Hunks o' blues & soul stew with acidy distractions, spurring you to roll out of bed and hike up to the bird sanctuary. Releases 4/30; preview/buy here.
Mr Murmur, "After Words" (Tone Drop). G.E. Stinson follows up on his previous Murmurings with six delightful evolutions of his electro-ambient groove universe. Simultaneously gloomy & cheerful (with moody input from saxist Garrett Wingfield), it'll suck you in and drool you out. Listen/buy here.
Masabumi Kikuchi, "Hanamichi" (Red Hook). In his final recording (died 2015), Kikuchi didn't so much play songs as think about them through his fingers. Always an extraordinarily intuitive free-improvising pianist, he also knew how to let familiar songs such as "My Favorite Things," "Summertime" and "Ramona" suggest their own alternate identities, share their inner light, probe their darknesses. Not even Thelonious Monk, Ran Blake or Richard Grossman has brought deeper intimacy to solo piano.
Vijay Iyer, Linda May Han Oh, Tyshawn Sorey, "Uneasy" (ECM). The avantist goes tonal! Pianist Iyer forsakes his usual panharmonic modern harmony in favor of a fresh approach to traditional melody, balancing with Sorey's high-energy drum interactions while Oh's bass provides a precise tipping point. Most of the compositions are Iyer's, but no one should be surprised that he can make us hear Cole Porter anew, or that his respect for the late Geri Allen would spur a special tribute.
Nik Bärtsch, "Entendre" (ECM). Intellect reigns in Swiss pianist Bärtsch's suite of piano workouts. Often quick and rhythmic, with occasional electronic touches, it's music for meditation and focus, just right for morning insights or writing computer code. A skilled vision of human evolution we can live with.
The Great Kat, "Chopin's Funeral March" (TPR). No uplift here, aside from the Great Kat's studded bustier. Known for her near-nude metal videos, guitarist Kat kovers the klassiks in a lo-fi, metronomically challenged manner that screams high-concept inspiration. Re her latest étude: "This masterpiece is the theme song for funerals worldwide -- EVEN CHOPIN'S OWN FUNERAL." Kat threatens to murder Chopin . . . and follows through! So timely.