Drummer Matt Wilson (Photo: Courtesy the artist) Jeff Cosgrove History Gets Ahead of the Story (Grizzley…
Drummer Matt Wilson (Photo: Courtesy the artist)Jeff CosgroveHistory Gets Ahead of the Story (Grizzley Music) Drummer Cosgrove has concocted an invigorating organ trio album of a different stripe, expanding and subverting the traditional format. That he has organist John Medeski and saxophonist Jeff Lederer in his corner — both in freewheeling, chance-taking form — makes the project a stone winner.LISTEN OR BUY:Brecker BrothersLive and Unreleased (Piloo)A newly unearthed 1980 live set — 90 minutes of funky fusion, marked by long tunes, looooong solos and unrelenting chops displays — proves to be an endurance test. It’s what their fans wanted four decades ago, but the music has not stood the test of time.LISTEN OR BUY:Marcin Wasilewski Trio & Joe LovanoArctic Riff (ECM)Despite what the title may suggest, both Polish pianist Wasilewski (who’s due broader recognition) and American tenor man Lovano play with consummate warmth, mirroring each other with flowing sublimity. To the album’s benefit, a few tracks are friskier than typical ECM fare. Matt Wilson QuartetHug (Palmetto)An ace lineup cuts loose and has some fun. Drummer Wilson, saxophonist Jeff Lederer, trumpeter Kirk Knufke and bassist Chris Lightcap play winning originals (and an affectionate version of Roger Miller’s “King of the Road”), dancing in and out of harmonic strictures while swinging with effervescence and humor.LISTEN OR BUY:Harold López-NussaTe Lo Dije (Mack Avenue)The Cuban pianist/composer mashes up jazz and a panoply of Afro-Cuban rhythms and styles — including a handful of celebratory vocal tracks — into a dizzyingly eclectic project that brims with whimsy, surprise and joy. Aparty album with expert musicianship. LISTEN OR BUY:Ingrid Laubrock + Kris DavisBlood Moon (Intakt)Two stalwarts of the contemporary avant-garde — saxophonist Laubrock and pianist Davis — join forces in a duet effort. While there is superb playing and interplay found in these nine pieces, the set never fully coheres or achieves lift-off. A bit too much probing, not enough momentum.LISTEN OR BUY:Carolina CalvacheVida Profunda (Sunnyside)Colombian pianist/composer/arranger Calvache delivers an achingly beautiful, unrepentantly romantic set of originals that features 10 guest vocalists — including Ruben Blades, Claudia Acuña and Sara Serpa — pouring out their hearts, mostly in Spanish. Lush arrangements and concise solos underpin passionate singing in a ballad-heavy collection.LISTEN OR BUY:Bobby WatsonKeepin’ it Real (Smoke Sessions)The Blakey legacy has legs. Alto saxophonist Watson, the Messengers music director from 1977-’81, leads a new quintet of (mostly) up-and-comers in a program of hard-swinging, blues-and-gospel-infused post-bop. Watson, 66, proves he still has plenty of fire in his belly.— Eric SniderLISTEN OR BUY:
