Final happy listens before our new summer collection goes live, packed with outstanding tracks from June and July. And as always, right on cue, comes the mandatory last-minute intro.
So, a quick reminder that, for almost a decade, our compass has stayed true: fresh releases, stylistic variety, spotlighting emerging talent, emphasizing modern beats, and curating a seamless flow. Above all, we deliver top-tier quality built for endless replay value—no fatigue, no filler.
Enjoy the music and have fun!
Note: Two avant-garde jazz albums—the one by Miles Okazaki and the one by Evan Parker / John Zorn—are not available on Spotify or YouTube; however, you can find them on Deezer.
All about the albums and the musicians that contribute to the playlist
Alden Hellmuth – Tether (LEITER)
Modern Jazz – New York
Track: Microfictions
Info: Google AI, Bandcamp, PopMatters
Award-winning and rising alto saxophonist Alden Hellmuth presents intricate, multi-layered compositions filled with acuity and inner tension on her second personal album.
Her ensemble features two bassists, Logan Kane (b) and Miller Wrenn (b), Justin Brown (dr), alongside Yakiv Tsvietinskyi (tr), Paul Cornish (p), and additional guest contributors.
The Hands Free – Upturned Cup (New Amsterdam Records)
Avant-Folk, Chamber Jazz, Acoustic – New York
Track: Chrysalis
Info: Google AI, Bandcamp, CastTheDice
An acoustic, atmospheric journey through the colorful soundscapes of an improvisational avant-folk setting. Featuring Nathan Koci (acc), James Moore (g, bnj), Eleonore Oppenheim (b), and Clarice Jensen (vl).
Steve Cole – Sleight of Hand (Mack Avenue Records)
Smooth Jazz, R&B, Contemporary Jazz – Chicago
Track: Sleight of Hand
Info: Google AI, SmoothJazzDaily
Old-school smooth jazz featuring the full, satisfying tone of the tenor and the velvety soprano by Steve Cole (ts, ss), in collaboration with producer David Mann.
Francesca Tandoi – Songbook Vol 1 (Fresh Sound Records)
Contemporary Jazz, Vocal Jazz – Italy
Track: I’ll See You in my Dreams
Info: Google AI, FreshSoundRecords
Purebred, brilliant contemporary mainstream with sophistication and impressive technique by pianist Francesca Tandoi (p, voc) on her own romantic compositions, alongside Stefano Senni (b), Pasquale Fiore (dr), a string quartet, and guest appearances by Becca Stevens and Stacey Kent.
Oliver Lutz, Pablo Held, Tineke Postma, Peter Gall – RE:CALAMARI – Live at Daft Music Studios (Boomslang Records)
Jazz Fusion, Live – Cologne
Track: Panoramas (Live)
Info: Google AI, Bandcamp
High-caliber live jazz fusion featuring electric bassist Oliver Lutz (b) alongside the outstanding Pablo Held (p, keys), Tineke Postma (as, ss), and Peter Gall (dr).
Nate Smith, Kiefer, CARRTOONS, Kenny Beats – FATHERS (Blue Note Records)
Jazz-Hop, New Jazz, Beats, Neo-Soul, Funk – Los Angeles
Track: EYE LEVEL
Info: Google AI, JazzTimes
An impromptu trial of new studio gear turned into Nate Smith’s latest album release. Today’s most trendy drummer, collaborating with Kenny Beats (prod), Kiefer (keys), and CARRTOONS (el.b), shapes a modern rhythmic vocabulary rooted in the great R&B tradition with his bold yet precise and detailed touch. Also featuring Nicole McCabe (as), Genevieve Artadi (voc), Paul Castelluzzo (g), and Yasmeen Al-Mazeedi (strings arr.).
Briefly put, “A masterclass in instrumental soul, hip-hop production, and jazz fusion“.
Will Lyle – The All Seeing Eye (Circle Theory Media)
Post-Bop – New York
Track: Líneas de Sangre
Info: Google AI, AllAboutJazz
Solid and spirited post-bop, with bassist Will Lyle subtly guiding veteran and emerging leaders of the genre: Lucas Pino or Tim Lin (ts), Dave Kikoski (p), and Billy Drummond or Ronen Itzik (dr).
Boy Soda – SOULSTAR DELUXE (Warner Music Australia)
Modern R&B, Neo-Soul, Hip-hop, Urban – Sydney
Tracks: Blink Twice, My Body
Info: Google AI, AuRollingStone
Charismatic Australian singer and producer Boy Soda performs his own material—revolving around themes of “self-awareness, personal cycles, and emotional truth”—set against a rich, jazzy production that has firmly established him on the global stage.
Richard Spaven – Light of Day (Edition Records)
Nu-Jazz, Hip-Hop, Beats – London
Track: Out of the Quiet
Info: Google AI, Bandcamp, AllAboutJazz
An epitome of British club aesthetics by Richard Spaven (dr, electr), featuring collaborators and guest appearances including Nils Petter Molvær (tr).
Jamie Peet – REFLEX: Daily New Beginning (BIMHUIS Records)
Modern Jazz, Live – Amsterdam
Track: Pride’s Strife (Live)
Info: Google AI, Bandcamp, Bimhuis
High energy, technical prowess, and complex structures with a strong focus on solos and group improvisation, capturing an on-stage encounter of Dutch drummer Jamie Peet (dr) with acclaimed representatives of the genre: Joel Ross (vib), Ben Van Gelder (as), and Pat Cleaver (b).
Temidayo Balogun – Afrolution (BTmA Records)
Afro-Jazz, Contemporary Jazz – Connecticut
Track: Words from Ancestors
Info: Google AI, Bandcamp
Polyrhythmic Afro-jazz with a modern character and socio-political identity, led by saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Temidayo Balogun (ts) and his band.
Alvin Cobb Jr. – The Chase and The Runaway (Self-Released)
New Jazz, Vocal, R&B/Neo-soul – Chicago
Track: The Chase
Info: Google AI, Bandcamp
The modern rhythms of Black music contribute decisively to creating the desired relaxed yet sophisticated style of our era, brought by drummer and composer Alvin Cobb Jr., alongside Katie Ernst (b, voc), Julius Tucker (p), Aaron Day (g), with contributions from Courtney Morrison (sp.w) and Dustin Laurenzi (ts).
MADELEINE – Earth Cry (Bridge The Gap)
Future Soul, Neo-Soul, Nu Jazz – London
Track: Don’t Lose Yourself
Info: Google AI, Bandcamp
A fresh, crisp sound by MADELEINE (keys, voc, prod), new blood in the endlessly productive British scene.
Roy Markson – Memory Folder (AN-NAHIT/Sony)
Jazz-Hop – Paris
Track: From Paris To Vienna
Info: Google AI
A delightful French take on hip-hop with jazz arrangements by trumpeter, composer, lyricist, and producer Roy Markson. Joined by his 8-piece ensemble, guest appearances include James The Prophet (rap), Olga Kiav & masuno (Lo-fi voc), Théo GOUDE, Mak the Shonen, and others.
Miles Okazaki – Boomtown (Pi Recordings)
Modern Jazz, Avant-Garde – New York
Track: Bighorn
Info: Google AI, Bandcamp, DownBeat
A guitarist with strong personality and a microtonal penchant, Miles Okazaki enlists a powerhouse band to intrigue our acoustic perception: Caroline Davis (as), Jon Irabagon (ts), Anna Webber (ts), Jacob Garchik (trb), Kalia Vandever (trb), Matt Mitchell (p), Chris Tordini (b), Hannah Marks (b), and Dan Weiss (dr).
Cécile McLorin Salvant, Metropole Orkest, Jules Buckley – With Every Breath I Take (Nonesuch)
Vocal Jazz, Orchestral – New York / Hilversum, NL
Tracks: Sophisticated Lady, Left Over
Info: Bandcamp, Nonesuch, NPR, AllMusic, JazzWise
Flanked by Darcy James Argue’s flawless arrangements with the Metropole Orkest under Jules Buckley, Cecile delivers an exceptionally sensitive performance, shaking up established norms with her trademark vocal theatricality.
Evan Parker, John Zorn – Those Landings (Tzadik)
Free Improvisation, Avant-Garde – London / New York
Track: Whispering
Info: Google AI
When these two iconic saxophonists—who defined the boundaries of free jazz and the sonic possibilities of the saxophone—meet for a historic recording, epitome of their Art, no further words are needed.
MORE NEW RELEASES
VOCALISTS
- Gilberto Gil – Tempo Rei, Vol. 1 (Ao Vivo)
- Gilberto Gil – Tempo Rei, Vol. 2 (Ao Vivo)
- Claudia Acuña – Ave de Luz: Chilean Jazz & Soul
- New York Voices – Sonho Meu: Live in Irvine (Live July 9, 2022)
- Kurt Elling – Sermonette EP
- Jacob Collier – In My Room (10 Year Anniversary Edition) [Fontana]
- Stella Cole – Live At Café Carlyle (Decca)
- Christian Wiggs – Oscar Meets Tony: Act One (Bandstand Presents)
Ft. Roxy Coss, Steven Feifke, Emmet Cohen, Mike Bono, ..
TRUMPETERS
- Ibrahim Maalouf – TRUMPETS OF MICHEL-ANGE VOL. 2
- Ralph Alessi – A Sun That Never Sets (ECM)
Ft. Joseph Alessi, Matt Mitchell, John Hébert, Ches Smith - Ambrose Akinmusire & Mary Halvorson – Slo-Mo Neon Luminate Hoverings (Nonesuch)
- Bria Skonberg – Indigo (Cellar Live)
- Øyvind Mathisen – Se Solen
SAXOPHONISTS, CLARINETISTS, FLUTISTS
- Lakecia Benjamin – We Dream (ArtWork)
Ft. Tarriona “Tank” Ball, Terence Blanchard, Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, Hiromi, Chris Potter, Bilal, Kassa Overall - Camila Nebbia & Chris Corsano – Six or Seven Ways Towards Becoming Undone (Relative Pitch)
- Barcelona Art Orchestra & Miguel Zenon – Expressions
- Jonathan Suazo – Ricano, Vol. 2 – Fruto de mi Corazón
- Seamus Blake – The Electrifying Seamus Blake – EH! (Cellar Live)
Ft. Sam Yahel, Tim Lefebvre, .. - Walt Weiskopf – What We Need Is Love (AMM)
- Mike DiRubbo – Way Out Northwest (Cellar Live)
- Nat Birchall Quartet – Live at Low Four Studio, Manchester
- James Brandon Lewis, Aruán Ortiz, Brad Jones, Chad Taylor – Omni
- Felice Clemente New Quartet – Le nuvole e il fulmine (Da Vinci Jazz)
- Marshall Allen – 101: An Audio Odyssey
Ft. Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Nels Cline, Immanuel Wilkins, ..
TROBONISTS, TUBISTS
- Kalia Vandever – Mana (International Anthem)
- Eli Howell – Steps Taken
Ft. Brian Lynch, Sharel Cassity, Xavier Davis, Rodney Whitaker, Ulysses Owens Jr., .. - Ben Patterson – Stretch (Origin)
- Maarten Combrink – Synergia
- Conrad Herwig – The Latin Side of Chick Corea (Savant)
Ft. Craig Handy, Alex Norris, Bill O’Connell, ..
GUITARISTS, Mandolinists , Oudists, sitarists
- Massimo Ferra, Peo Alfonsi – Passi difficili
- Cory Wong, Joshua Redman – On A Random Tuesday : Live At The Blue Note
- Alternative Guitar Summit – Honoring Pat Martino, Vol. 2 (High Note)
Ft. Rez Abbasi, Peter Bernstein, Paul Bollenback, Steve Cardenas, Joel Harrison Oz Noy, Chico Pinheiro, Adam Rogers, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Dave Stryker, .. - Tom Ollendorff – Solo Volume 2 (Fresh Sound)
- Mark Lettieri & Purbayan Chatterjee – Feathered Creatures
PIANISTS, KEYBOARDISTS
- Ran Blake – Voices (Tzadik)
- Nduduzo Makhathini – The Myth We Choose (Blue Note)
Ft. Shabaka, .. - Omar Sosa – We Are Not The Headliner
- Joey Alexander – Celestial Keeper (Mack Avenue)
Ft. Jallel Shaw, Jonathan Barber, .. - Ran Blake & Dominique Eade – Roots and Byways (Sunnyside)
- Kenny Barron, Ray Drummond, Ben Riley – So Many Lovely Things (Live in Brecon)
- Denny Zeitlin – Odyssey (Sunnyside)
Ft. Mel Graves , George Marsh - David Garfield – Miles100
Ft. Rick Braun, Eric Marienthal, Bennie Maupin, Wallace Roney, Larry Coryell, .. - Myra Melford & Satoko Fujii – かたらひ = Katarahi (RogueArt)
- Johnny O’Neal – Live at Smalls (Cellar Live)
BASSISTS
- Steve Swallow – Winter Songs (ECM)
Ft. Mike Rodriguez, Chris Cheek, Steve Cardenas, Gil Goldstein, Adam Nussbaum - Chuck Bergeron – Bass & Face – Duets with Ten Premier Vocalists (Summit)
- Augusto Mattoso – Colours
- John Clayton – Two-O-Duo (ArtistShare)
Ft. Gerald Clayton, René Marie - Hannah Marks – Feed the Fire (Entectomorph)
DRUMMERS, PERCUSSIONISTS
- Eric Harland – Vipassana II (Ropeadope)
Ft. Big Yuki, Keita Ogawa, Ben Wendel, Gilad Hekselman, Harish Raghavan - Stephen McCraven – Heritage
Ft. Sulaiman Hakim, Ricky Ford, .. - Ted Warren – drum stories
- Terri Lyne Carrington & Social Science – Trip the Night Fantastic (Candid)
Aaron Parks, Matthew Stevens, Morgan Guerin, Ledisi, Lizz Wright, Michael Mayo, Christie Dashiell, Tarriona “Tank” Ball, Moor Mother, Brandee Younger, Larry Goldings, Kassa Overall, .. - Cindy Blackman Santana – Coherence (Mack Avenue)
Ft. Santana, John McLaughlin, ..
VIBRAFONISTS
- Patricia Brennan & Sylvie Courvoisier – Talamanti
ACCORDEONISTS, HARMONICISTS, ..
HARPISTS
- Alex Chang – Abandon (Adhyâropa)
VIOLISTS, VIOLONISTS, CELLISTS
- Mat Maneri Quartet – Mist (Sunnyside)
Ft. Lucian Ban, .. - Atom String Quartet – Atom Goes Funky (Polish Jazz, Vol. 91) [Warner]
GROUPS
- Mick Goodrick, Fred Hersch – Feebles, Fables & Ferns (ECM)
- Your Brother’s Keeper & Gary Bartz – Where Rivers Meet (Brownswood)
- Jason Moran, Blankfor.ms, Marcus Gilmore – Shards
- Chris Cheek, Zach Radwine, Bob DeBoo – Dear Paul (Music by Paul Motian)
- Sam Barsh, Keyon Harrold, Mark Guiliana – Straight08 (La Reserve)
- Lo Greco Bros Quartet, Lo Greco Bros and Soulstance – Sounds From The North (Irma)
- Nicholas Payton & Butcher Brown – A Supreme Blue (Concord)
- Spyro Gyra – Live in Leverkusen 2022
- Microfiche – With Time (Earshift)
- Le Boeuf Brothers, Pascal Le Boeuf & Remy Le Boeuf – Off Center
Ft. Dayna Stephens, Linda May Han Oh, Christian Euman
BIG BANDS, ORCHESTRAS, ENSEMBLES
- Helen Sung Big Band – Oracles (Sunnyside)
Ft. Alex Norris, John Ellis, Vicente Archer, Adam Cruz, .. - Jacques Kuba Séguin, Orchestre national de jazz de Montréal, Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières – La trilogie des odeurs
- Bignami Veltri Jazz Ensemble – Non-Places
- Miggy Augmented Orchestra – Unbreakable Hope & Resilience
- Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band – 25 Years Of Phatness
- Tyler Sabbag – Novella (Cellar Live)
- INA Stars Orchestra – INA Denw (With Musicians from Jackson State University School of Music)
BEATS, DJs & PRODUCERS, GROOVES & MOODS, SOUNDTRACKS ..
- Laura Misch – Lithic
- Big Joanna – Big Joanna
- Moyses Dos Santos – Maria
- OdNu, The Omnibus Orchestra – No Jazz Singularity
- Andy Milne – True North (Original Motion Picture Score)
- Ornithology – Chet Baker Flipped
Ft. Braxton Cook, .. - Nils Petter Molvær – Be Quiet (Edition)
- DOMi & JD BECK – WHO ASKED? (Blue Note)
- Orquesta Akokán – América!
- Galliano – Acid Jazz Revenge
- Michele Papadia – Out Of Gravity
Feat. GREEK ARTISTS (Go to jazzlibrary.gr & keepjazzin.gr for more)
- Spyros Panagiotopoulos – Moonshine