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Mississippi Goddamn: A Celebration of Nina Simone review – singers capture star’s emotional spirit

Corinne Bailey Rae’s vamping and Laura Mvula’s whispering pain steal the show as five vocalists deliver their own interpretations

Sam Amidon: Salt River review – an eclectic if erratic affair

The US musician leads an accomplished yet slightly bland living room session spanning traditional numbers and songs by Lou Reed, Yoko Ono and more

Jacob Collier/Chris Thile/Britten Sinfonia review – Bach to Beatles and mass harmonies as virtuosic pair delight

An enjoyably varied programme took in Piazzolla, Samuel Barber and Queen with Suzie Collier conducting the Britten Sinfonia, but the musical fireworks were all courtesy of her son Jacob and mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile

Jakob Bro: Taking Turns review – lost masterpiece from great Dane’s understated jazz supergroup

Played by world-class personnel including Bill Frisell and the late, great alto saxophonist Lee Konitz, this 2014 set is full of subtle, spontaneous ideas

Music: Kitty Empire’s 10 best albums of 2024

Americana’s classiest duo weather the storm, Kendrick Lamar has the last word, UK jazz soars – and Charli xcx unleashes the power of Brat

Sun Ra Arkestra: Lights on a Satellite review – fitting tribute to a century of jazz

As saxophonist and band leader Marshall Allen turns 100, his evergreen outfit effortlessly draw on their rich history, as classics meet the cosmic

Laurie Anderson: Ark: United States V review – a long and winding bid to make sense of America

Contemplating a world of catastrophe and collapse, the veteran artist’s new three-hour show, though much too long and diffuse, has moments of poignancy – and joy

Lars Danielsson/ Verneri Pohjola/ John Parricelli: Trio review – wine chateau sessions mingle mature sensibilities

Bassist Danielsson, guitarist Parricelli and trumpeter Pohjola combine folksy melodies, Latin grooves and free-roaming improv on this lustrous album

Michael Mayo: Fly review – a bravura fusion of original work and jazz standards

The US singer-composer’s self-produced follow-up to Bones shifts from soul to a lighter, happier jazz sound

Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Paul Motian: The Old Country review – a delightful return to a cherished jazz venue

Full of blistering bebop and entrancing swing, this 1992 recording showcases the pianist’s love of the Deer Head Inn, the clapboard 1840s hotel where he cut his teeth

Ashley Henry: Who We Are review – upbeat innovation from a pianist with talent to burn

The London-born musician laces his jazz with a heady blend of soul and hip-hop on this fierce but joyous second album

Anna Butterss: Mighty Vertebrate review – jazz meets post-rock on shape-shifting delight

With guests including Tortoise’s Jeff Parker, the LA bassist’s second solo album is cerebral, groovy and beyond categorisation

Ezra Collective: Dance, No One’s Watching review – new moves with an emotive edge

The Mercury-winning quintet bring high energy to Afrobeat, Latin and soulful grooves – yet it is in the quieter moments that a fresh musicality emerges

Alice Zawadzki/Fred Thomas/Misha Mullov-Abbado: Za Górami review – beautiful music and absorbing stories

Seven years after a supposed one-off gig, the jazz-immersed trio release their debut album full of uniquely conveyed songs drawing from European, Latin and Sephardic Jewish sources

Lady Gaga: Harlequin review – Joker companion album does jazz standards with a gaudy grin

The pop superstar sounds fully in her element in these immaculately covered classics, but the whiff of big band week on The X Factor is hard to shift

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  • Sarah Connolly/Joseph Middleton: The World Feels Dusty album review – powerful narrations spanning Ella Fitzgerald to Emily Dickinson
  • Tosca review – punchy new Puccini rises above the ‘Shame on you’ Russian soprano protests
  • Cerys Hafana: Angel review – tracing the life cycle with the Welsh triple harp
  • Mark William Lewis: Mark William Lewis review – A24’s first musical signing’s cinematic south London scenes
  • Ed Sheeran: Play review – subcontinental sounds and shards of darkness – but still unmistakably him
  • The Kanneh-Masons: River of Music album review – a fond familial affair
  • Belinda Carlisle review – gleeful veteran lassoes devoted audience with ageless hits
  • Vienna Philharmonic/ Welser-Möst review – mighty ensemble strike gold with Bruckner
  • Justin Bieber: Swag II review – more filler with an occasional pop killer
  • Jade: That’s Showbiz Baby! review – former Little Mix star thrives in chaos on an idiosyncratic debut
  • Chineke! Orchestra/Heyward review – kaleidoscopic concert combines energy and complexity
  • Lewis Capaldi review – an emotional return to the spotlight for pop’s most heart-on-sleeve star
  • Patrick Wolf review – a moon-lit marvel lights up the Minack theatre
  • Suede: Antidepressants review – edgy post-punk proves reunited Britpoppers remain on the up
  • L’heure espagnole/The Bear review – Scottish opera pairs Ravel with Walton in pacy pantomimic staging
  • Sacred Lodge: Ambam review – heady, hypnotic beats inspired by the hollers of Equatorial Guinea
  • Big Thief: Double Infinity review – folk-rock perfection will restore your faith in humanity
  • Nielsen: Clarinet Concerto; Helios; Symphony No 5 album review – suavity and elegance from Gardner’s Bergen Phil
  • Mozart: Six String Quintets album review – deep understanding of these under-appreciated works
  • David Byrne: Who Is the Sky? review – great songs, if you can withstand the wacky jokes and miaowing
  • BBCSO/Adès review – Adès held the orchestra as if under a spell
  • Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District review – semi-staged Shostakovich is vivid and claustrophobic
  • End of the Road review – from industrial rackets to pristine folk, festivals don’t get more varied or vital
  • Norwegian Chamber Orch/ Kuusisto/Barruk review – Proms first as Ume Sámi songs take centre stage
  • Gorillaz review – after 25 years, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s cartoon band are still riveting and relevant
  • Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/ Martín review – soloist and players gather strength after protesters disrupt Prom
  • AG Cook review – the hyperpop auteur delivers a thrilling Brooklyn show
  • Addison Rae review – pop’s newest A-lister has the stagecraft of a veteran
  • Sabrina Carpenter: Man’s Best Friend review – smut and stunning craft from pop’s best in show
  • Cmat: Euro-Country review – deeply relatable, gloriously catchy Celtic pop from a true one-off

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