44th Move: Anthem review – veers admirably from the beaten path
Pianist and producer Alfa Mist’s latest project, with drummer Richard Spaven, showcases two musicians at the top of their game
Michael Wollny Trio: Living Ghosts review – exceptional free-improv seance, with added Nick Cave
(ACT)With bassist Tim Lefebvre and drummer Eric Schaefer, the German pianist’s unpredictable live album nimbly traverses the genre’s history
Alabaster DePlume: A Blade Because a Blade Is Whole review – stunning sax melodies to silence the cynics
While some listeners might baulk at the earnest spoken-word incantations, you can’t argue with DePlume’s outstanding melodies, played with tremulous vibrato
Yazz Ahmed: A Paradise in the Hold review – British Bahraini trumpeter’s fiery blend of instinct and improv
Her fourth album sees Ahmed collaborate with singers including Natacha Atlas to play jazz-influenced songs best when they are fast and free
Moses Yoofee Trio: MYT review – brilliantly explosive jazz
The Berlin-based threesome’s groove-heavy debut is all too short
Xhosa Cole: On a Modern Genius (Vol 1) review – young sax master unleashes his trunk of Monk
The Birmingham-born jazz star pays tribute to a master of modern music, with tap-dance rhythms and Heidi Vogel’s vocals adding pep to proceedings
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