Arooj Aftab: Night Reign review – all the heat and mystery of nocturnal life
Mercurial and moody soundscapes are infused with wistful romance in one of the Grammy-winning singer and composer’s most spirited records to date
Sean Khan: Sean Khan Presents the Modern Jazz and Folk Ensemble review – classics reinvigorated
A collective of genre-straddling talents give new life to songs by Nick Drake, John Martyn and Sandy Denny
Wadada Leo Smith and Amina Claudine Myers review – an elegiac homage to New York’s green lung
In their album Central Park’s Mosaics of Reservoir, Lake, Paths and Gardens the two musical soulmates impressionistically reflect on John Lennon, Albert Ayler and more
Grégoire Maret/Romain Collin: Ennio review – emotional, ecstatic Morricone homage
Harmonica star Maret and pianist/composer Collin pay homage to Ennio Morricone with drifting church-echo and trancelike sounds
Charlie Pyne Quartet: Nature Is a Mother review – soaring, effervescent jazz
A punchy set of originals from bassist/vocalist Charlie Pyne and her crew, celebrating the ups and downs of motherhood
Julie Abbé: Out of the Ashes review – a beautiful expression of the grieving process
The UK-based French folk singer embellishes her trad leanings with sultry blues and upbeat swing on a poignant and poetic second album
Ganavya: Like the Sky, I’ve Been Too Quiet review – ornate Tamil vocals, flutes and Floating Points
The latest album in an exciting wave of experimental north Indian classical music enlists Shabaka Hutchings and Leafcutter John in its downtempo quietude
Charles Lloyd: The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow review – sax legend shows no sign of slowing down
The octogenarian joyfully whispers and warbles his way through sublime tone poems, impassioned tributes and traditional spirituals with an all-star band
Amaro Freitas: Y’Y review – transcendent sounds inspired by the Amazon
The Brazilian jazz experimentalist draws on the atmosphere of the rainforest and its mythical beings to create his most explosive, explorative LP yet
Vijay Iyer/Linda May Han Oh/Tyshawn Sorey: Compassion review – a trio of rare intuition
Improvising around Iyer compositions and numbers by Stevie Wonder, Roscoe Mitchell and more, these musicians foreground openness and receptivity
Laufey review – charming retro romance from a deserved Grammy winner
The Icelandic Chinese singer blends jazz into pop with ease, and her honeyed contralto has found a home in gen Z hearts
Sam Gendel and Fabiano do Nascimento: The Room review – a tender, complex modern classic
The shapeshifting LA-based saxophonist and Brazilian guitarist’s LP is a bossa-tinged celebration of their instruments
Mary Halvorson: Cloudward review – compositions fuse with improv to wondrous ends
(Nonesuch)The Brooklyn jazz guitarist’s seamless, beautifully interwoven tracks are full of welcome surprises
Keyon Harrold: Foreverland review – genre-defying post-bop
Dazzling instrumentals are supplemented by guest vocals from Laura Mvula, Common and more on the US trumpeter’s classy third album
Music: Kitty Empire’s 10 best albums of 2023
It was a year of avant-rap, sex-positive R&B, polyrhythmic jazz and hyper-punk pop – plus Lana Del Rey’s glossy meditations on death and loss