Presenting the best picks of vinyls releases of the past month - both new releases and timeless classics!
Ascension, released in 1966 on Impulse! Records, stands as one of John Coltrane’s most radical and influential works. Subtitled “Edition I & II” to reflect the two complete takes recorded at the session—and presented together on LP for the first time—the piece is a nearly 40-minute large-ensemble performance marking Coltrane’s decisive embrace of the avant-garde. Recorded on June 28, 1965, at Rudy Van Gelder’s Englewood Cliffs studio and produced by Bob Thiele, the session assembled an expanded ensemble of eleven musicians.
Available Format: 2 Vinyl Records
“A subtle tour de force” are the words with which Billboard met guitarist Bill Connors’s Of Mist And Melting upon the album’s release in 1978; and revisiting this music decades later only confirms that special spirits were indeed at work when the Manfred Eicher-produced session with Jan Garbarek, Gary Peacock, Jack DeJohnette and Connors unfolded at Oslo’s Talent Studio in December 1977.
Available Format: Vinyl Record
The “Paramount” in Joe Lovano’s new quartet can be interpreted as a statement of intent. “I feel like at this point I’m on the rise, ” Joe says, seemingly unaware of the decades of experience and several dozens of leader-recordings under his belt. “We've arrived at this unique place with this quartet – It’s very special. It's a new thing. And those cats, they play with a real global awareness. ”
Available Format: Vinyl Record
Avishai Cohen returns with Eternal Child, honouring the legacy of Chick Corea. Featuring Itay Simhovich (piano), Eviatar Slivnik (drums) and special guest Jeff Ballard, the album bridges generations through bold compositions. From intimate lyricism to explosive rhythmic precision. Avishai Cohen delivers a masterclass in modern jazz that is both timeless and transformative.
Available Format: Vinyl Record
In 1990 the internationally renowned NDR radio orchestra (now the NDR Radiophilharmonie) invited the peerless singer and lyricist Norma Winstone MBE to collaborate on a broadcast session She immediately turned to pianist and arranger Steve Gray and working with the superb radio band they created together an unforgettable, beautiful suite of songs including classic repertoire and modern gems featuring Norma's own lyrics. Released for the very first time on limited edition vinyl, CD and digital this is a rare opportunity to hear one of our greatest jazz singers backed by a full orchestra.
Available Format: Vinyl Record
Recorded in 1965, Components makes a strong case for being one of the finest albums that vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson cut for Blue Note over his lengthy association with the label. For the date, Hutcherson assembled a truly remarkable sextet featuring Freddie Hubbardon trumpet, James Spaulding on alto saxophone and flute, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Joe Chambers on drums. The fascinating album captured two sides of Hutcherson’s musical personality with Side A presenting post-bop gems by Hutcherson including the sublime “Little B’s Poem” and the gorgeous ballad “Tranquility,” while Side B explored Chambers’ more avant-garde compositions.
Available Format: Vinyl Record
Slo-Mo Neon Luminate Hoverings, the new album by trumpeter / composer Ambrose Akinmusire and guitarist / composer Mary Halvorson, features four new compositions by each musician as well as one collaboration. The duo, long admirers of each other’s musicianship, met at Halvorson’s Brooklyn apartment and began playing together periodically, going back as far as 2009. They rehearsed the music on Slo-Mo Neon Luminate Hoverings in January 2025, just before performing it at the New York City club The Stone; they recorded this album the next day at Sear Sound.
Available Format: Vinyl Record
Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley was still establishing his unique identity on his early Blue Note sides including the 1957 sextet album Hank Mobley (BLP 1568) featuring saxophonist Curtis Porter, trumpeter Bill Hardman, pianist Sonny Clark, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Art Taylor. The set swings mightily while showcasing Mobley’s lyrical flow throughout. This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is mono, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl.
Available Format: Vinyl Record
A powerful wind blew through The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, California on July 29, 1962 as saxophonist Curtis Amybrought a stacked sextet into the legendary venue to record his live album Tippin’ On Through for Pacific Jazz. The brawny Texas tenor had already recorded his hard-charging date Groovin’ Blue and would make his masterpiece Katanga! the following year. Here he surrounds himself with a dynamic unit featuring Roy Brewster on trombone, Roy Ayers on vibraphone, John Houston on piano, Bob Whitlock on bass, and Lawrence Marable on drums for a swinging six-song set including three of his own originals plus tunes by Benny Golson, Dave Brubeck, and George Gershwin.
Available Formats: Vinyl Record, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
