The Wynton Kelly Trio - Kelly at Midnight - A jazz mainstay that I’d never actually listened to closely, this one’s notable because Philly Joe Jones is in the drum chair instead of Kelly’s usual drummer, Jimmy Cobb. PJJ sounds incredible on this album - his drums are miked so well, and his playing is so creative. What a record.

Björk - Homogenic and Post - I listened to these while working on the Strong Songs episode about Björk, but I’ve kept listening to them afterward. Both of these albums could have come out yesterday, and I sense that will never not be true.

Sonny Rollins - Saxophone Colossus - Sonny Rollins recently turned 90, and in honor of that, I re-learned my transcription of his solo from “St. Thomas.” MAN that guy could play.

Andrew Synowiec - Second Story - A barn-burner of an album from a guitarist I went to music school with. Andrew stood out even when we were in school together; he worked harder than just about anyone else, and always seemed to know where he was going. He’s now one of the most in-demand guitarists in LA, and, well, listen to the album.

Jonah Sithole and Deep Horizon - Zimbabwe Beat - My friend Andrew (different Andrew) hipped me to this album and while I’d listened to Sithole before, it’d been a while. This guy’s playing is so beautiful and effortless, I could listen to him forever.

Joni Mitchell - For the Roses - I somehow had never really listened to this album; like a lot of people, my Joni Mitchell album knowledge is dominated by Blue. But For the Roses is a hell of an album, just a bunch of great songs with some creative woodwind arrangements.

Anat Cohen & Trio Brasileiro - Alegria Da Casa - Holy hell, I am so into what Anat is doing on this record. I love her style of clarinet playing, and think her tone is just the bee’s knees. Go listen.

Paquito D’Rivera, Sérgio and Odair Assad - Dances from the New World - Thanks to that Anat Cohen album I went on a little Paquito kick. I got my clarinet fixed up recently and have been dusting off my chops; one day soon I’ll try to re-learn some of the Paquito parts I had gotten down back in the day.