Mondo Jazz

Going through hundreds of new jazz albums is a trying job. But somebody’s got do it. And we do it so you don’t have to. So please sit back, relax and enjoy some the most delicious bites of the gargantuan meal that artists and labels have been cooking out... The playlist features Laura Jurd; Quentin Ghomari; Jon Irabagon [pictured]; Miguel Zenón; Gustavo Cortiñas; Spanish Harlem Orchestra; Seamus Blake; Emanuele Filippi Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16314803/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Points of a Star"). And a musical bon appétit!

The life affirming power of the human voice, from the modern spirituality of Jimetta Rose & Voices of Creation to the irreverence crazy eclecticism of André Minvielle [pictured], or the haunting elegance of Piers Faccini with Simone Prattico, opens a wide ranging set which is then closed with another tribute to Frank Kimbrough. The playlist also features Babx, Thomas De Pourqueray; Papanosh; Basher; Or Bareket; The Supreme Court; Curtis Fowlkes; Billy Drummond; Micah Thomas. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16303620/Mondo-Jazz (from "Spirits Up Above" onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Caroline Pottier

We are back with another set-list chockful of exciting new and upcoming albums, from the cinematic atmospheres of the James Taylor Quartet and the mysterious Louis Fontane, to the explorations of Sam Gendel or Hailey Naiswanger's and Mia Garcia's OHMA; from the physchedelic journeys of Wax Machine and Kalaha, to the sounds of London's Total Refreshment Center courtesy of the Neue Grafik Ensemble and Chelsea Carmichael. The playlist also features Michael Benedikt; Hilal Kaya, Aarhus Jazz Orchestra; Marquis Hill; Makaya McCraven; Takuya Kuroda; Jeremy Cunningham, Dustin Laurenzi, Paul Bryan. The detailed playlist is available at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16303620/Mondo-Jazz (up to "New Dust"). Happy listening!

A few of the many accents through which today’s Lingua Franca, jazz, is spoken around the world. The playlist features Snarky Puppy; SNACKTIME; Black Jesus Experience; James Brandon Lewis feat. The Messthetics; Julia Hülsmann; Frank Kimbrough; Kansas Smitty’s; Jonathan Pinson. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16263414/Mondo-Jazz (from "Bet" onwards). Happy listening!

This week we feature some great examples of how tradition continues to fuel modern jazz projects, and the many ways in which jazz incorporates elements from other musical traditions (from Korea to Spain) and genres (from the blues to rave music). The playlist features Bobby Previte, Charlie Hunter; Bobby Previte; J.D. Allen; Angles; Koma Saxo, Sofia Jernberg; Roxana Amed; The Comet Is Coming; Baum Sae; Potsa Lotsa Xl, Youjin Sung; James Taylor; Charles Lloyd. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16263414/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Dorotea's Studio"). Happy listening! Photo credit: Michael DiDonna.

You know how scientists say that, statistically, every person has roughly six look-alikes around the world? Well the same seems to be true in the music world, where one can find quite a few songs that appear to be sound-alikes of other compositions we’re familiar with… This does not have to be necessarily the result of plagiarism but can often be the outcome of the fact that certain melodies can enter a musician’s brain and come back out later in their own compositions, almost involuntarily, completely metabolized. The playlist features Rickie Lee Jones, Joe Henderson, Robben Ford; Enrico Rava; Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden; Dean Martin; Steely Dan; Keith Jarrett; Bruce Hornsby; Bob James; CeeLo Green; Peggy Lee; Tony Coe. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16238325/Mondo-Jazz (from "Dat Dere" onwards). Happy listening!

Music geekery is at the heart of this week's edition. Over the years, time and time again I have come across songs that left me thinking… "Wait… there’s a melody in this chorus or this solo that really reminds me of another song… but I can’t quite put my finger on it…" And every time I’d play that song the same question would pop in my head at that same chorus or solo! I’m sure you’re all familiar with that feeling. Here's a playlist featuring pairs of songs, usually a jazz and pop or rock song, which, to my delight, I was able to connect because of what seem to be short and random similarities… at least to my ears! The playlist features Jovanotti; Sarah Tandy; The Rolling Stones; Kevin Eubanks, Orrin Evans; Duke Ellington; Paolo Conte; Charles Mingus; Sting; Dionne Warwick; Lee Ritenour. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16238325/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Isn't She Lovely"). Happy listening!

A mystery project bearing the DNA of the late Hal Willner and Sun Ra, a project inspired by the poetry of that same Herman Poole Blount, tributes to Carla Bley and Lars Gullin, saxophonists on the rise, and a teenage sensation. The playlist features Meditations on Crime, King Khan, Sun Ra Arkestra; Miles Okazaki; Kurt Elling; Owl Trio; Steve Cardenas, Ben Allison, Ted Nash; Jeanne Michard; Chet Doxas; Randal Despommier, Ben Monder; Maggie Jean Martin. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16213009/Mondo-Jazz (from "We the People of the Myths" onward). Happy listening!

It’s been another hot sweaty week… and so we decided to open today’s edition with some hot sweaty genre-defying music courtesy of Moon Hooch, Too Many Zooz and Meute, then we keep the simmer pretty steady, deep and beautiful. The playlist features Moon Zooz; Too Many Zooz; MEUTE; Gunther Sommer, Lucaciu 3; Claire Michael; Sam Reider; Vadim Neselovskyi; Gard Nilssen; Elsa Nilsson; Sachal Vasandani, Romain Collin. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16213009/Mondo-Jazz (up to "No More Tears"). Happy listening!

From Africa to Brooklyn, and a few stops in between, a playlist replete with a diverse range of new and upcoming albums. The playlist features Kamil Piotrowicz; Sasha Berliner; Omri Ziegele; Camilla George; Tumi Mogorosi feat. Andile Yenana; Stan Killian; Theon Cross, Emre Ramazanoglu; Fussyduck; Subconscious Trio; Carmen Staaf, Allison Miller; Bennie Maupin, Adam Rudolph; Kirk Knuffke; John Yao. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16185792/Mondo-Jazz (from "TFE" onward). Happy listening!

Last week we took a look back at some of our favorite songs that were released in the first six months of the year. This week we’re back to our uncontrollably growing pile of beautiful new and upcoming albums. The playlist features Fred Pallem; OJKOS; Makaya McCraven; JoVia Armstrong; Moor Mother, Orion Sun, Jason Moran; Pablo Ablanedo; Shabaka; Francesco Bigoni, Mark Solborg, Emanuele Maniscalco; Philippe Côté, Marc Copland. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16185792/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Circadia"). Happy listening!

Here are some of the tunes that we have loved the most during these first six months of the year. Surely there are tens more of equal value, but this is not a scientific exercise… Rather–since jazz is all about living in the moment–we made our selections based on the strong, and lasting, impression that those tunes elicited when we first listened to them. The playlist features David Krakauer; Kahil El'Zabar; Steven Bernstein; Benjamin Koppel; David Virelles, Julio Barreto; Laufey, Dodie; Pipe Dream; Byard Lancaster; Heroes Are Gang Leaders; Joona Toivanen. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16162274/Mondo-Jazz (from "North Country Square Dance" onward). Happy listening!

Since 2022 has been barreling down at breakneck speed… it’s July already, which is actually the perfect moment to take stock of what the first half of the year had to offer to jazz fans. Please enjoy some of the tunes that have brought us most delight during the first six months of the year! The playlist features Pernille Bévort; Michael Leonhart; Daniel Villarreal; Benny Bock; Louis Matute; Jun Miyake; Anthony Fung; Bill O'Connell; Johannes Wallmann; and I AM (feat. Isaiah Collier & Michael Shekwoaga Ode).Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16162274/Mondo-Jazz (up to "The Vessel Speaks"). Happy listening! Photo credit: Carolina Sanchez

It’s just early July and there’s no denying that we’re already feeling the effects of climate change, with unusually high temperatures and extreme events like floods or severe thuderstorms. When it comes to music, however the downpour of new releases is a very welcome development… especially when they sound so delicious! The playlist features Mamud Band; Amanda Whiting; Marco Mezquida; David Virelles, Julio Barreto; Lisbeth Quartett; Trish Clowes; Will Bernard; Ches Smith. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16104145/Mondo-Jazz (from "Equalization" onwards). Happy listening!

Oscillating between the funky good times of yesterday (Oneness of Juju; Milt Ward) and today's grooves (Snacktime, Kneebody, Ray Anderson's Pocket Brass Band) this week's playlist confirms that good music is timeless, and quirky to boot (Amanda Ekery, Esthesis Quartet). Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16104145/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Yo Cats"). Happy listening!

This week we focus on new and upcoming albums featuring emerging guitarists like Reinier Baas and Gilad Hekselman, electro-acoustic projects and more... The playlist also features Johannes Wallmann; Bill O'Connell; Roxy Coss; Deadeye; Eric Harland; Antoine Berjeaut; Freakson; Mark Turner, Jason Palmer, Joe Martin, Jonathan Pinson. The detailed playlist is at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16060706/Mondo-Jazz (from "Precarious Towers" onward). Happy listening!

An Hammond B-3onanza! Ronnie Foster is back, with a reissue of "Two-Headed Freap" and the first new album in almost four decades, "Reboot", and so is the Gentle Giant of Danish jazz drummer-turned-Hammond player Kresten Osgood. A compare and contrast between Gerald Clayton and Melissa Stylianou, Gene Bartoncini and Ike Sturm, as well the new gems by Ghost Horse and Liquid Saloon complete a playlist that is all killer, no filler! The detailed playlist is at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16060706/Mondo-Jazz (up to "London Pride"). Happy listening!

Bookended between the many sides of Larry Goldings [pictured] and Ingrid Laubrock the playlist features two new releases by drummer Zeno De Rossi, the sophomore release of Zoh Amba and the compelling new albums by Espen Berg and Jacob Garchik. The playlist features also John Scofield; Peter Bernstein; Bill Stewart; Pipe Dream; Andy Milne; Brandon López; and Tom Rainey. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16035786/Mondo-Jazz (from "The Shiner" onwards). Happy Listening!

Amazing debut albums by Daniel Villarreal and Anna Butterss [pictured], reissues or unearthed gems from masters of the past like Sun Ra or Byard Lancaster, homages to Pharaoh Sanders, the fascinating sonic explorations of JOYFULTALK and Flock are just some of our favorite things... and that's why we feature them in this week's show. We hope you like them too! The playlist also features Rosa Brunello; Salah Ragab; Mark de Clive Lowe; and Boris Kozlov. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/16035786/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Second Line Sally"). Happy listening!

Piano trios that show that, in the right hand, this formula has still a lot to say, musicians that walk down the trail blazed by Carla Bley and Paul Bley, chamber jazz and much more in this set. The playlist features Olga Reznichenko; Joona Toivanen; Louis Sclavis; Billy Drummond; Florian Arbenz, Tineke Postma, Joao Barradas; Lucian Ban; Álvaro Torres; Adam Larson; Chase Elodia. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15983642/Mondo-Jazz (From "Restless Stone Stops Motion" onward). Happy listening!

David Binney's everywhere! Or so it seems judging by the amount of recent and upcoming release he's on. We sample three this week, together with the new concept album by Samora Pinderhughes and a few examples of how music and social commentary can bring about awesome albums, in a playlist that is at the East-Coast West-Coast junction. And, by the way, this week we celebrate episode 200! Thanks for your listening and support. The playlist features also Anthony Fung; Dan Schnelle; Randal Fisher; AHL6; Heroes Are Gang Leaders; The Gathering; Bouvier. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15983642/Mondo-Jazz (Up to "Holla!"). Happy listening!

Here's a set dedicated to the proposition that when you leave it to jazz musicians, cultural differences bring people together, not apart, as you'll be able to appreciate with projects that mix the cultural traditions, or the music-making understandings, to generate a certain "folklore without borders". The playlist features Louis Matute; Tony Mora; Diego Rivera; Manel Fortia [pictured]; Hans Lüdemann TransEuropeExpress Ensemble, Majid Bekkas; Marco Cappelli; Charming Hostess; Jon Balke Siwan; and José Lencastre. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15949821/Mondo-Jazz (from "Renaissance" onwards). Happy listening!

This week we'll be test driving some of the most happening jazz rides we’ve found in our favorite dealerships, from the return of Flora Purim [pictured], to Steven Bernstein's heartfelt tribute to the late Henry Butler, and a special focus on pianists, like Yelena Eckemoff, Enrico Pieranunzi, Lynne Arriale and John Taylor. The playlist features also Chance Hayden; Josiel Konrad; Whatitdo Archive Group. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15949821/Mondo-Jazz (up to "500 Miles High"). Happy listening!

The spotlight on emerging trombonist Kalia Vandever [pictured], Binker Golding midwestern fantasies, a version of "Bitches Brew" (the song) from before "Bitches Brew" (the album), and much more in this set. The playlist also features Ghost Funk Orchestra, Ben Pirani; Dr. John; Binker Golding; Alex Sipiagin; Joel Ross; Makiko Hirabayashi; Myra Melford; Miles Davis Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15927214/Mondo-Jazz (from "Can't Get Out Your Own Way" onwards) Happy listening! Photo credit: Chris Longyne

In this episode Guadelupe meets Nigeria; Japan & Italy meet Brazil; Germany meets South Korea; and many more transnational encounters from the Global Jazz Village. The playlist features Magic Malik; Michael Blake; Kansas Smitty's; David Murray, Brad Jones, Hamid Drake; Jun Miyake; Potsa Lotsa Xl, Youjin Sung; Yu Nishiyama; Tommaso Moretti, Ben Lamar Gay; Chiara Izzi, Andrea Rea. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15927214/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Samba in Preludio") Happy listening!

In this segment we feature several projects of the restless Swedish bassist Petter Eldh, solo projects by guitar masters and a young piano virtuoso, interesting meeting points for forward looking jazz and strings, & more. The playlist features Koma Saxo, Sofja Jernberg; Kit Downes, Petter Eldh, James Maddren; Punkt.Vrt.Plastik; John Scofield; Biréli Lagrène; Elias Stemseder; Dave Meder, Miguel Zenon; Caroline Davis; Mary Halvorson, Mivos Quartet; Henry Cole; Red Kite. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15900727/Mondo-Jazz (from "Lo Ve Ko Ma" onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Andrea Rotili

Modern piano rooted in the tradition, timeless playful tongue-in cheek elegance, and two tributes to the great Herbie Nichols in this set. The playlist features Mathis Picard, Savannah Harris; Deanna Witkowski; Isaiah J. Thompson; Cécile McLorin Salvant; Aki Takase, Daniel Erdmann; Dandy Dandie; Anna Webber; Ben Allison; Duck Baker, Roswell Rudd. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15900727/Mondo-Jazz (up to "The Happenings"). Happy listening!

The Mingus centennial, of course. But first and foremost a celebration of living musicians while they're alive-and-kicking and engaged in their latest projects. The playlist also features Rémi Panossian; Billy Bang; Brian Jackson; Harvest Group; Rosa Brunello; Erik Friedlander; Billy Mohler; and Harry Skoler. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15869423/Mondo-Jazz (from "BBQ" onward). Happy listening!

Music from garages, cyberspace and outer space, tributes and collaborations, and all around good energy in this set... The playlist features Wolcott Curran Collective; Kahil El'Zabar; Kyoto Jazz Sextet, Takeo Moriyama; Kevin Eubanks, Orrin Evans; Peter Somuah; C'mon Tigre, Colin Stetson; Francesca Remigi; Agnas Bros; Fabian Willmann. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15869423/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Last Song"). Happy listening! Photo Credit: Sandro Miller

In the second part of this week's exploration of jazz inspired by classical music, we focus on projects in tribute to the works of three composers that have influenced scores of jazz musicians, Maurice Ravel, Frédéric Chopin and Claude Debussy. The playlist features Frank Woeste, Ryan Keberle, Vincent Courtois, Jeff Ballard; René Marie; Nikolaj Hess; Camille Bertault; Jason Moran; Oscar Peterson; Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jean-Paul Brodbeck; Kamasi Washington. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/15810763 (from "Ostinato (Prelude)" onwards). Happy listening!

Spurred by a number of recent albums, this week's edition of Mondo Jazz focuses on projects that blur the arbitrary distinction between jazz music and classical music. This segment's playlist features inspired and open interpretations of works by Igor Stravinsky, Erik Satie, Henry Purcell as well as recent jazz compositions that are rooted in the classical canon. The playlist features Stefan Pasborg; Jim McNeely, Frankfurt Radio Big Band, Chris Potter; Dairo Miyamoto; Anais Drago; Guy Klucevsek, Phillip Johnston; Pierrejean Gaucher; Dave Douglas; Vincent Peirani; Anders Koppel, Benjamin Koppel, Scott Colley, Brian Blade, Odense Symphony Orchestra; Frank Zappa. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/m/playlist/view/15810763 (up to "King Kong / Igor's Boogie"). Photo credit: Stephen Freiheit. Happy listening!

Welcome to the second half of our weekly perusal of new and upcoming albums. In this segment, a special focus on pianists and emerging European artists. The playlist features Emma Rawicz; Mário Laginha; Iiro Rantala; Jean-Marc Foltz, Stephan Oliva; Gerald Clayton, Charles Lloyd; Stefanie Kunckler; Clément Janinet; Vincent Courtois, Bill Carrothers. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15700835/Mondo-Jazz (from "Voodoo" onward). Happy listening!

Welcome back to our weekly tasting menu of the best new jazz delicacies the international scene has to offer. This week a special focus on two releases that draw attention to historic developments with stellar rosters of contributing artists, "Music for Ukraine" and "Black Lives - from Generation to Generation", and on the brand new album by the Michael Leonhart Orchestra. The playlist features Michael Leonhart; Yul, Stephanie McKay; Immanuel Wilkins, Marvin Sewell; Designers; Alexander Hawkins; Kit Downes, Petter Eldh, James Maddren; Ryan Keberle, Frank Woeste, Vincent Courtois; Luca Weege; Timo Lassy. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15700835/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Better Together"). Happy listening!

Somi's tribute to Miriam Makeba and a previously unreleased wild live recording by Hermeto Pascoal [pictured] bookend an episode replete with beautiful new albums, with a special focus on Latin America, Caribbean and European artists. The playlist also features Omar Sosa, Seckou Keita; Yilian Cañizares, Michael League; Leo Genovese; Tome Iliev; Julieta Eugenio; Melissa Aldana; Olivia Trummer; Lou Tavano. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15644513/Mondo-Jazz (from "House of the Rising Sun" onward). Happy listening!

The beautiful debut album of an emerging artist like Zoh Amba [pictured], previously unreleased tracks from the legendary Village Vanguard concerts by Geri Allen, Charlie Haden, Paul Motian, the edgy new project by Vincent Peirani and the guitar saxophone interactions of Walter Smith III & Matthew Stevens, Dave Gisler & David Murray, and Tony Malaby & Ben Monder are just some of our favorite things of this month. We hope you enjoy them too. The playlist features also Kinan Azmeh; David Krakauer; Hugo Carvalhais; Lara Rosseel; Chris Dingman. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15644513/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Light Your Way"). Happy listening! Photo credit: Peter Gannushkin

Celebrated for his distinctive voice on trumpet and cornet, elegant and timeless, Ron Miles was equally at ease with classical music, jazz tradition as well as with more out there experimentations. Here we feature a wide range of projects he lead, co-lead or guested on. The playlist features also DJ Logic; Ginger Baker; Max Bessesen; Wayne Horvitz; Ben Goldberg; Matt Wilson; Joe Henry; Kate McGarry; Myriam Alter; Harriet Tubman. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/dj/80823/Leonardo-Granvassu (from "Ron's House" onwards). Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)

Ron Miles was a jazz hypnotist who would lure his listeners into his music world, taking them to another dimension and gently dropping them back on earth at the end of his concerts, or albums, leaving them wondering… ‘what did just happen…? And how did I get here’? A few days back he passed away at 58, something that for most came as completely unexpected and very hard to make sense of. So this week we do the only thing that may help process this event, take a look back at decades of music that he wrote and played, either as leader or sideman but always as a custodian of beauty. The playlist also features Jason Moran, Bill Frisell, Brian Blade, Joshua Redman, Jenny Scheinman, Ben Goldberg, and Myra Melford. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/dj/80823/Leonardo-Granvassu (up to "Promised Land"). Photo credit: Luciano Rossetti (Phocus Agency)

Welcome on board, fasten your seat belts as you're about to take off for a rewarding journey around the jazz world which will take you to Senegal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, France, Austria, Switzerland, Norway and the UK, from the mesmerizing sounds of Alune Wade to the post-Bitches-Brew-stew of Ayumi Ishito and a lot more in-between. The playlist features Alune Wade; Heiri Känzig; Nicolas Folmer; Shake Stew; Sylvain Rifflet; John Hadfield; Jonathan Blake; Ayumi Ishito; Smith Komma John; Mark Lockheart; Aufmessers Schneide. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15514461/Mondo-Jazz (from "Saba's Journey"). Happy listening!

May the fun be with you, and the Funk of the Ezra Collective, the Speaking Tango of Minino Garay, the Strata records vault-digging of Jazzanova and much more! The playlist features Ezra Collective; Jazzanova; Minino Garay; Janko Nilovic, The Soul Surfers; Fred Pallem; Helge Lien Trio; Hegge; Darren Johnston; Aske Jacoby. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15514461/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Impromptu #1"). Happy listening! Photo Credit: Julie Caine

This time we’ll let music do all the talking because it’s hard to find words that can channel what’s going on. If anything it’s in times like this that we are reminded about the power of music. If anything it’s in times like these that we are reminded about the power of music. And jazz, in particular, has a long history of being inspired by challenging events and human struggles, distilling beauty out of the harshest circumstances. The playlist features Bill Evans; Dave Douglas; Charles Lloyd; Shai Maestro; Marianne Faithfull, Chris Spedding; Ivano Fossati; Hypnotic Brass Ensemble; Tino Tracanna, Giovanni Falzone, Paolino Dalla Porta, Vittorio Marinoni; Don Cherry; Duck Baker; Ernst Reijseger; Misha Alperin, Arkady Shilkloper, Anja Lechner. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15450990/Mondo-Jazz (from "Peace Piece" onwards). Photo credit: Brian McMillen

Today it felt quite inappropriate to be upbeat and excited about all the beautiful new albums that keep coming out. After an aggressive virus has brought the world to a near halt for almost two years, we are now facing another life-threatening turn of events, this time entirely man-made. The playlist features music inspired by the eternal struggle between war and peace, from Charles Mingus’ fear of the atomic Bomb--by way of Alexis Korner--to John Coltrane’s sonic prayer for peace on earth during the tour that took him where that bomb had been dropped, Nagasaki. The playlist features Sade; Conjure; Alexis Korner; Geri Allen; Emile Parisien; Grant Green; John Coltrane. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15450990/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Peace on Earth").

Great new albums by adventurous saxophonists, and two extended live ECM recordings that take us places. The playlist features Pernille Bévort; Trish Clowes; Charlotte Greve; Kika Sprangers; Mark Turner; Enrico Rava; Craig Taborn. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15390270/Mondo-Jazz (from "Minor Clues" onwards). Happy listening!

A playlist featuring Brazilian--and Brazil inspired--Argentinean and Venezuelan artist, as well some compelling long-form explorations led by bassists Ben Allison and Stephan Crump. The playlist features Jaques Morelenbaum [pictured]; Ryan Keberle; Gabi Hartmann; Cosmo; Lucia Boffo; Miriam Elhajli; Ben Allison; Borderlands Trio. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15390270/Mondo-Jazz (up to "An Invitation to Disappear"). Happy listening!

Another treasure-throve of brand new releases with a special focus, in the second half of the set, on bass players as leaders and composers. The playlist features Delvon Lamarr; Brandee Younger; Ilmiliekki Quartet; Christiane Karam; Sigurd Hole; Alex "Apolo" Ayala; Sélène Saint-Aimé; Henri Texier; Ilaria Capalbo; Ingebrigt Håker Flaten; Théo Girard. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15349707/Mondo-Jazz (from "Keep on Keepin' on" onward). Happy listening!

Good vibes, genre-bending projects, charismatic singers and creative use of electronics are the defining features of this set of recent and upcoming albums. The playlist features Steven Bernstein; Catherine Russell; Youn Sun Nah; Airelle Besson; Wobjie; Thomas de Pourquery; Umberto Petrin; Michael Leonhart; Rachel Eckroth; Anais Drago; Mike Pride. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15349707/Mondo-Jazz (up to "Dick for Brains"). Happy listening!

Duos galore in this set and an inter-generational array of artists, ranging from young up and comers in their early 20s to revered octuagenarians delving into their vaults... or making their debut! And much more... Nathalie Cressman, Ian Faquini; Laufey, Dodie; Charlie Gabriel; Sonny Boy Williamson, Brian Auger & The Trinity feat. Jimmy Page & Joe Harriot; Edouard Ferlet; Erkin Cavus, Reentko Dirks; Tom Bourgeois, Fil Caporali; Tim Berne, Greg Belisle-Chi; Fishblot; Luca Perciballi; Gabriel Akhmad Marin; Ches Smith. Happy listening! Photo credit: Caity Krone

It’s Cold. The Winter Olympics are well under way, we’ve not yet reached mid-February and there are already so many new and upcoming releases in 2022 that we can almost fill the whole show with them… Starting and ending with two Orchestras: Michael Leonhart's mighty ensemble and their upcoming stunner, "The Normyn Suites", and Paul Wacrenier's Healing Orchestra, a band with a mission: bringing Free Jazz to the People! The playlist features Michael Leonhart Orchestra; Mostly Other People Do the Killing; Marta Sanchez; Emile Parisien; Sylvain Rifflet; Kokoroko; Alabaster Deplume; Carate Urio Orchestra; Federico Calcagno, Stefano Grosso, Filippo Rinaldo; Onze Heures Onze Orchestra; Ståhls Trio; Healing Orchestra. Happy listening! Photo credit: Shervin Lame

If you need certainties to anchor your life in these confusing times, get yourself the latest album by David Krakauer and you'll find out that there are a few things that never fail to bring joy. The same goes for the heart-warming, and leg warming, old school soul and funk that is featured on this playlist, and the compelling projects by a number of international bands which guarantee a rewarding listening experience. Wrapping things up, the latest by Kamasi Washington. The playlist features David Krakauer; Diane Ward & The Kevin Fingier Collective; The Greyboy Allstars; Aldorande; Juan Bayon; Maximilian Hering; Julie Sassoon; Marquis Hill; Kamasi Washington. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15240609/Mondo-Jazz (from David Krakauer onward). Happy listening!

This week we have built our playlist in celebration of the Year of the Tiger, the Water Tiger to be precise, and the 24th Winter Olympics, selecting compositions that directly or indirectly relate to winter sports, Olympic games and the elements which are essential to all Winter Olympics: Mountains, Snow and Ice… The playlist features Fred Ho; Michael Leonhart; Cory Wong; Chuck Mangione; Medeski, Martin & Wood; Médéric Collignon; Miho Hazama; Ralph Sutton; Martin Sather; Jane Ira Bloom; Dave Douglas; Quintorigo. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15240609/Mondo-Jazz (up to Quintorigo). Happy listening and Happy Lunar New Year!

The Beatles meet James Bond? Video game music as a source of new jazz? Baden Powell meets Bill Frisell? The harp as a tool for lockdown survival? Find out for yourself listening to this set of beautiful music! The playlist also features Pago Libre & Sooon; Matt Ridley; Rudresh Mahanthappa; Alison Shearer; Gui Duvignau; Ayesha Brooks, Wayne Horvitz, Ha-Yang Kim; Jacqueline Kerrod; Gabriels; Joachim Caffonnette; Hermon Mehari, Alessandro Lanzoni; Giovanni Falzone, Glauco Venier. Detailed playlist at https://spinitron.com/RFB/pl/15181398/Mondo-Jazz (from "Hey Bulldog / Where's James?" onwards). Happy listening! Photo credit: Drew Bordeaux