Balladeer

Manfred Schoof, Conny Bauer & Trioplus - Bollenhut (HGBS Blue)

Peter Brötzmann & Heather Leigh (pedal steel guitar) - South Moon Under (Trost Records)

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Tchan Tchou Vidal - La Gitane (Iris Music)

Eugen Cicero - Swinging the Classics on MPS

Jamie Saft New Standard Trio with Iggy Pop - Loneliness Road (Rarenoise Records)

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Matt Ulery - Mannerist (Woolgathering Records)

I like this album, too - a nice "by-product" of Bruce Webers excellent 1988 documentary. Besides: The cover is one of the rare pics where the late Chet really looks like a cool cat!

Brandee Younger - Somewhere Different (Impulse)

Joao Donato was the torch bearer of sophisticated Brazilian Samba groove. Ravishing group playing on classics like Amazonas, Lugar Comum, Brisa do Mar, Sambolero, and A Ra. His gorgeous recordings are countless. Donato has been one of the last giants of MPB. One of my all-time favourites remains his piano recital "O Piano de Joao Donato" from 2007. Obrigado pela música, Joao!

Aaron Parks - Little Big (Ropeadope)

Ron Miles - Rainbow Sign (Blue Note)

Matthias Schriefl, Nils Wülker, Julian Wasserfuhr

Samuel Blaser - Routes (Enja)

Thanks for your considerations, rostasi. Of course you are right, strictly speaking it is not a "return". And musically I can understand your reservations. Yet I find this albums hippiesque nostalgic vibe quite charming. I like both, old and new songs. IMO it´s already one of the remarkable albums of this year if only for its jazz-rock retro sound and my admiration for those artists involved.

Soft Machine - Other Doors (Dyad Records)

Julia Bullock - Walking in the Dark (Nonesuch)

Soft Machine "Open Doors" any comments?

Jean-Marc Foltz (cl, bcl) & Stéphan Oliva (p) - Indigo (Vision Fugitive) French chamber Ellingtonia - restrained, sublime and hauntingly beautiful - highly recommended!

Diana Krall - Why shoud I care (from: When I look in your eyes, Verve)

Wow, what a find! In Germany Gitte Haenning has been popular as a sort of Schlager-Chanteuse. I like this cool Dane, too. I know that earlier in her career she sang jazz but never heard a record such as this 1969 album with arrangements by Francy Boland. How is it?

A Musical Portrait of the American Southwest - Music of Dominic Dousa (Blue Griffin) Stephen Nordstrom (viola) & Dominic Dousa (piano)

Stephen Riley - My Romance (Steeplechase)

Les Paul and his trio 1944-45 - After you´ve gone (Audiophile)