25-year-old trumpeter Jeremy Pelt has garnered notice for his superb charts and professionalism since landing in New York four years ago. "Insight," his Criss Cross debut, demonstrates that he's also a composer with a point of view. Helping him articulate it are a take-no-prisoners ensemble of New York's finest callers, all 30-and-under, with the exception of veteran drum avatar Ralph Peterson. Features tenor saxophonist Jimmy Greene, alto saxophonist Myron Walden, pianist Rick German son and bassist Vincente Archer.

On his third session for the label since his Criss Cross debut in 1992, tenor saxophonist Ralph Bowen takes a giant step forward with "Keep the Change," a bristling quintet date with trumpeter Ryan Kisor, pianist Orrin Evans, bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Gregory Hutchinson. The mix of originals and a few well-chosen standards includes a new take on Bowen's signature tune, "Elevation." This is a burning neo-bop date.

For his ninth Criss Cross session as a leader, trumpet sensation John Swana makes the scene again with several of his peers from the city of Brotherly Love for a follow-up to 2001's "Philly Gumbo" (CRC #1203). Featuring the twin tenors of Bootsie Barnes and Larry McKenna, this CD offers a bristling set of hardbop delights, the kind of fare you might hear in Philly when dropping in at Ortlieb's Jazzzhaus to catch Swana for a set or two. The rhythm section has Sid Simmons on piano, Mike Boone on bass, and drummer Byron Landham.

Every note of Yahel's debut album is marked by a quality of analytical reflection - he's been working Wednesday nights for 3 years at Smalls in Greenwich Village w. young masters Peter Bernstein & Brian Blade, who back him up here.

For his Criss Cross debut, alto saxophonist David Binney, known for his episodic, long-form recordings, presents a memorable straight-ahead recital. Addressing nine Binney originals and an original apiece by Duke Ellington and Wayne Shorter, Binney and tenor star Chris Potter, backed by Binney's regular rhythm section, pianist Jacob Sacks, bassist Thomas Morgan, and drummer Dan Weiss, uncork a series of heated, lucid solos and achieve a one-instrument sound on the unisons.

Within the small circle of modern jazz trombonists, few would argue that Steve Davis stands apart from the crowd, not only as a singular instumental voice but also as a gifted composer. With Systems Blue, his fifth Criss Cross album to date, Davis explores a distinguished set of jazz standards while being accompanied by his rhythm section partners from One for All - pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Joe Farnsworth. Alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo joins the group on two titles.

Walt Weiskopf's eighth recording for Criss Cross is a ten-part suite for jazz sextet. A celebration of the relationship between various art forms, the suite was inspired by the graphic art of modern masters ranging from Dali, to Picasso, to van Gogh. Weiskopf utilizes elements of jazz and classical music, skillfully integrating improvisation and written themes. The CD is brought to life by Weiskopf and his longtime associates: alto saxophonist Andy Fusco, trombonist John Mosca, pianist Joel Weiskopf, bassist Doug Weiss and drummer Billy Drummond.

Rare is the debut album that presents a vision so mature and cosmopolitan as that expressed by guitarist Adam Rogers on this CD. Nor is it a commonplace for any musician to realize their concept with the authority and elegance Rogers imparts to the entire program. The A-list rhythm section, pianist Ed Simon, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Clarence Penn, are fully in synch throughout a varied program.

Tenor saxophonist's quartet w. James Williams on piano, Christian McBride on bass and Elvin Jones on drums, recorded December 16, 1991.

Tenor saxophonist Walt Weiskopf - following a series of Criss Cross recordings featuring his original music for larger ensembles - places here the primary focus on his instrumental voice. Joined by star pianist Brad Mehldau, mega-bassist John Patitucci, and rising star drummer Clarence Penn, Weiskopf plays with characteristic surge, trampolining through the notes as though liberated from gravitational encumbrance. At all times he achieves the improviser's grail of telling a singular story.

Save for a major revamp of "Lullaby of the Leaves," trombonist Conrad Herwig's fifth Criss Cross release, "Land of the Shadows," is a program of originals performed by a hard-swinging sextet that features trumpeter Tim Hagans, tenor saxophonist Ben Schachter and Criss Cross regulars David Kikoski on piano, James Genus on bass and Jeff "Tain" Watts on drums. A veteran of the Mingus Big Band and Eddie Palmieri's Latin combo, Herwig continues to turn heads by displaying virtuosity of the highest order.

Joined by an assortment of New York's finest, 29-year-old star guitarist Jesse Van Ruller, Holland's first Thelonious Monk Competition Award-winner, emphatically stamps his voice on a meaty program of jazz originals, less-traveled songbook gems, and an original blues piece. On piano is the great David Hazeltine, with bassists Nat Reeves or Frans Van Geest, and Joe Farnsworth or Willie Jones III on drums.

Guitarist's sextet w. Horace Parlan, Ferdinand Povel, Bernt Rosengren, Jesper Lundgaard, and Ole Jacob Hansen, recorded April 29, 1983.

Here, on his sixth Criss Cross release, pianist David Kikoski triologues with killer bass/drum team Larry Grenadier and Bill Stewart in a lyrical evocation of his introspective side on a program of six originals and two meaty jazz originals. Interplay, close listening and unending flow abide throughout the proceedings.

Jim Rotondi's fifth Criss Cross album frames the trumpeter's golden tone in a new context - to be specific, longtime Criss Cross guitar-organ team Peter Bernstein and Sam Yahel, omniscient drummer Bill Stewart, and protean tenor saxman Chris Potter. The program alternates white-hot and mellow feels in equal measure - everything is sustained by the inner flame of swing.