With A New Beginning In This Cold Season, Belgian vocalist, composer and performer Natashia Kelly presents a poetic and deeply atmospheric album about transition, resilience and renewal. Across seven original compositions, Kelly turns toward landscapes, weather, animals and natural forces to explore inner movement: fear and hope, darkness and clarity, fragility and strength. Rooted in jazz yet open to soul, gospel, spoken word and contemporary groove-based music, the album creates an intimate sound world in which lyricism and improvisation meet. Kelly's warm, expressive voice is supported by Benjamin Sauzereau on electric and acoustic guitar, Yannick Peeters on double bass, and Dre Pallemaerts on drums and kanjira. Together they shape music that feels both delicate and grounded, moving naturally between hushed reflection and subtle rhythmic energy. The album's title track sets the tone with the image of a cold season as both a literal and emotional landscape. Throughout the record, recurring images of wind, wings, clouds, horses, moonlight and storms become symbols of change and endurance. Rather than confronting the turmoil of the world through slogans, Kelly searches for meaning in nature, finding beauty, movement and quiet strength in the face of uncertainty. Concise yet rich in ideas, A New Beginning In This Cold Season offers seven songs in just over half an hour. It is a focused, refined and emotionally resonant statement from an artist whose music balances vulnerability with power, and whose storytelling invites the listener into a shared space of reflection, healing and hope.
A halo is something like an aura. Cologne-based singer Anette Von Eichel certainly doesn't want to put a halo on her new album, but a halo is also a luminous phenomenon, such as a moonlit ring or a wreath of light, as often seen in nature and everyday life, and which can be interpreted as a revelation of whatever nature. This title couldn't be more fitting for Anette Von Eichel's collection of songs on her new album, and in more ways than one. All of these songs share a nocturnal quality, in which light emerges from the darkness. In the sequence of her songs, we experience a dreamlike journey of a resurrection of the morning twilight from the night. In a metaphorical sense, it makes a huge difference whether you listen to the album for the first, second, or third time, because an impressive process of transcendence takes place. What at first simply sounds like a series of clearly defined songs in their respective forms gradually transforms into a kind of vocal and musical mass of light, which acts as a parallel phenomenon to reality. This spectral shift culminates in a halo of light that dissolves all forms and contours, a concept perfectly captured by the album title. "When I write a song, it's a conscious process, but the subconscious naturally plays a major role," Anette Von Eichel explains, describing this transformation from her perspective. "With this album in particular, I hope to give people the opportunity to take a step back from their everyday lives and experience a similar transformation while listening." Listening to the album, regardless of the lyrics, inevitably evokes the feeling that someone is telling a story. From the osmosis of voice and music emerges a flow that inescapably draws the ear into it's vortex. Pianist Sebastian Sternal, bassist Henning Sieverts, and drummer Jonas Burgwinkel become the material and metaphysical vehicles of these stories, which Anette Von Eichel brings to the stage of her song theater with breathtaking versatility. She starts with the lyrics when writing and tries to discover the sound hidden behind the words. "The word enters into a symbiosis with the interaction of our band," the composer explains, describing this phenomenon of the text dissolving into sound. The songs possess a great flexibility, expressed through nuanced improvisation, which allows the songs to grow not only with each performance but, as already mentioned, with each listen. "Halo" is the third album Anette Von Eichel has recorded with Sternal, Sieverts, and Burgwinkel in six years. The ease of their interplay, the constant negotiation between collective density and individual detachment, and the spontaneous use of open sections reach a new peak here. Eichel's signature style, unmistakable in it's trinity of classic jazz vocals a la Carmen McRae and Betty Carter, singer-songwriter influences in the tradition of Joni Mitchell, and the timbre of French chansons, sounds like standards that have been in the air for decades. They may feature strong melodies and complex rhythms, but the song as a whole always takes center stage, with which the individual elements must harmonize. There aren't many singers whose voices, both spoken and sung, exhibit such a striking difference as Anette Von Eichel's. When she sings, she doesn't simply slip into a different persona; she confronts hidden inner worlds that couldn't manifest in her everyday use of her voice. This creates an immediate magic, where the sound of her voice is inextricably linked to the specific emotions of the song. "I'm interested in drawing out all the emotions hidden within my voice," says Anette Von Eichel. "When I sing, I delve much deeper into myself and can uncover far more nuances." Which brings us back to the interplay of light and shadow. She slips into roles, often shifting perspectives even within a single song, employing unconventional vocal techniques like sighs or creaks, and using breath as a creative element. "Halo" is built from light, and yet this album, like few others, creates a pressure equalization that is transmitted from the four musicians to the listener in an almost hypnotic way. The more one embarks on this journey into the twilight and the nuances of human experience, the more liberating the effect. "Halo" is a passionate declaration of the poetic clarity of ambiguity. Let us refrain at this point from pathos-laden phrases like healing, spirituality, or the pulse of life, and instead take the album objectively and soberly for what it is: precisely the right statement for our time. by Wolf Kampmann
For the past six years, flutist Alex Hamburger and pianist Jose Luiz Martins have been the heartbeat of each others' musical worlds. Now, with their debut record as a duo, the husband and wife create a shared world, offering listeners a highly personal, textural immersion into the sonic catalog of their journey. The two musical prodigies were originally on divergent paths when they first met in 2018 during coincidental time abroad in Basel, Switzerland. Hamburger, originally from the Washington, D.C. metro area, was living previously in New York City, while Martins was studying for a masters in Basel after leaving his hometown of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Their first shared notes snapped their lives together, ushering in an instant connection and understanding, both about the music that influenced them and the music they wished to put in the world. Together, the partners found a deeply rooted shared commitment to using space, listening, and empathetic reaction to dive into the unknown and return with beauty and compassion. Now living together in Hyattsville, Md., Hamburger and Martins recorded Catalog of Dreams in 2025 as a response to the diverse range of musical traditions that shaped them, both as individuals and as a pair. Six of the album's eight songs are unique reinterpretations of traditional and modern classics from composers such as Herb Ellis, Wayne Shorter, and Thundercat. The duo then flexes the intimate dynamics and texture of piano, voice, flute, and electronic keyboards to reinterpret the compositions into vehicles for new dreams and possibilities. Of course, the most noticeable influence on the album is that of Brazilian music, which native Paulistano Martins brought to the record (and the relationship) from the very beginning. Three tunes make this connection explicit: Gilberto Gil's classic 'Ladeira da Preguica' (made famous by Elis Regina), Airto Moreira's eternally groovy 'Tombo in 7/4,' and the modern Brazilian heavyweight Luisa Lacerda's 'Poente,' a familial celebration that features lyrics by her father Andre Lacerda. However, Catalog of Dreams is steeped in Brasiliana beyond these three tunes, with traces of groove, melody, and harmonic complexity saturating the duo's playing and arrangements throughout. The record's two original compositions, both composed by Hamburger with production assistance from Martins, achieve this with a tender nuance. By taking these Brazilian influences back into her own roots of great lyrical musical traditions (the Great American Songbook, Black American Music, and folk), Hamburger finds a way to explore themes of loss, trauma, injustice and the human experience with nuance and care. Although both Hamburger and Martins are prolific on their own, each with their own critically acclaimed body of work as bandleaders, this is their first full length album with just the two of them. With this debut of eight songs in just under thirty minutes, the partners draw us into their journey, into their catalog, and into their dreams.
Swedish vocalist Anna Pauline celebrates over two decades in jazz with her new album, Lucky To Be Me, out June 26 on Storyville Records. The album is a culmination of years of artistic exploration, mentorship, and collaborative discovery. It features standout performances, including a trumpet solo by jazz legend Randy Brecker on Pauline's original composition "Just One Song" and a duet with Janis Siegel of The Manhattan Transfer on the title track. This 10-track recording includes one original composition and nine interpretations of jazz standards, cinematic favorites, and musical-theatre classics. The repertoire reflects Pauline's deep engagement with the Great American Songbook, the narrative richness of musical theatre, and the improvisational possibilities of jazz. Each track captures a moment of musical conversation and spontaneous discovery, anchored by Pauline's luminous voice and emotional depth. The project gained momentum in 2023, when Pauline met Siegel in Sweden through pianist Mattias Nilsson. Their first duet sparked a musical understanding that quickly evolved into mentorship and collaboration. Siegel later introduced Pauline to pianist, arranger, and producer John Di Martino, whose arrangements and artistic direction shape the album's sound. Di Martino assembled a group of top New York jazz musicians and crafted each arrangement to showcase both Pauline's voice and the ensemble's improvisational interplay. The sessions were recorded in New York with a strong emphasis on live interaction, allowing the music to unfold naturally. For Pauline, Lucky To Be Me realizes a long-held dream while marking a personal and musical turning point. Recording in New York, the birthplace of much of the music that inspired her, was both symbolic and deeply meaningful. Working closely with Di Martino, Pauline blended her Nordic sensibility with the rhythmic vitality and storytelling of American jazz. This creative dialogue has produced arrangements that honor the original material while highlighting her distinctive interpretive voice. This collaborative approach shapes the album's repertoire, which combines an original composition with reinterpretations of classics from jazz, film, and musical theatre. Tracks like Leonard Bernstein's "Lucky To Be Me" and Michel Legrand's "Les Parapluies de Cherbourg" showcase Pauline's capacity to inhabit each song fully, while Rodgers & Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music" and Josef Myrow's "Autumn Nocturne" highlight her subtle phrasing and improvisational creativity. Collaborators including saxophonist Aaron Heick, trumpeter Freddie Hendricks, and percussionists Khalil Kwame Bell and Vince Cherico bring drive and textural richness to each performance. Recorded at Trading 8s Recording Studio in New Jersey, with duets tracked in Sweden and mixed and mastered by Dave Darlington at Bass Hit Studio in New York City, the album unites two musical worlds: a Nordic jazz voice in dialogue with American tradition, enriched by mentorship and musical lineage. Lucky To Be Me is a celebration of connection, creativity, and the joy of jazz storytelling, bringing together musicians, traditions, and generations in a shared musical journey.
Quality Time in NYC is a vocal jazz project by Erik Leuthauser, recorded in New York with esteemed collaborators such as Alan Broadbent, Ken Peplowski, Allen Farnham, Steve LaSpina, and Rich DeRosa. The album features 19 tracks, including standards, rare gems, and one bonus track with Erik's original German lyric to Miles Davis's "Little Willie Leaps"
Polyphony, contrast, expression - these timeless Baroque qualities find new life in Klara Cloud's latest work with The Vultures. This album unfolds as a deeply human journey through emotion, memory, and rebirth - a musical tale spanning from the first spark of life to the quiet afterglow of death. Each track opens a new chapter of introspection and feeling, the serene melancholy of Peony blossoms beside the flowing energy of Waterfalls, Se Tu Me Dimentihi brings Pablo Neruda's poetry to life, while Funeral transforms loss into light - a meditation on the kind of silence that already knows the way forward, at it's heart shines Stephanie - a symbol of endurance and wonder - framed in a soundscape as vivid and intricate as a Baroque painting. With contributions from an ensemble of masterful musicians - Mateusz Smoczynski (violin), Mateusz Gaweda (piano), Adam Tadel (double bass), Piotr Budniak (drums), and guest violinist Bartosz Dworak - Cloud's vision achieves both intimacy and grandeur. Produced by Klara Cloud and recorded in Poland's Sound & Wave Studio, this record captures the essence of transformation: fragile yet fearless, lyrical yet raw. Dedicated to her children, Stefania and Julian, the album stands as both a personal diary and a universal reflection - an echo of beauty born out of silence.
A Timeless Form, Reimagined for Today With Ya Man Itha, Lebanese singer Rima Khcheich brings to life an album she has carried in her heart for decades. It is a deeply personal tribute to the late Egyptian composer Fouad Abdel Majeed, whose music shaped her artistic voice from an early age. In this recording, Rima revisits ten of Abdel Majeed's Muwashahat-classical Arabic vocal compositions often set to poetry and marked by intricate rhythms and modes-and places them in dialogue with the colors and sensibilities of French chanson. At first glance, chanson may seem far removed from the Arabic Muwashah, yet both traditions share a deep commitment to poetic expression, lyrical nuance, and the marriage of words and harmony. This cross-cultural resonance became the spark for the ensemble's refined arrangements, created by Maarten Ornstein, Tony Overwater, and Juan Rodriguez.
This limited-edition release revives Diana Krall's best-selling 2001 album, marking her first collaboration with legendary arranger and conductor Claus Ogerman, in a premium audiophile format. Featuring refined performances by world-class musicians and lush orchestral string arrangements, the album highlights Krall's signature smoky voice as she delivers classic standards with poise and elegance. Now issued as a super high-end analog "100% Pure LP," this edition is strictly limited to 1,000 serial-numbered copies and pressed on 180g heavyweight, uncolored virgin vinyl using a metal master press. The audio is sourced from the latest 96kHz/24-bit master transferred directly from the original analog tapes, ensuring exceptional fidelity. Packaging is equally deluxe, featuring a gatefold coated jacket with obi, a special soft vinyl outer bag, and included lyrics and liner notes. As a limited production item, availability may be unstable, and orders may be subject to cancellation depending on circumstances.
Features the high-fidelity SHM-SACD format. [Verve 70 SACD Selection Vol.1] Celebrating it's 70th anniversary in 2026, the prestigious label Verve Records launches a new series presenting it's legendary catalog in the latest high-resolution sound. Each title features the label's newly mastered DSD audio, released as single-layer SACDs and housed in deluxe double carboard sleeves for an authentic collector's experience.
Detroit-born singer Sheila Jordan presented her inimitable vocal stylings on her 1962 debut Portrait Of Sheila, one of few vocal albums on Blue Note during that era. Accompanied by a trio with Barry Galbraith (guitar), Steve Swallow (bass), and Denzil Best (drums), Jordan delivered delightful versions of standards. This stereo Blue Note Tone Poet Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe tip-on jacket.
Here We Are finds acclaimed jazz vocalist Lori Williams at the heart of a soulful, cross-continental collaboration with top-tier European jazz artists. Born out of friendships from the Poysdorf Summer Jazz Workshop, the album blends original songs and timeless standards with Brazilian grooves, romantic ballads, and classic swing. Williams' warm, expressive voice shines across each track whether delivering heartfelt lyrics or improvising with grace and nuance. Backed by a band that listens and responds as one, Here We Are is a celebration of connection, creativity, and the joy of making music together.
With It's All About Love, seasoned jazz vocalist Donna Byrne makes a radiant return to Challenge Records, delivering her ninth studio album and reaffirming her place among the great interpreters of song. Spanning a rich career of nearly four decades, Byrne remains true to her roots, offering a heartfelt collection that honors the traditions of jazz while showcasing her timeless artistry. This 16-track album brings together a thoughtfully curated blend of jazz standards, bossa novas, blues, and contemporary gems. Each performance reveals Byrne's effortless storytelling, exquisite phrasing, and unerring sense of swing.
Two of the most highly respected figures in the world of jazz - Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap - document their critically acclaimed, sold out live concerts on their first and ONLY album, Elemental. Created because of the relentless demands of their massive fan base, Bridgewater and Charlap curate a repertoire that only they can present: at once exploring the deep understanding of jazz tradition alongside impeccable phrasing and a once-in-a-generation dynamic range, bringing a level of sophistication that is sure to be documented in the books of history.
Two of the most highly respected figures in the world of jazz - Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap - document their critically acclaimed, sold out live concerts on their first and ONLY album, Elemental. Created because of the relentless demands of their massive fan base, Bridgewater and Charlap curate a repertoire that only they can present: at once exploring the deep understanding of jazz tradition alongside impeccable phrasing and a once-in-a-generation dynamic range, bringing a level of sophistication that is sure to be documented in the books of history.
2026 GRAMMY NOMINEE: Best Tropical Latin Album On "Fotografias" Ruben Blades continues his collaboration with Roberto Delgado and Orchestra. The GRAMMY and LATIN GRAMMY winning group's virtuosity and versatility is wonderfully displayed through the different musical formats as they perform eight of Blades compositions.
Betty Carter - "Out There with Betty Carter (Verve By Request Series)" [180gram Heavy LP] Originally released through Peacock Records in 1958 after her stint with the Lionel Hampton's band, Out There is a snapshot and early gem in Betty Carter's broad career. Supported by a quality cast including Benny Golson (tenor saxophone), Wynton Kelly (piano) and Kenny Dorham (trumpet) among others, Carter glides through standards such as "Something Wonderful" as well as her first-penned track "I Can't Help It," which would go on to become a performance staple. Verve By Request Series features 180-gram vinyl, pressed at Third Man in Detroit. Verve Label Group; Verve; Jazz; Catalog [180gram LP]
SHEILA JORDAN / PORTRAIT NOW At 96 years of age, jazz legend Sheila Jordan is set to literally outdo herself. On Feb 14, preeminent jazz label Dot Time Records will release a new long player, Portrait Now, a title inspired by Portrait of Sheila, Jordan's first album for Blue Note Records, released in 1962. The current trio featuring Jordan on vocals, Roni Ben-Hur on guitar and Harvie S on bass, has been performing regularly for a few years. Their undeniable chemistry rendered imminent a new recording project.
2026 GRAMMY NOMINEE: Best Tropical Latin Album. On "Fotografias" Ruben Blades continues his collaboration with Roberto Delgado and Orchestra. The GRAMMY and LATIN GRAMMY winning group's virtuosity and versatility is wonderfully displayed through the different musical formats as they perform eight of Blades compositions.
Patricia Barber's Modern Cool brought her mainstream success, propelled by her classic version of the Doors' "Light My Fire." Touring for this album, Barber played selections from it during a four-night stand at The Jazz Standard in New York. There she was heard by Bruce Lundvall of Blue Note Records, which led to a string of popular Barber recordings for both Premonition and Blue Note, worldwide touring and the unapologetic critical acclaim from which Barber never looked back. It quickly became an audiophile classic through Jim Anderson's stunningly-detailed naturalistic recording. The deluxe new package updates the stylish original design with a booklet and includes new notes from Jim Anderson and many exclusive session and tour photos from Barber photographer Valerie Booth. For a perfectly immersive experience, the 5.1 SACD layer features the same Grammy-winning surround mix master, plus a Bernie Grundman stereo remaster using Jim Anderson's original analog stereo mix master in both full-DSD and CD format.
Only Trust Your Heart, Diana Krall's second album and major label debut, is available for the first time on vinyl. Featuring tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and bassists Ray Brown and Christian McBride, along with drummer Lewis Nash, it includes all-time favorites "I Love Being Here With You," "I've Got the World on a String" and "Squeeze Me." Mastered by Bernie Grundman and cut from the original analog tapes on 180g black vinyl with folded insert.
Born out of her time on the road, Samara Joy took her touring band into legendary Van Gelder Studios in February of 2024. This record, appropriately entitled Portrait, is a collection of standards (as well as one original) and features her singular voice, alongside arrangements from this tight-knit young group. The recording tells the story of the community she's created with a new generation of young players and is evocative of the energy of her incredible live show.
Vinyl LP pressing. Born out of her time on the road, Samara Joy took her touring band into legendary Van Gelder Studios in February of 2024. This record, appropriately entitled Portrait, is a collection of standards (as well as one original) and features her singular voice, alongside arrangements from this tight-knit young group. The recording tells the story of the community she's created with a new generation of young players and is evocative of the energy of her incredible live show.
