NEW RELEASES: RONALD BRUNER JR. – TRIUMPH; JOSEF LEIMBERG – ASTRAL PROGRESSIONS; DAVE LIEBMAN / JOE LOVANO - COMPASSION: THE MUSIC OF JOHN COLTRANE

RONALD BRUNER JR. – TRIUMPH

A very well-titled album – given that the whole thing's a real triumph from Ronald Bruner Jr – who serves up some wonderful vocals alongside his work on drums – in a set that's got a swirlingly cosmic approach to soul! The album's overflowing with hip talents from the contemporary underground – with work from Thundercat on bass, Kamasai Washington on tenor, and even a bit of keyboards from the great George Duke – a lineup that really indicates the direction that Bruner is going for here – as he transforms contemporary soul with all the new energy from that scene too. And although his image on the cover might be tied to the streets, there's a more ambitious agenda taking place – as you'll hear on tracks that include "True Story", "Open The Gate", "Take The Time", "She'll Never Change", "Doesn't Matter", "One Night", "Sensation", "To You/For You", "Chick's Web", "Whenever", and "Geome Deome". (Includes download!)  ~ Dusty Groove

JOSEF LEIMBERG – ASTRAL PROGRESSIONS

A masterpiece from trumpeter Josef Leimberg – a set that features guest appearances by Kamasi Washington, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson – yet a record that has an amazing sound that's all its own! Washington's working in a blend of spiritual and electric jazz currents – often in settings that blend strings from Atwood-Ferguson with his own bold solos, and some rising instrumentation that effortlessly blends vocals, reeds, guitar, and keyboards – all in a mode that hearkens back to the majestic sound of the Cadet/Concept years in Chicago, but which has a distinctly 21st Century flavor overall! The music is incredible – righteous, visionary, and full of power – and we hope we'll be hearing plenty more from Leimberg in the future. For now, the album's more than enough to blow our minds – and titles include "Interstellar Universe", "Between Us 2", "The Awakening", "As I Think Of You", "Astral Progressions", "Lonely Fire", and "Celestial Visions". ~ Dusty Groove

DAVE LIEBMAN / JOE LOVANO - COMPASSION: THE MUSIC OF JOHN COLTRANE

Two saxophone giants who emerged in the post-Coltrane generation – both taking on the music of the master himself! The set features Dave Liebman and Joe Lovano going head to head in a wonderful way – playing for a BBC Jazz program, and really stretching out – not just on twin tenors, bot also with Liebman on soprano sax, c flute, and wood recorder – and Lovano on alto clarinet, Scottish flute, and aulochrome – all instruments that really help expand on the color palette of the Coltrane compositions! The rest of the group features Phil Markowitz on piano, Ron McClure on bass, and Billy Hart on drums – and although, since the set was recorded in 2007, it's not the same "vintage tapes" style as other Resonance releases, it's still got an equally crucial vibe – a key look at a musical moment that we might have otherwise missed. Titles include a very long take on "Compassion" – plus "Locomotion", "Ole", "Reverend King", "Equinox", and "Central Park West/Dear Lord".  ~ Dusty Groove