James Carter

Present Tense

EmArcy Records

Ed Reed

The Song Is You

Blue Shorts Records

The David Finck Quartet

Future Day

Soundbrush Records

Delirium Blues Project

Serve or Suffer

Half Note Records

Rave Tesar Trio

You Decide

Tesar Music

Raya Yarbrough

Raya Yarbrough

Telarc Records

Thom Rotella 4-Tet

Out of the Blues

Four Bar Music

JAMES CARTER

Present Tense

EmArcy Records

The music of James Carter is characterized by a prodigious technique on all reed instruments, coupled with a hard bop edge, a bluesy attitude and a willingness to stretch beyond conventional jazz to create a truly exciting listening experience. So it is with his latest release, “Present Tense,” an aptly named project that impresses from the get-go as an in-the-moment, no-holds-barred throw-down involving a very compatible group of like-minded musicians.

ED REED

The Song Is You

Blue Shorts Records

From the opening salvo of the title track, we know that singer Ed Reed is not simply reprising his momentous debut recording of last year, a gorgeous collection of ballads called “Ed Reed Sings Love Stories.” At nearly 80 years of age, Reed continues to amaze with his unique tone, broad range, near-perfect intonation and unusual phrasing. The 13 tracks vary greatly in tempo, length and style, but Reed maintains a confident attitude.

THE DAVID FINCK QUARTET

Future Day

Soundbrush Records

It’s hard to believe that “Future Day” is bassist David Finck’s debut recording as a leader. Stretching back nearly 30 years, he has been the bass player of choice for many great jazz artists. It’s about time, and Finck makes the most of it, selecting a stellar lineup that includes the prolific and immensely talented vibraphonist Joe Locke, pianist Tom Ranier, and drummer Joe La Barbera.

DELIRIUM BLUES PROJECT

Serve or Suffer

Half Note Records

Delirium Blues Project is the brainchild of pianist Kenny Werner and singer Roseanna Vitro. Once you get past the gimmicky concept, this live recording has real merit. While not a straight jazz recording, it does contains some exciting performances by masters of their instruments, including trumpeter Randy Brecker, tenor saxophonist James Carter, trombonist Ray Anderson, bassist John Patitucci and guitarist Adam Rogers.

RAVE TESAR TRIO

You Decide

Tesar Music

Even after nearly 40 years listening to jazz and more than 20 years writing about it, I still get an occasional thrill when a fabulous new artist hits the scene. Pianist Rave Tesar is the latest favorite, and his debut as a leader is a gem. The fact that “You Decide” is on Tesar’s own label and features his brother Bill on drums adds to the intrigue. Who is this guy?

RAYA YARBROUGH

Raya Yarbrough

Telarc Records

My first impression of Raya Yarbrough was that, at best, her vocal style is an acquired taste that I hadn’t yet acquired. At worst, I thought, the singer is just another mediocre talent hoping for the kind of instant crossover stardom that Norah Jones achieved with her recording debut in 2002. After half a dozen listens, however, I’m convinced that Yarbrough’s self-titled, major label debut is the real deal and that she is a genuinely gifted songstress with a unique approach to the music.

THOM ROTELLA 4-TET

Out of the Blues

Four Bar Music

Too many of guitarist Thom Rotella’s previous recordings left me cold with their light-weight, so-called “smooth” jazz sound, so “Out of the Blues” came as a pleasant surprise. For this 2007 release, he largely eschews the forgettable melodies and lackluster performance for a set of standards and bluesy Rotella originals played with a sense of urgency, and the result is very hip and very enjoyable.