Jazz releases these days fight a game of inches. Almost everybody releasing music in the genre is technically accomplished and the rules have been laid out so long that almost everybody knows how to meet the listener's basic expectations. What makes an album stand out in the flood of new music unleashed every week? Sometimes it's as simple (and hard to define) as a sense of intensity, commitment, energy. These four 2024 releases all demonstrate that quality to one degree or another. Erik Friedlander – DIRTY BOXING: Deron Johnson – FREE TO DANCE; Michael Eaton – THE PHENOMINAL; Basher – MAY DAY.
