Paweł Brodowski, Jazz Forum:
MATEUSZ SMOCZYŃSKI «Metamorphoses» (ZBIGNIEW SEIFERT FOUNDATION)

Rui Eduardo Paes, jazz.pt:
FRED FRITH / HANS KOCH «You Are Here» FRED (INTAKT RECORDS)

Mike Flynn, Jazzwise:
SNOWPOET «Thought You Knew» (EDITION RECORDS)

Anna Filipieva, Jazz.Ru:
LERA GEHNER «Look into My Soul» (BOMBA PITER)

Jan Granlie, salt-peanuts.eu:
ANTI RUBBER BRAIN FACTORY «MArOkAït» (LE FONDEUR DE SON RECORDS)

Christine Stephan, JAZZTHETIK:
RUDRESH MAHANTHAPPA´S INDO-PAK COALITION «Agrima» (MAHANTHAPPA’S MUSIC)

Henning Bolte, Jazzism:
CHRISTIAN LILLINGERS GRUND «C O R» (PLAIST-MUSIC)

Magnus Nygren, OrkesterJournalen:
JOHAN GRADEN «Olägenheter» (MOSEROBIE)

Cim Meyer, Jazz Special:
PETER ERSKINE NEW TRIO «In Praise Of Shadows» (FUZZY MUSIC)

Lars Mossefinn, Dag og tid:
THOMAS STRØNEN TIME IS A BLIND GUIDE «Lucus» (ECM)

Axel Stinshoff, Jazz thing:
HENRI TEXIER «Sand Woman» (LABEL BLEU)

Luca Vitali, Giornale della Musica:
FIRE! ‎«The Hands» (RUNE GRAMMOFON)

Madli-Liis Parts , Muusika:
REIGO AHVEN TRIO «Remember» (FISH RECORDS)

Why did I choose –

Paweł Brodowski, Jazz Forum:
An impressive first solo violin outing by Mateusz Smoczyński, a founding member of the now famous Atom String Quartet (and who for a few years was also a pillar of the Turtle Island Quartet) featuring his original compositions with a nod to his guru Zbigniew Seifert, but going beyond jazz into classical music and other genres. Hence the title «Metarmphoses».

Henning Bolte, Jazzism:
«C O R» is the new album of drummer Christian Lillinger’s seven-piece ensemble GRUND – something you should check out every way. It is a striking album bringing advanced music of a very own, no compromise approach with a strong signature. Decidedly conquering new grounds it boldly navigates a diversity of diverging forces and aggregation states – misty, spacy, jolting, hovering, shredding … . Layers and textures permeate each other in flowing or fidgeting movements leading into remarkable condensations, expansions as well as stunning transitions. Lillinger’s taut compositional grid strongly binds the musical capacities and energies of his six highly profiled fellow musicians and in return sets free those musicians’ astonishing musical fantasy and creativity – as unity a force like a twirling sandstorm. From a deeper ground then a kind of Spreewald Fight Song is resonating through it.

Anna Filipieva, Jazz.Ru:
The new, high-voltage record from temperamental singer Lera Gehner who is based in St. Petersburg, provides a hot treatment for cold Russian winter, completed with danceable grooves and spicy horn section work.

Mike Flynn, Jazzwise:
A wonderful album that’s as much folk as it is jazz – but works perfectly in its own sound world with complete integrity and an immersive, understated power – Lauren Kinsella’s voice is spellbinding.

Jan Granlie, salt-peanuts.eu:
Anti Rubber Brain Factory is a wonderful collective that takes the legacy of some of the most exciting jazz one step further. A fantastic blend of the best jazz from the 60’s and folk music from North Africa, that fits perfect in the shadow with a glass of something fresh, on a hot day.

Cim Meyer, Jazz Special:
Peter Erskine is a highly esteemed percussionist with impeccable taste, but the quite extraordinary treat here is pianist and arranger Vardan Ovsepian, who has penned a collection of originals plus a stunning reharmonization of Chaplin’s «Smile».