While the connection between Cuban pianist Omar Sosa and Italian trumpeter Paolo Fresu was established back in 2006, their partnership truly blossomed with Alma (Ota Music, 2012), a beauty of an album with a soft sell approach. That record—quite possibly the most moving item in either man's discography—prioritized heart over all else, and this follow-up date follows suit.

Fischer’s performance of the Sixth is quite similar to Abbado’s recent live recording for DG. Textures are generally light and transparent, with a swift opening march that, by the same token, never sounds unduly rushed or trivialized. The andante comes second, not the best option in my view, but Fischer has the intelligence to treat it as a true andante, and not as an adagio (which is a more legitimate possibility when it’s placed third). However, in contrast to Abbado’s boring Berliners, Fischer’s orchestra plays better, and he’s much better recorded. Just listen to the characterful brass in the coda of the first movement, with a particularly fine first trumpet, or the splendid woodwinds in the trios of the scherzo. The emphasis on fleetness never compromises expressivity, as happens in Berlin.

Almost three decades have passed since the "Prince of Cool" of jazz in Amsterdam was fatal. And still, is not quite clear, as the former band member of Charlie Parker - before the fictional choice posed - probably would have most likely defined itself: as a singer or as a trumpeter? The makers of the French Chet Baker homage album "Autour De Chet", from neo-chansonian Benjamin Biolay to this year's ECHO jazz winner José James, have now found the best of all possible answers: Baker was both , and much more.

In its latest CD Beam Me Up the Shauli Einav Quartet produces an impressive sound, rich in creative musical ideas. These talented, award winning musicians: Shauli Einav - saxophone, Paul Lay - piano, Florent Nisse – double bass and Gautier Garrigue – drums have recorded a remarkable album that is multi-layered, tuneful, energetic and swinging.