Kevin Whitehead

The vocal and bass duo's 1982 album, Old Time Feeling, has just been reissued. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says Harvie's orchestral playing never loses sight of the bass player's foundational role, and Jordan's risk-taking singing steers her far away from lounge territory.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says trumpeter Don Cherry is a curious figure in the scene: lyrical but sloppy, he's played with diverse musicians ranging from Ornette Coleman to Lou Reed. On his new album, Art Deco, Cherry reigns in some of his more exploratory impulses to produce a straight-ahead but modern sound -- and it pays off.

The wind and reed player has been self-releasing well-reviewed albums for years, even though they haven't earned him the attention he deserves. Kevin Whitehead says Golia's music is unconventional and sometimes raw. He recommends three recent releases featuring Golia's playing.