Alyssa Allgood – From Here (Next Records)

Chicago based vocalist Alyssa Allgood is releasing her new album this coming Friday, coinciding with a weekend residency at the Jazz Showcase. From Here, both literally and figuratively, aims for the stars. Allgood pulled together a team of heavyweights for the disc; saxophonist Greg Ward, pianist Geoffrey Keezer, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Kendrick Scott all play with the desired sensitivity and heft to make this largely original program come to life. With the exceptions of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now,” and the Lerner and Lowe standard “On a Clear Day,” Allgood wrote all of the music here. “Brave Little Flower” is a highlight, a mini-suite of sorts that changes groove, tempo and mood throughout its six-minute plus span. “Above All Else” is a duet feature for Keezer and Allgood, and “No Good” features some fun scatting and trading with Kendrick Scott. From Here is a bold album that takes chances and rewards its listeners with clever wordplay and excellent musicianship. Ms. Allgood should be proud.

Iris – Iris (Shifting Paradigm Records)

Arman Sangalang, fresh off the release of his debut, Quartet, is back with a new ensemble of young players and an impressive new self-titled album. Sangalang is playing the tenor sax, Kirby Fellis is your trombonist, Austyn Menk plays piano, Morgan Turner is the bassist, and Paul Barrilles is the drummer. Sangalang and Turner contribute each contribute a couple of songs, Fellis turns in the lilting “If Only for a Moment” and Menk gives us the contemplative ballad “February 4th.” “Fragment Fracture” is a clever song in an odd time signature, and the opener, “Easy Does It,” is a fantastic introduction to this group of soon to be all stars. There’s a lot to like about Iris, both the band and the album, and I hope to hear more from everyone in this group in the coming months and years.

Tony Monaco – Over and Over (Chicken Coup)

It’s been a minute since organist Tony Monaco put out an album, but he’s back in 2024 with Over and Over. A back to basics affair with Zakk Jones on guitar and Reggie Jackson behind the drums, Over and Over is people pleasing music from the first note. “Da Daddy” clips along at a medium tempo, allowing the listener to ease into the proceedings. “One for Pat (Martino)” doesn’t seem to channel Martino as much as celebrate him with abundant joy. “Ready, Set, Go” is the hard swingin’ flag waver that Don Patterson fans will be eager to hear, and “Uprooted” gives those of us who like our organ music to be funky with a capital F reason to cheer. Over and Over takes care of every kind of Jazz organ fan, and I look forward to playing it for you soon!