Ambrose Akinmusire - On The Tender Spot Of Every Calloused Moment (2020) flISTen
Ambrose can power out like any other trumpeter, but his albums are more mood inducing than rhythmically propelled. This belongs firmly in the category of "A thinking man's Jazz" or "Music that requires active listening."
You don't put this (or any Akinmusire album) on as background music and mindlessly tap your foot while the sounds pound past. This is more like standing on a wooden bridge over a gurgling creek. If you pay too much attention to the plane flying overhead, the creek fades so far in the background as to disappear. Yet, if you focus on the creek, its action and life have the power to enthrall.
If a listener doesn't focus on this, he'll (meaning me) miss much.
Skyzoo - Music For My Friends (2015)
I listen in honor of my favorite rapper few people have heard of, and one of my favorites of right now. He's going in for surgery to remove a polyp in his throat which will put him out of commission for for foreseeable future. If I was in the rap game, I have a feeling (more of a hope that) half of my songs would sound like half of his songs. Get well soon, my brother.
Miguelito Valdes - Inolvidables (1968)
Cuban Jazz with a lot of punch. I can't help but picture Ricky Ricardo performing some of this on I Love Lucy. It just sounds so 1950s.