An award-winning Taiwanese jazz pianist and composer, YuYing Hsu has performed in legendary jazz clubs in New York City, such as Birdland, Sweet Rhythm, and with renowned musicians like legendary jazz drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath, Alex Sipiagin, Michael Philip Mossman, Antonio Hart, Giuseppe Bassi, Gegè Telesforo, and the complete violinist Benjamin Schmid. For this album she is joined with Alex Sipiagin, Donny McCaslin, Donald Edwards and Boris Kozlov.

Bob Kindred is a great tenor sax player who is consistently underrated and underexposed. Aside from some albums released by the Mapleshade label, it is not easy to find his leader albums on the market. For this second release from Venus, Kindred and co. decided to do a collection of Latin music, mostly boleros. The brawny and sexy sound of Kindred's tenor is a perfect match for the mysterious and romantic music. The music transports the listener to a steamy bar in a subtropical country in Latin America. One can almost feel the hot and humid air.

Pianist Art Hirahara resounds with unstoppable melodic sensibility and a wide palette of colors and sounds on his latest effort "Echo Canyon." Joining Hirahara on this piano trio date are his familiar collaborators bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Rudy Royston, both of whom contribute exciting ideas and add a solid foundation to the session. “Echo Canyon” unfolds steadily as an engaging program of original compositions where Hirahara seeks to combine his inner reflections with moments of humble reverence for the greater and ineffable depths of our collective experiences. Whether one is already familiar with the music of Hirahara or discovering him for the first time, his latest effort is certain to bring insights and bright moments to jazz fans and serious listeners everywhere.

The latest release in the exciting "Out To Dinner" series continues along an ambitious course. These volumes seek to enlist the ears of a new group of Posi-Tone listeners, while expanding the aesthetic sensibilities of their traditional audience. "Episodes of Grace," which came together out of the label's pandemic lockdown sessions in 2020, is an engaging and enjoyable album featuring the collective efforts of five capable composer bandleader virtuosos.

Not at all an Eric Idle tribute band. But as always with anything issued by Posi-Tone you gotta look on the bright side of life. What you cop a load of first is vibes flavoured sax in the main melodic blend on top of the rhythm section. The idiom is pretty laid back straightahead. Back again these Idle Hands make generous use of the very handsome tenor saxophone sound emanating from saxophonist Donny McCaslin (instead of Sam Dillon on an earlier outing).

Bassist and bandleader Boris Kozlov defies expectations and redefines what it means to put "First Things First.” Producer Marc Free sends Kozlov out along an ambitious course for his Posi-Tone debut, and with a steady hand, bassist Kozlov confidently directs a mighty quintet of top notch musicians. Saxophonist Donnie McCaslin, vibraphonist Behn Gillece, keyboardist Art Hirahara and drummer Rudy Royston keep moving freely over the solid harmonic foundation provided by Kozlov’s playing and leadership.