It’s midsummer, and that means that we here at WRTI are taking stock of some of our favorite releases to come out thus far in 2025 (and maybe one or two that you missed from the tail-end of 2024, too). From the spiritual sounds of Tyreek McDole to the contemporary mashups of trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire to the bossa-meets-indie-rock of Mei Semones, our list is sure to offer you ears something new and exciting.
The Westerlies, Paradise (Westerlies Records)
The Westerlies aren’t your average brass quartet. Known as much for their interpretations of traditional folk songs as their collaborations with idiosyncratic jazz-leaning artists like Wayne Horvitz and Theo Bleckmann, The Westerlies continue to expand their sonic palette. On Paradise, their fifth studio album, they take their largest leap yet into post-production. On tracks like ”Fight On” and “The Evening Trumpet,” sparkling, manipulated trumpet loops and overdubbed trombone parts help build drama without sacrificing the authenticity and raw energy that’s long served as the group’s foundation. — Alex Ariff, Senior Producer
Brandee Younger, Gadabout Season (Impulse! Records)
Brandee Younger’s third album on Impulse! is a serene, shimmering soundscape rooted in wanderlust. Inspired by her travels and the spirit of the “gadabout” — a carefree pleasure-seeker — it serves as an ethereal reflection of self-adventure. Gadabout Season is the perfect backdrop for quiet reflection, a relaxed Sunday afternoon, or as soothing background sounds while you putter away at the office. You’d be hard pressed to find anything to complain about here. It’s simply beautiful, pleasant music. Press play, unwind and let it whisk you away. — Courtney Blue, host of Late Evening Jazz
Tyreek McDole, Open Up Your Senses (Artwork Records)
On his debut album, Open Up Your Senses, rising jazz vocalist Tyreek McDole commands attention with a voice that echoes the ancestors and aims for the heavens. His rendition of “The Creator Has a Master Plan” doesn’t just honor Leon Thomas; it transcends. Add in a searing solo by Tomoki Sanders, child of the late, great Pharoah Sanders, and you’ve got a spiritual transmission. This is more than music — it’s testimony. For me, it’s one of the most soul-stirring releases of 2025. Believe that. — Bobbi Booker, host of Spirit Soul Music & Jazz Through the Night
Okonski, Entrance Music (Colemine Records)
Okonski is the side project of Durand Jones & the Indications members Aaron Frazer (drums), Michael Montgomery (bass), and the group's namesake, Steve Okonski (piano). On their new album, Entrance Music, they channel Ahmad Jamal’s late ‘60s / early ‘70s trios, Brad Mehldau’s Largo-era soundscapes, and the soft piano-funk of Galt MacDermot to create a record that is, amidst the chaos of 2025, a half-hour’s long aural balm for listeners. For his part, Okonski seems as at home using Bill Evans-esque block chords as he does imitating the long-flowing lines of Ethiopian cult-icon Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou, and for a group of indie soul musicians moonlighting as jazz cats, this is a damn fine effort. — Julian Booker, Associate Program Director for Jazz, host of The Get Down
Ambrose Akinmusire, honey from a winter stone (Nonesuch Records)
Ambrose Akinmusire’s honey from a winter stone is not just a jazz album. The music travels through various emotions of reality: softness, strength, anger and fear. It appears to be a personal, intimate journey that blends modern jazz, hip-hop, chamber music, poetry, strings and voice — true reality in today’s society, full of raw emotion. Exploring identity, struggle and hope, the music is anchored by Akinmusire’s trumpet voice and supported by collaborators like the Mivos Quartet and rapper Kokayi. — Maurice Browne, host of The Standard
Ben Paterson, Cookin’ at the Couve (Cellar Live)
I’ve been listening closely to the Philly-born pianist Ben Paterson for a few years now. His compositional ideas offer a cool spritz of soul and R&B as heard in the title song of his late-2024 release Cookin' At The Couve. Philadelphia piano legends Bobby Timmons and Ray Bryant are respectively represented here as well. A welcome surprise is the overlooked ‘40s favorite “‘Tis Autumn,” colored with subtle, bluesy chords. Let your ears play host to this inspiring young pianist. — Bob Craig, host of Sunday Jazz Brunch and Big Band Jazz
Quite Sane, To Kill a Child of Troubled Times (Atelier Harlem)
Some 23 years later after its release, comes the long-awaited sequel to Quite Sane’s sublime debut recording, The Child of Troubled Times – Short Stories. The project is led by British-born bassist, composer, producer, curator and Guggenheim Fellow Anthony Tidd. To Kill a Child of Troubled Times is presented in trilogy format (Prologue, Mythos, and Epilogue), and is available only as a Limited Edition 180g Audiophile double LP. (This track, "Prologue iv: A Mother's Story," was provided exclusively to WRTI.)
Tragically, in the United States, homicide ranks No. 1 as the leading cause of death for African American youth. Through several lenses the recording chronicles the exploits and troubles of Shorty, the central protagonist who was first introduced to us on the original recording. For the sequel, Mr. Tidd assembles an exceptionally skilled group of musicians to join returning members Miguel Zenón (alto saxophone) and Sean Rickman (drums). — J. Michael Harrison, host of The Bridge
Mei Semones, Animaru (Bayonet Records)
Innovation is intrinsic to the ethos of bossa nova, the Brazilian style which, literally translated, is Portuguese for “new trend.” With this breezy yet substantive debut, Mei Semones firmly plants herself at the vanguard of a burgeoning Bossa renaissance, cross-pollinating its gentle syncopations with influences from unexpected corners of the musical map. The 24-year old, Berklee-trained wunderkind leans into her Japanese heritage — switching between English and Japanese lyrics with the same smoothness she brings to her harmonically rich guitar playing — and leans on her superb ear, with tasteful string arrangements for violin and viola that offer dimension and depth. — Zev Kane, Classical Program Director and host
Foto Rodríguez y Charanga La Única, Homenaje a Pupi Lagareta
I love Cuban charanga music, which dates back to around 1940. I love supporting all local Latin bands, but especially those who feature this style of music — a style of salsa where flute and violins are the lead / featured instruments in the song’s arrangement. In the Philadelphia area for the last 45 years, Foto Rodríguez has conquered the task ever so well. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, he started playing the timbales at a very early age. He came to Philadelphia during the 1960s and played with various local bands until 1980 when he formed his own band, Charanga La Única. His latest release, Homenaje a Pupi Lagareta, features numerous arrangements by the Fania All Star legend Pupi Lagareta, with Pupi himself, singing “The God Father.” — David Ortiz, host of El Viaje
Thomas Marriott, Screen Time (Imani Records)
This is the kind of “screen time” any doctor would tell you to enjoy more of. Trumpeter Thomas Marriott has taken music from TV and film and compiled it into an album that I’ve found myself visiting over and over again. Along with a few originals, Marriott fills the album with songs that make you reminisce about your childhood and want to revisit a movie you haven’t watched in a while, which together make this a complete album that stays true to its title. — Nicole Sweeney, host of Evening Jazz and First Fridays
The Circling Sun, Orbits (Soundway)
I feel like this album in production and composition appeals to a wide palette of listeners. There’s something texturally in it for everyone. And while it should appeal to many fans of straight-up jazz, it certainly is not straight-ahead by any means. — Robby Webb, Assistant Production Manager
To learn about more of our favorite releases from 2025 so far, check out this episode of The Late Set with Nate Chinen and Josh Jackson, where they talk about recent releases by Myra Melford, Nicholas Payton and more!
