Listening Booth: Reviews and noteworthy releases, 1st quarter 2016

Below is a list of my published reviews from January of this year through to, and counting, the first week of April. Additionally, 30 noteworthy releases from the year so far, ordered alphabetically. It's not much, I'll grant, but the number will likely improve as I catch up with recent and upcoming releases, and revisit others during the 2nd quarter.

• Aruán Ortiz Trio: Hidden Voices (Intakt Records) -- Reviewed for Musikkmagasinet/Klassekampen, February 1st, 2016. Original grade 5 out of 6.
• Michael Formanek Ensemble Kolossus: The Distance (ECM Records) -- Reviewed for Musikkmagasinet/Klassekampen, February 29th, 2016. Original grade 5,5 out of 6.
• Hanna Paulsberg Concept: Eastern Smiles (ODIN) -- Reviewed for Musikkmagasinet/Klassekampen, February 29th, 2016. Original grade 4,5 out of 6.
• Moskus: Ulv Ulv (Hubro) -- Reviewed for Musikkmagasinet/Klassekampen, April 4th, 2016. Original grade 5 out of 6.
• Bathysphere: Bathysphere (Driff Records) -- Reviewed for Jaznytt #238, 2016. Originally not graded.
• Jon Lundbom & Big Five Chord: Make the Magic Happen EP and Bring Their 'A' Game EP (Hot Cup Records) -- Reviewed for Jazznytt #238, 2016. Originally not graded.
• Protean Reality: Protean Reality (Clean Feed) -- Reviewed for Jazznytt #238, 2016. Originally not graded.

Aditional published material:

• "Pianistenes Pianist," my Paul Bley obitiuary for Musikkmagasinet/Klassekampen, January 11th, 2016.
• "Et jazza omland," highlights from Jazzland Records' output on the occasion of its 20 year anniversary, for Musikkmagasinet/Klassekampen March 14th, 2016.

Heavy Rotation, 1st quarter 2016:

• Kenny Barron: Book of Intuition (Impulse)
• Bent Shapes: Wolves of Want (Slumberland Records)
• Big Ups: Before a Million Universes (Tough Love Records)
• BJ the Chicago Kid: In My Mind (Universal)
• Bombino: Azel (Partisan Records)
• Thomas Borgmann, Max Johnson, Willis Kellers: One For Cisco (NoBusiness)
• Cobalt: Slow Forever (Profound Lore)
• Empirical: Connections (Cuneiform Records)
• Field Music: Commontime (Memphis Industries)
• Michael Formanek Ensemble Kolossus: The Distance (ECM Records)
• Robbie Fulks: Upland Stories (Bloodshot Records)
• Charles Gayle Trio: Live at Jazzwerkstatt Peitz (Jazzwerkstatt)
• Gutbucket: Dance (Gut Records) 
• William Hooker: LIGHT. The Early Years 1975-1989 (NoBusiness)
• Anna Högberg Attack: Anna Högberg Attack (Omlott)
• Kamaiyah: A Good Night in the Ghetto (self released)
• Julie Kjær 3: Dobbeltgænger (Clean Feed)
• Large Unit: Ana (PNL)
• Jeff Lederer Brooklyn Blowhards: Brooklyn Blowhards (little(i)music)
• Moskus: Ulv Ulv (Hubro)
• Bob Mould: Patch the Sky (Merge)
• Willie Nelson: Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin (Columbia/Legacy)
• Aruán Ortiz Trio: Hidden Voices (Intakt Records)
• Parquet Courts: Human Performance (Rough Trade)
• Hanna Paulsberg Concept: Eastern Smiles (ODIN) 
• Roswell Rudd, Jamie Saft, Trevor Dunn, Balasc Pandi: Strength & Power (RareNoiseRecords)
• Rønnings Jazzmaskin: Jazzmaskin! (Losen Records)
• Henry Threadgill Ensembel Double Up: Old Locks and Irregular Verbs (Pi Recordings) 
• White Denim: Stiff (Downtown Records)
• Wussy: Forever Sounds (Damnably)