Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, Bill Stewart ★★★★

Ramshackle Serenade

Pirouet

Ramshackle Serenade is a great album title for this splendid trio, the supplest and sharpest tuned organ-guitar-drum trio making music today. Their endurance as a unit—they’ve been recording together for many years and share more than a dozen recordings—has never been more pronounced or sophisticated. “Roach,” a soulful original by Goldings has a late night luster, all deep grooves and peppered with Stewart’s dazzling beats. Bernstein’

s full, rounded notes romance the melody of Jobim’s classic “Luiza” and lifts his superb original “Simple As That” to joyful heights. Most of the music in this winning set takes flight on the wings of swing. The trio consistently morphs groove with grace notes and tasty licks, balancing the nostalgic (a sprightly “Sweet and Lovely”) with the innovative (“Useless Metaphor” has a crisp, modern edge). The band goes out on a high note with an unanticipated tribute, playing Horace Silver’s classic “Peace.” Though Mr. Silver passed six months after the album was recorded, Goldings, Bernstein and Stewart give us a meaningful version that’s insightful and altogether reverential. (9 tracks; 62 minutes)

Barbara Morrison ★★★★1/2

I Love You, Yes I Do

Savant

An irresistible jazz and blues singer, Los Angeles-based Barbara Morrison follows up last year’s A Sunday Kind Of Love (Savant) with a looser and superior effort, I Love You, Yes I Do, that cements her status as one of the best song stylists of the day. Once again, she’s produced and joined by grand tenor saxophonist Houston Person, who mixes things up by pairing Morrison with her LA trio featuring the sparkling pianist Stuart Elster, bassist Richard Simon and Lee Spath on drums. T

he set list has a deliberate gospel tinge—even The Beatles’ “And I Love Him” suggests the man upstairs—yet Morrison’s bluesy, swinging delivery, a combination of grit and poetry, make renditions of “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was,” “Trust In Me” and the title track absolutely stellar. She’s intrepid enough to weave songs from the ‘40s to the ‘70s with an authoritative confidence and her black-tie accompaniment kills with a combination of professional elegance and gutsy lyricism. You’ll adore Morrison and company’s takes on “Save Your Love For Me” and the Eisley’s “For The Love Of You,” but there’s more to love when Morrison digs into less familiar material. (12 tracks; 59 minutes)

Walter Smith III ★★★1/2

Still C

Criss Cross

Tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III is one of the key musicians at the forefront of modern jazz, writing and performing original music that reference sounds and rhythms from his generation. Still Casual follows his evolutionary work with the Next Collective band and drummer Eric Harland’s Voyager group. Smith, 33, flaunts his agility and a groove-laden vibe on the alb

um’s first half, mixing layered harmonics underscored by jacked-up guitarist Matt StevensFollowing track five, a touching tribute to fellow musician Jimmy Greene, Smith and crew bounce on tunes with hard-charging passion and intensity. A coda spotlights Smith and Stevens in duo mode, teasing ribbons of melody surrounded by ethereal electronics. It’s an affecting conclusion that leaves you wanting more. The dynamic rhythm team features Taylor Eigsti, Kendrick Scott and Harish Raghavan. (10 tracks; 55 minutes)

David Binney ★★★★

Anacapa

Criss Cross

Saxophonist David Binney’s music can be challenging and rambunctious, and his tunes often combine feverish solos played against breathtaking textures whipped up by his rhythm team. His original compositions never stay still for long, yet Anacapa is a departure that’s often reflective and quite beautiful. There’s a genuine emotive thread that Binney weaves throughout, giving the album a cohesive, inviting flow and his highly collaborative band knuckles down to give each of the leader’s tune a pleasing shine. It keeps the album continuously fresh, even on multiple spins, which helps make Anacapa Binney’s most rewarding effort in his substantial discography.

Mixing virtuosic playing (the ace rhythm team is pianist John Escreet, bassist Matt Brewer and drummer Obed Calvaire), multi-tracked vocals, zippy electronics and synthesized sounds, the record is grounded by earthy tracks that build on sturdy melodies (“The Golden Zone”), powerful grooves (“Massive Humanity”) and the lovely title tune that’s tagged with a wonderful, wiry solo by guitarist Wayne Krantz. The funky, soul-jazz tune “Imagination Sets Us Free” bounces along on a hot bass and beats vamp that’s bifurcated by Escreet’s high-stepping solo and free jazz improv by guitarist Rogers.

At 53, Binney is the quintessential NY musician who can fill a late night jazz bar on a moment’s notice with fans who feed hungrily off his energetic, high-flying solos and crackerjack interplay, and that abundant creativity is fully present on the impressive Anacapa. (10 tracks; 71 minutes)