LYNNE ARRIALE TRIO LIVE Lynne Arriale Trio (Motema)

Arriale offers a cool jazz version of Lennon-McCartney's "Come Together" and an even cooler, stripped-down, and laid-back jazz version of the New Orleans standard, "Iko Iko." But the best part of this awesome disc, due for release Tuesday, is how Arriale and her trio play from the heart.

They strike a great balance between fury and sensitivity for a truly gorgeous sound. Recorded live at this year's Burghausen Jazz Week, Germany's oldest and most prestigious jazz festival, this is top shelf all the way, the kind of thing that fans of jazz piano yearn to hear. Included is a DVD with performances and interviews.

– TOM HENRY