On 'The Invasion Parade', Cuban pianist and composer Alfredo Rodriguez explores his memories of Cuba, the people and the culture he left behind. Co-Produced by Quincy Jones, Rodriguez' champion and mentor, the album also features a superb ensemble that includes bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding, percussionist and vocalist Pedrito Martinez, and drummer and percussionist Henry Cole.

'The Invasion Parade' comprises nine tracks including originals by Rodriguez as well as evergreens such as "Guantanamera", Maria Teresa Vera's "Veinte A os", and "Quiz s, Quiz s, Quiz s".

"I searched different styles, different rhythms of Cuban music", explains Rodriguez. "I explored Conga Santiaguera [a rhythm from Santiago, in Eastern Cuba]; Afro-Cuban music and also m sica guajira [country music]. I'm exploring the roots and searching for my own contribution to Cuban music."

Personnel: Alfredo Rodriguez (piano, Minimoog voyager synthesizer, electronics percussion), Esperanza Spalding (vocals, acoustic bass - tracks 3, 7), Peter Slavov (acoustic bass), Henry Cole (drums, percussion), Pedrito Martinez (vocals, percussion), Roman Filiu (alto and soprano saxophone), Billy Carron (baritone saxophone), Javier Porta (flute)

The Panamanian pianist Danilo P rez has occupied the piano chair in tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter's acclaimed quartet since 2001. 'Panama 500' finds him with two different groups of musicians who perform Perez's own compositions that celebrate the 500th anniversary of the historic crossing, in 1513, of the Panama isthmus by explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa.

Perez finds musical interpretation and inspiration for his compositions in two groups of players - one featuring bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade, fellow musicians in Shorter's quartet, with contributions from percussionist Rogerio Boccato and cellist Sachi Patitucci. The other group features drummer Adam Cruz, bassist Ben Street, violinist Alex Hargreaves and percussionist Roman Diaz. Both groups are musical allies and stunning collaborators in Danilo's vision.

The music is a multi-cultural mix of jazz, Latin American folk, classical music and blues with Middle Eastern and Asian sounds in the mix. In addition three tracks include music and narration from the Guna indigenous people of Panama.

Personnel: Danilo Perez (piano, cowbell), John Patitucci (bass), Brian Blade (drums), Rogerio Boccato (percussion), Sachi Patitucci (cello), Adam Cruz (drums), Ben Street (bass), Alex Hargreaves (violin), Roman Diaz (percussion), Milagros Blades (repicador, caja, pujador), Ricaurte Villareal (caja, guiro) and others.

Tia Fuller's third recording on the Mack Avenue label marks her evolution as a skilled saxophonist, composer and bandleader and features guest vocalist Dianne Reeves, John Patitucci on bass and Terri Lyne Carrington on drums. 'Angelic Warrior' also shows how she's grown as a producer, her observation of the meticulous in-studio attention to detail of Beyonc - with whom Fuller toured and recorded for the last five years - resulting in heightened focus on the editing, mixing and mastering process. On 'Angelic Warrior' Fuller makes an aesthetic statement that's fully her own, a culmination of the music that she loves. Most of the nine originals and freshly arranged standards are dedicated to people important in her life. Terri Lyne Carrington is the inspiration for the recording's title. "She has this gracefulness about her but she also has a warrior spirit," Fuller says about Carrington. "She's really helped to pave the way for a lot of musicians, especially, of course, female musicians. And for me, an African American woman, she has just made a stamp and opened it up for a lot of us, such as myself and Esperanza. She's a major mentor." "From playing with great horn players like Wayne Shorter and Stan Getz, I just wanted to help her and encourage her," says Carrington. "I fell in love with Tia's playing and with her as a person. She has a lot of respect for the history of the music and has done her homework."