3. Billy Drummond & Freedom of Ideas Valse Sinistre (Cellar)

For his first album as a leader in 26 years, the drummer’s drummer enlists saxophonist Dayna Stephens, pianist Micah Thomas, and bassist Dezron Douglas for adventurous music ranging from an urgent, bracing take on Jackie McLean’s “Little Melonae” to a haunting version of the ballad “Laura.” Drummond aptly salutes a pair of musical heroes on his “Changes for Trane & Monk” and turns in a soprano-led version of Grachan Moncur’s twisty, rarely played “Frankenstein.” PHILIP BOOTH