2. JOHN COLTRANE: One Down, One Up: Live at the Half Note (Impulse) The Coltrane Quartet at its most ferocious, especially on the blistering title track.

3. PAUL MOTIAN/JOE LOVANO/BILL FRISELL: I Have the Room Above Her (ECM) Motian's apparently simple compositions are fodder for exquisite chamber interplay, and his drumming suggests the crawl of lengthening shadows.

4. VIJAY IYER: Reimagining (Savoy) Pianism is one reason to pay heed to this quartet outing, Iyer's strongest yet. Another is his rhythm concept— beguiling, befuddling, and legitimately new.

5. ROSCOE MITCHELL QUINTET: Turn (RogueArt) Gripping inside-out miniatures from an AACM elder, with a heavy next-generation crew.

6. CUONG VU: It's Mostly Residual (Artist Share) As trumpeter and composer, Vu favors darkness and warmth—which explains why this album provides such a hospitable setting for Bill Frisell.

7. PAT METHENY GROUP: The Way Up (Nonesuch) Metheny's billowing suite overcomes pretense with high musicianship and thematic coherence.

8. BEBO VALDÉS: Bebo de Cuba (Calle 54) The octogenarian Cuban expat continues a hot streak, abetted this time by New York's Latin-jazz elite.

9. BRAD MEHLDAU: Day Is Done (Nonesuch) Kicked into high gear by new drummer Jeff Ballard, the Mehldau trio renews its immediacy and focus.

10. ROBERT GLASPER: Canvas (Blue Note) Bright and buoyant reveries from this year's big arrival, whose trio shows serious promise.