Unsane Occupational Hazard (Relapse)

Bearing down on Brooklyn this time around, NYC's Unsane--vocalist/guitarist Chris Spencer, drummer Vinny Signorelli, and ex-local Dave Curran on bass--perpetuate extremism no matter where they call home. Having ditched AmRep for the experi-metal/noise label Relapse means that any previous power restrictions have been resolutely blown to hell, which makes for a brutally great batch of new tracks ("Stop," "Over Me," "Lead"). Warning: do not enter this zone without protective gear! 9/10 (Lorrie Edmonds)

Bernard Purdie Soul to Jazz II (ACT/Fusion III)

With a steady but unhurried pace, this disc builds a bridge between soul music and jazz. Familiar turf for one-time King Curtis crony Purdie and his guests, such as crossover pioneer Stan Turrentine. Frequent detours into gospel and blues, and a tastefully restrained "Theme From Shaft" actually serve to cement the point. Given the theme, the shortage of fancy fireworks is appropriate and appreciated. 8.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)

Autour de Lucie Immobile (Le village vert/Nettwerk)

Autour de Lucie's second album finds the Parisian trio having lost none of their pedestrian Gauloise-stained sentimentality. Oh no. You'll be pontificating, pulling out the black turtleneck and Anaïs Nin after finishing Immobile. But not to take the piss--this is a boundlessly lovely listen. Vocalist Valerie Leuillot is a whisper wonder and Immobile is a clean crystallization of hip musique détente. Angelic as all heaven, yet amazingly minimalist, ADL don't need much to prettily convey how their urbanism depresses them so. 8.5/10 (Mireille Silcott)

Karen Clark-Sheard Finally Karen (Island/Polygram)

As part of the renowned family act the Clark Sisters, Karen Clark-Sheard rose high in the gospel community, singing superb spiritual music in impeccable four-part harmony. Striking it out on her own, Clark-Sheard capitalizes on the urban sound pervading much of gospel music. Helped by Faith Evans, the stellar Donald Lawrence & the Tri-City Singers, and her daughter Kierra, Clark-Sheard proves she is on top of her game in both traditional and contemporary settings. 7.5/10 (Gerard Dee)

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