Rass Kass Rasassination (Priority/Virgin)

Rass Kass has lyrics for days. Never tongue-tied or at a loss for words, this brother even has a skit on the album where he claims, "I'm a lyricist--I don't give a f*ck about a beat!" He had to have cared just a little bit to employ Dr. Dre to spice things up and keep his West Coast roots in the forefront. As much as everybody would like to see Rass flip his gift over a few more East Coast joints, he makes it quite clear that he knows exactly where he's from--Wesside in the trunk, no matter what. It's probably that unapologetic pride that solidifies this stronger second effort. 7/10 (Scott C)

Johannes Enders Bright Nights (Enja/Fusion III)

The leader is a highly touted musician from Munich who plays tenor and soprano saxophones. He composed all but one piece in this fine post-bop outing inspired by the Miles Davis Quintet of the mid-'60s (Davis' "So Near So Far" being the exception). Joining Enders are a great group of young musicians: George Colligan, Dwayne Burno, Howard Curtis and Canadian-born Ingrid Jensen. The leader is a newcomer to keep an ear out for. 7.5/10 (Len Dobbin)

Katjar Ciel de lune (independent)

Does jazz depend on saxes, trumpets, pianos and noisy percussion? No, says Bernard Épaud and his trio Katjar, who use the unlikely combination of electric violin, guitar, voice and Middle Eastern percussion. Seven poems are interpreted, not through singing or recitation, but through mood; voices mingle with the instruments in a primarily rhythmic way. A blend of traditional jazz and oriental flavours, superbly performed by good musicians. 8/10 (Wolfgang Bottenberg)