The three-year journey of self-discovery that led Emeli Sandé to her third album began at home. “Living with my family and seeing real life in action was so grounding,” the Scottish singer-songwriter tells Apple Music. “My sister and her partner are both teachers, and they're so responsible and such wonderful parents.” That home life has been the catalyst for 11 tracks that take in R&B, gospel and trademark widescreen ballads—all united by empowering lyrics. “When you see what really matters,” says Sandé, “I think that's when the honesty has to begin.” Let her guide you through the album, track by soul-baring track.

Following a banner year for Pete Cunningham — best known as dextrous saxophonist Ishmael and leader of the namesake Ishmael Ensemble - 2019 now brings debut album 'A State of Flow.' This new long player builds on Cunningham's work as proud protector of Bristolian heritage, sketching loving sonic pictures of the South West in his Bristol-inspired 'Severn Songs' series, whilst also incubating local visual and musical talent, within the Ensemble. 'A State Of Flow' touches on various styles of jazz, stirring ambient invocations, club-ready percussive workouts, spiralling grooves & hazy psychedelic electronica. This would be a confusing melange, but for Cunningham's excursions as a genre-agnostic DJ - something evident in the real house shuffle of 'Lapwing' - which evokes walking into a smoky afterhours haunt and finding a session in full, forward motion or the organic garage beats of 'Full Circle' and classic trip hop style 'Waterfall' fuelled by Holysseus Fly's honey toned and evocative vocals.

This 1980 recording is an excellent example of David Sanborn's music. The highly influential altoist is joined by familiar studio veterans (including guitarist Hiram Bullock and drummer Steve Gadd) with bassist/composer Marcus Miller being a key figure in creating the funky rhythms and colorful backgrounds. Miller, who shared the writing chores with Sanborn, not only contributed his powerful bass, but backed the altoist during a duet version of "Just for You" on piano. Easily recommended to fans of R&B-ish jazz.

Black Pearl was a West Coast rock group of the late '60s and early '70s led by Bernie "B.B." Fieldings. They had two charting albums, Black Pearl (1969) and Black Pearl – Live! (1970). Back in the late '60s, there were several bands that amped up the smooth and sexy R&B sound of the day – giving it a shot of adrenaline and a bit more, well, cajones. The prime example of this approach was the mighty MC5, but there were other acts that followed the same template – albeit all but forgotten over the years – such as Black Pearl. Although they hailed from San Francisco and were pals of the Grateful Dead, they did not reflect the expected hippie-dippie-isms from bands of that area/era.

Rossini's wonderful comic opera, written when he was only 21, to an Italian libretto by Angelo Anelli, was first performed in Venice on May 22, 1813. Since then audiences have thrilled to such mezzos as Teresa Berganza and Marilyn Horne, in the title role of Isabella, the Italian girl who torments the Pasha into loving his own wife. Here rising star Christianne Stotijn, a BBC Young Generation Artist, moves into new repertoire in this production from Aix-en Provence, 2006, conducted by Rossini specialist Riccarda Frizza and directed by Toni Servillo.

Diego Urcola's new record, Viva, features the Grammy nominated trumpeter leading an all-star lineup. "I wanted to put together my dream band," said Urcola. The core group of Edward Simon, Avishai Cohen, Antonio Sanchez, and Pernel Saturnino are joined by guests, Paquito d'Rivera, Jimmy Heath, Dave Samuels and Conrad Herwig. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Paquito," Urcola says. "He gave me my first big break, and I got to meet a lot of people through him, including Dave, with whom I've been working in the Caribbean Jazz Project for the last three years.