Neil was back with a new music mix just for one week only before he returned to Beijing. Into the frame came Bill Evans, Don Pullen, Robert Glasper, Esperanza Spalding and Brad Mehldau. More unusually, how about Doctor L, LTJ Bukem and Quantic with Alice Russell? All were squeezed into this week’s CJ. The result? The usual eclectic brew of new and old, contemporary and classic – where else will Duke Ellington rub shoulders with DJ Day?

1. Jiang Xioquing and Fei Jianrong – Last Emperor Theme
2. LTJ Bukem – Rhodes to Freedom
3. Doctor L – In the Words
4. Don Pullen – Milano Strut
5. Brad Meldhau – 26
6. Esperanza Spaulding – Endangered Species
7. Bill Evans  Trio – Come Rain or Come Shine
8. Sonny Rollins – God Bless the Child
9. Don Pullen – Healing Force
10. John Coltrane – Mr P C
11. Robert Glasper Experiment – Afro Blue
12. Kenny Garrett – Boogety Boogety
13. Duke Ellington – Very Special
14. Quantic with Alice Russell – Similau
15. D J Day – Closer (feat. Aloe Blac)

Video this week comes from Kenny Garrett, here performing Human Nature in 1991 with an ailing Miles Davis (this was the year of his death). The close relationship between the two soloists is evident with Garrett trading licks with Davis before setting out on his own blistering solo path. Davis even holds up Garrett’s name for the audience to check out! As always, Garrett’s tone is unmistakeable.