The beauty of having written for All About Jazz since the early years is that I was given one of the first personal columns, "Bailey's Bundles," as named by publisher Michael Ricci. I have used it mostly for thematically-based multiple record reviews, then my end-of-the-year lists. As the years sped on, I began to concentrate on reviewing jazz vocals releases and my output addressing instrumental music began to shrink while the same amount of said material still knocked at my door. I am using "Bailey's Bundle's" to help remedy this. I am subtitling this monthly series "Jazz Quanta" in keeping with the discrete bundles of music that CDs remain as they come my way for consideration. These reviews will focus on instrumental music that I would otherwise not review because of time constraints and are vignettes testing my ability to say more while writing less, thereby covering more music. I hope it works.

Bob van Luijt's Square Orange: The Core (Kubrickology, 2013). The Core is the brainchild of bassist Bob van Luijt. Van Luijt leads a radioactive quintet specializing in a provocative, cutting-edge brand of music. While certainly containing all of the elements of jazz, van Luijt is thinking in larger terms here. The five selections divide into three intentional categories, according to the bassist. "The Core" is intended as composition that is form over "melody and sometimes, harmony." It is a propulsive piece whose musical drama is assembled with Raoul van Herpen's choppy clavinet inspired by Sjoerd Visser's R&B inspired tenor saxophone. Integration is achieved with Van Luijt's elastic bass and Florian Weber's grand piano playing. "I Will Think of You" is a lyrical solo bass performance by Van Luijt that stands in stark juxtaposition with the opening piece. "Red Moon Suite" is a three-part homage to science fiction that mixes the form of "The Core" with the lyricism of "I Will Think of You" bringing van Luijt and company full circle in a provocative cycle of listener-ready music that is "not more of the same."

Austin Piazzolla Quintet: Lo Que Vendra (Self Produced, 2013). Violinist James Anderson leads an open-minded acoustic quintet dedicated to and inspired by the music of Astor Piazzolla: nuevo tango. Anderson heavily peppers Piazzolla originals with his own compositions and those of pianist Jonathan Geer. As an integrated assembly, Lo Que Vendra integrates well. The original themes of Anderson and Geer tend to the less complex when compared with Piazzolla's while capturing his potent rhythmic style and melodic sophistication. Anderson's "Vineta" interludes provide a throwback vintage sound while unifying the recital. Geer's "Los Compadritos" and "Tango Muerte" are densely dark and richly rhythmic, tempering Anderson's more sweetly divined sounds. The Tango is alive a well and going nowhere as long as the Austin Piazzolla has anything to say about it.

B.J. Jansen: Ronin: The Masterless Samurai (ARC Records, 2014). A baritone saxophone-led quartet takes a lot of guts. In the spirit of