This truly must be the worst of times for jazz purists and 60s renegades, as more young and talented musicians replace "I Got Rhythm" changes and free-improv orthodoxies with the sounds of hip-hop, world music, Hollywood films, funk and rock.

Granted some of these projects work and some don't, but the impulse itself is a healthy one and the trend bodes well for contemporary music of all stripes.

Recorded in January 1998 and dedicated to the memory of kindred spirits Sun Ra and Lester Bowie, the Josh Roseman Unit's Cherry is the first joint release from Knitting Factory and Velour.

Supporting the trombonist in various combinations are John Medeski, keyboards; Lester Bowie and Matt Shulman, trumpets; Bob Stewart, tuba; Ben Monder and Dave Fiuczynski, guitars; Jay Rodrigues and David Jensen, saxophones; Scott Colley, bass; Joey Baron or Ari Hoenig, drums; and E.J. Rodrąguez, percussion.

Highlights include a ska-flavored cover of "Don't Be Cruel" (one of Otis Blackwell's biggest hits for Elvis), a relentless version of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir," Marvin Gaye's beautiful ballad "Just to Keep You Satisfied," Sun Ra's "Love in Outer Space" and an original piece entitled "Trousertrout."