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Four stand-out new albums, as chosen by the Soundcheck staff.

Glenn Gould: "The Young Maverick" (CBC Records)

This new six-CD box set is drawn from radio broadcasts of the legendary Canadian pianist from the early '50s. Gould was a fearless performer, and the medium of live radio only heightens the sense of risk-taking here. --Brian Wise

"The Young Maverick" is available for purchase at Amazon.com

Doveman, "With My Left Hand I Raise the Dead" (Brassland)

This has been a stellar year for Thomas Bartlett, the musician known as Doveman. He contributed to The National's outstanding "Boxer," joined his National pals on tour, and turned out another Doveman album full of sad and blurry memories. Bartlett’s voice barely hovers above a whisper as he sings about chasing clouds, sunken queens, and tender mercies. --Joel Meyer

"With My Left Hand I Raise the Dead" is available for purchase at Amazon.com

3 Cohens "Braid" (Anzic Records)

Every other young jazz musician playing in New York today seems to come from Israel. Three of them come from the very same family. Trumpeter Avishai Cohen, clarinetist and saxophonist Anat Cohen and saxophonist Yuval Cohen all have independent careers, and play music as diverse as bepop and Brazilian choro. When they jam together, they're known as the 3 Cohens. --Gisele Regatao

"3 Cohens" is available for purchase at Amazon.com

Mahmoud Ahmed and the Either Orchestra, "EthioSonic" (Buda Musique)

This DVD documents the meeting between Mahmoud Ahmed, one of Ethiopia’s greatest pop singers, and the Massachusetts 10-piece jazz band called the Either Orchestra. Ahmed is one of the legends of the golden age of Ethiopian pop in the '70s. The Either Orchestra has recently been reviving interest in this music, which almost disappeared after the end of Haile Selassie’s reign in the mid 70s. --John Schaefer

"EthioSonic" is available for purchase at Amazon.com