I’m catching up on press releases and other email (way, way behind). I just read two separate messages with two things in common – bassist Larry Grenadier and family.

Grenadier plays on The Growing Season, the latest from his wife of over ten years, singer Rebecca Martin. This is a special and personal recording, inspired by their almost-three year old son. Martin says, “The experience of becoming a mother is very cocoon-like. The new feelings of love, the life changes and responsibilities have transformed me completely. What is important and what isn’t is now crystal clear, and it’s made the room for me to go deeper into my truth in my life and my work.” Helping convey the intimate expressions are Kurt Rosenwinkel (who also produced) and Brian Blade. Listen to samples at Amazon.com or iTunes.

Cuban-born drummer Francisco Mela’s second recording as a leader is also his first live one. The title is Cirio, named after and inspired by his father. He can’t go wrong with the band of this recording: Jason Moran, Lionel Loueke, Mark Turner and Larry Grenadier. The press releases states that “Together they make music informed by the rhythms of Mela’s homeland, while also going beyond into adventurous modern jazz.” Cirio is available now.