> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.rhythmchanges.ca/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Favourite albums and EPs from the fall so far - URL: https://www.rhythmchanges.ca/favourite-albums-and-eps-from-the-fall-so-far/ - Published: 2026-11-10T02:34:36.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-10T15:57:42.000Z - Description: AHSIA, Ally Fiola, Alvaro Rojas, Asef, Jacob Do, Molly Moolman & Jake Kostuchuk, Sam Wilson, and Shirantha Beddage - Author: Will Chernoff Here's a roundup of 8 new releases from the scene that caught my attention through the fall, in artist alphabetical order: ## AHSIA: *Miss Understood* [![Miss Understood cover](https://storage.ghost.io/c/15/2b/152b7411-0202-45a2-9f09-f39a793683ef/content/images/2026/11/Ahsia_MissUnderstood.jpeg)](https://missunderstood.ahsiaverse.com/?ref=rhythmchanges.ca) For this EP, R&B singer, songwriter, and producer Ahsia (stylized in all caps) brought together jazz-trained session players like Yamil Chain-Haddad, Jocelyn Waugh, and Francis Naluz; alongside alumni of Teon Gibbs' 100 Collective crew, like vocalist Jaspa and keyboardist Andrew Lo. *Miss Understood's* eight tracks are co-produced with the likes of Stephanie 'Pockets' Rangno, Alan Ruiz, and Matt Storm. Within them lies yearning, gratitude, defiance, and just plain figuring it out. When the most-popular song "Runnin'" finally comes in, its intimate beats of doubt hit hard. I quite like "So Nice" and Chain-Haddad's prominent basslines. [(Streaming)](https://missunderstood.ahsiaverse.com/?ref=rhythmchanges.ca) ## Ally Fiola: *Exit 10* [![Exit 10 cover](https://storage.ghost.io/c/15/2b/152b7411-0202-45a2-9f09-f39a793683ef/content/images/2026/11/AllyFiola_Exit10.jpg)](https://allyfiola.bandcamp.com/album/exit-10?ref=rhythmchanges.ca) One of the most fun albums I've heard all year is the product of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and is a love letter of sorts to the Annapolis Valley region. Saxophonist Ally Fiola's mix of styles is a sprawling good time and comes foremost with good grooves, whether it's sousaphone or electric bass at the foundation. Catchy melodies reign. The band, called The Next Quest, makes its way to bombastic, vaguely hip-hop coded territory ("Wolfville") and a slow jam with a guest vocalist ("When Things End" featuring Jah’Mila). It's like chill [Chopping Spree](https://www.rhythmchanges.ca/chopping-spree-band-anemoia/) from the country, anti-pastoral. [(CD](https://allyfiola.com/product/1392865-exit-10-cd?ref=rhythmchanges.ca) & [Digital)](https://allyfiola.bandcamp.com/album/exit-10?ref=rhythmchanges.ca) ## Alvaro Rojas: *Detached Objects* ![Detached Objects cover](https://storage.ghost.io/c/15/2b/152b7411-0202-45a2-9f09-f39a793683ef/content/images/2026/11/Alvaro-Rojas_DetachedObjects.jpg) Since the guitarist and composer's previous appearances at *Rhythm Changes* around [*Music for 22*](https://www.rhythmchanges.ca/alvaro-rojas-music-for-22/) and [*Plays Reid Anderson's*](https://www.rhythmchanges.ca/alvaro-rojas-plays-reid-anderson-vastness-space/), Alvaro Rojas has continued to venture far. He has dropped a [concept album with Susie Ibarra and Jake Landau](https://alvarorojasmusic.bandcamp.com/album/translation-studies?ref=rhythmchanges.ca), played duo with Cole Schmidt, and most recently released this solo electronic project. Recording at Afterlife and joined by James Meger on post-production, Rojas refuses to be enervated. *Detached Objects* goes from cyclonic to widescreen with acoustic and electric riffage, landing on a surprise standard in a post-rock key (and a bonus track that may be my favourite one). [(Digital)](https://alvarorojasmusic.bandcamp.com/album/detached-objects?ref=rhythmchanges.ca) ## Asef: *Confluence* [![Confluence cover](https://storage.ghost.io/c/15/2b/152b7411-0202-45a2-9f09-f39a793683ef/content/images/2026/10/Asef_Confluence.jpg)](https://asef.bandcamp.com/album/confluence?ref=rhythmchanges.ca) Alto/soprano saxophonist Saul Berson is Asef's *de facto* leader, but it's a true band, playing often around the scene. *Confluence* unites various Mediterranean sounds in convivial quartet arrangements, to my ears through the Masada-core Jewish improvising tradition. That matches both the album title and the band name; *asef* means "to gather / harvest" in Hebrew. Berson wrote five of the pieces, with the other three coming from contemporary Eurasian artists. Itamar Erez's electric guitar sparkles through Dave Sikula's engineering, and his acoustic sounds great too. Bassist Sam Shoichet and ever-adaptable percussionist Liam MacDonald are an ideal rhythm team. [(CD)](https://asef.bandcamp.com/album/confluence?ref=rhythmchanges.ca) ## Jacob Do: *First Chorus* [![First Chorus cover](https://storage.ghost.io/c/15/2b/152b7411-0202-45a2-9f09-f39a793683ef/content/images/2026/10/JacobDo_FirstChorus.jpg)](https://jacobdo.bandcamp.com/album/first-chorus?ref=rhythmchanges.ca) Edmonton tenor saxophonist Jacob Do's debut studio album brings back drummer Dave Laing from [last year's live EP](https://www.rhythmchanges.ca/across-canada-spring-202506/#jacob-do-maybe) and completes the band with more veterans and mentors: altoist Donny Kennedy, pianist André White, and bassist Paul Johnston. The tracklist goes suavely between repertoire pieces and originals, delivered with verve in every head arrangement. Do's rendition of "Stardust" is the real deal, as is his turn with PJ Perry as a featured guest for "All of You". His groove tune "Hairy Ed" is an instant hit in the vein of Vancouver's "Zattitude" and "Don't Call Before 10". [(Bent River Records, CD & LP)](https://jacobdo.bandcamp.com/album/first-chorus?ref=rhythmchanges.ca) ## Molly & Jake: *Molly & Jake* [![Molly & Jake cover](https://storage.ghost.io/c/15/2b/152b7411-0202-45a2-9f09-f39a793683ef/content/images/2026/10/MollyJake.jpg)](https://mollyandjake.bandcamp.com/album/molly-jake?ref=rhythmchanges.ca) Vocalist Molly Moolman has quietly been a community regular for years, often playing duo or trio at venues like Apollo's and 2nd Floor Gastown with guitarist Jake Kostuchuk. This EP of five covers, like [Kostchuk's debut record from last year](https://www.rhythmchanges.ca/still-cookin-to-the-sky-across-canada-fall-2025/#jake-kostuchuk-speaking-eyes), comes from outside the typical Vancouver jazz recording studios. The duo is vulnerable and direct with limited solos, as refreshing as hearing [Amber Tsang and Alvin Brendan back in 2021](https://www.rhythmchanges.ca/amber-tsang-alvin/). They give "You Go To My Head" a soul treatment, strip down a song from *In Rainbows*, and lean into the crunchiness of my longest-loved Jobim tune. [(Digital)](https://mollyandjake.bandcamp.com/album/molly-jake?ref=rhythmchanges.ca) ## Sam Wilson: *Sowing Spring* [![Sowing Spring cover](https://storage.ghost.io/c/15/2b/152b7411-0202-45a2-9f09-f39a793683ef/content/images/2026/10/SamWilson_SowingSpring.jpg)](https://samwilsonmusiq.bandcamp.com/album/sowing-spring?ref=rhythmchanges.ca) Fingerstyle alternate tuning, fiddle, bass: no drums means folk music! From that opener onward, Nova Scotia guitarist-composer Sam Wilson continues unfolding a chamber group from the banks of the Magaguadavic River. Her clear-toned instruments (electric and, like [her previous record](https://www.rhythmchanges.ca/sam-wilson-wintertides/), acoustic) provide the foundation while violinist Hayley Ryerson, reedist [Nicola Miller](https://www.rhythmchanges.ca/four-albums-from-this-summer/#nicola-millers-living-things-spit), bassist Kyle Tully, and drummer Caito Macdonald rotate in and out. On "Toad", they pair a catchy bassline with emotional chords in a pop-sharp key; "Coneflower" is nylon and earthen, shuffling down the river. Bass clarinet and bowed upright bass is a combo you need to experience yourself. [(CD)](https://samwilsonmusiq.bandcamp.com/album/sowing-spring?ref=rhythmchanges.ca) ## Shirantha Beddage: *Departures* [![Departures cover](https://storage.ghost.io/c/15/2b/152b7411-0202-45a2-9f09-f39a793683ef/content/images/2026/10/ShiranthaBeddage_Departures.jpg)](https://shiranthabeddage.bandcamp.com/album/departures?ref=rhythmchanges.ca) Baritone saxophonist and UofT faculty member Shirantha Beddage earned Juno nominations on each of his past two records. For *Departures,* his fourth album, he brought into Humber Studios an interprovincial all-star band of Kevin Turcotte on trumpet, Florian Hoefner on piano, Jodi Proznick on bass, and Jim Doxas on drums. Two of the first three pieces draw from traditional Sri Lankan music; between them, the swinging "Hey, Jimmy!" balances intricacy with uptempo chordless energy. After completing his program of worldly post-Kenny Wheeler originals, Beddage ends the album on a beautiful "Autumn in New York". It's pure class. [(Rhea Records, Digital)](https://shiranthabeddage.bandcamp.com/album/departures?ref=rhythmchanges.ca)