A singer with the original Fairport Convention, Iain Matthews has spent much of his career in Europe, where audiences have proven more appreciative of his eclectic musings. The 2014 release of the excellent The Art of Obscurity—his first U.S. album in 15 years—prompted two records from his back catalog to see U.S. release: 2008’s Joy Mining and 2011’s In the Now. Joy Mining is a collaborative work with the Dutch jazz ensemble The Searing Quartet and, specifically, their leader, pianist Egbert Derix. Matthews cowrote the songs with the ensemble for a true collaboration and not simply an album of “jazz” treatments to his previous work. Between Derix’s spare, convincing piano, Peter Hermesdorf’s key sax phrases, and Matthews’ subtle yet perfect vocals, the songs come to life as some of the finest of Matthews’ storied career. “God’s Eye View” nails a heavenly sound without lapsing into sentimentality. “My Town” knows you can look back but you can never go back, and “Waves” flows from verse to verse with poetry and an unhurried gait that could go on forever.