The Mars Volta (TMV) are very different from album to album because the sidemen have often changed per studio album. The one I linked is their first album after At the Drive-In split and is a phenomenal concept album about the protagonist exploring their deep subconscious, suicide, trains, submarines, a giant beetle-harpy, and tarsiers. Two of their other albums most varied to De-loused are "The Bedlam In Goliath" and "Noctourniquet"—both magnificent creatures!
Brad Mehldau's "Largo" and Aaron Parks' "Invisible Cinema" are two really good-sounding modern jazz combo bands.
RE: A Grumpy Old Man in Search of New Music