JAZZ : ALBUM REVIEWS : * * 1/2 The Kim Richmond/Clay Jenkins Ensemble, “Range,” Nine Winds.

They’re not necessarily easy to find. But these small-label albums from Southern California-based jazz musicians can be every bit as rewarding as the well-publicized releases from Verve, Blue Note or the other major labels.

These recordings have shared characteristics that mirror, in mood and tempo, the tenor of our contemporary California culture, belying the once accepted “cool-school” cliche of West Coast jazz. The common threads include deeply reflective improvisational styles, strong rhythmic bases, use of ethnic instrumentation and musical forms, a willingness to merge a variety of jazz genres and a reverence for classical traditions from America, Europe, Africa and the East.

But most of all, these discs share an artistic aspiration that is uncompromised by commercial interests. These are musicians looking to establish their own voices and vision, without the help of big record company contracts.

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Alto saxophonist Richmond and trumpeter Jenkins have discovered a middle ground between opposing jazz camps, matching sophisticated avant-garde stylings with mainstream sensibilities.

Richmond’s tunes tend to be the most accessible, while Jenkins explores more obscure moods, sometimes self-consciously. Both men are intriguing soloists, and their efforts are heightened by the work of trombonist Joey Sellers and drummer Joe LaBarbera. “Range” can be enjoyed by mainstream fans and adventurous listeners alike.