John “Papa” Gros’ ‘River’s On Fire’ is one of those albums you “see,” because the stories are so well told. Mentor Allen Toussaint would be proud.

‘Behind The Vibration’ is a typical Rez Abbasi album in the sense that when you think he’s about to run out of ideas and start repeating himself, he’ll come out with something fresh and stimulating that builds upon what he’s made before.

With 1970’s “Fancy Colours,” Chicago proves once and for all how sophisticated rock music can be.

There’s some dope punk blues in here, recommended whether you’re new to Left Lane Cruiser or already a big fan. ‘Beck In Black’ is where to get your Sausage Paw fix.

People seeking adventurous music should seek out Marc Ribot adventures like ‘Live In Tokyo’ because he does it with such attitude, resourcefulness and — dare I say — fun.

With his proper debut ‘Cinematic,’ Dan Cavalca can already boast a fully-formed individual approach to an instrumental music that brings together a lot of familiar elements but the alchemy itself is uncommon…and uncommonly good.

The most tragic histories can make the greatest songs, as the Indigo Girls’ “Rise of the Black Messiah” reminds us.

‘Unstatic’ remains very much in keeping with the style of French rock-jazz drumming extraordinaire Manu Katché, a style that continues to discreetly evolve and stay very much engaging.

With a classic tenor sax tone, top drawer backing band and great tunes and arrangements all present in ‘Gratitude’, it’s just hard to go wrong with this record.

Toto should have been on top of the world after the blockbuster ‘Toto IV.’ Instead, their follow up ‘Isolation’ found the band in a state of flux.