For most musicians and singers alike, mining those great American standards can only get you so far before it begins to sound tired and rote. For thirty years running, the greatest living jazz trio is still mining that gold vein while keeping it fresh and vital.

I’ll grant that I’m only a casual fan of Five Finger Death Punch. I kind of liked the anger and heaviness of their first record Way of the Fist, but my interest waned.

An assemblage of musicians the caliber of Marc Ribot, Ches Smith and Shahazad Ismaily usually signals that this is going to be seriously nerdy jazz, but Ceramic Dog is, in many ways, the exact opposite.

The word is out, David Murray is back with what should be an exciting new quartet, consisting of pianist Marc Cary, bassist Jaribu Shahid and drummer Nasheet Waits.

Emily Bear plays her piano with a finely nuanced touch, with both her comping left hand and a right hand that can cascade notes like sand pouring out of your hands. The song, her own, is a circular figure to which she discreetly adds graceful touches

Since Black Sabbath began working on a new album with original singer Ozzy Osbourne and producer Rick Rubin, fans have been waiting for a taste of what was coming.

Seven years after their last release, acid-jazz pioneers The Brand New Heavies signal a return to original form with “Sunlight.”

Gregg Rolie begins with a simmering piano signature, then slowly settles into a greasy groove — setting the stage for some of his first new music since a 2011 solo EP. Before that, Rolie last issued a full-band studio effort in 2001, with Roots.

Always a proud individualist, the artist formerly known as the Artist Formerly Known As Prince, has a message on his new song: Be your own damned self.

Can’t wait for forthcoming expanded reissues of Jeff Lynne’s 1990 solo album Armchair Theatre and the Electric Light Orchestra’s 2001 release Zoom? Sample three bonus tracks from the April 19, 2013 releases here.