A precursor of what’s next in store from UK-born/Spanish-residing David Phillips, “Washes Over Me” is a back-to-basics excursion from a guy who isn’t prone to stray far from the basics to start with.

Finding simpatico between improvising piano and drums probably isn’t so easy to pull off convincingly, but Bobby Kapp and Matthew Shipp make it seem that way.

The haunting “Walk the Walk” is heartfelt, bold tale of broken promises in a relationship. There’s real fire and fury in what Lizzy Rose says here.

Arriving at the end of the party-hearty 1980s was a stroke of bad luck for Jackyl. No matter what, though, Jesse James Dupree has stuck to his guns.

Robert Lamm’s sophisticated deep cut recalls a period when Chicago was one of the preeminent jazz-rock ensembles – not just a rock band with horns.

As oldies recast in soul-jazz bliss, ‘Eight Track II” is one of those good ideas from Dave Stryker that deserved another go around.

Now featuring one-time Motley Crue frontman John Corabi, the Dead Daisies may have found their best lineup on their third record.

Armando Perez discusses the new project by the Chicago-based funk band Esso Afrojam Funkbeat, and how the issues facing immigrants shape their work.