“Free” isn’t as well remembered as some of Chicago’s bigger classic hits of the era, but I have a great time every time I hear it.

What is the link between a 1957 hit and the Beatles’ 1964 track “No Reply”? The answer lends insight into the group’s changing sound and growing lyrical sophistication.

‘Dead Man Dancing’ is Ethan Keller up close and personal, warts and all. And you know what? He’s still sounding good.

Mats Gustafsson says it is vital to remain open, inquisitive and to explore music. With ‘MG 50: Peace and Fire,’ he does just that.

Rod Temperton has died at age 66, after rising to early fame as a songwriter for Heatwave.

Ian East’s ‘Inner Paths’ is an ethnic fusion album that’s fun to listen to now and will be fun to listen to a hundred plays from now. Getting a world music education can hardly be more enjoyable than listening to this.

Despite the fact that “Parallels” is a solo contribution from the late Chris Squire, there is no doubt this is a Yes song.

Paying homage to a Charles Mingus masterpiece with inspired original material is just what you’d expect from the ever-curious, ever-expansive alto saxophonist Greg Ward.

Bob Dylan is revealed as something of a touchstone in ‘Sound Bites: A Lifetime of Listening,’ the fascinating new book by Something Else! contributor Tom Wilmeth.

Bob Seger’s ‘The Distance’ has a musical power which exceeds the lyrical heft of the far-more-popular ‘Night Moves,’ as heard on stand-out cuts like “Boomtown Blues.”