“The Pull” showed a lyrical depth that Chicago hadn’t been explored since the death of Terry Kath. Then it was shelved for 15 years.

‘Thollem’s Astral Traveling Sessions with John Dieterich’ tingles your auditory senses because this is breaking new ground and they’re defining the whole dobro/synth genre as they go along. There might not be two musicians better equipped to be the first at doing that.

Saxophonist Richard Elliot represents the best of smooth jazz: fluency on his horn, catchy melodies and tight production values.

It’s not just a preponderance of fresh ideas that makes Russ Lossing’s album ‘Metamorphism’ work so well; they are ideas that fit right with the people chosen to carry them out.

This Van Morrison favorite is a perfect fit for David Starr’s expressive boy-next-door voice and sympathetic arranging skills.

There is so much love in the composition, the lyrics, the emotional performances, and the caliber of musicians chosen to honor Toto co-founder Jeff Porcaro.

Norwegian master Borge Olson’s ‘Music in the Dark’ is reminiscent of guitar-based Euro-fusion from the ’90s, with a large dose of frenetic hair-metal vibes.