With ‘Baboon Strength,’ released on Sept. 9, 2008, Charlie Hunter didn’t waver so much between an R&B-influenced feel and the abstract.

Pat Metheny aimed to construct a performance that could only spring from the fertile mind of his mentor Eberhard Weber. And, he succeeded.

With tasteful horns and a fine lead guitar, Ethan Keller delivers another delicious musical Scooby snack with his new folk-rock tune, “Lost Dog.”

Trying to make sense of the surprises that lurk around every corner on Halvorson’s solo guitar outing ‘Meltframe’ is much of the fun in listening to this.

On ‘Below The Belt,’ the music of the preacher from hell James Leg is satisfying to the soul – whether Leg is in his usual element or not.

Supertramp nailed one of their oft-attempted forays into jazzy prog rock with “School,” released in September 1974 on ‘Crime of the Century.’

Master bassist Michael Bisio and his Accortet flat out thrive in unusual settings and while they often stretch out, they never lose their grip on tradition.

Jimmie Vaughan’s ‘Plays Blues, Ballads & Favorites,’ released five years ago this summer, shined a needed spotlight on some largely unheard covers.

Mike Pride states, “making this solo record has been a total mind-bender.” Listening to ‘Listening Party’ is a mind-bender as well.

A model of consistency, style and grace, Michael Dease stays at the head of the class among jazz trombonists with his seventh album, ‘Decisions.’