You hear something exceedingly rare for someone of John Lodge’s vintage and accomplishment: He’s pushing himself to new places.

There’s much to pull out of Chris Stamey’s “Make Up Your Mind,” which only seems to grower richer as an experience with each successive spin.

Neal Schon’s “El Matador” underscores a musical symbiosis with Steve Smith that lingers from their time together in Journey.

Richard Thompson is a traveler, always has been, and “Beatnik Walking” — both in its lyric, and in its creation story — speaks to that.

Released as part of ‘Tug of War’ in April 1982, “Take It Away” is McCartney’s last best pop hit – but there was a darker undercurrent at work.

JD Allen’s “A Throng of Millions Can Be One,” just one of many standout moments on ‘Bloom,’ feels like the birth of a new jazz hymn.

A benefit remake of one of Steve Hackett’s most memorable instrumentals gives us a rare musical – as well as altruistic – reason to listen.

Graham Parker and the Rumour are all R&B-kissed coolness and trenchant aloofness here. In other words, they’re just what you want them to be.

Otis Taylor’s “Cold at Midnight,” a white-knuckle ride into the very heart of worry, advances the forthcoming ‘Hey Joe Opus / Red Meat.’

Cyrus Chestnut doesn’t supercede the definitive take by Bill Evans’ Trio. Still, I found myself enjoying the new corners he and his trio explored.