“Might As Well Smile” explores a new kind of song for Beth Hart, part of a new kind of album – one framed by hope, rather than pain.

Joey Calderazzo’s “Mike’s Song” keeps his fallen leader Michael Brecker’s spirit alive and strong with nary a single note blown from a horn.

As sun-flecked as Ron Sexsmith’s melodies no doubt are, his lyrics often run the other way. “Can’t Get My Act Together,” however, feels brand new.

Daryl Hall has said he and Robert Fripp were trying to combine sounds from two different cultures to “form a third kind of music.” They did.

If you’re expecting another rootsy upbeat rocker from the BoDeans, the frankly scarifying blues of “Slave” likely comes as something of a shock.

“Wolflight” is a colloquialism for the time just before dawn, when the world is rousing itself. Steve Hackett seems to be similarly coming alive again.

Always open to new sounds, Mavis Staples is now working with Son Little, after earlier collaborations with Jeff Tweedy and the North Mississippi All-Stars.

This is as close as we’re apparently going to get to what should have happened in 2013, after the Beach Boys’ reunion tour with Brian Wilson.

A new collaboration with DJ Shigeto represents the lastest musical twist in an intriguing journey filled with them for trumpeter Dave Douglas.

In February 1962, as Ernestine Anderson took the stage at a Seattle jazz club, the then-34 year old should have been consolidating her early successes.