For the first time ever I leave an Alestorm album not with a big grin and a desire to hoist the Jolly Roger, but actually kind of bummed.

With the sympathetic backing of ElectroBluesSociety, ‘Chicago Blues Covers’ fans the blues flame like only Boo Boo Davis can do it.

Well crafted, melodic and utterly engaging, yet musically and lyrically challenging, ‘McStine & Minnemann’ almost defies description.

Aaron Parks has the songwriting and playing chops to make a solid jazz record whenever he wants to. This time, he went beyond that realm.

Daniel Carter, Matthew Shipp, William Parker and Gerald Cleaver show how the introduction of just one new member into a stew of vets radically changes the dynamics.

Darren Barrett takes a side trip to delve into the innovations of Nyle Steiner, creator of the EWI, popularized by such innovators as Michael Brecker.

Ranking as perhaps the Knack’s greatest album, ‘Round Trip’ sadly failed to make the impact it so rightfully deserved.

For this festival set performed in Italy ‘Live In Florence,’ Otomo Yoshihide, his guitar and his turntables match wits with Chris Pitsiokos with his alto saxophone and his electronics.

The John Scofield Trio’s ‘Swallow Tales’ shows that Steve Swallow songs are the sound of quality modern jazz, even with a small band playing in no-nonsense bop style.

Christopher Bono’s ‘Nous III” is infused with such a long list of idiom influences – from post-rock and ambient to Neo-Shamanism and free jazz – that it defies classification.