Something Else!

Vinyl

Paul Bley, Gary Peacock + Paul Motian – ‘When Will The Blues Leave’ (1999, rel. 2019)

There’s no better way to remember the brilliance of the late Paul Bley and Paul Motian – as well as that of the still-thriving Gary Peacock.

Vinyl

Tol-Puddle Martyrs – ‘Brainfade’ (2019)

Tol-Puddle Martyrs’ fine and interesting ‘Brainfade’ is commercial enough for the masses, but cool enough to march to its own cadence.

Alice Cooper, John Coltrane, Dream Syndicate + Others: J.C. Mosquito's Best of 2019

Alice Cooper, John Coltrane, Dream Syndicate + Others: J.C. Mosquito’s Best of 2019

Here’s a Best of 2019 list featuring favorites from this year’s new releases – along with some albums that were just new to me.

Yes, "Nine Voices (Longwalker)" from 'The Ladder' (1999): YESterdays

Yes, “Nine Voices (Longwalker)” from ‘The Ladder’ (1999): YESterdays

“Nine Voices (Longwalker)” is a loving tribute to the man who helped Yes to produce their best work for many years.

Vinyl

Reut Regev’s R*Time – ‘Keep Winning’ (2019)

Avant garde jazz could use more joy and wit, which is Reut Regev R*Time’s secret weapon for making you want to listen.

Pigeonholing Grover Washington Jr. as Smooth Jazz Was Such a Big Mistake

Pigeonholing Grover Washington Jr. as Smooth Jazz Was Such a Big Mistake

Dig deeper into Grover Washington Jr. – who died 20 years ago today – and you’ll see why he retains the title of Mister Magic for us.

Walter Becker, "Don't Let Us Go Down" (1991): Steely Dan Sunday

Walter Becker, “Don’t Let Us Go Down” (1991): Steely Dan Sunday

Walter Becker, the same guy who often came up with some cold putdown lines, wrote a dozen stanzas here full of aching poetry.

Vinyl

Udo Pannekeet – ‘Electric Regions’ (2019)

Udo Pannekeet’s wondrous ‘Electric Regions’ is rock; it’s jazz – and then it’s everything in between.

Toto, Los Lobos, Raphael Saadiq + Others: Preston Frazier's Best Songs of 2019

Toto, Los Lobos, Raphael Saadiq + Others: Preston Frazier’s Best Songs of 2019

Preston Frazier’s Best Songs of 2019 list includes rock, jazz and R&B, with a shout out to the continuing resonance of an old favorite from Walter Becker.

Beatles Gift Guide: Kit O'Toole's Top 2019 Albums, Books, Movies, Box Sets and More

Beatles Gift Guide: Kit O’Toole’s Top 2019 Albums, Books, Movies, Box Sets and More

Vinyl loving fans of the Beatles, rejoice: 2019 was your year. But we found plenty of books, movies, box sets and other fun stuff, too.