It’s Christmas again, and time for reflections and reminiscences – this time about Bob Dylan, Woodstock and the Allman Brothers.

This Best of 2019 list includes both Yes and their former drummer Bill Bruford, and Toto and their former drummer Simon Phillips, among others.

With their fourth album ‘Brain Drain’, Gorilla Mask is often in your face. That said, their tactics with rhythm and harmony remain an integral part of their attack, too.

If this Bill Bruford compilation took an Ancestry DNA test, the results would point to an old Soft Machine song: It feels, it reels and it squeals.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.