Jorge Calderon’s straight-forward ‘Blue Rhythm Highway’ forgoes studio trickery and flash in favor of strong songs and solid playing.

Released 10 years ago this month, ‘UFO Has Landed’ was definitive in a way the always-restless Ry Cooder never quite allowed himself to be.

“I’m Looking Through You” paints a vivid picture of a troubled relationship, but another muse may have inspired this Beatles track: Bob Dylan.

A stalwart with Kenny Loggins and Don Felder, Shem von Schroeck has one lasting goal: He hopes to be Toto’s “last bass player.”

Released a decade ago this month, ‘Road Shows Vol. 1’ reframed Sonny Rollins as jazz’s most important living saxophonist.

Released 10 years ago this month, ‘At Carnegie Hall’ remains the most complete testament to the Buena Vista Social Club’s sizzling mid-1990s Cuban revival.

In memory of Paul Allen, we’re returning to Mike Tiano’s examination of the late Microsoft co-founder’s role in preserving the Seattle Cinerama Theater.

Bottled tight with an unlimited supply of hooks and melodies, ‘Joe Mandica Presents GROOVES’ yields one spectacular song after another.

Yellowjackets, Randy Waldman and Marquis Hill are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately.

I like the spot bluesman Mike Zito has ended up in, but the spot where he started out on his 1998 debut ‘Blue Room’ has its own undeniable magic.