You won’t gain any academic knowledge about the human heart from listening to ‘Heart Tonic,’ but it’s clear Caroline Davis invested all of hers.

‘Jazz: Outside the Box’ is a fascinating and often exhilarating look at Los Angeles-based keyboardist David Garfield’s vision of straight-ahead jazz.

If “Walk It Off” is any indication, the forthcoming ‘#3’ will be another feather in the Guatemalan-born, Texas-based Leslie Johnson’s cap.

Featuring calm and quiet vocals, Joe Merklee’s new EP ‘July’ exudes a deceptive strength, with delicate melodies that really sneak up on you.

You know that great musicianship and creativity are always in store for Avi Granite 6’s strong return but little else can be anticipated, and that’s the main joy of ‘Orbit.’

A melding of klezmer, jazz and not a little bit of funk, Big Brooklyn’s ‘Purpose’ is a hugely engaging debut – and the first, hopefully, of many more to come.

Jeff Coffey has exited Chicago, citing the group’s relentless touring schedule. Luckily, he seems to have no intention of resting on the beach.

Bill Frisell is never more Bill than when it’s only Bill, and no one else. ‘Music IS’ features only Frisell’s music, as his deftly looped samples become a second instrument.

A terrific addition to Lance Lopez’s catalog, ‘Tell the Truth’ boasts an assessable combination of excellent guitar playing, strong vocals and deft production.

Hopscotching between the psychedelic garage rock of 1967 and the power pop of 1977, the Lemon Clocks remind us why those musical eras were so special.