In thirty-five short minutes, Jaimie Branch said a lot about what she’s offering to the realm of outward-bound jazz. If ‘Fly or Die’ is only her Chapter One, I can hardly wait to hear the rest of this book.

It might have taken a little longer this time, but with ‘Holiday On Fire,’ guitarist, composer and producer Torben Waldorff has done it again.

‘Super Freak: The Life of Rick James’ offers a glimpse at the human being and musical legacy underneath all the coked-out madness.

When rockers begin to get older, you expect to see it in their performance. Not Alice Cooper.

If one wants to learn about the music the Beatles listened to in the 1950s, “One After 909” provides an instant lesson.

Nicole Mitchell follows in the hallowed footsteps of spiritual visionaries like Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders and the Art Ensemble of Chicago.

The delicacy and low-key passion of Avishai Cohen shows up through his trumpet, compositions and every member of his quartet.

Bobby Kimball’s voice, which has lost little of its range and emotional presence, elevates ‘We’re Not in Kansas Anymore.’

With Taj Mahal and Keb Mo’s ‘Tajmo,’ you have two folk/blues legends, two generations – and one marvelous meeting.

Given the passing of a lot of musical heroes recently, Steely Dan’s impassioned, career-spanning turn was much appreciated.