Without George Martin’s maverick streak, the Beatles may have never become one of the most influential bands in modern music.

With eleven sturdy originals and an all-star band in tow, there’s no way jazz guitar whiz Will Bernard’s ‘Out & About’ was going to disappoint.

The lesser-known friends, family and musicians who influenced the Beatles finally receive their due in David Bedford’s ‘Fab One Hundred and Four.’

Mixing humor with intelligent observations, Chip Muellemann’s ‘Life On Low’ is an album where the script is just as stimulating as the music.

You have to wonder why Manassas went under so many people’s radar, especially with the gap left by the breakup of Crosby Stills Nash and Young in 1970.

Julian Lage’s ‘Arclight’ is Lage’s first serious foray into the electric guitar on a record, with a seriously powerful trio and delving further into modern jazz and other forms.

George Martin could have made the Beatles toe the company line. Instead, Mike Tiano argues, he inspired them to greatness by working as a musical and production collaborator.

“The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus),” from Yes’ 1971 album Fragile, is a fitting contribution from the late, great Chris Squire.

The ‘Pierced Arrow’ advance track “Virtual World” exemplifies everything that’s right about the Rides: a comfortable confidence that can only come from stellar musicians with nothing left to prove.

There’s no better way to demonstrate that Grover Washington, Jr. truly lives on than with some spirited, well-executed and earnest live performances heard on Jason Miles’ ‘To Grover With Love, Live In Japan’.