Some might quibble over whether this is contemporary, smooth or crossover jazz. It’s actually a hybrid from Everette Harp, Jeff Lorber and Paul Jackson Jr.

It’s no match for ‘Slave to the Grind,’ of course, but ‘The Gang’s All Here’ certainly belongs in the conversation with Skid Row’s early albums.

Ivo Perelman and Joe Morris are hardly the first saxophone-guitar duo, but they take that combination to its highest possible level with ‘Elliptic Time.’

On ‘Seriana Promethea,’ David Murray, Brad Jones and Hamid Drake swagger their way through seven Murray originals and one really cool cover with relaxed confidence.

‘Unfamiliar Ceilings’ by violinist Lina Tullgren and koto player Alec Toku Whiting is an excursion into unfamiliar territory alright, but it’s territory where the ceilings look open like blue skies.

A number of book, CD, DVD/Blu-ray, and vinyl releases kept Beatles fans busy this year. Kit O’Toole is here to help Santa sort them all out.

The Beths’ ‘Expert in a Dying Field’ pulses with late ’70s new wave clever electric pop, all the way from New Zealand.

Preston Frazier’s countdown of the best jazz of 2022 includes Michael Leonhart, Bobby Broom, Simon Phillips, Michael Leonhart, Jeff Denson, Mark Wade and others.

Aerosmith was on an undeniable roll after issuing ‘Toys in the Attic’ and then ‘Rocks.’ All of it came to a crashing halt 45 years ago today.

Joe McPhee’s got earnest humanity and spirituality coming out of his tenor sax by the buckets, qualities that for certain attracted him to Ivo Perelman.