Approaching his 70th birthday, trumpet maestro Natsuki Tamura made the very personal ‘Koki Solo’ with a youthful frivolity that belies his age and signals that he remains in his peak period.

Ellen Foley joins Paul Matts to discuss the forthcoming ‘Fighting Words,’ working with Jim Steinman, and a few other favorite musical moments along the way.

Guitarist extraordinaire Julian Lage’s ‘Squint’ is the record of an established veteran composing, playing and leading on a high plane.

The challenge for listeners to keep up is also central to the thrill of listening to ‘Cool With That’ by the improvised music supergroup East Axis.

Despite being played some 357 times in concert, there’s not much of interest in a song that’s really just a footnote in the Yes canon.

“What’s Going On” by bluesman Boo Boo Davis and the ElectroBluesSociety isn’t the Marvin Gaye classic, but it’s liable to move your soul, too.

Music is the sound of feelings whose names haven’t yet been invented. Similarly, the experience of vinyl isn’t something words do justice to.

In recommending Pierce Edens, Heist owner Sam Luna said: “I hope you enjoy the gravel and the grit.” He wasn’t kidding.

Kiefer’s satisfying rendering of this classic Crusaders tune is a fine entry point to their sublimity, as well as the L.A.-based keyboardist’s next album of the same name.

The obscure bonus track “String of Pearls” was yet another line item on a long list of missed opportunities for Chicago.