Other News

Vinyl

‘So laid back, and yet it’s so intense’: Deep Purple confirms new album for 2015, talks best ever

After eight years between releases, Roger Glover says “we can’t wait that long.”

Vinyl

Quiet Riot – 10 (2014)

This is not how I want to remember a band that was so important in my life.

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Fusion Jazz): Nels Cline Singers, Medeski Martin & Wood, Jaco Pastorius

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Fusion Jazz): Nels Cline Singers, Medeski Martin & Wood, Jaco Pastorius

Everything from ambient post-rock to improvisational, to scattered rock-jazz.

'We were at the piano, banging it out': Steve Cropper's big break didn't come from Stax Records

‘We were at the piano, banging it out’: Steve Cropper’s big break didn’t come from Stax Records

Instead, a friend’s dad took Cropper’s very first song to another legendary label.

Vinyl

Something Else! sneak peek: King Crimson, “Venturing Unto Joy, Pt. 1” (2014)

Fripp and Levin tussle with a nervous energy, while Harrison and Rieflin make a simply glorious racket.

Vinyl

Fred Hersch Trio – Floating (2014)

Never mind the studio setting, the highly lyrical and entrancing beauty of Fred Hersch’s piano and his empathetic rhythm section makes this another winning outing for this trio.

Preston Frazier's Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Rock, Pop and Jazz): Simon Phillips, Kere Buchanan, Nathan East, Oz Noy, Judith Owen, Toto

Preston Frazier’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Rock, Pop and Jazz): Simon Phillips, Kere Buchanan, Nathan East, Oz Noy, Judith Owen, Toto

Already, we’ve heard so much great stuff from the Toto family tree of music.

Something Else! sneak peek: Jerry Lee Lewis, "Rock and Roll Time" from Rock and Roll Time (2014)

Something Else! sneak peek: Jerry Lee Lewis, “Rock and Roll Time” from Rock and Roll Time (2014)

An enduringly ornery delight, the Killer still sounds as dangerous as ever.

Vinyl

‘It’s hard to complain about it’: Neal Doughty says REO Speedwagon happily delivers the big ballads

They’ve had other hits, but REO is famous today for two sweet-talking No. 1 smashes.

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Avant Garde & Experimental Jazz): Jimmy Giuffre, Roscoe Mitchell, Jamie Saft/Joe Morris

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Avant Garde & Experimental Jazz): Jimmy Giuffre, Roscoe Mitchell, Jamie Saft/Joe Morris

The appeal of this music is its unbiased diversity and lack of set rules.