‘Space-Time’ doesn’t miss a beat – or a luscious lick or a great groove. It’s more of the same ol’ Jeff Lorber Fusion, and that’s just fine.

There would be no point in remaking an entire album if it were to be done the same way. That was the challenge before Dan Cavalca and he rose to it by converting the freewheeling, improvised ‘Colors of Red Island’ into the creatively electronic ‘Lights of Red Island.’

‘Mayan Space Station’ is another facet of the multi-dimensional artistry of William Parker. The first listens will surprise, and later listens will uncover that the same man who brought us ‘O’Neal’s Porch’ and ‘I Plan to Stay a Believer: The Inside Songs of Curtis Mayfield’ can absolutely be the brainchild behind these spiritual, loose rock jams.

“It Starts When We Disappear” is the enthralling opening track from Pat Metheny’s upcoming September 2021 release, ‘Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV).’

Smooth jazz is usually dismissed as soporific melodies played by an anonymous instrumentalist with programmed rhythms. None of this is that.

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.

Bassist Brian Bromberg joins Ross Boissoneau to discuss career-turning LPs from Miles Davis and Return to Forever, and what he’s listening to now.

On ‘Telepathy,’ long-established veterans Denny Zeitlin and George Marsh act like young upstarts, showing the jazz world a fresh new approach.

With ‘Love Life Choices,’ Rebecca Angel’s sense of self and individuality shine like a veteran.

Ruben Blades, Nick Finzer and Joe Bailey are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately.