Bassist Harvie S and guitarist Sheryl Bailey’s ‘Plucky Strum’ shows how chops can be played unselfishly to make the other musician — and the music itself — sound at its best.

This Mid-Year Best of 2015 list also includes Boz Scaggs, Pops Staples, Papa Mali, Wes Montgomery, Robben Ford, the Word, Steve Earle and Beth Hart.

Here is an early look at the revamped Matthew Shipp Trio’s upcoming Thirsty Ear release, ‘The Conduct of Jazz.’

Here is a review of the debut album by Toronto electric bassist Brad Cheeseman, the fun but sophisticated ‘Brad Cheeseman Group.’

The overriding sense you get from listening to Joe Smith and the Spicy Pickles’ ‘High Fidelity,’ carefully crafted to evoke a true swinging ’40s style, is one of well being.

This Mid-Year Best of 2015 list also includes Emerson Lake and Palmer, Gov’t Mule, Jeff Beck, Lead Belly, the Knack and the Staple Singers.

2012 Thelonius Monk Competition winner Jamison Ross won the contest with his drums, but his debut ‘Jamison’ will win more likely over listeners with his amazing voice.

Here is a review of ‘Bop,’ led by Jeff Lorber and Chuck Loeb, featuring a who’s who of contemporary jazz artists playing the bebop jazz that inspired them.

There were technical things that made Ornette Coleman’s work great. But stressing that gives away the one thing that really mattered: Its freedom.

Here is a review of a uniquely experimental set of electro-acoustic improvisations between Denny Zeitlin and George March, ‘Riding The Moment.’