‘Toto XIV’ was a strong album overall, but the band seemed to have lost its desire to evolve.

Whether you are a casual fan or hardcore collector, Elton John’s sprawling 148-song ‘Jewel Box’ truly sparkles and shines.

The real attraction of ‘Hope’ by Ross Hammond and Jay Nair is that it’s not wholly Indian music but rather a direct, innate merging of East and West with a freedom to let the music flow out on its own terms.

Robert Berry of the Emerson Lake and Palmer offshoot band 3 joined Ross Boissoneau to discuss albums by the Beatles, Stevie Wonder and Jeff Beck.

Initially written for 1988’s ‘Chicago 19,’ “Holdin’ On” represents yet another misuse of Bill Champlin, the band’s most prominent talent.

There are maybe thousands of holiday songs from years past. So let’s look for something new from Rick Wakeman, David Benoit, Blackmore’s Night and others.

A global pandemic hasn’t quelled the creative fire of Ikue Mori, Satoko Fujii and Natsuki Tamura, and their long-distance collaboration ‘Prickly Pear Cactus’ doesn’t sound at all like musicians trying to just ‘make do.’

Glistening with finger-clicking rhythms and a cheery vibe, Dan Markell’s catchy “Comin’ Up On Christmas” makes it impossible not to look forward to the holidays.

“Subway Walls” doesn’t quite match what we have come to expect from albums of all eras, but make no mistake: This is still good Yes music.

Preston Frazier’s Best of 2020 Jazz list includes Wayne Escoffery, Gary Husband and Markus Reuter, Nick Finzer and Wolfgang Muthspiel, among others.