As a composite of ideas and influences introduced elsewhere, ‘Vol 1: The Humanities’ is a fine entry point to Ben Goldberg’s catalog that dilutes none of his expansive artfulness.

Fabian Almazan’s ‘Alcanza’ is stirring, complex, emotional and musically honest.

Frankly, not a lot of music has excited me through the first half of this year. That is, until Alestorm’s ‘No Grave But the Sea’ arrived.

Bill Laswell and the cast of characters assembled for this 57-minute jam aren’t the ordinary type.

“Owner of a Lonely Heart” wasn’t great progressive rock but, without this track, it’s doubtful the band Yes would still be here today.

It becomes clear on solo live performances such as the one captured on ‘Invisible Touch At Taktlos Zürich’ that the more Matthew Shipp is exposed, the more fascinating is his music.

“Hollywood,” Robert Lamm’s outstanding contribution from 1973’s ‘Chicago VI,’ remains a highlight on a very uneven album.

What’s the difference between an electric piano and an acoustic one? In the hands of The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco, apparently not much, quality-wise.

A new reissue highlights the often-overlooked Paul Collins’ Beat, one of the great power pop bands from the late ’70s/early ’80s.

There are some songs that simply take me away, and Toto’s “Anna” is one of them. It’s a master class.