With ‘Oddly Enough,’ Gordon Grdina’s own stringed-based expedition into the works of one of current jazz’s most esoteric composers sheds yet more light on the character, shape and genius contained in these scores.

“Begin Again” asks for things to change and, typical of Archie the Goldfish’s humor, adds that good music is always consolation if they don’t.

Recent albums from Steffie Moonlady and Dennis Haklar, and Hans Joachim Rodelius and Dallas Acid demonstrate the incredible variety of ambient music.

Casting a hymn-ish quality, North Carolina singer-songwriter Mike Browning’s “Raise It Up” is a lovely and inspiring anthem not to be missed.

The Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio’s ‘Cold as Weiss’ doesn’t mess with the soul-funk-jazz formula of maximal instrumental party music straight out of the ‘Mad Men’ era; it’s just adding more of that same sweetness.

Simon Phillips joins Preston Frazier to discuss the new album ‘Protocol V,’ key contributors from his remade band, and how it felt to get back on the road.

Here is the video premiere of “The Gigue Is Up” by the amazing Jeff Gauthier/Maggie Parkins string duo, The Smudges.

John Lawler argues that the delivery here is everything you could imagine from the current Steely Dan band. No mood ring or pet rock needed!

Preston Frazier says ‘Northeast Corridor’ isn’t the live Steely Dan album he’s dreamt of, but there is no disputing the staying power of these songs.

St. Louis-based guitarist Scott T. Jones has recently made a record that fully captures the spirit, style and finesse of the late British axe maestro Allan Holdsworth.