From an aptly named album, Robben Ford’s new track “Cut You Loose” sounds like what it is: A knee-slappingly fun good time, recorded of a piece — like a live album, but without the crowd noise. You May Also Like: Robben Ford with Keb Mo + Robert Randolph, “Justified” (2015):Read More

Geoff Downes better be wearing comfortable shoes, because he’s going to be on the run in 2014. The busy keyboardist just finished a new album with Asia, and is in sessions for another with Yes You May Also Like: Geoff Downes discusses Yes’ challenges in replacing Jon Anderson: ‘There’s aRead More

Al Kooper’s task, in reminding us of the towering genius possessed by his late friend Mike Bloomfield, wasn’t in finding dusty unheard tracks for From His Head to His Heart to His Hands. When it comes to Bloomfield, who overdosed at just 37 in 1981, the likelihood is that almostRead More

In the two years since Marco Machera issued his solo debut One Time, Somewhere, he’s memorably appeared with Adrian Belew — and the connection pays off handsomely on this smartly conceived follow up. A trio of Belew bandmates (both in King Crimson and the offshoot Crimson ProjeKCt) appear on DimeRead More

Big Head Todd and the Monsters burst onto to the live-music scene in the late 1980s with a heady sound best described as blues-based, loose and laid-back pop. More recently, however, they have been focused more on the rootsier sounds of Todd Park Mohr’s adopted hometown of Chicago. You MayRead More

Pianist Mike McCarthy doesn’t pull any punches with Gently Sleeps, subtitling it “a calming tribute to the Beatles.” Of course, the risk there is that these solo reworkings could become so relaxing as to send us into a drowsy oblivion. McCarthy, based out of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, largely avoids that pitfallRead More

In a way, The Royal Sessions project is an enraptured testament to soul that Paul Rodgers has always been destined to release. His whiskey-splashed rasp was simply made for this kind of thing You May Also Like: Why You Should Give Queen + Paul Rodgers’ ‘The Cosmos Rocks’ Another ListenRead More

It comes as no surprise, of course, that Neil Young’s newest song boasts an environmental theme, considering his focus on Alberta’s tar sands during his recent “Honour The Treaties” tour. You May Also Like: Randy Bachman + Neil Young, “Little Girl Lost” from Heavy Blues (2015): One Track Mind

Toto’s simmering slow jams (with the notable exception of the ageless “Africa”) seem to have lodged most completely in the public’s consciousness.

Never-before-released tapes find the late saxist Gary Windo collaborating between 1976-78 with a group that includes Nick Mason, but don’t go in expecting the visceral prog-influenced prog that marked Pink Floyd’s output of that era. You May Also Like: Nick Mason wasn’t so sure about Pink Floyd: ‘Plan B forRead More