Brian Wilson gave the Beach Boys their spark, but ‘Made in California’ reminds us that there was much more to the story.

Former Wings members Denny Seiwell, Henry McCullough and Laurence Juber – a trio of figures who span either end of the 1970s-era Paul McCartney band’s lifespan – offer unique insight into his work.

After the fiery introduction made on his 2011 eponymous debut, vibraphonist Warren Wolf takes a more melodic tack with the follow up Wolfgang, and the results are as inviting as they are joy-filled. You May Also Like: Brian Blade on Wolfgang Muthspiel’s ‘Angular Blues’: Something Else! Interview Wolfgang Muthspiel, Populous,Read More

Sometimes the strangest things turn into a catalyst for a revelatory moment. Like Graham Parker reuniting after more than 30 years with the Rumour — for a guest shot on Judd Apatow’s 2012 comedy “This is 40.” You May Also Like: Graham Parker and the Rumour, “Railroad Spikes” from MysteryRead More

Featuring some of Sarah Vaughan’s last truly transcendent moments, this pair of 1980 Pablo releases devoted to the work of Duke Ellington reminds us in reissue form what wonders her voice and this material still hold. You May Also Like: Sacred and Great Gigs in the Sky: The Vocalise TraditionRead More

I’d argue that these 1963 concerts with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison and and Elvin Jones are the first thing every emerging John Coltrane fan should experience, after buying all of the tried-and-true essentials. You May Also Like: John Coltrane – Both Directions at Once, The Lost Album (2018) John ColtraneRead More

“It’s Not the Same As Love,” the new Starship album’s lead track, bursts out with a lean, tough attitude — and Mickey Thomas rarely takes his foot off the gas again. Forget MTV-era hits like “We Built this City” and “Sara.” You May Also Like: For Mickey Thomas, Starship’s “Sara”Read More

This long-promised long player from the Hickoids has taken on a kind of mythical quality over the last quarter century or so. Hairy Chafin’ Ape Suit delivers on every broken promise You May Also Like: Ever Wonder How David Byrne Fit Inside That Giant Talking Heads Suit? Why Patti Smith’sRead More

There’s a sense of homecoming, both in the musical selection and in the easy collaborative verve, about Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin’s Invitation to Illumination: Live at Montreux. You May Also Like: How John McLaughlin’s First 4th Dimension Album Brought Things Back in Focus John McLaughlin – Black Light (2015)Read More

Mike Keneally’s “Popes” saunters in like an amiable friend, then proceeds to begin telling ever more complex and entertaining tales — making for an intriguing introduction to the forthcoming You Must Be This Tall. You May Also Like: Mike Keneally, “Draconian Blump” from ‘Nonkertompf’ (1999): One Track Mind How MikeRead More