Released in June 2009, the Evan Parker Electro-Acoustic Ensemble’s ‘The Moment’s Energy’ is made up of a continuum of evolving ideas, rather than actual songs.

‘Wilco (The Album)’ arrived in June 2009 at a fork in the road: Would Wilco keep moving forward or stick with a winning formula?

Released by Larry Carlton and Tak Matsumoto in June 2010, ‘Take Your Pick’ wasn’t flashy, but its highly polished fretwork just might satiate your soul.

‘Loverly,’ released in June 2008, wasn’t gutsy enough to be a top-echelon Cassandra Wilson album, though there were still plenty of enjoyable moments.

‘The City That Care Forgot’ arrived in June 2008, just as some might questioned yet another Katrina-themed album. But Dr. John’s was different.

Prince always found a way to transcend his own legendary eccentricities. And this music, more than all of that, is what will remain.

‘Sound Is,’ released in March 2009 by the then-newly formed Rob Mazurek Quintet, remains a treat for those with big, open ears.

Maurice White, who died today, was the mastermind behind Earth Wind and Fire’s focused, soul-lifting horns, sunburst harmonies and a thrilling propensity for shaken-up textures and rhythms.

S. Victor Aaron picks the best of 2015’s modern and mainstream jazz albums, including John Scofield, Matthew Shipp, Antonio Sanchez and others.

S. Victor Aaron picks the best of 2015’s non-jazz albums, including Erykah Badu, Shememkia Copeland, the Blind Boys of Alabama’s Sam Butler and others.