Yaya Diallo uses an old-meets-new approach on ‘Kachii: Traditions to Traditions’ to create something that is interesting, calming and thoughtful.

Mohamed Assani’s “Lullaby for Guli” steals your heart, because of the ebb and flow of the melodies and the many textures created on the sitar.

The Stefan Orins Trio’s ‘October 11’ is an enjoyable, modern jazz album with a firm rooting in the jazz of history.

Spencer Elliott’s ‘SE3’ journeys into different genres, mixes things up then transforms into music that sounds familiar yet has new vibes.

Chicago area-based guitarist Chris Forte’s ‘Backyard Astronomy’ is an intriguing LP with several genres represented, from blues to classical, to jazz.

Yves Leveille’s ‘L’echelle du Temps’ feels personal, full of character, unfettered, and wonderful in the true sense of the word.

“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.

Giuseppe Doronzo and Pino Basile’s ‘Aterraterr’ has contemporary relevance, yet also feels as if the music has come from centuries of time.

Committee of Vultures’ ‘Everybody Wants the Blues’ is the sound of musicians enjoying each other and their roots, delivering stellar performances.

There was no pressure to formulate a plan, as an album wasn’t on their minds. So, Allison Miller and Jane Ira Bloom played with total abandon.