Jazz

After countless listens, I feel as if I both know Fela Kuti more than I ever knew any other African artist before, and also how little I appreciated the struggles and injustices that take place across the world in other people’s hometowns or communities. It takes a strong light to shine down on some of the darkest days in the shadow. Thank god Fela Kuti burned as bright as he did for our awareness.

Soulful singer Logan Metz’s ‘The Last Remaining Payphone in L.A.’ is a beautiful composed emotion-laden experience.

On the surface, you might think that limiting the songs of a band that thrived on the interplay between various parts – most importantly the lead and rhythm guitars of Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir – wouldn't work, but you’d be mistaken. There is power and subtlety in these reinterpretations that I think Garcia would have admired, as his own personal tastes seemed to range to the more subdued and authentic soul of acoustic performances.

From the sonic exuberance of “Dancin’ Fool” and “Tell Me You Love Me” to the funky dissonance of “You Are What You Is” and “Joe’s Garage” to the bathroom-humor excellence of “Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow” and “Titties and Beer,” this album will give you just as much of a “taste” for Frank Zappa’s music as his son’s "Zappa Plays Zappa" did for me some eight years ago.

For a less musically talented band, being able to reconceive the sounds within the songs physically and rhythmically could have turned this kind of release been a box set of cheap sonic “tricks” designed to fool the listener into thinking the extra money it costs to buy the “enhanced” version of an album was well worth it. For Chicago? It allowed them to see just what was possible with the sound.

Moor Mother's 'Fetish Bones' is a tough, difficult recording by an incredibly gifted and honest artist.

The Squirrel Nut Zippers are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their hit album 'Hot' with a revival tour, and trust me, it is a revival! Your spirit and your body will be awakened by this music, guaranteed.

'Arrhythmia' is a testament to O’Connell’s personal journey through NYC and provides a foundation on which he hopes to build for years to come.

'Come to Paradise' is an eclectic mix of styles, from African folk to American adult pop and contemporary jazz.

'What Happened, Miss Simone?' is a great documentary about an amazing woman that comes with a bonus CD containing some of her greatest songs.