R&B

Formed from the ashes of a group called the Ashes (which included future Jefferson Airplane drummer Spencer Dryden), the Peanut Butter Conspiracy dealt in frequently adventurous rock, much of which deserves more attention than it has received.

Gene Wilson (aka Gene Forrest) and Eunice Levy, a married couple, scored several hits in the 1950s but dented the pop charts only once, with “Poco Loco.” But the songs collected here are almost uniformly excellent.

Meek's work is arguably less formulaic than Phil Spector’s and even more experimental and diverse.

Nighthawk (Parker Hawkins) is clearly brimming over with musical ideas, most of them excellent. And somehow, his seemingly disparate material all fits comfortably on one CD.

It's Murphy's 52nd album, so it’s not surprising that ruminations on aging, mortality, and years gone by permeate this engaging CD.

1960 is not exactly considered a peak year for popular music, and there's no shortage of drivel in this collection, but there are also dozens of great songs from the likes of Roy Orbison, Sam Cooke, and Ray Charles.

We can argue about the wisdom behind the decisions to induct—or not induct—various artists into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. What seems undebatable is whether its annual induction ceremonies have been musically memorable.

Nyro’s music was superb from the word go, thanks to her soulful mezzo vocal work, intimate and poetic lyrics, surprising rhythmic inventions, and unique blend of pop,  Motown, doo-wop, rock, folk, jazz, gospel, and R&B.

...and just when you think things can’t get any hotter, Steve Van Zandt shows up to sing and play guitar on the show’s five final numbers.

Reviews of new albums, including Jimi Hendrix's Electrtic Lady Studios, Al Stewart's 50th-anniversary edition of Past, Present & Future, an Ike Turner collection, and more.