Hearing this album for the first time, it's easy to see why Steeleye Span declined to tour with the Dransfields - with all due respect to Maddy Prior and company, they'd have been shown-up and then some, based on the evidence here. From the crisp playing on acoustic and low-wattage electric guitars, and charismatic yet honest and unaffected lead and harmony singing to the diverse song selection - all part of a defined song cycle - the album was as perfect an example of electric British folk music as it was released in the '70s, and easily a rival for anything this side of Fairport Convention's best work. The voices and the playing strike a perfect balance between the old traditionalist school out of which the Dransfields came and the newer folk-rock school that they'd only begun to embrace a couple of years earlier, and the album itself also gives a nod to the burgeoning progressive folk-rock genre of the era (best embodied by acts such as Gryphon)…

The fourth CD in Zorn’s remarkable series of piano trio recordings exploring classical forms, "Nocturnes" is an absolute delight. Preceded by "Suite for Piano" (2022), "Ballades" (2024), and the "Impromptus" (2025), "Nocturnes" is Zorn’s personal take on the beautiful tradition of night music. Touching on Chopin, Scriabin, Debussy, Berg, and more, the music is a wonderland of subtlety—dreamy, drifting, and utterly compelling. Brian, Jorge, and Ches, three of Zorn’s closest and most trusted collaborators perform with their trademark telepathic interplay, and an uncanny sense of surprise and creativity. With a stunning virtuosity that is always at the service of the music, the trio opens up new doors with each successive recording.

These are from the first and only recordings that brought the entire, legendary, Bell family together into the recording studio. Carey Bell is justly renowned today as the best blues harmonica man around and is of course father of all the other bells here. Not just genetically though, musically too because his style of bard, "50s" blues has been brought down to one more generation. Lurrie Bell is a stunning blues guitarist who would be a star if it was a fair world. Steve Bell is a maturing but definitely inventive blues harp player and Carey’s younger sons, Tyson and James, are a supremely powerful and well oiled rhythm section. The music on this CD defines the best of recent Chicago Blues.

A career in music was inevitable for Robin Taylor Zander. It’s in his heart, his soul — and his very DNA. “RTZ,” whose father is the founding frontman for iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Cheap Trick, steps out with his debut solo album, The Distance. A versatile multi-instrumentalist, Robin is now a full-time member of Cheap Trick, a seamless utility player on guitar, bass, drums, and backing vocals.

There is something carefree and joyful about the music of Django Reinhardt; something that comes bubbling to the surface every time he begins a wild run of notes on his acoustic guitar. Of course the swinging style of Stephane Grappelli's violin doesn't hurt. Nor do great songs like "Tea for Two," "My Melancholy Baby," and "Jeepers Creepers." Swing 39 captures 17 tracks by the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, including a number of alternate versions, on the eve of Grappelli leaving the group (because of the war). Two bouncy versions of "Jeepers Creepers" start things off, and while the pacing of both cuts is similar, each guitar solo is fresh and fundamentally different. Reinhardt creates endless variety through his ability to solo with chords or single notes, bend strings, and constantly alter the tempo…

The second album-length collaboration between Jon Anderson and Vangelis is almost perfect in its blending of elements; it's only when the pair tries to do some serious rocking on "Back to School" that things take a bit of a nosedive. Other than that, though, there are some classic cuts to be found on this record, including the breathtaking "I'll Find My Way Home," "State of Independence" (which became a popular tune to cover), and the brilliantly optimistic "Mayflower," which catapults the listener into a star-traveling future. Grand stuff.

Carlos Dafe, born in Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, grew up surrounded by music and poetry. His father, a chorinho player, and his mother, a poet, nurtured his talent from a young age. By four, he was correcting notes in his father’s rehearsals; by eleven, he was studying at the Conservatory of Music, and by fourteen, he was performing with ensembles and orchestras. In the 1970s, Dafé became a pillar of Brazil’s Black music movement, alongside Tim Maia, Cassiano, Wilson Simonal, and Banda Black Rio. Known as “The Prince of Soul,” a title bestowed by Nelson Motta, Dafé brought samba, soul, and funk into harmony, creating enduring hits like A Beleza É Você Menina.

Experience the legendary sound of Foreigner, one of the world’s most iconic rock bands! With a legacy that boasts countless smash hits, multi-platinum albums, and sold-out tours, Foreigner’s thrilling blend of fiery blues and perfectly crafted pop has captivated music lovers across generations. From “Cold as Ice” to “Hot Blooded,” “Urgent” to “Jukebox Hero,” and “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” their unforgettable anthems continue to stand the test of time.