Rhapsody Streamnotes: Year 2021 Index
- Adele: 30 (2021, Columbia) B-
- Teno Afrika: Amapiano Selections (2019-20 [2021], Awesome Tapes From Africa) B+(***)
- Damon Albarn: The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows (2021, Transgressive) B+(*)
- Ben Allison: Moments Inside (2021, Sonic Camera) B+(*)
- Pedro Melo Alves' Omniae Large Ensemble: Lumina (2020 [2021], Clean Feed) B+(*)
- Rodrigo Amado Northern Liberties: We Are Electric (2017 [2021], Not Two) A-
- Roxana Amed: Ontology (2021, Sony Music Latin) B
- Amyl and the Sniffers: Comfort to Me (2021, Rough Trade) A-
- Florian Arbenz/Hermon Mehari/Nelson Veras: Conversation #1: Condensed (2021, Hammer) A-
- Florian Arbenz: Conversation #2 & #3 (2020 [2021], Hammer) B+(***)
- Florian Arbenz/Maikel Vistel/François Moutin: Conversation #4: Vulcanized (2021, Hammer) B+(***)
- Patricia Barber: Clique! (2021, Impex) B+(***)
- Courtney Barnett: Things Take Time, Take Time (2021, Mom + Pop) A-
- The Baylor Project: Generations (2021, Be a Light) B+(***)
- Rubén Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta: Salswing! (2021, Rubén Blades Productions)
- Theo Bleckmann & the Westerlies: This Land (2019 [2021], Westerlies Music) B+(***)
- Blue Reality [Michael Marcus/Joe McPhee/Jay Rosen/Warren Smith]: Quartet! (2020 [2021], Mahakala Music) B+(***)
- Dean Blunt: Black Metal 2 (2021, Rough Trade) B+(**)
- Weedie Braimah: The Hands of Time (2021, Stretch Music/Ropeadope) B+(**)
- Anthony Braxton: 12 Comp (ZIM) 2017 (2017 [2021], Firehouse 12, 12CD) B+(***)
- Patricia Brennan: Maquishti (2018 [2021], Valley of Search) B+(*)
- Bugpowder: Cage Tennis (2020 [2021], Trytone) A-
- Chamber 4: Dawn to Dusk (2020 [2021], JACC) B+(***)
- Bill Charlap Trio: Street of Dreams (2021, Blue Note) B+(**)
- Melanie Charles: Y'all Don't (Really) Care About Black Women (2021, Verve) B+(***)
- The Chisel: Retaliation (2021, La Vida Es Un Mus) B+(*)
- Margo Cilker: Pohorylle (2021, Loose) A-
- Chick Corea Akoustik Band: Live (2018 [2021], Stretch, 2CD) B+(**)
- Theo Croker: BLK2LIFE // A Future Past (2021, Sony Masterworks) B
- Joy Crookes: Skin (2021, Insanity) B+(**)
- Theon Cross: Intra-I (2021, New Soil) A-
- Angel Bat Dawid: Hush Harbor Mixtape Vol. 1 Doxology (2021, International Anthem) B+(**)
- Erika De Casier: Sensational (2021, 4AD) B+(**)
- Joey DeFrancesco: More Music (2021, Mack Avenue) B+(***)
- Indigo De Souza: Any Shape You Take (2021, Saddle Creek) B+(*)
- Boubacar "Badian" Diabaté: Mande Guitar (2021, Lion Songs) B+(**)
- Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers: Set Me Free (2021, Louisiana Red Hot) B+(***)
- Hamid Drake/Elaine Mitchener/William Parker/Orphy Robinson/Pat Thomas: Black Top Presents: Some Good News (2019 [2021], Otoroku, 2CD) B+(**)
- Mathias Eick: When We Leave (2020 [2021], ECM) B+(**)
- Wendy Eisenberg: Bloodletting (2019 [2021], Out of Your Head) B+(*)
- John Ellis/Adam Levy/Glenn Patscha: Say It Quiet (2021, Sunnyside) B+(**)
- Joe Farnsworth: City of Sounds (2021, Smoke Sessions) B+(*)
- Steven Feifke Big Band: Kinetic (2019 [2021], Outside In Music) B+(*)
- Sam Fender: Seveneen Going Under (2021, Polydor) B
- R.A.P. Ferreira: The Light Emitting Diamond Cutter Scriptures (2021, Ruby Yacht) B+(***)
- Sierra Ferrell: Long Time Coming (2021, Rounder) A-
- Friends & Neighbors: The Earth Is # (2021, Clean Feed) B+(***)
- Fred Frith/Ikue Mori: A Mountain Doesn't Know It's Tall (2015 [2021], Intakt) B+(**)
- Ben LaMar Gay: Open Arms to Open Us (2021, International Anthem) B+(*)
- The Generations Quartet [Dave Liebman/Billy Test/Evan Gregor/Ian Froman]: Invitation (2021, Albert Murray/John Aveni) A-
- Ghost Rhythms: Spectral Music (2021, Cuneiform) B-
- Goat Girl: On All Fours (2021, Rough Trade) B+(**)
- Godspeed You! Black Emperor: G_d's Pee at State's End (2021, Constellation) B+(*)
- Cameron Graves: Seven (2021, Mack Avenue) B-
- Gordon Grdina's Square Peg: Klotski (2021, Attaboygirl) B+(***)
- Gordon Grdina: Pendulum (2021, Attaboygirl) B+(**)
- Muriel Grossmann: Union (2021, Dreamland) B+(***)
- Grouper: Shade (2021, Kranky) B+(*)
- Jeff Hamilton Trio: Merry & Bright (2021, Capri) B
- Hutch Harris: Suck Up All the Oxygen (2021, self-released, EP) B+(**)
- Alexander Hawkins: Togetherness Music: For Sixteen Musicians (2020 [2021], Intakt) B+(***)
- Miho Hazama: Imaginary Visions (2021, Edition) B+(**)
- Thomas Heberer: The Day That Is (2021, Sunnyside) B+(***)
- William Hooker: Big Moon (2020 [2021], Org Music) B+(***)
- Jazzmeia Horn and Her Noble Force: Dear Love (2021, Empress Legacy) B+(*)
- François Houle/Samo Salamon: Unobservable Mysteries (2020, Samo) B+(**)
- HTRK: Rhinestones (2021, N&J Blueberries) B+(***)
- Michael Hurley: Time of the Foxgloves (2021, No Quartet) B+(**)
- Susie Ibarra: Talking Gong (2020 [2021], New Focus) B+(*)
- Susie Ibarra: Walking on Water (2018-19 [2021], Innova) B+(**)
- Abdullah Ibrahim: Solotude: My Journey, My Vision (2021, Gearbox) B+(**)
- Il Sogno: Graduation (2021, Auand/Gotta Let It Out) B+(**)
- Jon Irabagon: Bird With Streams (2020 [2021], Irabbagast) B
- Boldy James & the Alchemist: Bo Jackson (2021, ALC) B+(*)
- Jlin: Embryo (2021, Planet Mu, EP) B+(*)
- Jungle: Loving in Stereo (2021, Awal) B+(*)
- Masabumi Kikuchi: Hanamichi: The Final Studio Recording (2013 [2021], Red Hook) B+(*)
- Frank Kimbrough: Ancestors (2017 [2021], Sunnyside) B+(***)
- Kimbrough (2021, Newvelle) A-
- Katy Kirby: Cool Dry Place (2021, Keeled Scales) B+(*)
- Craig Klein: Talkative Horns: Musical Conversations on Lucien Barbarin (2021, Tromboklein Music) B+(**)
- The Klezmatics: Letters to Afar (2013 [2021], Chant) B+(*)
- Mick Kolassa: Uncle Mick's Christmas Album (2021, Endless Blues) B
- Martin Küchen & Michaela Antalová: Thunder Before Lightning (2019 [2021], Clean Feed) B-
- La La Lars: La La Lars III (2021, <1000) B+(***)
- Lady Blackbird: Black Acid Soul (2021, Foundation Music/BMG) B+(*)
- Mon Laferte: Seis (2021, Universal Music Mexico) A-
- Mon Laferte: 1940 Carmen (2021, Universal Music Mexico) B+(***)
- Mary LaRose: Out Here (2021, Little (i) Music) B+(***)
- Mike LeDonne's Groover Quartet + Big Band: It's All Your Fault (2020 [2021], Savant) B+(*)
- Jihye Lee Orchestra: Daring Mind (2020 [2021], Motéma) B+(**)
- James Brandon Lewis Quartet: Code of Being (2021, Intakt) A-
- Dave Liebman Expansions: Selflessness: The Music of John Coltrane (2021, Dot Time) B+(**)
- Lingua Ignota: Sinner Get Ready (2021, Sargent House) B-
- Lukah: Why Look Up, God's in the Mirror (2021, Fxck Rxp Rxcxrds) A-
- Harold Mabern: Mabern Plays Coltrane (2018 [2021], Smoke Sessions) B+(*)
- Mach-Hommy: Balens Cho (2021, Griselda, EP) B+(**)
- Magdalena Bay: Mercurial World (2021, Luminelle) A
- Miko Marks & the Resurrectors: Our Country (2021, Redtone) A-
- Miko Marks & the Resurrectors: Race Records (2021, Redtone, EP) B+(**)
- Terrace Martin: Drones (2021, BMG) B+(**)
- Nick Mazzarella/Ingebrigt Håker Flaten/Avreeayl Ra: What You Seek Is Seeking You (2019 [2021], Astral Spirits) B+(***)
- Christian McBride & Inside Straight: Live at the Village Vanguard (2014 [2021], Mack Avenue) B+(**)
- Makaya McCraven: Deciphering the Message (2021, Blue Note) B+(**)
- Lori McKenna: Christmas Is Right Here (2021, CN, EP) B+(***)
- Pat Metheny: Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV) (2019 [2021], Modern) B+(*)
- Mexstep: Vivir (2021, Mexstep Music) B+(***)
- Ming Bau Set: Yakut's Gallop (2020 [2021], Fundacja Sluchaj) B+(***)
- Mogwai: As the Love Continues (2021, Temporary Residence) B
- Samuel Mösching: Ethereal Kinks (2021 [2022], Bronzeville Music) B
- Rachel Musson: Dreamsing (2020 [2021], 577) B+(**)
- Mustafa: When Smoke Rises (2021, Regent Park Songs, EP) B+(*)
- Navy Blue: Navy's Reprise (2021, Freedom Sounds) B+(***)
- Angelika Niescier/Alexander Hawkins: Soul in Plain Sight (2020 [2021], Intakt) B+(***)
- Stephanie Nilles: I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag: The White Flag (2019 [2021], Sunnyside) B+(**)
- Oz Noy: Snapdragon (2020, Abstract Logix) B+(*)
- Adam O'Farrill: Visions of Your Other (2021, Biophilia) A-
- Joy Orbison: Still Slipping Vol. 1 (2021, XL) B+(**)
- Pino Palladino and Blake Mills: Notes Wtih Attachments (2021, Impulse) B+(*)
- Jeff Parker: Forfolks (2021, International Anthem) B+(*)
- Grethen Parlato: Flor (2021, Edition) B+(**)
- Hannah Peel: Fir Wave (2021, My Own Pleasure) B+(**)
- Greentea Peng: Man Made (2021, AMF) B+(***)
- Barre Phillips/John Butcher/Ståle Liavik Solberg: We Met - and Then (2018-19 [2021], Relative Pitch) B+(**)
- Chris Pierce: American Silence (2021, Pierce) B+(*)
- Robert Plant/Alison Krauss: Raise the Roof (2021, Rounder) B+(*)
- Portico Quartet: Monument (2021, Gondwana) B+(*)
- Mariá Portugal: Erosão (2021, Fun in the Church) B+(**)
- Punkt. Vrt. Plastik [Kaja Draksler/Petter Eldh/Christian Lillinger]: Somit (2020 [2021], Intakt) B+(***)
- Jordan Rakei: What We Call Life (2021, Ninja Tune) B+(*)
- Phil Ranelin: Ininite Expressions (2020 [2021], ORG Music) B+(**)
- Enrico Rava: Edizione Speciale (2019 [2021], ECM) B+(***)
- Stephen Riley: I Remember You (2019 [2021], SteepleChase) B+(***)
- Emily Scott Robinson: American Siren (2021, Oh Boy) B+(***)
- Porter Robinson: Nurture (2021, Mom + Pop) B
- Andreas Røysum Ensemble: Fredsfanatisme (2021, Motvind) B+(**)
- RP Boo: Established! (2021, Planet Mu) B+(**)
- Jana Rush: Painful Enlightenment (2021, Planet Mu) B
- Allison Russell: Outside Child (2021, Fantasy) A-
- Sten Sandell/Lisa Ullén: Double Music (2021, Clean Feed) B+(**)
- Nitin Sawhney: Immigrants (2021, Sony Masterworks) A-
- Elori Saxl: The Blue of Distance (2021, Western Vinyl) B+(*)
- Jared Schonig: Two Takes Vol. 1: Quintet (2021, Anzic) B+(**)
- Jared Schonig: Two Takes Vol. 2: Big Band (2021, Anzic) B+(***)
- Serengeti: Have a Summer (2021, self-released) B
- Shad: TAO (2021, Secret City) B+(***)
- Shame: Drunk Tank Pink (2021, Dead Oceans) B+(***)
- Paula Shocron/William Parker/Pablo Díaz: El Templo (2019 [2021], Astral Spirits) A-
- Skerebotte Fatta: Appaz (2020 [2021], ForTune) B+(***)
- Rejjie Snow: Baw Baw Black Sheep (2021, Honeymoon/+1) B+(**)
- Sonic Liberation Front: Moon Rust Red Streets (2020 [2021], High Two) B+(**)
- Tyshawn Sorey/Alarm Will Sound: For George Lewis/Autoschediasms (2019-20 [2021], Cantaloupe, 2CD) B+(*)
- Tyshawn Sorey/King Britt: Tyshawn & King (2021, The Buddy System) A-
- Esperanza Spalding: Songwrights Apothecary Lab (2021, Concord) B
- Spellling: The Turning Wheel (2021, Sacred Bones) B+(*)
- Rossano Sportiello: That's It (2021, Arbors) B+(**)
- Strictly Missionary: Heisse Scheisse (2021, Astral Spirits) B+(***)
- Ohad Talmor Trio: Mise En Place (2020 [2021], Intakt) B+(***)
- Kaidi Tatham: An Insight to All Minds (2021, First Word) B+(**)
- Henry Threadgill Zooid: Poof (2019 [2021], Pi) A-
- Throttle Elevator Music: Final Floor (2021, Wide Hive) B+(**)
- Unscientific Italians: Play the Music of Bill Frisell Vol. 1 (2019 [2021], Hora) A-
- Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet: Fools for Yule (2021, Housekat) C
- Valerie June: The Moon and Stars: Prescription for Dreamers (2021, Fantasy) B+(*)
- Roseanna Vitro: Sing a Song of Bird (2017-21 [2021], Skyline) A-
- Morgan Wade: Reckless (2021, Ladylike) B+(***)
- The War on Drugs: I Don't Live Here Anymore (2021, Atlantic) B
- Butch Warren & Freddie Redd: Baltimore Jazz Loft (2013 [2021], Bleebop) B+(**)
- Anna Webber: Idiom (2019 [2021], Pi, 2CD) B+(***)
- Tierra Whack: Rap? (2021, Interscope, EP) B+(**)
- Tierra Whack: Pop? (2021, Interscope, EP) B+(**)
- Tierra Whack: R&b? (2021, Interscope, EP) B+(*)
- Jamire Williams: But Only After You Have Suffered (2021, International Anthem) B+(*)
- Willow: Lately I Feel Everything (2021, MSFTS Music/Roc Nation) B+(*)
- Martin Wind Quartet: My Astorian Queen (2021, Laika) B+(**)
- Michael Wollny/Emile Parisien/Tim Lefebvre/Christian Lillinger: XXXX (2019 [2021], ACT Music) B+(***)
- The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong All Stars: A Gift to Pops (2021, Verve) A-
- Yola: Stand for Myself (2021, Easy Eye Sound) B
- Neil Young/Crazy Horse: Barn (2021, Reprise) A-
- Young Thug: Punk (2021, YSL/300 Entertainment/Atlantic) B+(***)
- Brandee Younger: Somewhere Different (2021, Impulse!) B+(**)
- Hasaan Ibn Ali: Retrospect in Retirement of Delay: The Solo Recordings (1962-65 [2021], Omnivore, 2CD) B+(**)
- Amapiano Now ([2021], NTS) B+(***)
- Neil Ardley & the New Jazz Orchestra: Jazz Calendar: Olympic Studios '66 (1966 [2020], Jazz in Britain, EP) B+(*)
- Neil Ardley: Kaleidoscope of Rainbows: QEH, 20th Oct 75 (1975 [2021], Jazz in Britain, 2CD) A-
- Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers: First Flight to Tokyo: The Lost 1961 Recordings (1961 [2021], Blue Note) A-
- Ian Carr Double Quintet: Solar Session (1970 [2021], Jazz in Britain) B+(**)
- The Allen Cohen Big Band: The Oracle [The Ron Mathewson Tapes Vol. 4] (1968 [2020], Jazz in Britain, EP) B+(*)
- Mike Gibbs: Revisiting Tanglewood 63: The Early Tapes (1970 [2021], Jazz in Britain) B+(**)
- Group Sounds Four & Five: Black and White Raga (1965-66 [2020], Jazz in Britain) B+(**)
- Joe Harriott: Chronology: Live 1968-69 (1968-69 [2020], Jazz In Britain) B+(**)
- Joe Harriott Quintet: Formation: Live '61 (1961 [2021], Jazz in Britain, EP) B+(*)
- Emmylou Harris and the Nash Ramblers: Ramble in Music City: The Lost Concert (1990 [2021], Nonesuch) B+(**)
- The Tubby Hayes Quartet: Free Flight [The Ron Mathewson Tapes Vol. 3] (1972 [2020], Jazz in Britain, 2CD) B+(**)
- Tubby Hayes Quartet: The Complete Hopbine '69 [The Ron Mathewson Tapes Vol. 7] (1969 [2021], Jazz in Britain, 2CD) B+(***)
- Allan Holdsworth/Ray Warleigh/Ron Mathewson/Bryan Spring: Warleigh Manor: The Ron Mathewson Tapes Vol. 1 (1979 [2020], Jazz in Britain) B+(**)
- Journeys in Modern Jazz: Britain (1965-1972) (1965-72 [2021], Decca) A-
- Jeanne Lee: Conspiracy (1975 [2021], Moved-by-Sound) B+(*)
- Bob Marley & the Wailers: The Capitol Session '73 (1973 [2021], Mercury/Tuff Gong) A-
- Ron Mathewson: Memorial (1968-76 [2020], Jazz in Britain) B+(***)
- Mathewson & Mathewson: Blow (1976 [2020], Jazz in Britain) B
- Lee Morgan: The Complete Live at the Lighthouse (1970 [2021], Blue Note, 8CD) B+(***)
- Bheki Mseleku: Beyond the Stars (2003 [2021], Tapestry Works) B+(**)
- The New Jazz Orchestra: Le Déjuener Sur L'Herbe (1968 [2021], Decca) B+(***)
- New Life: Visions of the Third Eye (1979 [2021], Early Future) B+(***)
- Mike Osborne & Friends: Live at the Peanuts Club (1975-76 [2020], Jazz in Britain) B+(***)
- PAZ/The Singing Bowls of Tibet/Allan Holdsworth: Live in London '81: The Ron Mathewson Tapes Vol. 2 (1981 [2020], Jazz in Britain, EP) B
- Oscar Peterson: A Time for Love: The Oscar Peterson Quartet - Live in Helsinki, 1987 (1987 [2021], Mack Avenue) B+(***)
- Plastic People of the Universe: Magicke Noci 1997 (1997 [2021], Guerilla) B+(***)
- Elvis Presley: Elvis: Back in Nashville (1971 [2021], RCA/Legacy, 4CD) B-
- Don Rendell/Ian Carr Quintet: Blue Beginnings (1964 [2021], Jazz in Britain) B+(**)
- Marcos Resende: Marcos Resende & Index (1976 [2021], Far Out) B+(**)
- Roswell Rudd & Duck Baker: Live (2002-04 [2021], Dot Time) B+(***)
- The Ray Russell Sextet: Spontaneous Event: Live Vol. 1: 1967-69 (1967-69 [2020], Jazz in Britain) B+(***)
- The Ray Russell Sextet: Forget to Remember: Live Vol. 2: 1970 (1970 [2021], Jazz in Britain) A-
- Bola Sete: Samba in Seattle: Live at the Penthouse 1966-1968 (1966-68 [2021], Tompkins Square, 3CD) A-
- Archie Shepp: Live in Paris (1974) (1974 [2021], Transversales Disques) B+(***)
- Splinters: Inclusivity (1972 [2021], Jazz in Britain, 3CD) B+(***)
- Mike Taylor Quartet: Mandala (1965 [2021], Jazz in Britain) B+(***)
- Roseanna Vitro: Listen Here (1982 [2021], Skyline) B+(**)
- Ken Wheeler and the John Dankworth Orchestra: Windmill Tilter: The Story of Don Quixote (1969 [2021], Decca) B+(***)
- Mike Gibbs: Directs the Only Chrome-Waterfall Orchestra (1975, Bronze) A-
- Sho Madjozi: Limpopo Champions League (2018, Flourish and Multiply) A-
- A Soldier's Sad Story: Vietnam Through the Eyes of Black America 1966-1973 (1966-73 [2003], Kent) A-
- Ikizukuri + Susans Santos Silva: Suicide Underground Orchid (2021, Multikulti Project) ++
- Burnt Sugar/The Arkestra Chamber: Angels Over Oakanda (2018-21 [2021], Avantgroidd) A-
- James Brandon Lewis Red Lily Quintet: Jesup Wagon (2020 [2021], Tao Forms) A
- Allen Lowe: Turn Me Loose White Man (1900-60 [2021], Constant Sorrow, 30CD) A
- Greg Abate: Magic Dance: The Music of Kenny Barron (2021, Whaling City Sound, 2CD) B+(**)
- ABBA: Voyage (2021, Polar) B-
- Ada Lea: One Hand on the Steering Wheel the Other Sewing a Garden (2021, Saddle Creek) B+(**)
- Aesop Rock X Blockhead: Garbology (2021, Rhymesayers Entertainment) B+(**)
- Fatima Al Qadiri: Medieval Femme (2021, Hyperdub) B-
- Android Trio: Other Worlds (2021, Cuneiform) C+
- Anika: Change (2021, Sacred Bones) B+(**)
- Artifacts [Tomeka Reid/Nicole Mitchell/Mike Reed]: . . . And Then There's This (2021, Astral Spirits) A-
- Asleep at the Wheel: Half a Hundred Years (2021, Home) A-
- Attitude!: Pause & Effect (2019 [2021], ESP-Disk) B+(**)
- Aya: Im Hole (2021, Hyperdub) B+(**)
- Badbadnotgood: Talk Memory (2021, XL/Innovative Leisure) B
- Balimaya Project: Wolo So (2020 [2021], Jazz Re:Freshed) A-
- Bktherula: Love Black (2021, Warner) B+(***)
- Black Country, New Road: For the First Time (2021, Ninja Tune) B+(**)
- The Black Keys: Delta Kream (2021, Nonesuch) B+(**)
- Johnathan Blake: Homeward Bound (2021, Blue Note) B+(***)
- Terence Blanchard: Absence (2021, Blue Note) B+(**)
- Blu: The Color Blu(e) (2021, Nature Sounds) B+(*)
- Borderlands Trio [Stephan Crump/Kris Davis/Eric McPherson]: Wandersphere (2020 [2021], Intakt, 2CD) B+(***)
- Darrin Bradbury: Talking Dogs & Atomic Bombs (2019, Anti-) B+(**)
- Darrin Bradbury: Artvertisement (2021, Anti-) B+(***)
- Bridge of Flowers: A Soft Day's Night (2021, ESP-Disk) B+(*)
- The Brkn Record: The Architecture of Oppression Part 1 (2021, Mr. Bongo) B+(***)
- Sarah Buechi/Contradiction of Happiness & Jena Philharmonic: The Paintress (2020 [2021], Intakt) A-
- John Butcher/Dominic Lash/John Russell/Mark Sanders: Discernment (2020 [2021], Spoonhunt) B+(*)
- John Butcher/Sharon Gal/David Toop: Until the Night Melts Away (2019 [2021], Shrike) B
- Francesco Cafiso: Irene of Boston: Conversation Avec Corto Maltese (2020, Eflat) A-
- Brandi Carlile: In These Silent Days (2021, Low Country Sound/Elektra) B
- Hayes Carll: You Get It All (2021, Dualtone) A-
- François Carrier: Glow (2019 [2021], FMR) A-
- Daniel Carter/Tobias Wilner/Djibril Toure/Federico Ughi: New York United, Volume 2 (2018 [2021], 577 Records) A-
- Ron Carter/Jack DeJohnette/Gonzalo Rubalcaba: Skyline (2021, 5 Passion) A-
- Claudia Quintet: Evidence-Based (2021, Flexatonic) A-
- Gerald Cleaver: Griots (2020 [2021], Positive Elevation/577) B+(**)
- Cochemea: Vol. II: Baca Sewa (2021, Daptone) B+(*)
- Anat Cohen & Marcello Gonçalves: Reconvexo (2020 [2021], Anzic) B+(*)
- Steve Coleman and Five Elements: Live at the Village Vanguard Volume II (MDW NTR) (2018 [2021], Pi, 2CD) A-
- Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few: Cosmic Transitions (2020 [2021], Division 81) B+(***)
- The Contraptionists: Working Man's Dread (2021, self-released) B
- The Cookers: Look Out! (2021, Gearbox) B+(*)
- Elvis Costello & the Attractions: Spanish Model (2021, UMe) B+(**)
- Sylvie Courvoisier/Mary Halvorson: Searching for the Disappeared Hour (2021, Pyroclastic) B+(***)
- Neil Cowley: Hall of Mirrors (2021, Mote) B+(**)
- Cyclone Trio: The Clear Revolution (2020 [2021], 577) B+(**)
- Jeremiah Cymerman/Charlie Looker: A Horizon Made of Canvas (2020 [2021], Astral Spirits) B+(*)
- Andrew Cyrille Quartet: The News (2019 [2021], ECM) B
- Daggerboard: Last Days of Studio A (2018-19 [2021], Wide Hive) B+(**)
- Lana Del Rey: Blue Bannisters (2011, Polydor/Interscope) B+(***)
- Dos Santos: City of Mirrors (International Anthem) B+(*)
- Eliane Elias: Mirror Mirror (2021, Candid) B+(***)
- Ingebrigt Håker Flaten: (Exit) Knarr (2021, Odin) A-
- Flukten: Velkommen Hap (2021, Odin) B+(***)
- Nick Fraser Quartet: If There Were No Opposites (2019 [2021], Ezz-Thetics) B+(*)
- Erik Friedlander: Sentinel (2020, Skipstone) B+(**)
- David Friesen: Day of Rest (2020 [2021], Origin) B+(**)
- Fred Frith Trio With Lotte Anker/Susana Santos Silva: Road (2021, Intakt, 2CD) B+(***)
- Rob Frye: Chihuahuan Desert Birdscapes (2020 [2021], Astral Spirits) B
- Futari: Underground (2021, Libra) B+(**)
- Nubya Garcia: Source + We Move (2021, Concord) B
- Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trios: Songs From My Father (2021, Whaling City Sound, 2CD) B+(**)
- Gift of Gab: Finding Inspiration Somehow (2021, Nature Sounds) A
- Frode Gjerstad/Isach Skeidsvoll: Twenty Fingers (2021, Relative Pitch) A-
- The Emma Goldman Bust-Out Brigade: The Emma Goldman Bust-Out Brigade (2021, Nomad Eel) B+(**)
- Rich Halley/Dan Clucas/Clyde Reed/Carson Halley: Boomslang (2021, Pine Eagle) A-
- Scott Hamilton/Duke Robillard: Swingin' Again (2021, Blue Duchess) B+(*)
- Louis Hayes: Crisis (2021, Savant) B+(**)
- Natalie Hemby: Pins and Needles (2021, Fantasy) B+(*)
- Carlos Henriquez: The South Bronx Story (2021, Tiger Turn) B+(***)
- Hiss Golden Messenger: Quietly Blowing It (2021, Merge) B+(*)
- Jon Hopkins: Music for Psychedelic Therapy (2021, Domino) B
- Idles: Crawler (2021, Partisan) B+(***)
- Ill Considered: Liminal Space (2021, New Soil) A-
- Illuminati Hotties: Let Me Do One More (2021, Snack Shack Tracks/Hopeless) A-
- Injury Reserve: By the Time I Get to Phoenix (2021, No Label) B+(*)
- Irreversible Entanglements: Open the Gates (2021, International Anthem) A-
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit: Georgia Blue (2021, Southeastern) B
- Wanda Jackson: Encore (2021, Big Machine/Blackheart, EP) B+(*)
- Arushi Jain: Under the Lilac Sky (2021, Leaving) B+(***)
- Irene Jalenti: Dawn (2020 [2021], Antidote Sounds) B+(**)
- Malcolm Jiyane Tree-O: Umdali (2018 [2021], Mushroom Hour Half Hour) A-
- Samara Joy: Samara Joy (2020 [2021], Whirlwind) B+(***)
- JPEGMafia: LP! (2021, Republic) B+(**)
- Vera Kappeler/Peter Conradin Zumthor: Herd (2020 [2021], Intakt) B+(*)
- Kasai Allstars: Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound (2021, Crammed Discs) B+(***)
- Darrell Katz & OddSong: Galeanthropology (2019-21 [2021], JCA) B+(**)
- Jacqueline Kerrod: 17 Days in December (2021, Orenda) B+(**)
- Lady Gaga: Dawn of Chromatica (2021, Interscope) B+(*)
- Langhorne Slim: Strawberry Mansion (2021, Dualtone) B+(**)
- Remy Le Boeuf's Assembly of Shadows: Architecture of Storms (2019-21 [2021], SoundSpore) B
- Stefano Leonardi/Antonio Bertoni: Viandes (2018 [2021], Astral Spirits) B+(*)
- LoneLady: Former Things (2021, Warp) B+(**)
- Brandon López Trio: Live at Roulette (2021, Relative Pitch) B+(**)
- Low: Hey What (2021, Sub Pop) C
- Brian Lynch: Songbook Vol. 1: Bus Stop Serenade (2016 [2021], Holistic MusicWorks) B+(*)
- Doug MacDonald: Serenade to Highland Park (2021, DMAC Music) B+(**)
- Myele Manzanza: Crisis & Opportunity, Vol. 1: London (2021, DeepMatter) B+(***)
- Myele Manzanza: Crisis & Opportunity, Vol. 2: Peaks (2021, DeepMatter) B+(*)
- Megan Thee Stallion: Something for Thee Hotties: From Thee Archives (2019-21 [2021], 300 Entertainment) A-
- Francisco Mela Featuring Matthew Shipp and William Parker: Music Frees Our Souls (2020 [2021], 577) B+(***)
- Mereba: Azeb (2021, Interscope, EP) B+(***)
- Allison Miller/Jane Ira Bloom: Tues Days (2021, Outline) B+(***)
- John R. Miller: Depreciated (2021, Rounder) A-
- Cameron Mizell & Charlie Rauh: Local Folklore (2020-21 [2021], Destiny) B
- Hedvig Mollestad: Tempest Revisited (2021, Rune Grammofon) B+(*)
- Moor Mother: Black Encyclopedia of the Air (2021, Anti-) B+(*)
- Van Morrison: Latest Record Project: Volume 1 (2021, BMG/Exile, 2CD) B
- Camila Nebbia Quartet: Corre El Río De La Memoría Sobre La Tierra Que Arrastra Trazos, Dejando Rastros De Alguna Huella Que Hoy Es Número (2020 [2021], Ramble) B+(**)
- Willie Nelson: The Willie Nelson Family (2021, Legacy) B
- Arturo O'Farrill/The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra: Dreaming in Lions (2021, Blue Note) B+(**)
- OneTwoThree: OneTwoThree (2021, Kill Rock Stars) A-
- The Ed Palermo Big Band: I've Got News for You: The Music of Edgar Winter (2021, Sky Cat) C+
- Phil Parisot: Inventions (2021, OA2) B+(*)
- Park Hye Jin: Before I Die (2021, Ninja Tune) B+(**)
- William Parker/Patricia Nicholson: No Joke! (2019-20 [2021], ESP-Disk) A-
- Zeena Parkins/Mette Rasmussen/Ryan Sawyer: Glass Triangle (2021, Relative Pitch) B+(*)
- Parquet Courts: Sympathy for Life (2021, Rough Trade) B+(***)
- Nicholas Payton: Smoke Sessions (2021, Smoke Sessions) B+(**)
- PinkPantheress: To Hell With It (2021, Parlophone, EP) B+(**)
- Professor Cunningham and His Old School: The Lockdown Blues (2021, Arbors) B+(*)
- Abbey Rader/John McMinn: Two as One (2021, Abray) B+(*)
- Anaïs Reno: Lovesome Thing: Anaïs Reno Sings Ellington & Strayhorn (2021, Harbinger) A-
- Steph Richards With Joshua White: Zephyr (2019 [2021], Relative Pitch) B+(**)
- ROVA: The Circumference of Reason (2018-19 [2021], ESP-Disk) B+(***)
- Dua Saleh: Crossover (2021, Against Giants, EP) A-
- Sara Schoenbeck: Sara Schoenbeck (2019-21 [2021], Pyroclastic) B+(***)
- Self Esteem: Prioritise Pleasure (2021, Fiction) B+(**)
- Sara Serpa: Intimate Strangers (2021, Biophilia) B+(**)
- Matthew Shipp: Codebreaker (2020 [2021], Tao Forms) A-
- Jacob Shulman: Connectedness (2021, Endectomorph Music) B+(***)
- Silk Sonic [Bruno Mars/Anderson .Paak]: An Evening With Silk Sonic (2021, Aftermath/Atlantic) B-
- Nala Sinephro: Space 1.8 (2021, Warp) B+(*)
- Josh Sinton: B. (2021, Form Is Possibility) B+(**)
- Sir Babygirl: Golden Bday; The Mixtape (2021, self-released) B+(**)
- Nate Smith: Kinfolk 2: See the Birds (2021, Edition) B
- Wadada Leo Smith, Jack DeJohnette & Vijay Iyer: A Love Sonnet for Billie Holiday (2016 [2021], TUM) B+(***)
- Wadada Leo Smith's Great Lakes Quartet: The Chicago Symphonies (2015-18 [2021], TUM, 4CD) A-
- Snail Mail: Valentine (2021, Matador) B+(**)
- Snotty Nose Rez Kids: Life After (2021, Distorted Muse/Fontana North) B+(**)
- The Source: . . . But Swinging Doesn't Bend Them Down (2019 [2021], Odin) B+(***)
- Space Afrika: Honest Labour (2021, Dais) B+(*)
- Vince Staples: Vince Staples (2021, Blacksmith/Motown, EP) B+(**)
- Helen Sung: Quartet + (2021, Sunnyside) B+(*)
- Taylor Swift: Fearless (Taylor's Version) (2021, Republic) B+(***)
- Taylor Swift: Red (Taylor's Version) (2021, Republic) B+(***)
- Craig Taborn: Shadow Plays (2020 [2021], ECM) B+(*)
- Aki Takase/Daniel Erdmann: Isn't It Romantic? (2020 [2021], BMC) B+(**)
- This Is It!: Mosaic (2021, Libra) B+(***)
- Tirzah: Colourgrade (2021, Domino) B+(*)
- Trees Speak: PostHuman (2021, Soul Jazz) B+(*)
- Two Much [Reut Regev and Igal Foni]: Never Enough (2021, Relative Pitch) B+(***)
- U-Roy: Solid Gold (2021, Trojan) B+(*)
- Tommy Vig: 2022: Jazz Jazz (2021, Klassikus Jazz) C
- Will Vinson/Gilad Hekselman/Antonio Sanchez: Trio Grande (2019 [2020], Whirlwind) B+(***)
- Pabllo Vittar: Batidão Tropical (2021, Sony, EP) B+(*)
- Summer Walker: Still Over It (2021, LVRN/Interscope) B+(*)
- Dean Wareham: I Have Nothing to Say to the Mayor of L.A. (2021, Double Feature) B+(**)
- Marcin Wasilewski Trio: En Attendant (2019 [2021], ECM) B+(*)
- Jane Weaver: Flock (2021, Fire) B+(**)
- Westside Gunn: Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Sincerely, Adolf (2021, Griselda/Empire) B
- Westside Gunn: Hitler Wears Heres 8: Side B (2021, Griselda/Empire) B
- Mareike Wiening: Future Memories (2020 [2021], Greenleaf Music) B+(*)
- Wiki: Half God (2021, Wikset Enterprise) B+(**)
- Lainey Wilson: Sayin' What I'm Thinkin' (2021, Broken Bow) B+(***)
- Remi Wolf: You're a Dog (2019, Island, EP) B+(*)
- Remi Wolf: I'm Allergic to Dogs (2020, Island, EP) B+(**)
- Remi Wolf: We Love Dogs! (2021, Island) B+(**)
- Remi Wolf: Juno (2021, Island) B+(***)
- Ben Black: Mystery & Wonder (2007 [2021], Origin) B+(**)
- Laurence Cook/Jacques Coursil/Warren Gale/Perry Robinson/Steve Tintweiss: Ave B Free Jam (1967, Inky Dot) B
- Jimmy Giuffre 3: Graz Live 1961 (1961 [2019], Ezz-Thetics) B+(***)
- Joe Harriott Quintet: Free Form & Abstract Revisited (1960-62 [2021], Ezz-Thetics, 2CD) A-
- Calvin Keys: Shawn-Neeq (1971 [2021], Black Jazz) B+(*)
- Jim Knapp Orchestra: It's Not Business, It's Personal (2009 [2021], Origin) B+(*)
- Harold Land: Westward Bound! (1962-65 [2021], Reel to Real) B+(**)
- Mujician: 10 10 10 (2010 [2021], Cuneiform) B+(**)
- Harvie S Trio: Going for It (1985 [2021], Savant) A-
- Sacred Soul of North Carolina (2020 [2021], Bible & Tire) A-
- Archie Shepp: Blasé and Yasmina Revisited (1969 [2021], Ezz-thetics) A-
- Be Kind Rewind [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (2007 [2008], Lakeshore) B
- Between the Covers (1989-2005 [2006], Legacy) B
- Glen Campbell: The Legacy (1961-2002) (1961-2002 [2003], Capitol, 4CD) C
- Sonny Clark: My Conception (1957-59 [2000], Blue Note) B+(***)
- Tony Conrad: Thunderboy! (1971-73 [2002], Table of the Elements) B-
- Sylvie Courvoisier/Mary Halvorson: Crop Circles (2016 [2017], Relative Pitch) B+(***)
- Bing Crosby: Bing! His Legendary Years, 1931 to 1957 (1931-57 [1993], MCA, 4CD) B+(***)
- Disco Tex & His Sex-O-Lettes: Disco Tex & His Sex-O-Lettes (1975, Chelsea) B+(**)
- Dr. John: The Very Best of Dr. John (1968-92 [1995], Rhino) A-
- Arnold Dreyblatt: The Sound of One String (1979-91 [1998], Table of the Elements) B+(***)
- A Good Year [Music From the Motion Picture] ([2006], Legacy/Sony Music Soundtrack) B
- Fred Hammond: The Essential Fred Hammond (1991-2004 [2007], Verity/Legacy, 2CD) C+
- Heart of the Forest: The Music of the Baka Forest People of Southeast Cameroon (1993, Hannibal) B+(***)
- Bobby Hutcherson: Medina (1968-69 [1998], Blue Note) A-
- Illuminati Hotties: Kiss Yr Frenemies (2018, Tiny Engines) B+(**)
- John P. Kee: The Essential John P. Kee (1991-2000 [2007], Verity/Legacy, 2CD) B-
- Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers: The Very Best of Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers (1956-60 [2000], Rhino) A
- Make 'Em Mokum Crazy: This Is the New Sound of Popcore (1995-96 [1996], Mokum) A-
- Donnie McClurkin: The Essential Donnie McClurkin (2000-05 [2007], Verity/Legacy, 2CD) B-
- John R. Miller: Service Change (2014, 789875 DK) B+(***)
- John R Miller & the Engine Lights: The Trouble You Follow (2018, Emperor) B+(**)
- New Jack City [Music From the Motion Picture] (1991, Giant) B+(***)
- Notekillers: Airport + Ants (2006, Notekillers, EP) B+(*)
- The Orioles: For Collectors Only (1948-57 [1992], Collectables, 3CD) B+(*)
- The Orioles: Sing Their Greatest Hits (1948-54 [1991], Collectables) B+(**)
- Putumayo Presents: Christmas Around the World (1990-2002 [2003], Putomayo World Music) C+
- Eliane Radigue: Adnos I-III (1973-80 [2002], Table of the Elements, 3CD) B+(**)
- Rhythm Love and Soul Live (2002 [2003], Shout! Factory) B+(**)
- Smokey Robinson: Where There's Smoke . . . (1979, Tamla) B+(***)
- Tom Robinson: North by Northwest (1982, IRS) B+(*)
- Kevin Roth: Between the Notes (2006, Star Gazer) B
- Juan Carlos Quintero: Joy to the World (2007, Tenure) B-
- Roxy Music: Greatest Hits (1972-75 [1977], Atco) A
- Roxy Music: The High Road (1982 [1983], Warner Brothers, EP) B+(***)
- Roxy Music: Heart Still Beating (1982 [1990], Reprise) A-
- The Rubinoos: The Rubinoos (1977, Beserkley) B+(*)
- Frederic Rzewski: Coming Together/Attica/Les Mouton De Panurge (1973 [1974], Opus One) A-
- Sarge: Distant (2000, Mud) B+(**)
- Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson: It's Your World (1976, Arista) A-
- The Selecter: Too Much Pressure (1980, Chrysalis) B+(***)
- The Sex Pistols: Filthy Lucre Live (1996, Virgin) A-
- Shalamar: Three for Love (1980, Solar) B+(***)
- Shalamar: Go for It (1981, Solar) B+(***)
- Shalamar: Greatest Hits (1978-81 [1982], Solar) A-
- Shoes: Present Tense (1979, Elektra) B+(***)
- Shoes: Tongue Twister (1981, Elektra) A-
- Shop Assistants: Shop Assistants (1986, Blue Guitar) B+(**)
- Shop Assistants: Will Anything Happen (1986 [2008], Cherry Red) B+(**)
- Silkworm: Lifestyle (2000, Touch & Go) A-
- The Silos: About Her Steps (1985, Record Collect) B+(***)
- Silos: Cuba (1987, Record Collect) B+(**)
- Slade: Slayed? (1972, Polydor) B+(**)
- Slave: Show Time (1981, Cotillion) B+(*)
- Snapback: Purgatory (2006, "Insert Your Major Label Name Here" Music) B+(**)
- Phoebe Snow: The Best of Phoebe Snow (1974-78 [1982], Columbia) B+(**)
- The Specials: Ghost Town/Why?/Friday Night Saturday Morning (1981, Chrysalis, EP) B+(***)
- The Speed Boys: That's What I Like (1982, I Like Mike) A-
- The Speedboys: Look What Love's Done to Me Now (1983, I Like Mike) A-
- Steppin' Out: Disco's Greatest Hits (1970-78 [1978], Polydor) A-
- The Strokes: The Modern Age (2000, Rough Trade, EP) B+(***)
- The Strokes: First Impressions of Earth (2005 [2006], RCA) B+(*)
- The Suburbs: In Combo (1980, Twin/Tone) A-
- Sugar and Poison (1971-89 [1996], Virgin, 2CD) B+(***)
- Billy Swan: I Can Help (1974, Monument) B+(**)
- Billy Swan: Billy Swan (1976, Monument) B+(***)
- Billy Swan: At His Best (1974-76 [1978], Monument) A-
- Billy Swan: Like Elvis Used to Do (1999 [2000], Audium Entertainment) B+(**)
- Billy Swan and Buzz Cason: Billy & Buzz Sing Buddy (2018, Arena) B+(*)
- Swan Silvertones: Amen Amen Amen: The Essential Collection (1952-63 [2015], Rockbeat/Archive Alive) A-
- Tavares: The Best of Tavares (1974-76 [1977], Capitol) B+(**)
- The Thermals: The Body, the Blood, the Machine (2006, Sub Pop) B+(**)
- Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments: Straight to Video (1997, Anyway) B+(***)
- Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments: No Old Guy Lo-Fi Cry (2000, Rockathon) B+(***)
- Sally Timms: Cowboy Sally (1997, Bloodshot, EP) B+(**)
- Sally Timms & Jon Langford: Songs of False Hope and High Values (2000, Bloodshot, EP) B+(**)
- Sally Timms: In the World of Him (2004, Touch & Go) B+(*)
- Tokyo Police Club: A Lesson in Crime (2006, Paper Bag, EP) B+(***)
- Tony Toni Toné: Hits (1988-97 [1997], Mercury) A-
- Pete Townshend: Who Came First (1972, Track) B+(*)
- Trin-I-Tee 5.7: Holla: The Best of Trin-I-Tee 5.7 (1998-2002 [2007], GospoCentric/Legacy) B
- Trouble Funk: Drop the Bomb (1982, Sugar Hill) A-
- Trouble Funk: Trouble Over Here/Trouble Over There (1987, Island) B+(**)
- Luther Vandross: The Best of Luther Vandross: The Best of Love (1980-89 [1989], Epic, 2CD) B+(***)
- Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble: Live Alive (1985-86 [1986], Epic) B+(**)
- Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble: Greatest Hits (1983-90 [1995], Epic) A-
- The Very Best of Praise & Worship Volume 2 (1996-2006 [2007], Verity/Legacy) B-
- Andreas Vollenweider: Midnight Clear (2006, SLG) B-
- Tom Waits: Blood Money (2002, Anti-) A-
- Tom Waits: The Black Rider (1993, Island) B+(***)
- Hezekiah Walker: The Essential Hezekiah Walker (1992-2005 [2007], Verity/Legacy, 2CD) C
- Wide Right: Wide Right (2002, Wide Right, EP) B+(***)
- Jesse Winchester: Jesse Winchester (1970, Ampex) B+(***)
- Bill Withers: The Best of Bill Withers (1971-74 [1975], Sussex) A-
- O.V. Wright: The Soul of O.V. Wright (1972-73 [1992], MCA) B+(**)
- Zetrospective: Dancing in the Face of Adversity (1978-84 [1989], ZE) A-
- Zetrospective: Hope Springs Eternal (1980-84 [1989], ZE) B+(**)
- Warren Zevon: Stand in the Fire (1980, Asylum) B+(***)
- ZZ Top: Greatest Hits (1979-90 [1992], Warner Brothers) A-
- JD Allen: Queen City (2020 [2021], Savant) B+(*)
- Thomas Anderson: Ladies and Germs (2021, Out There) A-
- Atmosphere: Word? (2021, Rhymesayers Entertainment) B+(*)
- Nathan Bell: Red, White and American Blues (It Couldn't Happen Here) (2021, Need to Know) A
- Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra: Tinctures in Time (Community Music, Vol. 1) (2021, Royal Potato Family) B+(***)
- Burnt Sugar/The Arkestra Chamber: Angels Over Oakanda (2018-21 [2021], Avantgroidd) B+(***)
- Whit Dickey/William Parker/Matthew Shipp: Village Mothership (2020 [2021], Tao Forms) A-
- DMX Krew: Loose Gears (2021, Hypercolour) B+(***)
- Erin Enderlin: Barroom Mirrors EP (2021, Black Crow Productions, EP) B+(**)
- Hernâni Faustino: Twelve Bass Tunes (2020 [2021], Phonogram Unit) B+(***)
- Thomas Fehlmann: Böser Herbst (2021, Kompakt) A-
- Joe Fiedler's "Open Sesame": Fuzzy and Blue (2021, Multiphonics) B+(***)
- Adam Forkelid: 1st Movement (2021, Prophone) B+(***)
- Kazemde George: I Insist (2019 [2021], Greenleaf Music) B+(***)
- Julia Govor: Winter Mute (2021, Jujuka, EP) B+(**)
- Mickey Guyton: Remember Her Name (2021, Capitol Nashville) B+(***)
- Jazz Daddies: Moontower Nights (2021, self-released) B
- Eunhye Jeong: Nolda (2021, ESP-Disk) B+(**)
- Rochelle Jordan: Play With the Changes (2021, Young Art) B+(***)
- Jü: III (2021, RareNoise) B+(*)
- Kuzu: All Your Ghosts in One Corner (2020 [2021], Aerophonic) B+(***)
- José Lencastre Nau Quartet + Pedro Carneiro: Thoughts Are Things (2021, Phonogram Unit) A-
- David Leon: Aire De Agua (2020 [2021], Out of Your Head) B+(***)
- Lil Nas X: Montero (2021, Columbia) B+(*)
- Karen Marguth: Until (2014-21 [2021], OA2) B+(*)
- John Moulder: Metamorphosis (2019 [2021], Origin) B
- Bryan Murray & Jon Lundbom: Beats by Balto! Vol. 2 (2021, Chant) B+(***)
- Jo Berger Myhre: Unheimlich Manoeuvre (2021, RareNoise) B+(**)
- Randy Napoleon: Rust Belt Roots: Randy Napoleon Plays Wes Montgomery, Grant Green and Kenny Burrell (2018 [2021], OA2) B+(**)
- Q'd Up: Going Places (2021, Tantara) B
- RaeLynn: Baytown (2021, Round Here) B+(***)
- Rebellum: The Darknuss (2021, Avantgroidd) B+(***)
- Matthew Stevens: Pittsburgh (2021, Whirlwind) B
- Trondheim Jazz Orchestra & The MaXx: Live (2018 [2021], MNJ) B+(**)
- Trondheim Jazz Orchestra & Ole Morten Vågan: Plastic Wave (2020 [2021], Odin, 2CD) A-
- Albert Ayler: New York Eye and Ear Control Revisited (1964 [2021], Ezz-Thetics) B+(*)
- Albert Ayler Quintet: 1966: Berlin, Lörrach, Paris & Stockholm. Revisited (1966 [2021], Ezz-Thetics) B+(***)
- Marion Brown: Capricorn Moon to Juba Lee Revisited (1965-66 [2019], Ezz-Thetics) A-
- John Coltrane Quartet: Newport, New York, Alabama, 1963 Revisited (1963 [2021], Ezz-Thetics) B+(***)
- John Coltrane: Chasin' the Trane Revisited (1961 [2021], Ezz-Thetics) A-
- John Coltrane: A Love Supreme: Live in Seattle (1965 [2021], Impulse) B+(**)
- Kid Creole and the Coconuts: Nothin' Left but the Rest (1996 [2021], 2C2C) B+(**)
- Lionel Loueke: Close Your Eyes (2018 [2021], Sounderscore) B+(***)
- Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets: Walkabout (2013-19 [2020], Yep Roc) B
- Nadje Noordhuis: Gullfoss (2019 [2021], Little Mystery) B+(*)
- Send I a Lion: A Nighthawk Reggae Joint (1979-84 [2019], Omnivore) B+(***)
- Billy Joe Shaver & Kinky Friedman: Live Down Under (2002 [2021], Omnivore) B+(**)
- Mike Taylor: Trio, Quartet & Composer (1965-68 [2021], Ezz-Thetics) B+(*)
- Keola Beamer: Wooden Boat (1994, Dancing Cat) B+(*)
- Nathan Bell: In Tune, On Time, Not Dead (2007, Zensuit) A-
- Nathan Bell: Traitorland (2008, Zensuit) Fundamentals:A-
- Nathan Bell: Black Crow Blue (An American Album) (2011, Stone Barn) B+(**)
- Nathan Bell: Blood Like a River (2013, Stone Barn) B+(*)
- Nathan Bell: I Don't Do This for Love, I Do This for Love (Working and Hanging On in America) (2015, Stone Barn) B+(***)
- Nathan Bell: Love > Fear (48 Hours in Traitorland) (2017, Stone Barn) B+(***)
- Nathan Bell: Er Gwaetha Pawb a Phopeth (In Spite of Everyone & Everything) (2017 [2018], Angry Stick) B+(**)
- Nathan Bell: Loves Bones and Stars, Love's Bones and Stars (2018, Angry Stick) B+(***)
- Chris Berry and the Bayaka of Yandoumbe: Listen . . . OKA! (2011, Oka Productions) A-
- Bingo: Songs for Children in English With Brazilian and Caribbean Rhythms (2005, Soundbrush) B+(*)
- Burnt Sugar/The Arkestra Chamber: Live From Minnegiggle Falls (2004 [2007], Avant Groidd) B+(**)
- Burnt Sugar/The Arkestra Chamber: All Ya Needs That Negrocity (2008-11 [2011], Avant Groidd) A-
- Calling Rastafari (1981 [1982], Nighthawk) B+(***)
- Rhys Chatham: A Rhys Chatham Compendium (1971-89 [2002], Table of the Elements) A-
- The Contemporary Piano Ensemble: The Key Players (1993, DIW/Columbia) B+(**)
- Don Dixon: Chi-Town Budget Show (1988, Restless) B+(*)
- Double Dee & Steinski: The Payoff Mix/Lesson Two/Lesson 3 (1985, Tommy Boy, EP) A
- Ian Dury & the Blockheads: Live! All the Best, Mate (1990 [2000], Music Club) A-
- The Ebony Hillbillies: Barefoot and Flying (2011, EH Music) B+(***)
- Shirley Eikhard: The Last Hurrah (2000, Shirley Eikhard Music) B+(**)
- Shirley Eikhard: End of the Day (2001, Shirley Eikhard Music) B+(*)
- Shirley Eikhard: Stay Open (2002-03 [2003], Shirley Eikhard Music) B+(***)
- Thomas Fehlmann: 1929: Das Jahr Babylon (2018, Kompakt) B+(*)
- Fela and Afrika 70: Zombie (1976 [1977], M.I.L. Multimedia) A-
- Dan Fogelberg: The Essential Dan Fogelberg (1973-90 [2003], Epic/Legacy) C+
- Forgetting Sarah Marshall [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] ([2008], Verve Forecast) B
- Gimme Indie Rock V. 1 (1984-99 [2000], K-Tel, 2CD) B+(*)
- The Golden Gate Quartet: Travelin' Shoes (1937-39 [1992], RCA/Bluebird) B+(***)
- Grateful Dead: Dozin' at the Knick (1990 [1996], Grateful Dead, 3CD) B+(**)
- Grateful Dead: Crimson White & Indigo (1989 [2010], Grateful Dead/Rhino, 3CD) B
- The Guess Who: The Greatest of the Guess Who (1969-75 [1977], RCA Victor) B+(*)
- Hard Times Come Again No More Vol. 1: Early American Rural Songs of Hard Times and Hardships (1924-37 [1998], Yazoo) A-
- Barry Harris: Live at Maybeck Recital Hall Volume Twelve (1990 [1991], Concord) B+(**)
- Wynonie Harris: Rockin' the Blues (1944-50 [2001], Proper, 4CD) A-
- Jimi Hendrix Experience: Radio One (1967 [1988], Rykodisc) B+(***)
- Jimi Hendrix: Woodstock (1969 [1994], MCA) A-
- Jimi Hendrix: Hendrix in the West (1968-70 [2011], Experience Hendrix/Legacy) B+(***)
- Jimi Hendrix: Valleys of Neptune (1969-70 [2010], Experience Hendrix/Legacy) B+(**)
- Jimi Hendrix: Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live at the Isle of Wight (1970 [2002], Experience Hendrix/MCA, 2CD) B+(**)
- Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child: The Jimi Hendrix Collection (1967-70 [2001], Experience Hendrix/Universal, 2CD) A
- Jimi Hendrix: Fire: The Jimi Hendrix Collection (1967-70 [2010], Experience Hendrix/Legacy) A
- Tish Hinojosa: Dreaming of the Labyrinth/Soñar del Laberinto (1996, Warner Brothers) B+(***)
- His Name Is Alive: Stars on E.S.P. (1996, 4AD) B+(*)
- Robin Holcomb: Robin Holcomb (1990, Elektra) B+(*)
- The Hollies: In the Hollies Style (1964, Parlophone) B+(*)
- The Hollies: The Hollies' Greatest Hits (1965-72 [1973], Epic) B+(***)
- Howlin' Wolf: His Best (1951-64 [1997], MCA/Chess) A+
- Hüsker Dü: Everything Falls Apart (1982 [1983], Reflex, EP) B+(**)
- Irakere: Irakere (1978 [1979], Columbia) B+(***)
- Ronald Shannon Jackson: Pulse (1984, Celluloid) B+(*)
- Ronald Shannon Jackson and the Decoding Society: Decode Yourself (1984, Island) B+(*)
- Ronald Shannon Jackson: Red Warrior (1990, Axiom) B+(**)
- The Jacksons: The Jacksons (1976, Epic) B
- The Jacksons: Destiny (1978, Epic) B+(***)
- The Jacksons: Triumph (1980, Epic) B+(**)
- The Jacksons: Victory (1984, Epic) B+(***)
- Jaojoby: Aza Arianao (2001, Label Bleu) B+(**)
- Ella Jenkins: Little Johnny Brown (1971 [2001], Smithsonian/Folkways) B+(***)
- Jethro Tull: Live: Bursting Out (1978 [2004], Chrysalis, 2CD) B-
- Jethro Tull: Stormwatch (1979, Chrysalis) C+
- Jethro Tull: A (1980, Chrysalis) C+
- George Jones: The Definitive Collection 1955-1962 (1955-62 [2004], Mercury) A
- Maria Kalaniemi: Maria Kalaniemi (1992 [1994], Xenophile) B+(**)
- Kartet: The Bay Window (2006 [2007], Songlines) B+(***)
- Ustad Ali Akbar Khan/Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri: Passing on the Tradition (1995 [1996], AMMP) B+(*)
- B.B. King: The Best of B.B. King (1969-71 [1973], ABC) B+(***)
- B.B. King: The Best of B.B. King [20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection] (1967-85 [1999], MCA) B+(***)
- B.B. King: Blues Summit (1993, MCA) B+(***)
- B.B. King: His Definitive Greatest Hits (1963-93 [1999], Polygram, 2CD) A-
- B.B. King: Deuces Wild (1997, MCA) B+(***)
- B.B. King: Let the Good Times Roll: The Music of Louis Jordan (1999, Geffen) B+(**)
- Kodo: Ibuki (1997, Tristar) B+(*)
- Ali Hassan Kuban: From Nubia to Cairo (1980 [1989], Piranha) B+(***)
- Fela Ransome Kuti and His Koola Lobitos: Highlife Jazz and Afro-Soul (1963-1969) (1963-69 [2016], Knitting Factory, 3CD) B+(***)
- Lady Saw: Passion (1997, VP) B+(*)
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo: The Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo (1975-85 [1992], Shanachie) B+(***)
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo: The Gift of the Tortoise (1994, Music for Little People) B+(*)
- Tony Lakatos/Al Foster/Kirk Lightsey/George Mraz: News (1994 [1995], Jazzline) B+(**)
- Jim Lauderdale: Pretty Close to the Truth (1994, Atlantic) B+(*)
- Let the Good Times Roll: 20 of New Orleans' Finest R&B Classics 1949-1966 (1949-66 [2002], Capitol) A-
- Linx: Intuition (1981, Chrysalis) B+(**)
- Living Things: Ahead of the Lions (2004 [2005], Jive/Zomba) B+(***)
- Look Directly Into the Sun: China Pop 2007 ([2007], Invisible China/Bloodshot) B+(***)
- Love: Da Capo (1967, Elektra) B+(***)
- Love: Four Sail (1969, Elektra) B+(**)
- Love: Out Here (1969, Blue Thumb) B-
- Love: False Start (1970, Blue Thumb) B+(**)
- The Lovin' Spoonful: Greatest Hits (1965-68 [2000], Buddha) A-
- Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit: The Rose of England (1985, Columbia) B+(***)
- Nick Lowe: Untouched Takeaway (1995-2001 [2004], Yep Roc) B
- Luna: Slide (1993, Elektra, EP) B+(***)
- Lynyrd Skynyrd: Nuthin' Fancy (1975, MCA) B+(**)
- Lynyrd Skynyrd: Gimme Back My Bullets (1976, MCA) B+(*)
- Lynyrd Skynyrd: One More From the Road (1976, MCA) B+(**)
- Lynyrd Skynyrd: Street Survivors (1977, MCA) B+(***)
- Lynyrd Skynyrd: Gold & Platinum (1972-77 [1979], MCA, 2CD) B+(***)
- Yo-Yo Ma: Classic Yo-Yo (1992-2001 [2001], Sony Classical) B+(*)
- Ewan MacColl: Black and White: The Definitive Collection (1972-86 [1990], Green Linnet) A-
- Mardi Gras Party (1971-90 [1991], Rounder) A-
- The Master Musicians of Jajouka Featuring Bachir Attar: Apocalypse Across the Sky (1992, Axiom) B+(***)
- Masters of the Boogie Piano [Delmark 50th Anniversary Collection] (1939-2001 [2003], Delmark) B+(***)
- Johnny Mathis: The Ultimate Hits Collection (1956-86 [1998], Columbia) B+(**)
- Moby Grape: Moby Grape (1967, Columbia) B+(*)
- Moby Grape: Wow (1968, Columbia) C+
- Moby Grape: Moby Grape '69 (1969, Columbia) B-
- M.O.P.: Handle Ur Bizness (1998, Relativity, EP) B+(*)
- Bill Morrissey: North (1986, Philo) B+(*)
- Bill Morrissey: Bill Morrissey (1991, Philo) B+(*)
- Bill Morrissey & Greg Brown: Friend of Mine (1993, Philo) B+(**)
- Alan Morse: Four O'Clock and Hysteria (2007, Inside Out Music) B
- Pablo Moses: I Love I Bring (1975 [1978], United Artists) B+(**)
- Motörhead: No Remorse (1979-84 [1984], Bronze) B+(***)
- The Walter Norris Quartet: Sunburst (1991, Concord) B+(***)
- Roy Orbison: 16 Biggest Hits (1960-64 [1999], Monument/Legacy) A
- Annette Peacock: I Have No Feelings (1986, Ironic) B-
- Annette Peacock: An Acrobat's Heart (2000, ECM) B
- Ken Peplowski: The Other Portrait (1996, Concord) B
- Ralph Peterson Quintet: Art (1992 [1994], Blue Note) B+(*)
- Pointer Sisters: Pointer Sisters' Greatest Hits (1978-81 [1982], Planet) B+(*)
- Pointer Sisters: Greatest Hits (1973-85 [1989], RCA) B+(**)
- Genesis P-Orridge & Astrid Monroe: When I Was Young (2001 [2004], Important) B+(**)
- Prodigy Present: The Dirtchamber Sessions: Volume One (1998 [1999], XL) A-
- Dr. Krishna Raghavendra: RARE Pulse (2001, GEMA) B+(*)
- The Ramones: Pleasant Dreams (1981, Sire) B+(***)
- The Rave-Ups: Town and Country (1985, Fun Stuff) B+(***)
- R.E.M.: New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996, Warner Bros.) B+(***)
- Remember Shakti [John McLaughlin/Zakir Hussain/U. Shrinivas/V. Selvaganesh]: The Believer (1999 [2000], Verve) B+(**)
- Remember Shakti: Saturday Night in Bombay (2000 [2001], Verve) B+(**)
- The Replacements: Stink ("Kids Don't Follow" Plus Seven) (1982, Twin/Tone, EP) B+(**)
- Mike Rizzo: Webster Hall's New York Dance CD v.6 (2003, Webster Hall NYC) B+(**)
- Jimmy Rogers: The Complete Chess Recordings (1950-59 [1997], MCA, 2CD) B+(**)
- Nate Ruth: Whatever It Meant (2002, Soundless) B
- Shirley and Lee: Let the Good Times Roll (1952-59 [2000], Ace) B+(***)
- Jack Smith: Les Evening Gowns Damnées: 56 Ludlow Street 1962-1964 Volume I (1962-64 [1997], Table of the Elements) B+(*)
- Jack Smith: Silent Shadows of Cinemaroc Island: 56 Ludlow Street 1962-1964 Volume II (1962-64 [1997], Table of the Elements) B
- The Sound of Kinshasa: Guitar Classics From Zaire (1950s-70s [1982], Original Music) A-
- Jeremy Steig/Eddie Gomez: Outlaws (1976 [1977], Enja) B+(***)
- Streets of Dakar: Generation Boul Falé ([1999], Sterns) A-
- Daryl Stuermer: Go (2007, Inside Out Music) B-
- Swans: Soundtracks for the Blind (1996, Young God/Atavistic, 2CD) B
- Swayzak: Himawari (2000, Medicine) B+(***)
- Swayzak: Dirty Dancing (2002, !K7) B+(**)
- The Tanzania Sound (1960s [1987], Original Music) A-
- A Taste of the Indestructible Beat of Soweto ([1993], Earthworks) A
- Train Don't Leave Me: Recorded Live at the 1st Annual Sacred Steel Convention (2000 [2001], Arhoolie) B+(**)
- Merle Travis: Sweet Temptation: The Best of Merle Travis 1946-1953 (1946-53 [2000], Razor & Tie) A-
- James Blood Ulmer: Black Rock (1982, Columbia) A-
- UTD [Urban Thermo Dynamics: DCQ/Ces/Mos Def]: Manifest Destiny (2004, Illson Media) B+(***)
- Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson: Clean Head's Back in Town (1957, Bethlehem) A-
- Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson: The Original Cleanhead (1970, BluesTime) A-
- Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson: Kidney Stew [The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions] (1969-78 [1996], Black & Blue) A-
- Bert Williams: "It's Getting So You Can't Trust Nobody": The Songs of Bert Williams Volume One (1901-22 [199X], Vaudeville Archive Records) A-
- Don Williams: The Best of Don Williams, Volume II (1975-78 [1979], MCA) B+(***)
- Bobby Womack: Greatest Hits (1972-89 [1999], Capitol) B+(*)
- Stevie Wonder: Original Musiquarium I (1971-82 [1982], Motown, 2CD) B+(***)
- Stevie Wonder: In Square Circle (1985, Tamla) B+(***)
- Stevie Wonder: Jungle Fever (1991, Motown) B+(**)
- Betty Wright: Danger High Voltage (1974, Alston) A-
- Betty Wright: Live (1978, Alston) B+(***)
- Yo Yo: You Better Ask Somebody (1993, EastWest) A-
- Dwight Yoakam: Just Lookin' for a Hit (1986-89 [1989], Reprise) B+(***)
- Neil Young & the Bluenotes: This Note's for You (1988, Reprise) B-
- Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Weld (1991, Reprise, 2CD) A-
- Neil Young: Unplugged (1993, Reprise) B+(***)
- Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Broken Arrow (1996, Reprise) B+(**)
- Yuri Yunakov Ensemble: New Colors in Bulgarian Wedding Music (1997, Traditional Crossroads) B+(***)
- Z-Man: Dope or Dogfood (2003, Refill) B+(***)
- Tapper Zukie: Man Ah Warrior (1973 [1977], MER) B+(***)
- Henry Threadgill Zooid: Poof (2021, Pi) +
- Eivind Aarset 4tet: Phantasmagoria, or a Different Kind of Journey (2021, Jazzland) B+(***)
- Adult Mom: Driver (2020 [2021], Epitaph) B+(**)
- Air Craft: Divergent Path (2021, Craftedair/Blujazz) B
- Lauren Alaina: Sitting Pretty on Top of the World (2021, Mercury Nashville) B-
- Rodrigo Amado Motion Trio & Alexander von Schlippenbach: The Field (2019 [2021], NoBusiness) A-
- Arab Strap: As Days Get Dark (2021, Rock Action) B+(**)
- Baby Queen: The Yearbook (2021, Polydor) B+(***)
- Dmitry Baevsky: Soundtrack (2019 [2021], Fresh Sound New Talent) B+(**)
- Benny the Butcher: Pyrex Picasso (2018 [2021], Rare Scrilla/BSF, EP) B+(*)
- Eric Bibb: Dear America (2021, Provogue) B+(**)
- Nat Birchall: Ancient Africa (2021, Ancient Archive of Sound) B+(***)
- Lena Bloch & Feathery: Rose of Lifta (2019 [2021], Fresh Sound New Talent) B+(*)
- Bomba Estéreo: Deja (2021, Sony Music Latin) B+(**)
- Anthony Braxton: Quartet (Standards) 2020 (2020 [2021], New Braxton House, 13CD) A-
- The Bug: Fire (2021, Ninja Tune) B+(*)
- Butcher Brown: #KingButch (2020, Concord Jazz) B+(*)
- Butcher Brown: Encore (2021, Concord Jazz) B
- George Cables: Too Close for Comfort (2021, HighNote) B+(*)
- Marc Cary: Life Lessons (2020 [2021], Sessionheads United) B+(***)
- Chubby and the Gang: The Mutt's Nuts (2021, Partisan) B+(**)
- Chvrches: Screen Violence (2021, Glassnote) B+(***)
- Mike Cohen: Winter Sun (2021, Blujazz) B+(**)
- Charley Crockett: Music City USA (2021, Son of Davy) B+(***)
- Lao Dan/Deng Boyu: TUTU Duo (2019 [2021], NoBusiness) B+(***)
- Caroline Davis: Portals, Volume 1: Mourning (2020 [2021], Sunnyside) B+(**)
- Graham Dechter: Major Influence (2018 [2021], Capri) B+(**)
- Sasha Dobson: Girl Talk (2021, self-released) B+(**)
- Chet Doxas: You Can't Take It With You (2019 [2021], Whirlwind) B+(**)
- Gerry Eastman Trio: Trust Me (2021, self-released) B+(*)
- Amir ElSaffar/Rivers of Sound Orchestra: The Other Shore (2020 [2021], Outnote) B+(***)
- Family Plan: Family Plan (2020 [2021], Endectomorph Music) B+(***)
- Alon Farber: Hagiga: Reflecting on Freedom (2020 [2021], Origin) B
- The Felice Brothers: From Dreams to Dust (2021, Yep Roc) B+(**)
- Satoko Fujii: Piano Music (2021, Libra) B+(*)
- Kenny Garrett: Sounds From the Ancestors (2021, Mack Avenue) B+(**)
- Jon Gordon: Stranger Than Fiction (2021, ArtistShare) B+(**)
- Georg Graewe & Sonic Fiction Orchestra: Fortschritt Und Vergnügen (2020, Random Acoustics) B+(**)
- Gordon Grdina/Jim Black: Martian Kitties (2021, Astral Spirits) B+(**)
- The Halluci Nation: One More Saturday Night (2021, Radicalized) B+(***)
- Walker Hayes: Country Stuff (2021, Monument, EP) B+(**)
- Homeboy Sandman: Anjelitu (2021, Mello Music Group, EP) A-
- Marc Johnson: Overpass (2018 [2021], ECM) B+(**)
- India Jordan: Watch Out! (2021, Ninja Tune, EP) B+(**)
- Timo Lassy: Trio (2021, We Jazz) B+(***)
- Little Simz: Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021, Age 101) B+(***)
- Lyle Mays: Eberhard (2020 [2021], self-released, EP) B
- Szilard Mezei Tubass Quintet: Rested Turquoise (2018 [2021], NoBusiness) B+(***)
- Aakash Mittal: Nocturne (2018 [2021], self-released) B+(***)
- Liudas Mockunas/Christian Windfeld: Pacemaker (2018 [2021], NoBusiness) B+(*)
- Nils Petter Molvaer: Stitches (2021, Modern) B+(***)
- Kacey Musgraves: Star-Crossed (2021, MCA Nashville) B+(**)
- Mushroom: Songs of Dissent: Live at the Make Out Room 8/9/19 (2019 [2021], Alchemikal Art) B+(**)
- Adam Nolan Trio: Prim and Primal (2021, self-released) B+(***)
- Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge: Within Us: Celebrating 25 Years of the Jazz Surge (2021, MAMA/Summit) B+(*)
- Alexis Parsons: Alexis (2021, New Artists) B+(**)
- Lukasz Pawlik: Long-Distance Connections (2017-19 [2021], Summit) B+(**)
- Carly Pearce: 29: Written in Stone (2021, Big Machine) A-
- Houston Person: Live in Paris (2019 [2021], HighNote) B+(***)
- Pink Siifu: Gumbo'! (2021, Field-Left) B+(**)
- Polo G: Hall of Fame (2021, Columbia/Only Dreamers Achieve) B+(*)
- Mauricio J. Rodriguez: Luz (2021, self-released) B
- Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra: Petite Fleur (2019-20 [2021], Storyville) B+(***)
- Renee Rosnes: Kinds of Love (2021, Smoke Sessions) B+(*)
- Saint Etienne: I've Been Trying to Tell You (2021, Heavenly) B+(**)
- David Sanford Big Band Featuring Hugh Ragin: A Prayer for Lester Bowie (2016 [2021], Greenleaf Music) B+(***)
- The Scenic Route Trio: Flight of Life (2021, self-released) B+(*)
- Penelope Scott: Hazards (2021, Many Hats, EP) B+(*)
- Sidemen: Sidemen (2021, Summit) B
- Sturgill Simpson: The Ballad of Dood & Juanita (2021, High Top Mountain, EP) B+(**)
- Cleo Sol: Mother (2021, Forever Living Originals) B+(***)
- Pauline Anna Strom: Angel Tears in Sunlight (2020 [2021], RVNG Intl.) B+(***)
- Tropical Fuck Storm: Deep States (2021, Joyful Noise) B+(*)
- Turnstile: Glow On (2021, Roadrunner) B+(*)
- Yuma Uesaka and Marilyn Crispell: Streams (2018 [2021], Not Two) B+(***)
- Leon Vynehall: Rare, Forever (2021, Ninja Tune) B
- We Are the Union: Ordinary Life (2021, Bad Time) B+(*)
- Young Stoner Life/Young Thug/Gunna: Slime Language 2 (2021, YSL/300 Entertainment) B+(***)
- John Coltrane: Another Side of John Coltrane (1956-61 [2021], Craft) B+(***)
- Marshall Crenshaw: The Wild, Exciting Sounds of Marshall Crenshaw: Live in the 20th and 21st Century (1983-2018 [2021], Sunset Blvd., 2CD) B+(*)
- Marianne Faithfull: The Montreux Years (1995-2009 [2021], BMG) B+(***)
- Joel Futterman: Creation Series (2008 [2021], NoBusiness, 5CD) A-
- Frode Gjerstad/Kent Carter/John Stevens: Detail-90 (1990 [2021], NoBusiness) B+(***)
- John Hiatt: The Confidence Man in Canada (1989 [2021], Hobo) B+(*)
- Sheila Jordan: Comes Love: Lost Session 1960 (1960 [2021]) B+(***)
- Itaru Oki Quartet: Live at Jazz Spot Combo 1975 (1975 [2021], NoBusiness) B+(***)
- Lee Scratch Perry: The Specialist: The Pama Years (1969-71 [2021], Pama) B+(***)
- Sam Rivers Quartet: Undulation [Sam Rivers Archive Project, Volume 5] (1981 [2021], NoBusiness) A-
- Jim Snidero: Strings (2001 [2021], Savant) A-
- Pauline Anna Strom: Trans-Millenia Music (1982-88 [2017], RVNG Intl.) B+(***)
- Mototeru Takagi/Susumu Kongo/Nao Takeuchi/Shola Koyama: Live at Little John, Yokohama 1999 (1999 [2021], NoBusiness) A-
- Total Music Association: Walpurgisnacht (1971-88 [2021], NoBusiness) A-
- What Goes On: The Songs of Lou Reed (1967-2019 [2021], Ace) A-
- 50 Cent: The Massacre (2005, Shady/Aftermath/Interscope) B+(**)
- Eivind Aarset: Électronique Noire (1998, Jazzland) A-
- Eivind Aarset's Électronique Noire: Light Extracts (2001, Jazzland) B+(***)
- Eivind Aarset: Connected (2004, Jazzland) B+(**)
- Eivind Aarset: Sonic Codex (2007, Jazzland) B+(**)
- Eivind Aarset & the Sonic Codex Orchestra: Live Extracts (2010, Jazzland) B+(**)
- Autosalvage: Autosalvage (1968, RCA Victor) B+(***)
- Dan Bern: The Swastika E.P. (2002, Messenger, EP) A-
- Chuck Berry: The Anthology (1955-73 [2000], MCA/Chess, 2CD) A
- Chuck Berry: Gold (1955-73 [2005], Chess) A
- Big Brother and the Holding Company: Be a Brother (1970, Columbia) B+(*)
- Black Flag: Damaged (1981, SST) B+(**)
- Mary J. Blige: Herstory, Vol. 1 (1992-97 [2019], Geffen) A-
- Mary J. Blige: Love & Life (2003, Geffen) B+(***)
- Kurtis Blow: The Best of Kurtis Blow [20th Century Masters/The Millennium Collection] (1979-86 [2003], Mercury/Chronicles) B+(***)
- Burning Spear: Creation Rebel: The Original Classic Recordings From Studio One (1969-72 [2004], Heartbeat) A-
- Burning Spear: Reggae Greats (1975-78 [1984], Island) A-
- Burning Spear: People of the World (1986, Slash) B+(**)
- Burning Spear: The Best of Burning Spear [20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection] (1975-91 [2002], Island/Chronicles) A-
- Butthole Surfers: Butthole Surfers (1983, Alternative Tentacles, EP) B+(**)
- Butthole Surfers: Butthole Surfers/Live PCPPEP (1982-84 [2003], Latino Buggerveil) B+(*)
- Butthole Surfers: Electriclarryland (1996, Capitol) B+(*)
- Gene Chandler: The Duke of Earl (1962, Vee-Jay) B+(**)
- Gene Chandler: The Girl Don't Care (1967, Brunswick) B+(*)
- Childish Gambino: Culdesac (2010, Glassnote) B+(***)
- Childish Gambino: Because the Internet (2013, Glassnote) B-
- The Chi-Lites: (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People (1971, Brunswick) A-
- The Credibility Gap: A Great Gift Idea (1974 [1974], Reprise) B+(*)
- Creole Kings of New Orleans: Volume Two (1950-58 [1993], Specialty) A-
- Devo: Greatest Hits (1977-84 [1990], Warner Bros.) B+(***)
- Devo: Greatest Misses (1976-82 [1990], Warner Bros.) B+(*)
- The Dismemberment Plan: The Dismemberment Plan Is Terrified (1997, DeSoto) A-
- The Dismemberment Plan: Change (2001, DeSoto) B+(**)
- Floyd Dixon: Marshall Texas Is My Home (1953-57 [1991], Specialty) B+(***)
- D.O.A.: War on 45 (1982, Alternative Tentacles, EP) A-
- The Doors: Morrison Hotel (1970, Elektra) B
- The Doors: 13 (1967-70 [1970], Elektra) B+(***)
- Marianne Faithfull: Come and Stay With Me: The UK 45s 1964-1969 (1964-69 [2018], Ace) B
- Marianne Faithfull: Marianne Faithfull's Greatest Hits (1964-69 [1987], Abkco) B
- Marianne Faithfull: Faithfull: A Collection of Her Best Recordings (1964-94 [1994], Island) A-
- Marianne Faithfull: Vagabond Ways (1999, IT/Virgin) B+(**)
- Marianne Faithfull: Before the Poison (2005, Anti-) B
- Freddy Fender: Canciones De Mi Barrio [The Roots of Tejano Rock] (1959-64 [1993], Arhoolie) B+(**)
- Freddy Fender: The Best of Freddy Fender (1974-77 [1977], Dot) A-
- Freddy Fender: Swamp Gold (1978, ABC) B+(**)
- Ferron: Testimony (1981, Philo) A-
- The Firesign Theatre: How Can You Be in Two Places at Once When You're Not Anywhere at All (1969, Columbia) B-
- The Firesign Theatre: Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers (1970, Columbia) B-
- The Firesign Theatre: I Think We're All Bozos on This Bus (1971, Columbia) C+
- The Firesign Theatre: Everything You Know Is Wrong (1974, Columbia) B
- The Firesign Theatre: Give Me Immortality or Give Me Death (1998, Rhino) B
- The Firesign Theatre: Boom Dot Bust (1999, Rhino) B-
- The Firesign Theatre: The Bride of Firesign (2001, Rhino) B-
- Paul Gayten & Annie Laurie/Dave Bartholomew/Roy Brown: Regal Records in New Orleans (1949-51 [1991], Specialty) B+(**)
- The Go-Betweens: Metal and Shells (1983-84 [1985], PVC) A-
- Guitar Slim: Sufferin' Mind (1953-55 [1991], Specialty) B+(***)
- Orchestra Harlow: El Exigente (1967, Fania) B+(***)
- Orchestra Harlow: Hommy: A Latin Opera (1973, Fania) B
- Orchestra Harlow: Salsa (1973 [1974], Fania) B+(***)
- Larry Harlow: Greatest Hits (1971-79 [2008], Fania) A-
- Camille Howard: Vol. 1: Rock Me Daddy (1947-52 [1993], Specialty) A-
- Camille Howard: Vol. 2: X-Temporaneous Boogie (1947-52 [1996], Specialty) B+(***)
- Tommy James: The Very Best of Tommy James & the Shondells (1964-71 [1993], Rhino) B+(**)
- Jimmy Liggins & His Drops of Joy: Vol. 2: Rough Weather Blues (1947-53 [1992], Specialty) A-
- Joe Liggins & the Honeydrippers: Vol. 2: Dripper's Blues (1950-54 [1992], Specialty) B+(***)
- Percy Mayfield: Vol. 2: Memory Pain (1950-57 [1992], Specialty) B+(***)
- Roy Milton & His Solid Senders: Vol. 2: Groovy Blues (1945-53 [1992], Specialty) B+(***)
- Roy Milton & His Solid Senders: Vol. 3: Blowin' With Roy (1945-53 [1994], Specialty) B+(**)
- Ismael Miranda Con Orchestra Harlow: Oportunidad (1972, Fania) B+(**)
- Jemeel Moondoc: Muntu Recordings (1975-79 [2009], NoBusiness, 3CD) B+(***)
- Jemeel Moondoc Trio: Judy's Bounce (1981 [1982], Soul Note) B+(***)
- Jemeel Moondoc Sextet: Konstanze's Delight (1981 [1983], Soul Note) B+(**)
- Jemeel Moondoc: The Zookeeper's House (2013 [2014], Relative Pitch) A-
- Jemeel Moondoc & Hilliard Greene: Cosmic Nickelodeon (2015 [2016], Relative Pitch) B+(**)
- More Girl Group Greats (1958-66 [2001], Rhino) A-
- Carly Pearce: Carly Pearce (2018-19 [2020], Big Machine) B
- Carly Pearce: 29 (2020, Big Machine, EP) B+(***)
- Lee Perry: Upsetters 14 Dub Blackboard Jungle (1973 [2004], Auralux) A-
- Lee Scratch Perry: Upsetter in Dub: Upsetter Shop Volume One (1970s [1997], Heartbeat) B+(**)
- Lee "Scratch" Perry: Soundzs From the Hot Line (1970s [1992], Heartbeat) B+(***)
- Lee "Scratch" Perry: Meets Bullwackie in Satan's Dub (1990, ROIR) B+(*)
- Lee "Scratch" Perry: From the Secret Laboratory (1990, Mango) B+(***)
- Lee "Scratch" Perry + Subatomic Sound System: Super Ape Returns to Conquer (2017, Subatomic Sound) A-
- Lloyd Price: Vol. 2: Heavy Dreams (1952-56 [1993], Specialty) B+(**)
- Puss N Boots: No Fools, No Fun (2013-14 [2014], Blue Note) B+(*)
- Puss N Boots: Sister (2020, Blue Note) B+(*)
- Joe Turner/Smilin' Smokey Lynn/Big Maceo/H-Bomb Ferguson: Shouting the Blues (1949-53 [1992], Specialty) B+(**)
- The Upsetters: Clint Eastwood (1970, Pama) B+(***)
- The Upsetters: Blackboard Jungle Dub (1971-73 [1981], Clocktower) B+(***)
- T-Bone Walker/Guitar Slim/Lawyer Houston/Al King/Ray Agee/R.S. Rankin: Texas Guitar: From Dallas to L.A. (1950-64 [1972], Atlantic) B+(*)
- Jemeel Moondoc Quintet: Nostalgia in Times Square (1985 [1986], Soul Note) ++
- Jemeel Moondoc With Dennis Charles: We Don't (1981 [2003], Eremite) +
- Jemeel Moondoc & the Jus Grew Orchestra: Spirit House (2000, Eremite) ++
- Jemeel Moondoc Vtet: Revolt of the Negro Lawn Jockeys (2000 [2001], Eremite) +
- Jemeel Moondoc Quartet: The Astral Revelations (2016, RogueArt) +
- New Millennium Doo Wop Party (1954-61 [2000], Rhino) A+
- Joshua Abrams/Chad Taylor: Mind Maintenance (2021, Drag City) B+(***)
- Altin Gün: Yol (2021, ATO) B+(**)
- Miguel Ângelo Quarteto: Dança Dos Desastrados (2021, self-released) B+(**)
- Iggy Azalea: The End of an Era (2021, Bad Dreams/Empire) A-
- BaianaSystem: OXEAXEEXU (2021, Maquina De Louco) B+(***)
- Bleachers: Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night (2021, RCA) B+(*)
- Dr. Mike Bogle: Let There Be Light (2021, MBP/Groove) B
- Alan Broadbent/London Metropolitan Strings: Broadbent Plays Brubeck (2021, Eden River) B+(*)
- Greg Burk/Ron Seguin/Michel Lambert: Sound Neighbors (2020, Tonos) B+(***)
- Greg Burk: Simple Joys (2019 [2021], Tonos) B+(*)
- Daniel Carter: Playfield Vol 1: Sonar (2020 [2021], Orbit577) B+(*)
- Daniel Carter: Playfield Vol. 2: The Middle (2020 [2021], Orbit577) B+(**)
- Daniel Carter: Playfield Vol. 3: After Life (2020 [2021], Orbit577) B+(*)
- Tom Cohen: My Take (2021, Versa Music) B+(**)
- Xhosa Cole Quartet: K(no)w Them, K(no)w Us (2021, Stoney Lane) B+(**)
- Wayne Coniglio & Scott Whitfield: Faster Friends (2021, Summit) B
- Jack Cooper/Jeff Tobias: Tributaries (2021, Astral Spirits) B
- Dave: We're All Alone in This Together (2021, Neighbourhood) A-
- Dominican Jazz Project: Desde Lejos (2020-21 [2021], Summit) B+(*)
- Emily Duff: Razor Blade Smile (2021, Mr. Mudshow Music) A-
- Paul Dunmall & Mark Sanders: Unity (2020 [2021], 577) B+(**)
- Billie Eilish: Happier Than Ever (2021, Interscope) A-
- Falkner Evans: Invisible Words (2021, CAP) B+(**)
- Orrin Evans: The Magic of Now (2021, Smoke Sessions) B+(***)
- Lorraine Feather: My Own Particular Life (2019-21 [2021], Relarion) B+(*)
- Alvin Fielder/David Drove/Jason Jackson/Damon Smith: The Very Cup of Trembling (2016 [2021], Astral Spirits) B+(***)
- Fire!: Defeat (2019-20 [2021], Rune Grammofon) A-
- Michael Foster/Ben Bennett: Contractions (2019 [2021], Astral Spirits) B+(**)
- Frode Gjerstad Trio + 1: Forgotten City (2018 [2020], PNL) B+(*)
- The Go! Team: Get Up Sequences Part One (2021, Memphis Industries) B+(***)
- Bob Gorry/Pete Brunelli/Peter Riccio: GoBruCcio (2021, NHIC) B+(**)
- Devin Gray: Melt All the Guns (2019 [2021], Rataplan) B+(**)
- Jared Hall: Seen on the Scene (2018 [2021], Origin) B+(**)
- Halsey: If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power (2021, Capitol) B+(***)
- Graham Haynes vs Submerged: Echolocation (2020 [2021], Burning Ambulance) A-
- Inawhirl: Streugebilde (2020 [2021], Trost) B+(*)
- Alan Jackson: Where Have You Gone (2021, EMI Nashville) B+(***)
- Jake Breaks: Breaksy (2021, Wide Hive) B+(*)
- Rodney Jordan & Christian Fabian: Conversations (2019 [2021], Spicerack) B+(**)
- Ka: A Martyr's Reward (2021, Iron Works) B+(***)
- Koma Saxo: Live (2019 [2021], We Jazz) B+(***)
- L.A. Cowboy: The Big Pitch (2021, Reconcile) B
- Marthe Lea Band: Asura (2020 [2021], Motvind) B+(*)
- Lean Left: Medemer (2018 [2020], PNL) A-
- Jeff Lederer/Sunwatcher: Eightfold Path (2020 [2021], Little(i)Music) B+(**)
- Gianni Lenoci: A Few Steps Beyond (2019 [2021], Amirani) B+(*)
- Les Filles De Illighadad: At Pioneer Works (2021, Sahel Sounds) B+(**)
- Lord Huron: Long Lost (2021, Republic) B
- Lorde: Solar Power (2021, Universal) B+(**)
- Los Lobos: Native Sons (2021, New West) B+(*)
- L'Rain: Fatigue (2021, Mexican Summer) B+(*)
- Michael Mantler: Coda: Orchestra Suites (2019-20 [2021], ECM) B+(**)
- Charlie Marie: Ramble On (2021, self-released) B+(**)
- Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane: Ihubo Labomdabu (2021, Unlocked Keys) B+(*)
- James McMurtry: The Horses and the Hounds (2021, New West) A-
- Brad Mehldau/Orpheus Chamber Orchestra: Variations on a Melancholy Theme (2013 [2021], Nonesuch) B
- Francisco Mela: MPT Trio: Volume 1 (2020 [2021], 577) B+(**)
- Lady Millea: I Don't Mind Missing You (2021, Reconcile) B+(*)
- Dave Miller Trio: The Mask-erade Is Over (2021, Summit) B+(*)
- Steve Million: What I Meant to Say (2019 [2021], Origin) B+(*)
- Roscoe Mitchell: Dots: Pieces for Percussion and Woodwinds (2021, Wide Hive) B+(**)
- Hedvig Mollestad Trio: Ding Dong. You're Dead. (2021, Rune Grammofon) B+(***)
- Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge: Jazz Is Dead 8: Brian Jackson (2021, Jazz Is Dead) B+(*)
- Nas: King's Disease II (2021, Mass Appeal) B+(*)
- Mankwe Ndosi and Body MemOri: Felt/Not Said (2021, Auspice NOW) B+(*)
- Nelly: Heartland (2021, Columbia, EP) B+(*)
- Calle Neumann/Ketil Gutvik/Ingebrigt Håker Flaten/Paal Nilssen-Love: New Dance (2020 [2021], PNL) B+(***)
- Kassa Overall: Shades of Flu 2: In These Odd Times (2021, Flu Note) B
- Caroline Parke: Pause and Pine (2021, self-released) B+(*)
- Part Chimp: Drool (2021, Wrong Speed) B
- Pearring Sound: Socially Distanced Duos (2020 [2021], self-released) B+(***)
- Ivo Perelman/Gordon Grdina/Hamin Honari: The Purity of Desire (2020 [2021], Not Two) B+(***)
- Portico Quartet: Terrain (2021, Gondwana) B+(*)
- Freddie Redd: Reminiscing (2013 [2021], Bleebop) B+(***)
- Riders Against the Storm: Flowers for the Living (2021, Divide and Conjure) B+(***)
- Trineice Robinson: All or Nothing (2021, 4RM Music Productions) B+(**)
- Aksel Rønning Trio: ART (2019 [2021], Øra Fonogram) B+(***)
- Claire Rousay: A Softer Focus (2021, American Dream) B
- Jaleel Shaw: Echoes (2021, self-released) B+(**)
- Matthew Shipp/Whit Dickey: Reels (2019 [2021], Burning Ambulance) B+(***)
- Kalie Shorr: I Got Here by Accident (2021, Tmwrk, EP) A-
- Gary Smulyan/Ronnie Cuber: Tough Baritones (2021, SteepleChase) B+(***)
- The Spirit of the Beehive: Entertainment, Death (2021, Saddle Creek) B
- Kevin Sun: <3 Bird (2021, Endectomorph Music) A-
- Tine Surel Lange: Works for Listening 1-10 (2021, Sofa Music) B+(**)
- Alfie Templeman: Forever Isn't Long Enough (2021, Chess Club) B+(**)
- Tinashe: 333 (2021, Tinashe Music) B+(***)
- Arne Torvik Trio: Northwestern Songs (2019 [2021], Losen) B+(**)
- Trak Trak: Sur Sur (2020, Ciclismo) A-
- Waterparks: Greatest Hits (2021, 300 Entertainment) B+(*)
- Jim Yanda: A Silent Way (2019 [2021], Corner Store Jazz, 2CD) B+(***)
- Young Pilgrims: We're Young Pilgrims (2021, Stoney Lane) B-
- Gyedu-Blay Ambolley: Simigwa (1975 [2018], Mr. Bongo) B+(***)
- Roy Brooks: Understanding (1970 [2021], Reel-to-Real, 2CD) B+(***)
- Peter Brötzmann: Love Comes Like Sour to Milk (1993 [2021], Trost, EP) B
- Cold Wave #1 (2017-20 [2021], Soul Jazz) B+(**)
- Cold Wave #2 (2015-20 [2021], Soul Jazz) A-
- Directions in Music: 1969 to 1973: Miles Davis, His Musicians and the Birth of a New Age of Jazz (1969-73 [2021], BGP) B+(**)
- Paul Dunmall/Keith Tippett/Philip Gibbs/Pete Fairclough: Onosante (2000 [2021], 577) A-
- Guillermo Gregorio/Damon Smith/Jerome Bryerton: Room of the Present (2007-08 [2021], Fundacja Sluchaj) B+(*)
- The J Ann C Trio: At Tan-Tar-A (1966 [2021], Modern Harmonic/Sundazed) B+(***)
- Jan & Dean: Filet of Soul Redux: The Rejected Master Recordings (1966 [2017], Omnivore) B
- Carl Magnus Neumann/Christian Reim Quartet: Molde International Jazz Festival 1976 (1976 [2021], Jazzaggression) B+(***)
- Prince: Welcome 2 America (2010 [2021], NPG/Legacy) B+(*)
- Christian Reim Sextet: Mona Lisa (1973 [2021], Jazzaggression) A-
- Amy Rigby: A One Way Ticket to My Life (1987-97 [2019], Southern Domestic) B+(***)
- The Rough Guide to the Roots of Jazz (1918-30 [2021], World Music Network) B+(***)
- Joseph Spence: Encore: Unheard Recordings of Bahamian Guitar and Singing (1965 [2021], Smithsonian/Folkways) A-
- Pat Thomas: The Locals Play the Music of Anthony Braxton (2006 [2021], Discus Music) A-
- ABC: Beauty Stab (1983, Mercury) B+(*)
- The Allman Brothers Band: Live at Fillmore East (1971, Capricorn) B
- The Allman Brothers Band: The Best of the Allman Brothers Band -- Live [20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection] (1971 [2007], Mercury/Chronicles) B+(***)
- The Allman Brothers Band: The Road Goes On Forever: A Collection of Their Greatest Recordings (1969-73 [1975], Capricorn) B+(***)
- The Allman Brothers Band: The Best of the Allman Brothers Band [20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection] (1969-79 [2000], Polydor) B+(***)
- Amadou & Mariam: Je Pense À Toi: The Best of Amadou & Mariam (1998-2002 [2005], Circular Moves/Universal Music Jazz) B+(***)
- Archers of Loaf: Archers of Loaf Vs. the Greatest of All Time (1994, Alias, EP) B+(**)
- Archers of Loaf: The Speed of Cattle (1992-94 [1996], Alias) B+(*)
- Archers of Loaf: Vitus Tinnitus (1997, Alias, EP) B+(**)
- Ashford & Simpson: So So Satisfied (1977, Warner Brothers) B+(***)
- Ashford & Simpson: Send It (1977, Warner Brothers) B+(**)
- Ashford & Simpson: Stay Free (1979, Warner Brothers) B+(*)
- Ashford & Simpson: Solid (1984, Capitol) B+(*)
- Bad Religion: All Ages (1982-94 [1995], Epitaph) B
- Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force: Planet Rock: The Album (1982-84 [1986], Tommy Boy) A-
- Billy Bang: Outline No. 12 (1982 [1983], Celluloid) B+(**)
- Bang on a Can: Bang on a Can Meets Kyaw Kyaw Naing (2005, Cantaloupe) A-
- Count Basie: The Best of Early Basie (1937-39 [1996], MCA) A
- Count Basie: Count Basie and His Great Vocalists (1939-50 [1993], Columbia/Legacy) A-
- Count Basie: Frankly Basie: Count Basie Plays the Hits of Frank Sinatra (1963 [1993], Verve) B+(*)
- Count Basie: Basie Jam (1973 [1975], Pablo) B+(*)
- Count Basie/Joe Turner: The Bosses (1973 [1974], Pablo) B+(***)
- Count Basie/Oscar Peterson: Count Basie Encounters Oscar Peterson: Satch and Josh (1974, Pablo) B+(**)
- Count Basie/Zoot Sims: Basie & Zoot (1975 [1976], Pablo) B+(***)
- Count Basie: Get Together (1979 [1986], Pablo) B+(***)
- The Bats: Compiletely Bats (1984-86 [1987], Communion) B+(**)
- Brown Sugar: I'm in Love With a Dreadlocks: Brown Sugar and the Birth of Lovers Rock 1977-80 (1977-80 [2018], Soul Jazz) B
- Dave and Ansell Collins: Double Barrel (1971, Big Tree) B+(***)
- Delta 5: Singles & Sessions 1979-81 (1979-81 [2006], Kill Rock Stars) A-
- Emily Duff: Maybe in the Morning (2017, Mod Prom) B+(***)
- Emily Duff: Hallelujah Hello (2019, Mr. Mudshow Music) B+(**)
- The Everly Brothers: Songs Our Daddy Taught Us (1958, Cadence) B+(**)
- Ella Fitzgerald/Count Basie/Joe Williams: One O'Clock Jump (1956-57 [1999], Verve) B+(*)
- Tom T. Hall: Ballad of Forty Dollars and His Other Great Songs (1969, Mercury) B+(**)
- Tom T. Hall: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 (1971-75 [1975], Mercury) B+(***)
- Tom T. Hall: Greatest Hits: Volume I & II (1967-75 [1993], Mercury) A-
- Tom T. Hall: New Train Same Rider (1978, RCA Victor) B+(*)
- Tom T. Hall: Places I've Done Time (1978, RCA Victor) B+(***)
- Tom T. Hall: In Concert! Recorded Live at the Grand Ole Opry House (1979 [1983], RCA Victor) B
- Tom T. Hall: Saturday Morning Songs (1979, RCA Victor) B+(**)
- Tom T. Hall: Ol' T's in Town (1979, RCA Victor) A-
- Tom T. Hall: Soldier of Fortune (1980, RCA Victor) B+(*)
- John Hiatt: Y'All Caught?: The Ones That Got Away 1979-1985 (1979-85 [1989], Geffen) B+(***)
- John Hiatt: Perfectly Good Guitar (1993, A&M) B+(*)
- John Hiatt: The Best of John Hiatt [20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection] (1983-93 [2003], A&M) B+(*)
- John Hiatt: Crossing Muddy Waters (2000, Vanguard) B+(**)
- John Hiatt: The Tiki Bar Is Open (2001, Vanguard) B+(***)
- John Hiatt & the Goners: Beneath This Gruff Exterior (2003, New West) B+(***)
- John Hiatt: Master of Disaster (2005, New West) B+(**)
- John Hiatt: Mystic Pinball (2012, New West) B+(**)
- Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal Anthology: Volume 1 (1968-71 [1977], Columbia) A
- Taj Mahal: Recycling the Blues & Other Related Stuff (1972, Columbia) B+(*)
- Taj Mahal: Ooh So Good 'N Blues (1973, Columbia) A-
- Taj Mahal: The Hidden Treasures of Taj Mahal 1969-1973 (1969-73 [2021], Columbia/Legacy, 2CD) B+(***)
- Taj Mahal: The Best of Taj Mahal (1968-74 [1981], Columbia) A-
- Taj Mahal: An Evening of Acoustic Music (1993 [1994], Tradition & Moderne) B+(***)
- Taj Mahal: Best of the Private Years (1993-97 [2000], Private Music) B+(*)
- Taj Mahal & the Phantom Blues Band: Shoutin' in Key: Live (1998 [2000], Hannibal) B+(*)
- Taj Mahal: Maestro (2008, Heads Up) A-
- Manhattans: Greatest Hits (1973-80 [1980], Columbia) B+(**)
- Manhattans: Kiss and Say Goodbye: The Best of the Manhattans (1973-85 [1995], Columbia/Legacy) B+(***)
- Manfred Mann: The Five Faces of Manfred Mann (1964, HMV) B+(*)
- Manfred Mann: Mann Made (1965, HMV) C+
- Manfred Mann: Mann Made Hits (1964-66 [1966], HMV) B
- Manfred Mann: The Best of Manfred Mann: The Definitive Collection (1963-66 [1992], EMI) B
- Manfred Mann: As Is (1966, Fontana) B
- Manfred Mann: Chapter Two: The Best of the Fontana Years (1966-69 [1994], Fontana/Chronicles) B-
- Manfred Mann: Hit Mann! The Essential Singles 1963-1969 (1963-69 [2008], Raven) B+(**)
- Manfred Mann's Earth Band: Glorified Magnified (1972, Polydor) B+(*)
- Manfred Mann's Earth Band: Get Your Rocks Off (1973, Polydor) B+(**)
- Manfred Mann's Earth Band: Messin' (1973 [1998], Cohesion) B+(**)
- Thomas Mapfumo & the Blacks Unlimited: Mr. Music (1985, Earthworks) B+(***)
- Mary McCaslin: Way Out West (1973, Philo) A-
- Mary McCaslin: Prairie in the Sky (1975, Philo) B+(***)
- Mary McCaslin: Old Friends (1977, Philo) A-
- Mary McCaslin: Broken Promises (1994, Philo) B+(**)
- Mary McCaslin: Better Late Than Never (2006, Mary McCaslin Music) B+(***)
- Brad Mehldau/Mario Rossy/Perico Sambeat/Jordi Rossy: New York-Barcelona Crossing (1993 [1997], Fresh Sound New Talent) B+(**)
- Brad Mehldau/Mario Rossy/Perico Sambeat/Jordi Rossy: New York-Barcelona Crossing: Volumen 2 (1993 [1998], Fresh Sound New Talent) B+(**)
- Mehldau & Rossy Trio: When I Fall in Love (1993 [1994], Fresh Sound New Talent) B+(**)
- The Mekons: F.U.N. '90 (1990, A&M, EP) B+(*)
- Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes: Collector's Item: All Their Greatest Hits (1972-75 [1976], Philadelphia International) B+(***)
- Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes Featuring Teddy Pendergrass: Blue Notes & Ballads (1972-75 [1998], Epic/Legacy) B+(*)
- Ava Mendoza: Shadow Stories (2010, Resipiscent) B+(*)
- Ava Mendoza/Dominique Leone/Nick Tamburro: Unnatural Ways (2015, New Atlantis) B+(*)
- Ava Mendoza's Unnatural Ways: The Paranoia Party (2019, Sleeping Giant Glossolalia) B-
- Ava Mendoza/Vijay Anderson/Stephen Gauci: Studio Sessions Vol. 4 (2019, Gaucimusic, EP) B+(**)
- The Mighty Clouds of Joy: It's Time (1974, ABC/Dunhill) B+(***)
- The Mighty Clouds of Joy: The Best of the Mighty Clouds of Joy Volume 2 [20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection] (2005-10 [2016], Motown Gospel) B
- [Mighty] Sparrow: King of the World (1984, B's) A-
- Mighty Sparrow: More Sparrow More!! (1969, Ra) A-
- Mighty Sparrow: Hot and Sweet (1974, Warner Bros.) A-
- Jackie Mittoo and the Soul Vendors: Evening Time (1968, Coxsone) A-
- Nas: God's Son (2002, Columbia) B+(**)
- Nas: Untitled (2008, Def Jam) A-
- Youssou N'Dour: Djamil Inédits 84-85 (1984-85 [1985], Celluloid) B+(*)
- Youssou N'Dour: Eyes Open (1992, Columbia) B+(***)
- Youssou N'Dour Et Le Super Etoile: Lii! (1996, Jololi) B+(***)
- Negativland: Helter Stupid (1989, SST) B-
- Yoko Ono: Season of Glass (1981, Geffen) B+(***)
- Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band: Between My Head and the Sky (2009, Chimera) B+(*)
- Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band: Take Me to the Land of Hell (2013, Chimera Music) B+(***)
- Pulnoc: Live at P.S. 122 (1989, bootleg) A-
- Pulnoc: Pulnoc (1990 [1991], Globus International) A
- Freddie Redd/Hampton Hawes: Piano East/Piano West (1952-55 [1985], Prestige/OJC) B+(*)
- Freddy Redd Trio: San Francisco Suite: For Jazz Trio (1957 (1990), Riverside/OJC) B+(**)
- Freddie Redd: Redd's Blues (1961 [2002], Blue Note) B+(*)
- Freddie Redd: Music for You (2014 [2015], SteepleChase) B+(**)
- Freddie Redd: With Due Respect (2014-15 [2016], SteepleChase) B+(***)
- Riders Against the Storm: Riders Against the Storm (2013, self-released, EP) B+(*)
- Riders Against the Storm: Speak the Truth (2010, self-released) B+(**)
- Jeannie C. Riley: Harper Valley P.T.A. (1968, Plantation) A-
- Jeannie C. Riley: Yearbooks and Yesterdays (1969, Plantation) B+(**)
- Earl Scruggs & Tom T. Hall: The Storyteller and the Banjo Man (1982, Columbia) B+(**)
- Jaleel Shaw: Perspective (2005, Fresh Sound New Talent) B+(***)
- Jaleel Shaw: Optimism (2007 [2008], Changu) B+(*)
- Frank Sinatra/Count Basie: Sinatra-Basie (An Historic Musical First) (1962, Reprise) A-
- Sly and Robbie: Sly and Robbie Present Taxi (1981, Mango) B+(***)
- Chris Smither: I'm a Stranger Too! (1970, Poppy) B+(**)
- Chris Smither: Don't It Drag On (1972, Poppy) B+(***)
- Chris Smither: It Ain't Easy (1984, Adelphi) B+(**)
- Chris Smither: Small Revelations (1996 [1997], Hightone) B+(***)
- Omar Souleyman: Highway to Hassake: Folk and Pop Sounds of Syria (1994-2006 [2007], Sublime Frequencies) A-
- Omar Souleyman: Dabke 2020: Folk and Pop Sounds of Syria (1999-2008 [2009], Sublime Frequencies) B+(***)
- Omar Souleyman: Jazeera Nights: Folk and Pop Sounds of Syria (1996-2009 [2010], Sublime Frequencies) B+(***)
- Spoonie Gee: The Godfather of Rap (1987, Tuff City) B+(**)
- Tinariwen: The Radio Tisdas Sessions (2000 [2002], World Village) B+(**)
- Tinariwen: Amassakoul (2004, World Village) B+(***)
- Aaron Tippin: Ultimate Aaron Tippin (1990-97 [2004], RCA Nashville/BMG Heritage) B+(***)
- Lobi Traoré: Ségou (1996, Cobalt) B+(***)
- Lobi Traoré: Rainy Season Blues (2009 [2010], Glitterbeat) B+(**)
- Warren Vaché: Iridescence (1981, Concord) B+(***)
- Virunga: Feet on Fire (1991, Stern's Africa) B+(***)
- Mark Feldman: Sounding Point (2020 [2021], Intakt) +
- Fred Frith/Ikue Mori: A Mountain Doesn't Know It's Tall (2015 [2021], Intakt) +
- Alexander Hawkins: Togetherness Music: For Sixteen Musicians (2020 [2021], Intakt) +
- Christopher Hoffman: Asp Nimbus (2020 [2021], Out of Your Head) +
- Punkt. Vrt. Plastik [Kaja Draksler/Petter Eldh/Christian Lillinger]: Somit (2020 [2021], Intakt) ++
- Snoh Aalegra: Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies (2021, ARTium/Roc Nation) B+(*)
- Arooj Aftab: Vulture Prince (2021, New Amsterdam) B+(*)
- [Ahmed]: Nights on Saturn (Communication) (2019 [2021], Astral Spirits) A-
- Alder Ego: III (2021, We Jazz) B+(**)
- Gary Allan: Ruthless (2021, EMI Nashville) B+(*)
- The Armed: Ultrapop (2021, Sargent House) B
- Michaël Attias/Simon Nabatov: Brooklyn Mischiefs (2014 [2021], Leo) B+(**)
- Backxwash: I Lie Here Buried With My Rings and My Dresses (2021, Ugly Hag) B+(*)
- Mandy Barnett: Every Star Above (2019 [2021], BMG) B
- Keshav Batish: Binaries in Cycle (2021, Woven Strands) B+(**)
- Bfb Da Packman: Fat Niggas Need Love Too (2021, The Lunch Crew) B+(**)
- Body Meπa: The Work Is Slow (2020 [2021], Hausu Mountain) A-
- Olie Brice/Binker Golding/Henry Kaiser/N.O. Moore/Eddie Prévost: The Secret Handshake With Danger: Vol. One (2020 [2021], 577) B+(*)
- Brockhampton: Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine (2021, Question Everything/RCA) B+(**)
- Burial: Chemz/Dolphin (2021, Hyperdub, EP) B+(*)
- Cedric Burnside: I Be Trying (2021, Single Lock) B+(**)
- Matt Caflisch: Runaway (2020, Fat Oak) B+(*)
- Jonas Cambien Trio: Nature Hath Painted the Body (2021, Clean Feed) B+(**)
- Pedro Carneiro & Pedro Melo Alves: Bad Company (2021, Clean Feed) B+(*)
- Eric Church: Heart (2021, EMI Nashville) B+(**)
- Eric Church: Soul (2021, EMI Nashville) B+(*)
- Clairo: Sling (2021, Fader/Republic) B+(*)
- Cloud Nothings: The Shadow I Remember (2021, Carpark) B+(**)
- Alex Collins/Ryan Berg/Karl Latham: Together (2020-21 [2021], Dropzonejazz) B+(**)
- Contour: Love Suite (2021, Good Question, EP) B+(*)
- Simão Costa: Beat With Out Byte (2021, Cipsela) B+(**)
- Sylvie Courvoisier/Ned Rothenberg/Julian Sartorius: Lockdown (2020 [2021], Clean Feed) B+(***)
- Rodney Crowell: Triage (2021, RC1) B+(***)
- Lucy Dacus: Home Video (2021, Matador) B+(**)
- Harold Danko: Spring Garden (2019 [2021], SteepleChase) B+(**)
- Desertion Trio: Numbers Maker (2019 [2021], Cuneiform) B+(***)
- McKinley Dixon: For My Mama and Anyone Who Look Like Her (2021, Spacebomb) B+(***)
- Doja Cat: Planet Her (2021, Kemosabe/RCA) B+(*)
- East Axis [Matthew Shipp/Allen Lowe/Gerald Cleaver/Kevin Ray]: Cool With That (2020 [2021], ESP-Disk) A-
- Elkka: Euphoric Melodies (2021, Technicolour, EP) B+(**)
- Ensemble O/Aum Grand Ensemble: Julius Eastman: Femenine (2020 [2021], Sub Rosa) B+(***)
- Noga Erez: Kids (2021, City Slang) B+(***)
- The Flatlanders: Treasure of Love (2021, Rack 'Em) B+(***)
- Joel Frahm: The Bright Side (2021, Anzic) B+(**)
- Frisque Concordance: Distinct Machinery (2017-18 [2021], Random Acoustics, 2CD) B+(***)
- The Front Bottoms: In Sickness & in Flames (2020, Fueled by Ramen) B+(**)
- Rob Frye: Exoplanet (2021, Astral Spirits) B+(***)
- Danilo Gallo Dark Dry Tears: A View Through a Slot (2021, Clean Feed) B+(**)
- Garbage: No Gods No Masters (2021, Infectious Music, 2CD) A-
- Justin Gerstin: Music for the Exploration of Elusive Phenomena (2020 [2021], Zabap Music) B+(***)
- Rhiannon Giddens With Francesco Turrisi: They're Calling Me Home (2021, Nonesuch) B+(***)
- Rocio Giménez López/Luciana Bass/Fermin Suarez/Rosina Scampino: Reunion En La Granja (2019 [2021], Discos ICM) B+(***)
- The Goon Sax: Mirror II (2021, Matador) B+(**)
- Tee Grizzley: Built for Whatever (2021, 300 Entertainment/Atlantic) B+(***)
- Grofo: Grofo (2020 [2021], Clean Feed) B+(**)
- Mats Gustafsson/Joachim Nordwall: Shadows of Tomorrow/The Brain Produces Electric Waves (2019-20 [2021], Astral Spirits, EP) B
- Danny L Harle: Harlecore (2021, Mad Decent) B+(**)
- Hearth: Melt (2020 [2021], Clean Feed) B+(*)
- John Hiatt With the Jerry Douglas Band: Leftover Feelings (2021, New West) A-
- Hiatus Kaiyote: Mood Valiant (2021, Brainfeeder) B+(*)
- Dylan Hicks: Accidental Birds (2021, Soft Launch) B+(**)
- Chrissie Hynde: Standing in the Doorway: Chrissie Hynde Sings Bob Dylan (2021, BMG) B+(**)
- Rocco John Iacovone/Tom Cabrera: Out of the Maelstrom (2020 [2021], Unseen Rain) B+(**)
- Rocco John Iacovone/Phil Sirois/Tom Cabrera: Synchronics (2021, Unseen Rain) B+(**)
- Iceage: Seek Shelter (2021, Mexican Summer) B
- Mikko Innanen/Stefan Pasborg/Cedric Piromalli: This Is It (2020 [2021], Clean Feed) A-
- Instant Composers Pool & Nieuw Amsterdams Peil: De Hondemepper (2018 [2020], ICP) A-
- Loraine James: Reflection (2021, Hyperdub) B+(*)
- Jaubi: Nafs at Peace (2021, Astigmatic) A-
- Anthony Joseph: The Rich Are Only Defeated When Running for Their Lives (2021, Heavenly Sweetness) A
- Jupiter & Okwess: Na Kozonga (2020 [2021], Everloving) B+(***)
- Khrysis: The Hour of Khrysis (2021, Jamla) B+(**)
- Amythyst Kiah: Wary + Strange (2021, Rounder) B+(*)
- Angélique Kidjo: Mother Nature (2021, Decca) B
- Kiwi Jr.: Cooler Returns (2021, Sub Pop) B+(***)
- John Kruth: Love Letters From the Lazaretto (2020 [2021], self-released) B+(***)
- Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio: I Told You So (2021, Colemine) B+(*)
- Luís Lopes/Lisbon Berlin Quartet: Sinister Hypnotization (2018 [2021], Clean Feed) B+(***)
- Lost Girls: Menneskekollektivet (2021, Smalltown Supersound) A-
- Low Cut Connie: Tough Cookies: The Best of the Quarantine Broadcasts (2020 [2021], Contender) B+(***)
- LSDXOXO: Dedicated 2 Disrespect (2021, XL, EP) B+(**)
- Lukah: Whe the Black Hand Touches You (2020 [2021], Raw Materials) B+(**)
- Marina: Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land (2021, Atlantic) A-
- The Mark Masters Ensemble: Masters & Baron Meet Blanton & Webster (2019 [2021], Capri) B+(***)
- MIKE: Disco! (2021, 10k) B+(**)
- Bob Mintzer & WDR Big Band Cologne: Soundscapes (2019 [2021], MCG Jazz) B+(**)
- Roscoe Mitchell/Mike Reed: The Ritual and the Dance (2015 [2021], Astral Spirits) B+(***)
- Liudas Mockunas/Arfvydad Kaziauskas: Purvs (2020 [2021], Jersika, 2LP) B+(**)
- The Modern Jazz Trio With Jerry Bergonzi: Straight Gonz (2021, AMM) B+(**)
- Modest Mouse: The Golden Casket (2021, Epic) B+(**)
- The Mountain Goats: Dark in Here (2021, Merge) A-
- Róisín Murphy: Crooked Machine (2021, Skint) B+(*)
- Laura Mvula: Pink Noise (2021, Atlantic) B+(*)
- Navy Blue: Song of Sage: Post Panic! (2020, Freedom Sounds) A-
- Navy Blue: Ádà Irin (2020, Freedom Sounds) B+(*)
- Nervous Dater: Call in the Mess (2021, Counter Intuitive) B+(**)
- Marius Neset: A New Dawn (2021, ACT Music) B+(*)
- Billy Nomates: Emergency Telephone (2020, Invada, EP) B+(***)
- Aaron Novik: Grounded (2020 [2021], Astral Spirits) B+(**)
- William Parker: Painters Winter (2020 [2021], AUM Fidelity) A-
- William Parker: Mayan Space Station (2020 [2021], AUM Fidelity) B+(***)
- Arlo Parks: Collapsed Into Sunbeams (2021, Transgressive) A-
- Mario Pavone/Dialect Trio + 1: Blue Vertical (2021, Out of Your Head) B+(***)
- Mario Pavone/The Tampa Quartet: Isabella (2021, Clean Feed) B+(***)
- Liz Phair: Soberish (2021, Chrysalis) B+(***)
- Pom Pom Squad: Death of a Cheerleader (2021, City Slang) B+(**)
- Powers/Rollin Duo: Strange Fortune (2021, Astral Spirits) B+(*)
- The Rempis Percussion Quartet: Sud Des Alpes (2019 [2021], Aerophonic) B+(***)
- Andrew Renfroe: Run in the Storm (2021, self-released) B+(**)
- Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog: Hope (2020 [2021], Northern Spy) B+(***)
- Dawn Richard: Second Line (2021, Merge) B+(***)
- Sault: Nine (2021, Forever Living Originals) B+(***)
- Chris Schlarb/Chad Taylor: Time No Changes (2019 [2021], Astral Spirits/Big Ego) B+(*)
- J. Peter Schwalm: Aufbruch (2021, RareNoise) B+(*)
- Alex Sipiagin: Upstream (2020 [2021], Posi-Tone) B+(*)
- Skee Mask: Pool (2021, Ilian Tape) A-
- Slayyyter: Troubled Paradise (2021, Fader Label) B+(*)
- Sleater-Kinney: Path of Wellness (2021, Mom + Pop) B+(*)
- Slide Attack: Road Trip (2020 [2021], SACD) B+(*)
- Wadada Leo Smith/Douglas R. Ewart/Mike Reed: Sun Beans of Shimmering Light (2015 [2021], Astral Spirits) B+(***)
- Space Quartet: Directions (2019 [2021], Clean Feed) B+(**)
- Tele Novella: Merlynn Belle (2021, Kill Rock Stars) B+(***)
- Emma-Jean Thackray: Yellow (2021, Movementt/Warp) B
- TØRSÖ: Home Wrecked (2021, self-released, EP) B
- Tune-Yards: Sketchy (2021, 4AD) B
- Tyler, the Creator: Call Me if You Get Lost (2021, Columbia) B+(***)
- Luís Vicente Trio: Chanting in the Name Of (2021, Clean Feed) B+(**)
- Wau Wau Collectif: Yaral Sa Doom (2018 [2021], Sahel Sounds) B
- Faye Webster: I Know I'm Funny Haha (2021, Secretly Canadian) B+(*)
- Wild Up: Julius Eastman Vol. 1: Femenine (2021, New Amsterdam) B+(***)
- Chris Williams/Patrick Shiroishi: Sans Soleil (2021, Astral Spirits) B+(*)
- Sarah Wilson: Kaleidoscope (2012 [2021], Brass Tonic) B+(**)
- Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad: Jazz Is Dead 7: João Donato (2021, Jazz Is Dead, EP) B+(**)
- Hasaan Ibn Ali: Metaphysics: The Lost Atlantic Album (1965 [2021], Omnivore) A-
- Can: Live in Stuttgart 1975 (1975 [2021], Mute, 2CD) B+(***)
- Don Cherry: The Summer House Sessions (1968 [2021], Blank Forms Editions) B+(*)
- Don Cherry's New Researches: Organic Music Theatre: Festival De Jazz De Chateauvallon 1972 (1972 [2021], Blank Forms Editions) B+(*)
- Alice Coltrane: Live at the Berkeley Community Theater 1972 (1972 [2019], BCT) B+(**)
- Alice Coltrane: Kirtan: Turiya Sings (1981 [2021], Impulse!) B+(***)
- Miles Davis: Mercy, Miles! Live at Vienne (1991 [2021], Rhino, 2CD) B+(*)
- Diane Delin: Chicago Standard Time (1991 [2021], BluJazz) B+(*)
- Arne Domnérus Quartet: Dompan at the Savoy (1990 [2021], Phontastic) B+(**)
- Bill Evans: Behind the Dikes: The 1969 Netherlands Recordings (1969 [2021], Elemental Music, 2CD) A-
- Eyedea: Thirty Nine Lines (2001 [2021], Crushkill) B+(**)
- Roy Hargrove/Mulgrew Miller: In Harmony (2006-07 [2021], Resonance, 2CD) A-
- He's Bad! 11 Bands Decimate the Beats of Bo Diddley ([2021], Slovenly) B
- Indaba Is ([2021], Brownswood) B+(*)
- Alan Lomax's American Patchwork (1978-83 [2021], Mississippi) B+(***)
- Charles Mingus: Mingus at Carnegie Hall [Deluxe Edition] (1974 [2021], Atlantic, 2CD) A
- Nermin Niazi and Feisal Mosleh: Disco Se Aagay (1984 [2021], Discostan) B+(**)
- Rare.wavs Vol. 1 ([2021], Foreign Family Collective) B+(**)
- Scott Reeves Quintet: The Alchemist (2005 [2021], Origin) B+(**)
- Screamers: Demo Hollywood 1977 (1977 [2021], Super Viaduct, EP) B+(**)
- The Trojan Story (1961-71 [2021], Trojan, 3CD) B+(**)
- Shem Tupe/Justo Osala/Enos Okola: Guitar Music of Western Kenya: 45s From the Archive of Shem Tupe (1960s-70s [2021], Mississippi) B+(***)
- Vernacular: The Little Bird (2003 [2021], Astral Spirits) B+(***)
- Wallahi Le Zein! ([2021], Mississippi) B+(***)
- Ahmed Abdul-Malik: East Meets West (1959 [1960], RCA Victor) B+(*)
- Ahmed Abdul-Malik: The Music of Ahmed Abdul-Malik (1961, New Jazz) B+(***)
- C81 (1981, NME/Rough Trade) B+(*)
- Can: Landed (1975, Virgin) B+(**)
- Alice Coltrane: A Monastic Trio (1967-68 [1998], Impulse!) B+(**)
- Alice Coltrane: Ptah the El Daoud (1970, Impulse!) B+(***)
- Alice Coltrane: Journey in Satchidananda (1970 [1971], Impulse!) B+(**)
- John Hiatt: Bring the Family (1987, A&M) B+(*)
- John Hiatt: The Eclipse Sessions (2017 [2018], New West) B+(**)
- Grace Jones: Private Life: The Compass Point Sessions (1980-85 [1998], Island, 2CD) B+(***)
- Grace Jones: Slave to the Rhythm (1985, ZTT/Island) B-
- Biz Markie: I Need a Haircut (1991, Cold Chillin') B+(***)
- Biz Markie: Biz's Baddest Beats: The Best of Biz Markie (1987-94 [1994], Cold Chillin') B+(***)
- Helen Merrill: Helen Merrill (1954 [1955], Emarcy) A-
- Helen Merrill: Helen Merrill With Strings (1955 [1956], Emarcy) B+(***)
- Helen Merrill: Dream of You (1956 [1958], Emarcy) B+(**)
- Helen Merrill: Helen Merrill With Clifford Brown and Gil Evans (1954-56 [1990], Emarcy) B+(***)
- Helen Merrill: Merrill at Midnight (1957, Emarcy) B
- Helen Merrill: You've Got a Date With the Blues (1959 [1989], Verve) B+(**)
- Helen Merrill: American Country Songs (1959, Atco) B
- Helen Merrill/Dick Katz: The Feeling Is Mutual (1965 [1989], Emarcy) B+(***)
- Helen Merrill/Teddy Wilson: Helen Sings, Teddy Swings! (1970, Catalyst) B+(**)
- Nirvana: Sliver: The Best From the Box (1985-94 [2005], DGC) B+(*)
- The Rolling Stones: Rewind (1971-1984) (1971-84 [1984], Rolling Stones) A-
- The Rolling Stones: Sucking in the Seventies (1973-79 [1981], Rolling Stones/Virgin) B+(**)
- The Rolling Stones: Some Girls [Deluxe Edition] (1978 [2011], Universal Republic, 2CD) A-
- The Roots: Organix (1993, Remedy) B+(***)
- The Roots: From the Ground Up (1994, Geffen, EP) B+(**)
- The Roots: Do You Want More?!!!??! (1995, DGC) B+(**)
- The Roots: Dilla Joints (2010, self-released) B
- Charlie Shavers: Charlie Shavers and the Blues Singers 1938-1939 (1938-39 [1995], Timeless) B+(***)
- Charlie Shavers: The Last Sessions [The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions] (1970 [1999], Black & Blue) B+(*)
- Jinx Lennon: Liferafts for Latchicos (2019-20 [2021], Septic Tiger) 2019-20 [2021], Septic Tiger
- The Rolling Stones: Dirty Work (1986, Virgin) A-
- Sa-Roc: The Sharecropper's Daughter (2020, Rhymesayers) A-
- Susan Alcorn/Leila Bordreuil/Ingrid Laubrock: Bird Meets Wire (2018 [2021], Relative Pitch) B+(*)
- Harry Allen/Mike Karn: Milo's Illinois (2021, GAC) B+(**)
- Tony Allen: There Is No End (2020 [2021], Blue Note) B+(**)
- Aly & AJ: A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun (2021, Aly & AJ Music) B+(*)
- Rodrigo Amado This Is Our Language Quartet: Let the Free Be Men (2017 [2021], Trost) A-
- Rebecca Angel: Just the Two of Us (2021, Timeless Grooves) B+(*)
- Armand Hammer & the Alchemist: Haram (2021, Backwoodz Studioz) B+(**)
- Ashnikko: Demidevil (2021, Parlophone, EP) B+(**)
- Steven Bernstein: Community Music (2020 [2021], Royal Potato Family, EP) B+(***)
- Bicep: Isles (2021, Ninja Tune) B+(**)
- Michael Bisio/Kirk Knuffke/Fred Lonberg-Holm: The Art Spirit (2018 [2021], ESP-Disk) B+(***)
- Black Midi: Cavalcade (2021, Rough Trade) B
- Namir Blade: Namir Blade Presents Aphelion's Traveling Circus (2020, Mello Music Group) B+(*)
- Jaimie Branch: Fly or Die Live (2021, International Anthem) A-
- Abraham Burton/Lucian Ban: Black Salt: Live at the Baroque Hall (2018 [2021], Sunnyside) B+(**)
- Chai: Wink (2021, Sub Pop) B+(**)
- Brian Charette: Power From the Air (2020 [2021], SteepleChase) B+(*)
- The Chills: Scatterbrain (2021, Fire) B+(***)
- J. Cole: The Off-Season (2021, Dreamville/Roc Nation) B+(*)
- Czarface/MF Doom: Super What? (2020 [2021], Silver Age, EP) A-
- Dan Dean: Fanfare for the Common Man (2017-18 [2021], Origin Classical) B-
- John Dikeman/Hamid Drake: Live in Chicago (2018 [2020], Doek Raw) B+(*)
- DJ Black Low: Uwami (2021, Awesome Tapes From Africa) A-
- Dopolarians: The Bond (2021, Mahakala) B+(***)
- Nahawa Doumbia: Kanawa (2018-20 [2021], Awesome Tapes From Africa) B+(***)
- Silke Eberhard Trio: Being the Up and Down (2020 [2021], Intakt) A-
- Robert Finley: Sharecropper's Son (2021, Easy Eye Sound) B+(***)
- Fire in Little Africa (2021, Motown) B+(***)
- Michael Formanek: Imperfect Measures (2017 [2021], Intakt) B+(**)
- James Francies: Purest Form (2021, Blue Note) B-
- Garage A Trois: Calm Down Cologne (2019 [2021], Royal Potato Family) B+(*)
- Sean Michael Giddings: Red Willow (2021, Origin) B+(*)
- Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet: Impulso Tanguero (2021, Tiger Turn) B
- Girl in Red: If I Could Make It Go Quiet (2021, AWAL) B+(***)
- Ben Goldberg: Everything Happens to Be (2018 [2021], BAG Productions) B+(***)
- John Hart: Checkmate (2019 [2021], SteepleChase) B+(**)
- Kevin Hays/Ben Street/Billy Hart: All Things Are (2021, Smoke Sessions) B+(*)
- David Helbock: The New Cool (2020 [2021], ACT) B+(*)
- Dave Holland: Another Land (2020 [2021], Edition) B+(**)
- Jack Ingram/Miranda Lambert/Jon Randall: The Marfa Tapes (2021, RCA Nashville) B+(***)
- Japanese Breakfast: Jubilee (2021, Dead Oceans) B+(***)
- Cassandra Jenkins: An Overview on Phenomenal Nature (2021, Ba Da Bing) B+(**)
- Jonathan Karrant/Joshua White: Shadows Fall (2021, self-released) B+(*)
- Kuzu: The Glass Delusion (2018 [2021], Astral Spirits) B+(**)
- Julian Lage: Squint (2021, Blue Note) B+(**)
- Gabor Lesko: Earthway (2021, Creativity's Paradise Music) B
- The Linda Lindas: The Linda Lindas (2020, self-released, EP) B+(***)
- Doug Lofstrom: Music for Strings (2018-19 [2021], Origin Classical) B-
- L'Orange & Namir Blade: Imaginary Everything (2021, Mello Music Group) A-
- Andy Fairweather Low & the Low Riders: Lockdown Live (2020 [2021], Secret) B+(*)
- Mach-Hommy: Pray for Haiti (2021, Griselda) B+(***)
- Lorraina Marro: Love Is for All Time (2021, self-released) B+(**)
- Tobias Meinhart: The Painter (2021, Sunnyside) B+(**)
- Vic Mensa: I Tape (2021, Roc Nation, EP) B+(**)
- Mdou Moctar: Afrique Victime (2021, Matador) A-
- Ashley Monroe: Rosegold (2021, Mountainrose Sparrow) B
- Maria Muldaur With Tuba Skinny: Let's Get Happy Together (2021, Stony Plain) A-
- Naeem: Startisha (2020, 37d03d) A-
- Jason Nazary: Spring Collection (2020 [2021], We Jazz) B+(**)
- Larry Ochs-Donald Robinson Duo: A Civil Right (2018-19 [2021], ESP-Disk) B+(***)
- Genesis Owusu: Smiling With No Teeth (2021, Ourness/House Anxiety) B+(***)
- Evan Parker Electro-Acoustic Ensemble: Warszawa 2019 (2019 [2021], Fundacja Sluchaj) B+(***)
- William Parker: Trencadis: A Selection From Migration Into and Out of the Tone World (2019-20 [2021], Centering) B+(**)
- Jeremy Pelt: Griot: This Is Important! (2020 [2021], HighNote) B+(*)
- Ivo Perelman/Nate Wooley: Polarity (2020 [2021], Burning Ambulance) B+(*)
- Ralph Peterson: Raise Up Off Me (2020 [2021], Onyx Music) B+(**)
- Pluto Juice: Pluto Juice (2019 [2021], Contagious Music) B+(*)
- Chris Potter Circuits Trio: Sunrise Reprise (2020 [2021], Edition) B
- Tom Rainey Obbligato: Untucked in Hannover (2018 [2021], Intakt) B+(**)
- Dave Rempis/Tomeka Reid/Joshua Abrams/Tim Daisy/Tyler Damon: The Covid Tapes: Solos, Duos, & Trios (2020 [2021], Aerophonic, 2CD) A-
- Olivia Rodrigo: Sour (2021, Geffen) A-
- Samo Salamon/Hasse Poulsen: String Dancers (2020 [2021], Sazas) B+(**)
- Penelope Scott: Public Void (2020, Tesla's Pigeon, EP) A-
- Senyawa: Alkisah (2021, Burning Ambulance) B
- Serengeti: KDxMPC (2020, self-released, EP) B+(*)
- Serengeti: Curse of the Polo (2020, self-released) B+(*)
- Paul Silbergleit: The Hidden Standard (2018 [2021], BluJazz) B-
- Skyzoo: All the Brilliant Things (2021, Mello Music Group) B+(**)
- Ches Smith/We All Break: Path of Seven Colors (2015-20 [2021], Pyroclastic, 2CD) A-
- Sons of Kemet: Black to the Future (2021, Impulse!) A
- Chris Speed: Light Line (2018 [2021], Intakt) B+(**)
- Squid: Bright Green Field (2021, Warp) B+(**)
- Will St Peter/Steven Heffner/Steve Barnes: Honestly (2020 [2021], Origin) B+(*)
- St. Vincent: Daddy's Home (2021, Loma Vista) B+(**)
- Thomas Strønen/Ayumi Tanaka/Marthe Lea: Bayou (2018 [2021], ECM) B+(*)
- Jazmine Sullivan: Heaux Tales (2021, RCA) B+(*)
- Natsuki Tamura: Koki Solo (2020 [2021], Libra) B+(**)
- Too Much Joy: Mistakes Were Made (2021 People Suck Music) B+(**)
- The United States Air Force Band Airmen of Note: The 2021 Jazz Heritage Series (2021, self-released) B-
- Marta Warelis/Frank Rosaly/Aaron Lumley/John Dikeman: Sunday at De Ruimte (2020 [2021], Doek RAW) B+(***)
- Jennifer Wharton's Bonegasm: Not a Novelty (2020 [2021], Sunnyside) B+(**)
- Wolf Alice: Blue Weekend (2021, Dirty Hit) B+(**)
- 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything (1971 [2021], Island) A-
- Duck Baker: Confabulations (1994-2017 [2021], ESP-Disk) A-
- Billy Bang: Lucky Man (2008 [2021], BBE, 2CD) B+(**)
- Gary Bartz NTU Troop: Live in Bremen 1975 (1975 [2021], Moosicus, 2CD) B+(***)
- Tim Berne/Chris Speed/Reid Anderson/Dave King: Broken Shadows (2018 [2021], Intakt) B+(***)
- Hamiet Bluiett: Bearer of the Holy Flame (1983 [2021], Strut) A-
- Julius Hemphill: The Boyé Multi-National Crusade for Harmony (1977-2007 [2021], New World, 7CD) A-
- ICP Orchestra: Plays Herbie Nichols in Nijmegen 7 May 1984 (1984 [2020], ICP) B+(***)
- Hailu Mergia & the Walias Band: Tezeta (1975 [2021], Awesome Tapes From Africa) B+(***)
- Joe Newman: Joe Newman at the Atlantic (1977 [2021], Phontastic) B+(***)
- Cecil Taylor Ensemble: Göttingen (1990 [2021], Fundacja Sluchaj, 2CD) B+(***)
- Cecil Taylor Quintet: Lifting the Bandstand (1998 [2021], Fundacja Sluchaj) A-
- Barney Wilen Quartet: Barney and Tete Grenoble '88 (1988 [2020], Elemental Music) B+(**)
- The Harry Allen-Keith Ingham Quintet: Are You Having Any Fun? A Celebration of the Music of Sammy Fain (1994, Audiophile) B+(**)
- Harry Allen: Tenors Anyone? (1996 [1997], BMG Novus) A-
- Harry Allen: Here's to Zoot (1997, BMG Novus) B+(***)
- Harry Allen/Randy Sandke: Turnstile: Music of the Trumpet Kings (1997 [2007], Nagel Heyer) B
- Harry Allen: Day Dream (1998, BMG Novus) A-
- Harry Allen: When I Grow Too Old to Dream (1999 [2000], BMG Novus) B+(***)
- Harry Allen: Once Upon a Summertime (1999, BMG Novus) B+(***)
- Harry Allen: Cole Porter Songbook (2001, BMG Novus) B+(***)
- Harry Allen: Dreamer (2001, BMG Novus) B
- Harry Allen: I Can See Forever (2002, BMG Novus) B+(*)
- Harry Allen: I Love Mancini (2002, BMG Novus) B
- Harry Allen: The Harry Allen Quartet (2003, self-released) A-
- Harry Allen/Joe Cohn: The Harry Allen & Joe Cohn Quartet (2005, self-released) B+(**)
- Harry Allen/Rossano Sportiello: Conversations: The Johnny Burke Songbook (2011, GAC) A-
- Harry Allen: Love Songs Only! (1993-2001 [2013], Nagel Heyer) B
- Duck Baker: There's Something for Everyone in America (1975, Kicking Mule) B+(***)
- Duck Baker: The King of Bongo Bong (1977, Kicking Mule) A-
- Duck Baker: Les Blues Du Richmond: Demos & Outtakes 1973-1979 (1973-79 [2018], Tompkins Square) B+(**)
- Duck Baker: Plymouth Rock: Unreleased & Rare Recordings, 1973-1979 (1973-79 [2020], Tompkins Square) B+(***)
- Duck Baker: Spinning Song: Duck Baker Plays the Music of Herbie Nichols (1995-96 [1996], Avant) B+(***)
- Duck Baker: The Roots & Branches of American Music (2009, Les Cousins) B+(**)
- Alan Barnes/Harry Allen: Barnestorming (2006 [2007], Woodville) B+(**)
- Bee Gees: Trafalgar (1971, Atco) C-
- Anne Briggs: Anne Briggs (1971, Topic) B+(***)
- James Brown: Super Bad (1970 [1971], King) B+(***)
- James Brown: Hot Pants (1971, Polydor) A-
- James Brown: There It Is (1972, Polydor) A-
- James Brown: Get on the Good Foot (1972, Polydor) B+(*)
- Carlton and the Shoes: Love Me Forever (1978, Studio One) B+(**)
- Carpenters: Carpenters (1971, A&M) C
- Dry Cleaning: Sweet Princess (2018 [2019], It's OK, EP) B+(***)
- Dry Cleaning: Boundary Road Snacks and Drinks (2019, It's OK, EP) B+(***)
- Lisle Ellis: What We Live Fo(u)r (1994 [1996], Black Saint) B+(*)
- Grin: Grin (1971, Spindizzy) B+(**)
- Grin [Nils Lofgren]: 1 + 1 (1971, Spindizzy) B+(***)
- Grin: All Out (1972, Spindizzy) A-
- Illinois Jacquet: Swing's the Thing (1957, Verve) B+(**)
- Illinois Jacquet: Bottoms Up: Illinois Jacquet on Prestige! (1968, Prestige) B+(***)
- Illinois Jacquet: The Comeback (1971 [1991], Black Lion) B+(**)
- Illinois Jacquet: Bottoms Up [The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions] (1974 [1997], Black & Blue) B+(**)
- Illinois Jacquet: God Bless My Solo [The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions] (1978 [2001], Black & Blue) B+(***)
- Billy Joel: Cold Spring Harbor (1971 [1983], Columbia) B
- Elton John: Elton John (1970, Uni) B-
- Elton John: Madman Across the Water (1971, Uni) B-
- Elton John: Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player (1973, MCA) B
- Elton John: Caribou (1974, MCA) B
- Elton John: Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume II (1971-76 [1977], MCA) B+(**)
- Elton John: Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume III 1979-1987 (1979-87 [1987], Geffen) B
- Budd Johnson: The Chronological Budd Johnson 1944-1952 (1944-52 [2003], Classics) B+(***)
- Budd Johnson: French Cookin' (1963, Argo) B+(**)
- Budd Johnson With Joe Newman: Off the Wall (1964 [1965], Argo) B+(***)
- Curtis Mayfield: Curtis (1970, Curtom) A-
- Curtis Mayfield: Curtis/Live! (1971, Curtom) B+(***)
- Curtis Mayfield: Roots (1971, Curtom) A-
- MC5: High Time (1971, Atlantic) B+(***)
- MC5: Babes in Arms (1966-71 [1983], ROIR) A-
- Butch Miles and Friends: Cookin' (1995, Nagel Heyer) B+(***)
- Butch Miles and Howard Alden: Soulmates (1994 [2002], Nagel Heyer) B+(***)
- Jason Moran: The Armory Concert (2016, Yes) B+(*)
- New York Allstars: The Bix Beiderbecke Era (1993, Nagel Heyer) B+(**)
- The New York Allstars: We Love You, Louis! (1995 [1996], Nagel Heyer) B+(*)
- Joe Newman With Frank Foster: Good 'n' Groovy (1961, Prestige Swingville) B+(**)
- Joe Newman: I Love My Woman [The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions] (1979 [2000], Black & Blue) B+(***)
- Helen Reddy: Helen Reddy (1971, Capitol) B+(***)
- Helen Reddy: Helen Reddy's Greatest Hits (1971-75 [1975], Capitol) B+(**)
- Randy Sandke: Randy Sandke Meets Bix Beiderbecke (1993 [2002], Nagel Heyer) B+(**)
- Randy Sandke and the Buck Clayton Legacy: All the Cats Join In (1993 [1994], Nagel Heyer) B+(***)
- Randy Sandke and the New York Allstars: The Re-Discovered Louis and Bix (1999 [2000], Nagel Heyer) A-
- Gil Scott-Heron: Pieces of a Man (1971, Flying Dutchman) B+(***)
- Vladimir Shafranov Meets Harry Allen With Hans Backenroth/Bengt Stark: Dear Old Stockholm (2016, Venus) B+(**)
- Shaolin Afronauts: Flight of the Ancients (2011, Freestyle) A-
- Shaolin Afronauts: Quest Under Capricorn (2012, Freestyle) B+(**)
- Archie Shepp: Life at the Donaueschingen Music Festival (1967, SABA) B+(***)
- Archie Shepp: Blasé (1969, BYG) B+(***)
- Archie Shepp: Yasmina, a Black Woman (1969, BYG) B+(***)
- Archie Shepp: Poem for Malcolm (1969, BYG) B+(**)
- Archie Shepp: Live at the Panafrican Festival (1969 [1971], BYG) B+(***)
- Archie Shepp: Things Have Got to Change (1971, Impulse!) B+(*)
- Rossano Sportiello/Matthias Seuffert: Swingin' Duo by the Lago (2005-06 [2008], Styx) B+(*)
- The Stylistics: The Stylistics (1971, Avco) A-
- The Stylistics: The Best of the Stylistics (1971-74 [1975], Avco) B+(***)
- Ike & Tina Turner: River Deep Mountain High (1966 [1969], A&M) A-
- Ike & Tina Turner and the Ikettes: Come Together (1970, Liberty) A-
- Ike & Tina Turner: What You Hear Is What You Get: Live at Carnegie Hall (1971, United Artists) B+(***)
- Ike & Tina [Turner]: 'Nuff Said (1971, United Artists) B+(*)
- Allan Vaché and Harry Allen: Allan and Allen (2001 [2002], Nagel Heyer) A-
- What We Live: Never Was (1996 [1998], Black Saint) B+(***)
- What We Live: Trumpets (1996-98 [1999], Black Saint) B+(***)
- What We Live: Quintet for a Day (1998 [1999], New World) B+(**)
- Barney Wilen: Jazz Sur Seine (1958 [2000], Gitanes Jazz) A-
- Milford Graves/Jason Moran: Live at Big Ears (2018-20 [2021], Yes) +
- Jason Moran: Bangs (2016 [2017], Yes) +
- Jason Moran: Mass {Howl, Eon} (2017, Yes) +
- Jason Moran and the Bandwagon: Looks of a Lot (2017 [2018], Yes) +
- Jason Moran: Music for Joan Jonas (2017 [2018], Yes) ++
- Jason Moran: The Sound Will Tell You (2021, Yes) +
- What Goes On: The Songs of Lou Reed (1967-2019 [2021], Ace) ++
- Dry Cleaning: New Long Leg (2021, 4AD) A-
- Alchemy Sound Project: Afrika Love (2018 [2021], ARC) B+(**)
- Lina Allemano Four: Vegetables (2020 [2021], Lumo) B+(**)
- Rossano Baldini: Humanbeing (2020 [2021], RareNoise) B+(**)
- Carsie Blanton: Love & Rage (2021, So Ferocious) A-
- Enzo Carniel and Filippo Vignato as Silent Room: Aria (2021, Menace) B+(***)
- Chris Corsano & Bill Orcutt: Made Out of Sound (2020 [2021], Palilalia) B+(**)
- Fail Better!: The Fall (2017 [2021], JACC) B+(***)
- Marianne Faithfull With Warren Ellis: She Walks in Beauty (2021, BMG) B+(**)
- Andre Ferreri Quintetto: Numero Uno (2021, Laser) B+(**)
- Flow Trio With Joe McPhee: Winter Garden (2020 [2021], ESP-Disk) A-
- Nnenna Freelon: Time Traveler (2018-20 [2021], Origin) B+(*)
- David Friesen & Bob Ravenscroft: Passage (2015-20 [2021], Origin) B+(**)
- Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio: Moon on the Lake (2020 [2021], Libra) B+(***)
- Aaron Germain: Bell Projections (2015-20 [2021], Aaron Germain Music) B+(*)
- Greg Germann: Tales of Time (2020 [2021], Origin) B+(**)
- Maria Grand: Reciprocity (2020 [2021], Biophilia) B+(***)
- Noah Haidu/Buster Williams/Billy Hart: Slowly: Song for Keith Jarrett (2020 [2021], Sunnyside) B+(**)
- Thomas Heberer/Joe Fonda/Joe Hertenstein: Remedy (2020 [2021], Fundacja Sluchaj) B+(***)
- Vincent Herring: Preaching to the Choir (2021, Smoke Sessions) B+(***)
- Brent Jensen: More Sounds of a Dry Martini (2020 [2021], Origin) B+(***)
- James Brandon Lewis Red Lily Quintet: Jesup Wagon (2020 [2021], Tao Forms) A-
- Damon Locks/Black Monument Ensemble: Now (2020 [2021], International Anthem) B+(**)
- Doug MacDonald: Live in Hawaii (2019 [2021], DMAC Music) B+(*)
- Madre Vaca: The Elements (2020 [2021], Madre Vaca) B+(*)
- Shawn Maxwell: Expectation & Experience (2021, Jazzline) B+(**)
- Simon Moullier Trio: Countdown (2020 [2021], Fresh Sound New Talent) B+(**)
- Natural Information Society With Evan Parker: Descension (Out of Our Constrictions) (2019 [2021], Aguirre/Eremite) B+(***)
- Matt Niess & the Capitol Bones: The Beat Goes On (2020 [2021], Summit) B
- No-No Boy: 1975 (2021, Smithsonian Folkways) A-
- Jeannine Otis: Into My Heart (2021, Adrielle Music/Monpolyhouse) B+(**)
- Keith Oxman/Frank Morelli: The Ox-Mo Incident (2019 [2021], Capri) B+(**)
- Evan Parker Quartet: All Knavery and Collusion (2019 [2021], Cadillac) B+(*)
- Nicki Parrott: If You Could Read My Mind (2021, Arbors) B+(**)
- Rich Pellegrin: Solitude: Solo Improvisations (2019 [2021], OA2) B+(**)
- Ruben Reinaldo & Kely Garcia: Acuarel (2019 [2020], Free Code) B+(***)
- Jeff Rosenstock: Ska Dream (2021, Polyvinyl) B+(*)
- Almog Sharvit: Get Up or Cry (2019 [2021], Unit) B+(*)
- Jen Shyu & Jade Tongue: Zero Grasses: Ritual for the Losses (2019-20 [2021], Pi) C+
- Greg Skaff: Polaris (2020 [2021], Smoke Sessions) B
- Wadada Leo Smith: Trumpet (2016 [2021], TUM, 3CD) B+(***)
- Wadada Leo Smith: Sacred Ceremonies (2015-16 [2021], TUM, 3CD) A-
- Alexa Tarantino: Firefly (2021, Posi-Tone) B+(**)
- Butch Thompson & Southside Aces With Charlie Devore: How Long Blues (2019 [2020], Southside Aces) B+(*)
- Vasco Trilla: Unmoved Mover (2020 [2021], Fundacja Sluchaj) B
- Uassyn: Zacharya (2019 [2021], JazzThing) B+(***)
- João Valinho/Luis Vicente/Marcelo dos Reis/Salvoandrea Lucifora: Light Machina (2020 [2021], Multikulti Project) B+(***)
- Carlos Vega: Art of the Messenger (2017 [2021], Origin) B+(**)
- Marta Warelis/Carlos "Zingaro"/Helena Espvall/Marcelo dos Reis: Turqoise Dream (2019 [2021], JACC) B+(**)
- Amber Weekes: 'Round Midnight Re-Imagined (2021, Amber Inn Productions) B+(*)
- Khaira Arby: Live in New York 2010 (2010 [2021], Clermont Music) A-
- Blue Muse ([2019], Music Maker Foundation) B+(***)
- Alex Chilton: A Man Called Destruction (1995 [2020], Omnivore) B+(**)
- Alex Chilton and Hi Rhythm Section: Boogie Shoes: Live on Beale Street (1999 [2021], Omnivore) B+(*)
- The Cucumbers: The Desk Drawer Tapes (1988-2005 [2021], Life Force) B+(**)
- Henry Franklin: The Skipper (1972 [2021], Black Jazz/Real Gone Music) B+(***)
- Henry Franklin: The Skipper at Home (1974, Black Jazz) B+(*)
- Aaron Neville: Tell It Like It Is: The Sansu Years (1968-75 [2020], HHO) B+(***)
- Ojoyo: Plays Safrojazz (1996 [2021], Sunnyside) B+(**)
- Chester Thompson: Powerhouse (1971 [2021], Black Jazz/Real Gone Music) B+(*)
- Steve Tintweiss and the Purple Why: Markstown (1968 [2021}, Inky Dot Media) B+(***)
- Khaira Arby: Tchini Tchini (2012, Clermont Music, EP) B+(***)
- Khaira Arby: Gossip (2015, Clermont Music) B+(***)
- Asleep at the Wheel: Comin' Right at Ya (1973, United Artists) A-
- Asleep at the Wheel: Asleep at the Wheel (1974, Columbia) B+(**)
- Asleep at the Wheel: Texas Gold (1975, Capitol) B+(**)
- Asleep at the Wheel: Wheelin' and Dealin' (1976, Capitol) B+(*)
- Asleep at the Wheel: The Wheel (1977, Capitol) B+(***)
- Asleep at the Wheel: Collision Course (1978, Capitol) B
- Asleep at the Wheel: Western Standard Time (1988, Columbia) B+(*)
- The Asylum Street Spankers: Spanker Madness (2000, Spanks-a-Lot) A-
- Asylum Street Spankers: Mercurial (2004, Yellow Dog) B+(***)
- The Asylum Street Spankers: What? And Give Up Show Biz? (2008, Yellow Dog, 2CD) B+(***)
- Au Pairs: Sense and Sensuality (1982, Kamera) B
- Average White Band: AWB (1974, Atlantic) B+(**)
- Eric B. & Rakim: Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990, MCA) B+(***)
- Sam Baker: Mercy (2003 [2004], Blue Lime Stone) A-
- Sam Baker: Pretty World (2006 [2007], Blue Lime Stone) A-
- Sam Baker: Cotton (2009, Music Road) B+(***)
- Sam Baker: Say Grace (2013, self-released) B+(***)
- Sam Baker: Land of Doubt (2017, self-released) B+(*)
- Sam Baker: Horses and Stars (2019, self-released) B+(*)
- Lester Bangs and the Delinquents: Jook Savages on the Brazos (1981, Live Wire) A-
- Ronnie Barron: Blues Delicacies, Vol. 1 (1979 [1981], Vivid Sound) B+(***)
- Jorge Ben: Samba Esquema Novo (1963, Philips) B+(***)
- Jorge Ben: Sacundin Ben Samba (1964, Philips) B+(**)
- Jorge Ben: Big Ben (1965, Philips) B+(*)
- Jorge Ben: O Bidú: Silêncio No Brooklin (1967, Artistas Unidos) B+(***)
- Jorge Ben: Jorge Ben (1969, Philips) A-
- Jorge Ben: Negro É Lindo (1971, Philips) B+(***)
- Jorge Ben: A Tábua De Esmeralda (1974, Philips) B+(***)
- Jorge Ben: Solta O Pavão (1975, Philips) A-
- Jorge Ben: África Brasil (1976, Polygram) A-
- Jorge Ben: Tropical (1976, Mango) B
- Jorge Ben: Samba Nova (1970-74 [1976], Mango)
- Jorge Ben: Alô Alô, Como Vai? (1980, Som Livre) B+(**)
- Jorge Ben: Dádiva (1983, Som Livre) B+(**)
- Roy Brown: Hard Times (1967-68 [1973], Bluesway) A-
- Shirley Brown: Woman to Woman (1974, Truth) B+(**)
- T Bone Burnett: Trap Door (1982, Warner Brothers, EP) B+(**)
- T Bone Burnett: T Bone Burnett (1986, Dot) B+(**)
- Joe Cocker: Joe Cocker's Greatest Hits (1969-76 [1977], A&M) B+(***)
- Johnny Copeland: Fuel Presents an Introduction to Johnny Copeland (1961-67 [2006], Fuel 2000) B+(**)
- Johnny Copeland: Copeland Special (1981, Rounder) B+(***)
- The Cucumbers: The Cucumbers (1983, Fake Doom, EP) A-
- The Cucumbers: Total Vegitility (1999, Home Office) B+(**)
- Miles Davis: Water Babies (1967-68 [1976], Columbia) B+(**)
- Miles Davis: Circle in the Round (1955-70 [1979], Columbia, 2CD) B+(**)
- Miles Davis: The Man With the Horn (1980-81 [1981], Columbia) B+(**)
- Miles Davis: Star People (1982-83 [1983], Columbia) B+(***)
- Kimya Dawson: Hidden Vagenda (2004, K) A-
- Gilberto Gil: Refavela (1977, Philips) B+(***)
- Hakim: Talakik (2002, Mondo Melodia) B+(***)
- Handsome Boy Modeling School: White People (2004, Atlantic) B+(***)
- The Handsome Family: Odessa (1994, Carrot Top) A-
- The Handsome Family: Milk and Scissors (1996, Carrot Top) B+(**)
- The Handsome Family: Through the Trees (1997, Carrot Top) B+(**)
- The Handsome Family: Down in the Valley (1994-97 [1999], Independent) A-
- The Handsome Family: Twilight (2001, Carrot Top) B+(***)
- The Handsome Family: Smothered and Covered (1993-2001 [2003], Handsome Family Music) B+(**)
- The Handsome Family: Singing Bones (2003, Carrot Top) B+(***)
- Ted Hawkins: Watch Your Step (1982, Rounder) B+(***)
- Ted Hawkins: Happy Hour (1986, Rounder) B+(**)
- Henry Cow: Legend (1973, Virgin) B+(**)
- Henry Cow: Western Culture (1978 [1979], Broadcast) B+(***)
- Z.Z. Hill: The Brand New Z.Z. Hill (1971, Mankind) B+(**)
- Z.Z. Hill: The Complete Hill Records Collection/UA Recordings 1972-1975 (1972-75 [1996], Capitol, 2CD) B+(*)
- Z.Z. Hill: This Time They Told the Truth: The Columbia Years (1978-79 [1998], Columbia/Legacy) B
- Z.Z. Hill: Z.Z. Hill (1981, Malaco) B+(**)
- Z.Z. Hill: Down Home (1982, Malaco) A-
- Z.Z. HIll: The Rhythm & the Blues (1982, Malaco) B+(**)
- Z.Z. Hill: I'm a Blues Man (1983, Malaco) B+(***)
- Z.Z. Hill: Bluesmaster (1984, Malaco) A-
- Z.Z. Hill: In Memoriam 1935-1984 (1981-84 [1985], Malaco) A-
- Alberta Hunter: The Glory of Alberta Hunter (1982, Columbia) B+(**)
- The Jive Five: Here We Are! (1982, Ambient Sound) B+(**)
- The Jive Five: Their Greatest Hits (1961-63 [1990], Collectables) B+(**)
- Joy of Cooking: Castles (1972, Capitol) A-
- Joy of Cooking: Back to Your Heart (1968-72 [2006], Njoy, 2CD) B+(**)
- Mory Kanté: Sabou (2004, Riverboat) B+(***)
- Gladys Knight and the Pips: Greatest Hits (1967-70 [1970], Soul) B+(**)
- Gladys Knight & the Pips: The Definitive Collection (1967-73 [2008], Motown) B+(***)
- Gladys Knight & the Pips: Claudine (1974, Buddah) B+(***)
- Milo: A Toothpaste Suburb (2014, Hellfyre Club) B+(**)
- Milo: Who Told You to Think??!!?!?!?! (2017, Ruby Yacht) A-
- My Bloody Valentine: Isn't Anything (1988, Relativity) B
- My Bloody Valentine: Tremolo (1991, Sire) C+
- My Bloody Valentine: MBV (2013, MBV) B-
- The Nagel Heyer Allstars: Uptown Lowdown: A Jazz Salute to the Big Apple: Live at the 1999 JVC Festival New York (1999 [2000], Nagel Heyer) B+(***)
- The Naysayer: Deathwhisker (2000, Carrot Top) B+(*)
- The Naysayer: Pure Beauty (2002 [2003], Carrot Top, EP) B+(***)
- Aaron Neville: Make Me Strong (1968-75 [1986], Charly) B+(***)
- Aaron Neville: The Classic Aaron Neville: My Greatest Gift (1966-75 [1990], Rounder) B+(***)
- Aaron Neville: Hercules (1961-75 [1993], Charly) A-
- Aaron Neville: Orchid in the Storm (1985, Passport, EP) B+(***)
- Aaron Neville: Nature Boy: The Standards Album (2003, Verve) B+(*)
- Aaron Neville: Bring It on Home . . . The Soul Classics (2006, Burgundy) B+(**)
- New Order: Republic (1993, Qwest) B+(***)
- Nirvana: Hormoaning (1992, DGC, EP) B+(**)
- No-No Boy: 1942 (2018, No-No Boy) A-
- NRBQ: NRBQ (1969, Columbia) B+(**)
- NRBQ: NRBQ at Yankee Stadium (1978, Mercury) B+(*)
- NRBQ: Kick Me Hard (1979, Rounder/Red Rooster) B+(*)
- Orchestra Makassy: Agwaya (1982, Virgin) A-
- Orchestra Makassy: Legends of East Africa: The Original Recordings (1982 [2004], ARC Music) A-
- Ray Parker Jr.: The Other Woman (1982, Arista) B+(***)
- Parliament: Gloryhallastoopid (Or Pin the Tale on the Funky) (1979, Casablanca) B+(**)
- Parliament: Greatest Hits: P. Funk, Uncut Funk, the Bomb (1974-79 [1984], Casablanca) A
- Parliament: The Best of Parliament [20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection] (1974-80 [2000], Mercury) A
- Party of One: Dead Violet Shannon (2000, Murder of All Music) B+(**)
- Party of One: Caught the Blast (2000-01 [2003], Fat Cat) A-
- Party of One: Streetside Surprise (2014, Go Johnny Go) B+(**)
- Pavement: Slay Tracks: 1933-1969 (1989, Treble Kicker, EP) A-
- Pavement: Demolition Plot J-7 (1989 [1990], Drag City, EP) B+(*)
- Pavement: Perfect Sound Forever (1989 [1990], Drag City, EP) B+(**)
- Pavement: Terror Twilight (1999, Matador) A-
- Johnny Paycheck: Johnny Paycheck's Greatest Hits (1972-74 [1974], Epic) B-
- Johnny Paycheck: Greatest Hits, Volume 2 (1975-78 [1978], Epic) B+(**)
- Johnny Paycheck: 16 Biggest Hits (1971-79 [1999], Epic) B+(***)
- Johnny Paycheck: Mr. Hag Told My Story (1981, Epic) B+(**)
- Pearl Jam: Ten (1991, Epic) B
- Pearl Jam: Yield (1998, Epic) B+(*)
- Teddy Pendergrass: TP (1980, Philadelphia International) B+(**)
- Teddy Pendergrass: Greatest Hits (1977-80 [1984], Philadelphia International) A-
- Teddy Pendergrass: The Essential Teddy Pendergrass (1972-84 [2007], Philadelphia International/Legacy, 2CD) B+(***)
- Esther Phillips: Esther Phillips Sings (1966, Atlantic) B
- Esther Phillips: Burnin': Live at Freddie Jett's Pied Piper, L.A. (1970, Atlantic) B+(**)
- Esther Phillips: Conessin' the Blues (1966-70 [1976], Atlantic) A-
- Esther Phillips: Black-Eyed Blues (1973, Kudu) A-
- Esther Phillips: The Essential Esther Phillips: The Kudu Years (1971-77 [2018], Legacy, 2CD) A-
- Esther Phillips: Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song ( 1984/New York City) 1984 [2007], Jazzwerkstatt
- Charlie Rich: The Legendary Sun Classics (1958-62 [2010], Charly) B+(*)
- Charlie Rich: The Fabulous Charlie Rich (1970, Epic) B+(***)
- Charlie Rich: The Best of Charlie Rich (1968-72 [1972], Epic) B+(***)
- Charlie Rich: Pictures and Paintings (1992, Sire) B+(***)
- Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth: All Souled Out (1991, Elektra, EP) B+(***)
- Max Romeo: Open the Iron Gate (1975 [1978], United Artists) B+(**)
- Diana Ross: Diana (1980, Motown) A-
- Doug Sahm With the Sir Douglas Quintet: Rough Edges (1969 [1973], Mercury) B+(***)
- Doug Sahm & the Sir Douglas Quintet: The Best of Doug Sahm & the Sir Douglas Quintet 1968-1975 (1968-75 [1990], Mercury) A-
- Doug Sahm: Hell of a Spell (1979 [1980], Takoma) B+(***)
- Doug Sahm: Juke Box Music (1989, Antone's) B+(**)
- Doug Sahm: The Last Real Texas Blues Band (1988-94 [1994], Antone's) B+(*)
- Del Shannon: Greatest Hits (1961-70 [1990], Rhino) B+(***)
- Del Shannon: This Is . . . Del Shannon (1961-66 [1997], Music Club) B+(***)
- Sir Douglas Quintet: The Best of Sir Douglas Quintet (1965-66 [1966], Tribe) B+(**)
- Sir Douglas Quintet: The Best of Sir Douglas Quintet . . . Plus! (1965-67 [2000], Westside) B+(**)
- Sir Douglas Quintet +2: Honkey Blues (1968, Smash) B
- Sir Douglas Quintet: Mendocino (1969, Smash) B+(**)
- Sir Douglas Quintet: Together After Five (1970, Smash) B+(**)
- Sir Douglas Quintet: 1+1+1=4 (1970, Philips) B+(*)
- Sir Douglas Quintet: The Return of Doug Saldaña (1971, Philips) A-
- Sir Douglas Quintet: The Best of the Sir Douglas Quintet (1968-71 [1980], Takoma) A-
- Percy Sledge: The Very Best of Percy Sledge (1966-94 [1998], Rhino) A-
- Spinners: Spinners (1973, Atlantic) A-
- Spinners: Mighty Love (1974, Atlantic) B+(**)
- Spinners: New and Improved (1974, Atlantic) B+(*)
- Spinners: Pick of the Litter (1975, Atlantic) B+(***)
- Spinners: Happiness Is Being With the Spinners (1976, Atlantic) B+(*)
- Spinners: The Best of Spinners (1972-76 [1978], Atlantic) A-
- Peter Stampfel: Dook of the Beatniks (1999 [2010], Piety Street Files & Archaic) B+(***)
- Peter + Zoë Stampfel: Ass in the Air (2010, Jolly Olga) B+(**)
- Steel Pulse: Reggae Greats (1978-80 [1984], Mango) B+(***)
- Gary Stewart: Greatest Hits (1975-81 [1981], RCA) A-
- Gary Stewart: The Essential Gary Stewart (1974-82 [1997], RCA) A-
- Gary Stewart: Live at Billy Bob's Texas (2003, Smith Music Group) A-
- Super Mama Djombo: Super Mama Djombo (1979 [2003], Cobiana) B+(***)
- Systema Solar: Systema Solar (2009 [2010], Chusma) A-
- Howard Tate: Howard Tate (1967 [1969], Verve) A-
- Howard Tate: Howard Tate's Reaction (1970, Turntable) B+(**)
- Howard Tate: Howard Tate (1972, Atlantic) A-
- Hound Dog Taylor & the House Rockers: Beware of the Dog! (1974 [1976], Alligator) A-
- Hound Dog Taylor & the Houserockers: Genuine Houserocking Music (1971-73 [1982], Alligator) B+(***)
- Johnnie Taylor: Chronicle: 20 Greatest Hits (1968-75 [1977], Fantasy) A-
- Irma Thomas: Sweet Soul Queen of New Orleans: The Irma Thomas Collection (1961-66 [1996], Razor & Tie) A-
- Butch Thompson: Butch Thompson Plays Jelly Roll Morton Solos (1968 [1996], Biograph) B+(***)
- Butch Thompson: Thompson Plays Joplin (1997 [1998], Daring) A-
- Charles Tolliver Music Inc: Live in Tokyo (1973 [1974], Strata-East) B+(**)
- Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society: Mandatory Reality (2017 [2021], Eremite) +
- Hedvig Mollestad Trio: Ding Dong. You're Dead. (2021, Rune Grammofon) +
- Gilberto Gil/Jorge Ben: Gil E Jorge (1975 [1992], Verve) A-
- Johnny Shines: Johnny Shines (1970 [1991], Hightone) B+(**)
- Barry Altschul's 3Dom Factor: Long Tall Sunshine (2021, Not Two) A-
- The Anchoress: The Art of Losing (2021, Kscope) B+(***)
- Tamar Aphek: All Bets Are Off (2021, Kill Rock Stars) B+(**)
- Julien Baker: Little Oblivions (2021, Matador) B+(*)
- Yaala Ballin: Sings Irving Berlin (2021, SteepleChase LookOut) B+(***)
- Rahsaan Barber: Mosaic (2020 [2021], Jazz Music City, 2CD) B+(**)
- Jon Batiste: We Are (2020 [2021], Verve) B+(**)
- Benny the Butcher: The Plugs I Met 2 (2021, Black Soprano Family, EP) B+(**)
- John Butcher/Veryan Weston/Øyvind Stonesund/Dag Erik Kriedal Andersen: Mapless Quiet (2018 [2020], Motvind) B+(**)
- Cabaret Voltaire: Dekadrone (2021, Mute) B+(*)
- Nick Cave & Warren Ellis: Carnage (2021, AWAL) B
- Sarah Mary Chadwick: Me and Ennui Are Friends, Baby (2021, Ba Da Bing!) B+(**)
- Avishai Cohen: Two Roses (2020 [2021], Naive) B
- Damata: What's Damata (2021, Dugnad) B+(***)
- Michael Dease: Give It All You Got (2019 [2021], Posi-Tone) B+(*)
- Dry Cleaning: New Long Leg (2021, 4AD) B+(**)
- Scott DuBois: Summer Water (2021, Sunnyside) B+(**)
- Paul Dunmall/Percy Pursglove/Olie Brice/Jeff Williams: Palindromes (2020 [2021], West Hill) B+(***)
- Eminem: Music to Be Murdered By: Side B (2020, Shady/Aftermath/Interscope) B+(***)
- Joe Fahey: February on Ice (2021, Rough Fish) B+(***)
- Jared Feinman: Love Is an Obstacle (2021, West of Philly) B+(*)
- Focusyear Band 2021: Bosque (2021, Neuklang) B+(*)
- For Those I Love: For Those I Love (2019 [2021], September) B+(***)
- Girl in Red: Chapter 1 (2018, AWAL/Human Sounds, EP) B+(*)
- Girl in Red: Chapter 2 (2019, AWAL, EP) B+(*)
- Binker Golding/John Edwards/Steve Noble: Moon Day (2020 [2021], Byrd Out) B+(***)
- Frode Haltli: Avant Folk II (2021, Hubro) B+(**)
- Hennessy Six/Colorado Springs Youth Symphony: The Road Less Traveled (2020 [2021], Summit) B+(*)
- Joseph Howell Quartet: Live in Japan (2018 [2021], Summit) B+(**)
- Kari Ikonen: Impressions, Improvisations and Compositions (2020 [2021], Ozella) B+(***)
- Vijay Iyer: Uneasy (2019 [2021], ECM) B+(***)
- Yvette Janine Jackson: Freedom (2021, Fridman Gallery) B+(*)
- La Femme: Paradigmes (2021, Disque Pointu) B+(**)
- Charles Lloyd & the Marvels: Tone Poem (2020 [2021], Blue Note) B+(***)
- Joe Lovano & Dave Douglas: Soundprints: Other Worlds (2020 [2021], Greenleaf Music) B+(*)
- Pat Metheny: Road to the Sun (2021, BMG Modern) B
- Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge: Jazz Is Dead 4: Azymuth (2020, Jazz Is Dead, EP) B
- Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge: Jazz Is Dead 5: Doug Carn (2020, Jazz Is Dead) B+(***)
- Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge: Jazz Is Dead 6: Gary Bartz (2021, Jazz Is Dead, EP) B+(***)
- Nortonk: Nortonk (2020 [2021], Biophilia) B+(**)
- Nubiyan Twist: Freedom Fables (2021, Strut) B
- Dax Pierson: Nerve Bumps (A Queer Divine Dissatisfaction) (2021, Dark Entries) B+(**)
- R+R=Now: Live (2018 [2021], Blue Note) B
- Dan Rose: Last Night . . . (2017 [2021], Ride Symbol) B+(*)
- Dan Rose/Claudine Francois: New Leaves (2019 [2021], Ride Symbol) B+(**)
- Jacques Schwarz-Bart: Soné Ka-La 2: Odyssey (2020 [2021], Enja) B+(*)
- Irène Schweizer/Hamid Drake: Celebration (2019 [2021], Intakt) A-
- Serpentwithfeet: Deacon (2021, Secretly Canadian) B+(*)
- Skarbø Skulekorps: Dugnad (2020 [2021], Hubro) B+(**)
- Dr. Lonnie Smith: Breathe (2021, Blue Note) B+(**)
- Todd Snider: First Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder (2021, Aimless) A-
- Veronica Swift: This Bitter Earth (2021, Mack Avenue) B+(***)
- Aki Takase/Christian Weber/Michael Griener: Auge (2019 [2021], Intakt) A-
- Natsuki Tamura/Satoko Fujii: Keshin (2020 [2021], Libra) B+(**)
- Three-Layer Cake: Stove Top (2020 [2021], RareNoise) B+(***)
- Thumbscrew: Never Is Enough (2019 [2021], Cuneiform) B+(***)
- Tony Tixier: I Am Human (2020 [2021], Whirlwind, EP) B+(*)
- Michael Waldrop: Time Frames (2019-20 [2021], Origin) B+(***)
- The Weather Station: Ignorance (2021, Fat Possum) B+(**)
- Rodney Whitaker: OutroSpection: The Music of Gregg Hill (2020 [2021], Origin) B+(*)
- Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad: Jazz Is Dead 3: Marcos Valle (2020, Jazz Is Dead, EP) B+(***)
- Miguel Zenón & Luis Perdomo: El Arte Del Bolero (2020 [2021], Miel Music) B+(***)
- Miguel Zenón/Ariel Bringuez/Demian Cabaud/Jordi Rossy: Law Years: The Music of Ornette Coleman (2019 [2021], Miel Music) A-
- Gary Lucas: The Essential Gary Lucas (1981-2020 [2021], Knitting Factory, 2CD) B+(*)
- Roberto Miranda's Home Music Ensemble: Live at Bing Theatre: Los Angeles, 1985 (1985 [2021], Dark Tree) B+(***)
- New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers: Volume 1 (2007 [2020], Stony Plain) B+(**)
- New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers: Volume 2 (2007 [2021], Stony Plain) B+(**)
- Spoon: Everything Hits at Once: The Best of Spoon (2001-19 [2019], Matador) B+(***)
- The White Stripes: My Sister Thanks You and I Thank You: Greatest Hits (1998-2007 [2020], Third Man) B+(***)
- Neil Young: Young Shakespeare (1971 [2021], Reprise) B+(**)
- Black Uhuru: Chill Out (1982, Mango) B+(**)
- Blake Babies: Innocence and Experience (1986-91 [1993], Mammoth) A-
- Boogie Down Productions: Sex and Violence (1992, Jive) A-
- The Books: The Lemon of Pink (2003, Tomlab) B+(*)
- The Books: Lost and Safe (2005, Tomlab) B+(***)
- The Books: Thought for Food (2002, Tomlab) B+(***)
- The Bottle Rockets: 24 Hours a Day (1997, Atlantic) B+(***)
- Cybotron: Enter (1983, Fantasy) B+(*)
- The dB's: Stands for Decibels (1981, Albion) B+(**)
- The DeBarges: The DeBarges (1981, Gordy) B+(**)
- DeBarge: All This Love (1982, Gordy) B+(***)
- DeBarge: Rhythm of the Night (1985, Motown) B+(*)
- El DeBarge: El DeBarge (1986, Gordy) B+(*)
- El DeBarge: Gemini (1989, Motown) B
- The Del-Lords: Get Tough: The Best of the Del-Lords (1984-90 [1999], Restless) B+(***)
- Descendents: Milo Goes to College (1982, New Alliance) B+(***)
- Descendents: Bonus Fat (1980-81 [1985], New Alliance, EP) B+(**)
- Descendents: Somery (1981-87 [1991], SST) B+(***)
- Lee Dorsey: Yes We Can (1970, Polydor) A-
- Lee Dorsey: Yes We Can . . . and Then Some (1970 [1993], Polydor) A-
- Lee Dorsey: Night People (1978, ABC) A-
- Lee Dorsey: Working in a Coal Mine: The Very Best of Lee Dorsey (1961-78 [2001], Music Club) A
- Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band: James Monroe H.S. Presents Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band Goes to Washington (1979, Elektra) B+(***)
- Earth, Wind & Fire: Open Our Eyes (1974, Columbia) B+(***)
- The English Beat: I Just Can't Stop It (1980, IRS) A-
- Etoile 2000: Dakar Sound Volume 1 (1980-81 [1993], Dakar Sound) B+(***)
- Etoile De Dakar: Volume 3: Lay Suma Lay (1981 [1996], Sterns) A-
- Etoile De Dakar: Volume 5: Maléo (1981 [2009], Sterns) B+(***)
- Eurythmics: Greatest Hits (1982-90 [1991], Arista) B+(**)
- Mose Se 'Fan Fan': Belle Epoque (1970-82 [1994], RetroAfric) B+(***)
- Mose Fan Fan/Somo Somo/Ngobila: Hello Hello (1995, Sterns) A-
- Fellow Travellers: Things and Time (1993, OKra) B+(***)
- Fine Young Cannibals: Fine Young Cannibals (1985, IRS) B+(**)
- Fine Young Cannibals: The Finest: The Rare and the Remixed (1985-89 [1996], MCA) A-
- A Flock of Seagulls: A Flock of Seagulls (1982, Jive) B+(**)
- Tennessee Ernie Ford: Sixteen Tons (1949-56 [1995], Capitol) B+(**)
- Freestyle Fellowship: Inner City Griots (1993, 4th & B'way) B+(**)
- Gilberto Gil: Louvaçao (1967, Phillips) B+(**)
- Gilberto Gil: Gilberto Gil [Frevo Rasgado] (1968 [1998], Universal) A-
- Gilberto Gil: Gilberto Gil [Cérebro Eletrônico] (1969, Philips) B+(***)
- Gilberto Gil: Expresso 2222 (1972 [1993], Philips) B+(**)
- Grandaddy: Just Like the Fambly Cat (2006, V2) B+(***)
- Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five: The Message (1982, Deep Beats) A-
- Woody Guthrie: Hard Travelin': The Asch Recordings, Vol. 3 (1944-49 [1998], Smithsonian/Folkways) A-
- Hamell on Trial: Big as Life (1995, Mercury) B+(*)
- Hamell on Trial: The Chord Is Mightier Than the Sword (1997, Mercury) B+(**)
- Hamell on Trial: Choochtown (1999, Such-a-Punch) B+(***)
- Hamell on Trial: Ed's Not Dead -- Hamell Comes Alive (2000, Such-a-Punch) B+(***)
- Hamell on Trial: Tough Love (2003, Righteous Babe) B+(**)
- Hamell on Trial: Yap (2003, Such-a-Punch) B+(**)
- Hamell on Trial: Rant & Roll [Live From Edinburgh: The Terrorism of Everyday Life (2007 [2008], Righteous Babe) A-
- Willie Headen: Blame It on the Blues (1954-60 [2006], Ace) B+(***)
- Justin Hinds & the Dominoes: Carry Go Bring Come: The Anthology (1963-72 [2005], Trojan, 2CD) A-
- Justin Hinds and the Dominoes: Jezebel (1976, Island) B+(***)
- Justin Hinds and the Dominoes: Just in Time (1978, Mango) A-
- The Itals: Early Recordings 1971-1979 (1971-79 [1987], Nighthawk) B+(*)
- The Itals: Give Me Power (1983, Nighthawk) B+(**)
- The Itals: Rasta Philosophy (1985 [1997], Nighthawk) B+(***)
- The Itals: Cool and Dread (1988, Nighthawk) B+(**)
- The Plastic People of the Universe: Apokalyptickej Pták (1976 [2017], Galén) A-
- Prince Lasha/Sonny Simmons/Clifford Jordan/Don Cherry: It Is Revealed (1963, Zounds) B+(**)
- Midi, Maxi & Efti: Midi, Maxi & Efti (1991, Columbia) B+(***)
- Duke Reid's Treasure Chest (1964-70 [1992], Heartbeat, 2CD) B+(**)
- Sonny Simmons: Staying on the Watch (1966, ESP-Disk) B+(***)
- Sonny Simmons: Music From the Spheres (1966, ESP-Disk) A-
- Sonny Simmons: Manhattan Egos (1969 [2000], Arhoolie) A-
- Sonny Simmons: Burning Spirits (1970 [2003], Contemporary) B+(**)
- Sonny Simmons: American Jungle (1995 [1997], Qwest/Warner Brothers) A-
- Sonny Simmons Quintet: Mixolydis (2001 [2002], Marge) B+(**)
- Sonny Simmons Trio: Live in Paris (2001 [2002], Arhoolie, 2CD) B+(**)
- Lonnie Smith: Think! (1968 [1969], Blue Note) B+(**)
- Lonnie Smith: Turning Point (1969, Blue Note) B+(*)
- Lonnie Smith: Move Your Hand (1969 [1970], Blue Note) B+(**)
- Lonnie Smith: Live at Club Mozambique (1970 [1995], Blue Note) B+(***)
- Lonnie Smith: Mama Wailer (1971, Kudu) B+(**)
- Lonnie Smith/Alvin Queen: Lenox and Seventh (1985 [2000], Black & Blue) B+(***)
- Dr. Lonnie Smith: Boogaloo to Beck: A Tribute (2003, Scuffin') B+(*)
- Dr. Lonnie Smith: Rise Up! (2008 [2009], Palmetto) B+(**)
- Spoon: Telephono (1996, Matador) A-
- Spoon: Gimme Fiction (2005, Merge) B+(***)
- Uz Jsme Doma: Hollywood (1993 [1996], Skoda) B+(**)
- Neil Young: Eldorado (1989, Reprise, EP) B+(**)
- Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Arc (1991, Reprise) B
- Adeena Karasick/Frank London: Salomé: Woman of Valor (2020, Nuiu Music) +
- DeBarge: In a Special Way (1983, Gordy) A-
- Etoile De Dakar: Volume 2: Thiapathioly (1980 [1994], Sterns) +(***)
- Woody Guthrie: Muleskinner Blues: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 2 (1944 [1997], Smithsonian/Folkways) B+(***)
- Albare: Albare Plays Jobim Vol. 2 (2020 [2021], Alfi) B+(*)
- Franco Ambrosetti Band: Lost Within You (2020 [2021], Unit) B+(**)
- Baker's Brew: New Works (2020 [2021], Psychosomatic, 2CD) B+(*)
- Nik Bärtsch: Entendre (2019 [2021], ECM) B+(**)
- Dan Blake: Da Fé (2019 [2021], Sunnyside) B+(**)
- Jakob Bro/Arve Henriksen/Jorge Rossy: Uma Elmo (2020 [2021], ECM) B
- Joe Chambers: Samba De Marcatu (2020 [2021], Blue Note) B
- Ian Charleton Big Band: A Fresh Perspective (2020 [2021], none) B+(***)
- Emmet Cohen: Future Stride (2021, Mack Avenue) B+(**)
- Cowboys & Frenchmen: Our Highway (2020 [2021], Outside In Music) B+(*)
- Charley Crockett: 10 for Slim: Charley Crockett Sings James Hand (2021, Son of Davy) B+(**)
- Lana Del Rey: Chemtrails Over the Country Club (2021, Polydor/Interscope) B+(**)
- The Dynamic Les DeMerle Band Featuring Bonnie Eisele: Hot Night in Venice: Live at the Venice Jazz Club (2020 [2021], Origin) B+(*)
- Pat Donaher: Occasionally (2020 [2021], none) B+(**)
- Rebecca Dumaine and the Dave Miller Trio: Someday, Someday (2020 [2021], Summit) B+(*)
- Yelena Eckemoff: Adventures of the Wildflower (2019 [2021], L&H Production, 2CD) B+(**)
- Elephant9: Arrival of the New Elders (2020 [2021], Rune Grammofon) B+(**)
- Yoav Eshed/Lex Korten/Massimo Biolcati/Jongkuk Kim: A Way Out (2019 [2021], Sounderscore) B+(*)
- Floating Points/Pharoah Sanders & the London Symphony Orchestra: Promises (2021, Luaka Bop) B+(**)
- Michael and Peter Formanek: Dyads (2019 [2021], Out of Your Head) A-
- Amit Friedman: Unconditional Love (2018 [2021], Origin) B
- Satoko Fujii: Hazuki: Piano Solo (2020 [2021], Libra) B+(***)
- Futari: Beyond (2019 [2021], Libra) B+(*)
- Ghetts: Conflict of Interest (2021, Warner) B+(*)
- Frank Gratkowski/Achim Kaufmann/Wilbert de Joode/Tony Buck: Flatbosc & Cautery (2018 [2020], NoBusiness) A-
- Barry Guy: Irvin's Comet (2019 [2020], NoBusiness) B+(*)
- George Haslam/João Madeira/Padro Catello Lopes/Mario Rua: Ajuda (2019 [2020], Slam) B+(***)
- The Hold Steady: Open Door Policy (2021, Positive Jams) B+(**)
- Chris Hopkins: Meets the Jazz Kangaroos: Live! Vol. 1 (2020, Echoes of Swing) B+(**)
- In Layers: Pliable (2018 [2020], FMR) B+(***)
- Ethan Iverson/Umbria Jazz Orchestra: Bud Powell in the 21st Century (2018 [2021], Sunnyside) B+(**)
- Jazz Worms: Squirmin' (2017 [2021], Capri) B+(*)
- Marcus Joseph: Beyond the Dome (2021, Jazz Re:freshed) B
- Jonathan Kane and Dave Soldier: February Meets Soldier String Quartet (2020 [2021], EEG) B+(**)
- Achim Kaufmann/Ignaz Schick: Altered Alchemy (2016 [2021], Zarek, 2CD) B+(**)
- Reza Khan: Imaginary Road (2020 [2021], Painted Music) B-
- Andy LaVerne: Rhapsody (2021, SteepleChase) B+(**)
- Mark Lewis Quartet: Naked Animals (2019-20 [2021], Audio Daddio) B+(*)
- Lukas Ligeti: That Which Has Remained . . . That Which Will Emerge . . . (2015 [2021], Col Legno) B+(**)
- Johan Lindström Septett: On the Asylum (2020 [2021], Moserobie) B+(*)
- Loretta Lynn: Still Woman Enough (2007-20 [2021], Legacy) A-
- Doug MacDonald Duo: Toluca Lake Jazz (2020 [2021], Doug MacDonald Music) B+(**)
- João Madeira/Hernâni Faustino: dB Duet (2020 [2021], FMR) B+(***)
- Shai Maestro: Human (2020 [2021], ECM) B+(*)
- Magnet Animals: Fake Dudes (2020 [2021], RareNoise) A-
- Roberto Magris & Eric Hochberg: Shuffling Ivories (2019 [2021], JMood) B+(**)
- Mai-Liis: Mai-Liis on Life (2019-20 [2021], OA2) B+(**)
- Wu Man/Kojiro Umezaki: How (2019 [2021], In a Circle) B+(*)
- Meridian Odyssey: Second Wave (2020 [2021], Origin) B+(*)
- Hafez Modirzadeh: Facets (2018-19 [2021], Pi) B+(***)
- Ben Monder/Tony Malaby/Tom Rainey: Live at the 55 Bar (2020 [2021], Sunnyside) B+(***)
- Sana Nagano: Smashing Humans (2020 [2021], 577) B+(***)
- Gary Negbaur: You've Got to Be Carefully Taught (2020 [2021], BluJazz) B+(*)
- Willie Nelson: That's Life (2021, Legacy) B
- Larry Newcomb Quartet: Love, Dad (2020 [2021], Essential Messenger) B+(*)
- Ben Patterson: Push the Limits (2020 [2021], Origin) B+(*)
- Charlie Porter: Hindsight (2020 [2021], OA2) B
- Reggie Quinerly: New York Nowhere (2020 [2021], Redefinition) B+(*)
- Logan Richardson: Afrofuturism (2020, WAX Industry) B
- Jason Ringenberg: Rhinestoned (2021, Courageous Chicken) B+(**)
- Schapiro 17: Human Qualities (2020 [2021], Summit) B+(**)
- Ignaz Schick/Oliver Steidle: Ilog2 (2020 [2021], Zarek) A-
- Zoe Scott: Shades of Love (2020, Zoe Scott Music) B+(*)
- Charlie Sepúlveda & the Turnaround: This Is Latin Jazz (2020 [2021], HighNote) B+(**)
- Archie Shepp & Jason Moran: Let My People Go (2017-18 [2021], Archieball) B+(***)
- Idit Shner: Live at the Jazz Station (2019 [2021], OA2) B+(**)
- Grete Skarpeid: Beyond Other Stories (2018 [2021], Origin) B+(**)
- Slowthai: Tyron (2021, Method) B+(*)
- Jim Snidero: Live at the Deer Head Inn (2020 [2021], Savant) B+(**)
- Peter Stampfel: Peter Stampfel's 20th Century in 100 Songs (2021, Louisiana Red Hot) B+(**)
- John Stowell/Dan Dean: Rain Painting (2018-20 [2021], Origin) B
- Steve Swell: The Center Will Hold (2019 [2020], Not Two) B+(***)
- Yuma Uesaka/Cat Toren/Colin Hinton: Ocelot (2019 [2021], 577) B+(***)
- Theo Walentiny: Looking Glass (2020 [2021], self-released) B+(*)
- Amber Weekes: My Romance: A Special Valentine (2020 [2021], Amber Inn Productions, EP) C
- Ruth Weiss: We Are Sparks in the Universe to Our Own Fire (2018 [2021], Edgetone) A-
- Rodney Whitaker With the Christ Church Cranbrook Choir: Cranbrook Christmas Jazz (2020 [2021], Origin) B
- Chris White/Lara Driscoll: Firm Roots (2020 [2021], Firm Roots) B+(**)
- Greg Yasinitsky Yazz Band: New Normal (2019-20 [2021], Origin) B
- Derek Bailey/Mototeru Takagi: Live at FarOut, Atsugi 1987 (1987 [2020], NoBusiness) B+(**)
- Don Cherry: Cherry Jam (1965 [2021], Gearbox, EP) B+(*)
- Edo Funk Explosion Vol. 1 (1980-85 [2021], Analog Africa) B+(**)
- Hal Galper Quintet: Live at the Berlin Philharmonic 1977 (1977 [2021], Origin, 2CD) B+(***)
- Allen Ginsberg's The Fall of America: A 50th Anniversary Musical Tribute (2021, Ginsberg) B+(**)
- Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band: Hot Night in Roslyn: 1976 Radio Broadcast Recording (1976 [2021], Hobo) B+(***)
- Juju: Live at 131 Prince Street (1973 [2021], Strut) A-
- Byard Lancaster: My Pure Joy (1992 [2021], Strut) B+(***)
- Charles Lloyd Quartet: Montreux Jazz Festival 1967 [Swiss Radio Days Volume 46] (1967 [2019], TCB, 2CD) B+(**)
- Irene Mawela: The Best of the SABC Years (1982-88 [2019], Umsakazo) B+(***)
- Juozas Milasius/Tomas Kulavicius/Dalius Naujokaitis/Lithuanian Young Composers Orchestra: Live at Willisau, 1993 (1993 [2020], NoBusiness) C+
- Now That's What I Call Music! Outlaw Country (1968-2015 [2021], NOW) B+(***)
- Joe Strummer: Assembly (1986-2002 [2021], Dark Horse) B+(**)
- Masauyki JoJo Takayanagi/Nobuyoshi Ino/Masabumi PUU Kikuchi: Live at Jazz Inn Lovely 1990 (1990 [2020], NoBusiness) B+(**)
- Neil Young With Crazy Horse: Way Down in the Rust Bucket (1990 [2021], Reprise, 2CD) B+(**)
- Bob Andy: Bob Andy's Songbook (1966-68 [1970], Studio One) A-
- Big Youth: Dreadlocks Dread (1975, Klik) B+(***)
- Big Youth: Natty Cultural Dread (1976, Trojan) B
- Big Youth: Hit the Road Jack (1976, Trojan) B+(*)
- Big Youth: Isaiah First Prophet of Old (1978, Negusa Nagast) B+(**)
- Big Youth: Progress (1979, Negusa Negast) A-
- Big Youth: A Reggae Collection (1973-80 [1992], Essex Entertainment) A-
- Big Youth: The Chanting Dread Inna Fine Style (1973-82 [1982], Heartbeat) B+(***)
- Big Youth: Live at Reggae Sunsplash (1982 [1984], Sunsplash) B+(**)
- Big Youth: A Luta Continua (1984 [1985], Heartbeat) B+(**)
- Big Youth: Manifestation (1988, Heartbeat) B+(*)
- Big Youth: Higher Grounds (1995, VP) B+(*)
- Ken Boothe: Mr. Rock Steady (1968, Studio One) B+(**)
- Sid Catlett: The Chronological Sid Catlett 1944-1946 (1944-46 [1997], Classics) A-
- Joe Chambers: The Almoravid (1971-73 [1974], Muse) B
- Joe Chambers: Phantom of the City (1991 [1992], Candid) B+(*)
- Joe Chambers: Mirrors (1998 [1999], Blue Note) B+(*)
- Johnny Clarke: A Ruffer Version: Johnny Clarke at King Tubby's 1974-78 (1974-78 [2002], Trojan) B+(**)
- Johnny Clarke: Dreader Dread (1976-1978) (1976-78 [1998], Blood & Fire) B+(***)
- Dillinger: CB 200 (1976, Mango) A-
- Phyllis Dillon: One Life to Live (1972, Trojan) B-
- Baby Dodds: Baby Dodds (1944-45 [1993], American Music) B+(*)
- Baby Dodds: Jazz A' La Creole (1946-47 [2000], GHB) B+(***)
- Dr. Alimantado: Best Dressed Chicken in Town (1973-76 [1978], Greensleeves) B+(***)
- Mikey Dread: World War III (1980, Dread at the Controls) B+(***)
- Mikey Dread: Pave the Way (1982, Heartbeat) B+(**)
- Don Drummond: Jazz Ska Attack 1964 (1964 [1999], Jet Set) B+(**)
- Drums Parade: From New Orleans to Swing 1937/1945 (1937-45 [1997], Jazz Archives) B+(***)
- Clancy Eccles: Freedom: The Anthology (1967-73 [2005], Trojan, 2CD) B+(*)
- Eek-a-Mouse: Wa-Do-Dem (1981 [1982], Greensleeves) B+(***)
- Alton Ellis: The Best of Alton Ellis (1968-69 [1969], Studio One) B+(**)
- Joe Gibbs & the Professionals: African Dub All-Mighty (1975, Joe Gibbs Record Globe) B+(***)
- Joe Gibbs & the Professionals: African Dub All-Mighty Chapter 2 (1976, Joe Gibbs Record Globe) B+(***)
- Joe Gibbs & the Professionals: African Dub All-Mighty Chapter 3 (1978, Joe Gibbs Record Globe) A-
- Joe Gibbs & the Professionals: African Dub Chapter 4 (1979, Joe Gibbs Music) B+(**)
- Joe Gibbs & the Professionals: African Dub Chapter Five (1984, Joe Gibbs Music) B+(**)
- Allen Ginsberg: Songs of Innocence and Experience (1970, MGM/Verve Forecast) B+(***)
- Allen Ginsberg: The Complete Songs of Innocence and Experience (1970 [2017], Omnivore, 2CD) B+(**)
- Marcia Griffiths: Naturally (1978, Shanachie) B+(**)
- The Heptones: Cool Rasta (1976, Trojan) B+(*)
- Keith Hudson: Pick a Dub (1974 [1994], Blood & Fire) B+(**)
- Keith Hudson: Rasta Communication (1978, Greensleeves)
- George Lewis: George Lewis and His New Orleans Stompers: Vol. 1 (1943 [1994], American Music) B+(***)
- George Lewis: George Lewis and His New Orleans Stompers: Vol. 2 (1943 [1994], American Music) B+(***)
- George Lewis: At Manny's Tavern 1949 (1949 [1994], American Music) B+(***)
- George Lewis: Hello Central . . . Give Me Doctor Jazz (1953 [2001], Delmark) B+(**)
- George Lewis: The Beverly Caverns Sessions, Vol. 2 (1953 [1996], Good Time Jazz) A-
- George Lewis With George Guesnon's New Orleans Band: Endless the Trek, Endless the Search (1962 [1997], American Music) A-
- George Lewis: At Castle Farm 1964 (1964 [2001], American Music) B+(**)
- A Love Electric: Son of a Hero (2014, Ropeadope) B
- A Love Electric: A Permanent Immigrant (2020, Imagination Demand) B+(*)
- The Maytals: Never Grow Old: Presenting the Maytals (1962-63 [1997], Heartbeat) B+(***)
- Jackie Mittoo: Now (1970, Studio One) B+(**)
- Prince Buster: Fabulous Greatest Hits (1964-68 [1968], Melodisc) A-
- Scientist: Scientist Meets the Space Invaders (1981, Greensleeves) B+(***)
- Scientist: Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of Vampires (1981, Greensleeves) A-
- Scientist: Scientist Encounters Pac-Man (1982, Greensleeves) B+(**)
- Scientist: Scientist Wins the World Cup (1982 [2002], Greensleeves) B+(**)
- Scientist/Hempress Sativa: Scientist Meets Hempress Sativa in Dub (2018, Conquering Lion) B+(***)
- Garnet Silk: It's Growing (1992, VP) B+(**)
- Sizzla: Bobo Ashanti (2000, Greensleeves) B+(**)
- Skatalites: Ska Authentic, Vol. 1 (1967, Studio One) B+(**)
- Skatalites: Ska Authentic, Volume 2 (1970, Studio One) B+(***)
- The Upsetters: Return of Django (1969, Trojan) B+(***)
- The Upsetters: The Good, the Bad and the Upsetters (1970, Trojan) B+(***)
- U-Roy: 30 Massive Shots From Treasure Isle (1970-74 [2009], Attack) B+(**)
- U-Roy: Version of Wisdom (1971-74 [1990], Front Line/Virgin) A-
- U-Roy: The Lost Album: Right Time Rockers (1976 [1998], Sound System) A-
- U-Roy: Love Is Not a Gamble (1980, TR International) B+(***)
- U-Roy: Serious Matter (1999, Tabout 1) B+(*)
- Bunny Wailer: Protest (1978, Island) B
- Bunny Wailer: Struggle (1979, Solomonic) A-
- Bunny Wailer: Rock 'n' Groove (1981, Solomonic) B+(***)
- Bunny Wailer: Tribute (1981, Solomonic) B+(**)
- Bunny Wailer: Time Will Tell: A Tribute to Bob Marley (1981 [1990], Shanachie) B+(***)
- Bunny Wailer: Marketplace (1985, Shanachie) B+(*)
- Bunny Wailer: Liberation (1989, Shanachie) B+(**)
- Bunny Wailer: Crucial! Roots Classics (1979-82 [1994], Shanachie) A+
- 2nd Grade: Hit to Hit (2020, Double Double Whammy) B+(**)
- Jhené Aiko: Chilombo (2020, Def Jam) B+(*)
- Thana Alexa: Ona (2020, self-released) B+(**)
- Gyedu-Blay Ambolley: 11th Street, Sekondi (2019, Agogo) B+(**)
- Tim Berne/Matt Mitchell: Spiders (2020, Out of Your Head) A-
- Jake Blount: Spider Tales (2020, Free Dirt) B+(***)
- Busta Rhymes: Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God (2020, Conglomerate/Empire) B+(*)
- Chika: Industry Games (2020, Warner, EP) B+(**)
- Common: A Beautiful Revolution [Part 1] (2020, Loma Vista) B+(***)
- Chris Crack: White People Love Algorithms (2020, New Deal Collectives) B+(**)
- Benoît Delbecq: The Weight of Light (2020 [2021], Pyroclastic) B+(**)
- Randal Despommier: Dio C'è (2019 [2021], Outside In Music) B
- Ani DiFranco: Revolutionary Love (2021, Righteous Babe) B+(**)
- Kevin Dixon: The Summer We All Bought Guns (2020, Covid Charlie's Demo-lution) B
- Che Ecru: Til Death (2020, F Plus) B+(**)
- Wendy Eisenberg: Auto (2020, Ba Da Bing) B+(*)
- Signe Emmeluth: Hi Hello I'm Signe (2020 [2021], Relative Pitch) B
- En Attendant Ana: Juillet (2020, Trouble in Mind) B+(**)
- See'J Foster: HiSonGreWings (2020, self-released) B+(**)
- Gabriel Garzón-Montano: Agüita (2020, Jagjaguwar) B+(*)
- Dana Gavanski: Yesterday Is Gone (2020, Ba Da Bing) B+(*)
- Dana Gavanski: Wind Songs (2020, Ba Da Bing, EP) B
- Beverly Glenn-Copeland: Live at Le Guess Who? 2018 (2018 [2020], Transgressive) B+(***)
- Goodie Mob: Survival Kit (2020, Organized Noize/Goodie Mob Worldwide) A-
- Conan Gray: Kid Krow (2020, Republic) B+(*)
- Gunna: Wunna (2020, YSL/300) B+(*)
- Juniper: Juniper (2020, self-released) A-
- Katarsis 4: Live at the Underground Water Reservoir (2019 [2020], NoBusiness) B+(*)
- KMRU: Peel (2020, Editions Mego) B+(*)
- LCSM [Likwid Continual Space Motion]: Earthbound (2020, Super-Sonic Jazz) B+(***)
- Joe Lovano: Trio Tapestry: Garden of Expression (2019 [2021], ECM) B
- Madlib: Sound Ancestors (2021, Madlib Invazion) B+(*)
- Maluma: Papi Juancho (2020, Sony Music Latin) B+(**)
- Mast: Battle Hymns of the Republic (2020 [2021], World Galaxy) B+(**)
- Shawn Mendes: Wonder (2020, Island) B+(*)
- Yoko Miwa Trio: Songs of Joy (2020 [2021], Ubuntu Music) B+(**)
- Moor Mother & Billy Woods: Brass (2020, Backwoodz Studioz) B+(**)
- Nihiloxica: Kaloli (2020, Crammed Discs) B+(**)
- Kassa Overall: Shades of Flu: Healthy Remixes for an Ill Moment (2020, Flu Note) B+(*)
- Palberta: Palberta 5000 (2021, Wharf Cat) B+(*)
- Tayla Parx: Coping Mechanisms (2020, Taylamade) B+(*)
- Penya Na Msafiri Zawose: Penya Safari E.P. (2020, On the Corner) B+(*)
- Real Estate: The Main Thing (2020, Domino) B+(*)
- RED Trio & Celebration Band: Suite 10 Years Anniversary (2018 [2020], NoBusiness, 2CD) B+(***)
- Roddy Ricch: Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial (2019, Atlantic) B
- Roshin: Unrequited (2020, self-released) B+(*)
- Lingo Seini Et Son Groupe: Musique Hauka (2020, Sahel Sounds) B+(**)
- Shamir: Shamir (2020, self-released) B
- Skyzoo & Dumbo Station: The Bluest Note (2020, Tuff Kong, EP) A-
- Skyzoo: Milestones (2020, Mello Music Group, EP) A-
- Stove God Cooks: Reasonable Drought (2020, The Conglomeration Entertainment) B+(**)
- Thick: 5 Years Behind (2020, Epitaph) B+(**)
- Sabu Toyozumi/Mats Gustafsson: Hokusai (2018 [2020], NoBusiness) B+(*)
- Ty Dolla $ign: Featuring Ty Dolla $ign (2020, Atlantic) B
- Westside Gunn: Who Made the Sunshine (2020, Griselda/Shady/Interscope) B+(*)
- Nate Wooley/Liudas Mockunas/Barry Guy/Arkadijus Gotesmanas: NOX (2019 [2020], NoBusiness) B+(*)
- Matthew Wright: Locked Hybrids (2020, Relative Pitch) B
- YoungBoy Never Broke Again: Top (2020, Never Broke Again/Atlantic) B-
- Birds of Prey: The Album ([2020], Atlantic) B+(***)
- Billy Brooks: Windows of the World (1974 [2002], WeWantSounds) B-
- Beverly Glenn-Copeland: Transmissions: The Music of Beverly Glenn-Copeland (1970-2019 [2020], Transgressive) A-
- Honey Radar: Sing the Snow Away: The Chunklet Years (2015-18 [2020], Chunklet Industries) B+(**)
- Portals: A Kosmische Journey Through Outer Worlds and Inner Space ([2020], Behind the Sky) B+(***)
- Sam Rivers Quartet: Braids [Sam Rivers Archive Project, Volume 4] (1979 [2020], NoBusiness) A-
- Nancy Sinatra: Start Walkin' 1965-1976 (1965-76 [2021], Light in the Attic) B+(**)
- Southeast of Saturn: Michigan Shoegaze/Dream Pop/Space Rock (1990s [2020], Third Man) B+(*)
- Voz Di Sanicolau: Fundo De Marê Palinha (1976 [2020], Analog Africa, EP) B+(**)
- Mike Westbrook: Love and Understanding: Citadel/Room 315 Sweden '74 (1974 [2020], My Only Desire) A-
- Beverly Glenn-Copeland: Keyboard Fantasies (1986, Atlast) B+(**)
- SK Kakraba: Songs of Paapieye (2015, Awesome Tapes From Africa) B+(**)
- Playboy Tre and DJ Swatts: Goodbye America: Da Story of a Drunk Loner (2008, Last Call Entertainment) A-
- Playboy Tre: Liquor Store Mascot (2009, Playboy Music) A-
- U-Roy: Foundation Skank: 1971-1975 Rare Sides by the DJ Originator (1971-75 [2009], Sound System) B+(***)
- U-Roy: Dread in a Babylon (1975, Virgin) B+(**)
- 3unshine: We Are 3unshine (2019 [2020], Real Show) B+(**)
- AC/DC: Power Up (2020, Columbia) B
- Adulkt Life: Book of Curses (2020, What's Your Rupture?) B+(***)
- André Akinyele: Uniglo Boy (2020, Orange River) B+(**)
- Gabriel Alegria Afro-Peruvian Sextet: Social Distancing (2020 [2021], Saponegro) B+(**)
- Karrin Allyson Sextet: Shoulder to Shoulder: Centennial Tribute to Women's Suffrage (2019, EOne Music) B+(***)
- Alma: Have U Seen Her? (2020, PME) B+(**)
- Roo Arcus: Tumbleweed (2020, Social Family) B+(*)
- Callum Au/Claire Martin: Songs and Stories (2020, Stunt) B+(**)
- Daniel Avery: Love + Light (2020, Phantasy Sound) B+(**)
- Baba Zula: Hayvan Gibi (2020, Night Dreamer/Gulbara) A-
- Juan Pablo Balcazar: Suite Resbalosa (2018 [2020], Fresh Sound New Talent) B+(***)
- BbyMutha: Muthaland (2020, The Muthaboard) A-
- BC Camplight: Shortly After Takeoff (2020, Bella Union) B
- Bdrmm: Bedroom (2020, Sonic Cathedral) B+(**)
- Beach Bunny: Honeymoon (2020, Mom + Pop) B+(*)
- Beans on Toast: Knee Deep in Nostalgia (2020, Beans on Toast Music) B+(***)
- Beans on Toast: The Unforseeable Future (2020, Beans on Toast Music) B+(***)
- Belle and Sebastian: What to Look for in Summer (2019 [2020], Matador, 2CD) B+(**)
- Peter Bernstein: What Comes Next (2020, Smoke Sessions) B+(*)
- The Big Moon: Walking Like We Do (2020, Fiction) B
- Big Sean: Detroit 2 (2020, GOOD Music/Def Jam) B+(**)
- Binker and Moses: Escape the Flames (2017 [2020], Gearbox) A-
- Nat Birchall Meets Al Breadwinner: Tradition Disc in Dub (2020, Tradition Disc) B+(***)
- BlackPink: The Album (2020, YG Entertainment/Interscope) B+(**)
- Susie Blue and the Lonesome Fellas: Bye Bye Blues (2020, Seraphic) B+(**)
- The Bombpops: Death in Venice Beach (2020, Fat Wreck Chords) B+(**)
- James Dean Bradfield: Even in Exile (2020, Montyray) B+(*)
- Brandy: B7 (2020, Brand Nu/Entertainment One) B+(*)
- Brothers Osborne: Skeletons (2020, EMI Nashville) B+(*)
- Nicholas Brust: Frozen in Time (2018 [2020], Fresh Sound New Talent) B+(**)
- Aaron Burnett & the Big Machine: Jupiter Conjunct (2019 [2020], Fresh Sound New Talent) B
- Cable Ties: Far Enough (2020, Merge) B+(***)
- Cam: The Otherside (2020, RCA) B+(***)
- Peter Campbell: Old Flames Never Die (2020, self-released) B+(*)
- Playboi Carti: Whole Lotta Red (2020, AWGE/Interscope) B+(**)
- Brian Charette: Beyond Borderline (2019, SteepleChase) B+(*)
- Brian Charette: Like the Sun (2020, Dim Mak) B
- Luca Collivasone/Gianni Mimmo: Rumpus Room (2019 [2020], Amirani) B+(*)
- Collocutor: Continuation (2018-19 [2020], On the Corner) B+(*)
- Marco Colonna & Alexander Hawkins: Dolphy Underlined (2020, Fundacja Sluchaj) B+(***)
- A.G. Cook: Apple (2020, PC Music) B
- Coriky: Coriky (2020, Dischord) B+(*)
- Elvis Costello: Hey Clockface (2020, Concord) B-
- Crack Cloud: Pain Olympics (2020, Meat Machine) B+(*)
- John Craigie: Asterisk the Universe (2020, Zabriskie Point) A-
- Cut Worms: Nobody Lives Here Anymore (2020, Jagjaguwar) B+(*)
- Dan Ex Machina: Pity Party Animal (2020, self-released) B+(***)
- Dan Ex Machina: My Wife (2020, self-released) B+(**)
- Dan Ex Machina: Bail Shag EP (2017 [2021], self-released) B+(*)
- Ward Davis: Black Cats and Crows (2020, Ward Davis Music) B+(*)
- Dean & Britta: Quarantine Tapes (2020, Double Feature) B+(**)
- Deerhoof: Future Teenage Cave Artists (2020, Joyful Noise) B+(*)
- Deerhoof & Wadada Leo Smith: To Be Surrounded by Beautiful, Curious, Breathing, Laughing Flesh Is Enough (2020, Joyful Noise) B+(**)
- Deerhoof: Love-Lore (2020, Joyful Noise) B+(*)
- Dehd: Flower of Devotion (2020, Fire Talk) B+(*)
- Helena Deland: Someone New (2020, Luminelle) B+(*)
- Diabla Diezco: Memento Mori (2020, Mord) B+(***)
- Dogleg: Melee (2020, Triple Crown) B
- Dave Douglas: Overcome (2020, Greenleaf Music) B+(**)
- Drunken Kong: Where We Start (2020, Tronic) B+(***)
- Dueling Experts: Dueling Experts (2020, Mello Music Group) B+(***)
- Nick Dunston: Atlantic Extraction: Live at Threes (2020, Out of Your Head Untamed) B+(**)
- Dvsn: A Muse in Her Feelings (2020, OVO Sound/Warner Bros.)
- Steve Earle: J.T. (2021, New West) A-
- Empress Of: I'm Your Empress Of (2020, Terrible) B+(**)
- Hazel English: Wake UP! (2020, Polyvinyl) B+(*)
- Erasure: The Neon (2020, Mute) B
- Brandon Evans: The Grove (2020, Human Plastic, EP) B+(**)
- Eyelids: The Accidental Falls (2020, Decor) B+(*)
- Fantastic Negrito: Have You Lose Your ind Yet? (2020, Cooking Vinyl/Blackball Universe) B+(***)
- Justin Farren: Pretty Free (2020, Bad Service Badger) A-
- Bill Fay: Countless Branches (2020, Dead Oceans) B+(**)
- Laura Fell: Safe From Me (2020, Balloon Machine) B+(*)
- R.A.P. Ferreira: Purple Moonlight Pages (2020, Ruby Yacht) A-
- R.A.P. Ferreira: Bob's Son: R.A.P. Ferreira in the Garden Level Cafe of the Scallops Hotel (2021, Ruby Yacht) B+(***)
- Fireboy DML: Apollo (YBNL Nation/Empire) B+(*)
- Michael Formanek: Pre-Apocalyptic (2014 [2020], Out of Your Head) B+(***)
- Keeley Forsyth: Debris (2020, The Leaf Label) B
- The Full Salon: The Full Salon (2018 [2020], self-released) B
- Future Islands: As Long as You Are (2020, 4AD) B+(*)
- Angelica Garcia: Cha Cha Palace (2020, Spacebomb) B
- Melody Gardot: Sunset in the Blue (2020, Decca) B
- Ghetto Kumbé: Ghetto Kumbé (2020, ZZK) B+(**)
- A Girl Called Eddy: Been Around (2020, Elefant) B+(*)
- Selena Gomez: Rare (2020, Interscope) B+(**)
- Jerry Granelli: The Jerry Granelli Trio Plays Vince Guaraldi & Mose Allison (2020, RareNoise) B+(*)
- The Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble: Jagged Spaces (2020 [2021], Grassvita Music) B+(*)
- Groupe RTD: The Dancing Devils of Djibouti (2020, Ostinato) B+(***)
- Guiss Guiss Bou Bess: Set Sela (2019, Helico) A-
- The Happy Fits: What Could Be Better (2020, The Happy Fits) B+(**)
- Roderick Harper: Evolving (2020 [2021], R.H.M. Entertainment) B+(*)
- The Henrys: Paydirt (2020, HR-2019) B+(*)
- HHY & the Kampala Unit: Lithium Blast (2020, Nyege Nyege Tapes) B+(*)
- Marquis Hill: Soul Sign (2020, Black Unlimited Music Group) B
- Rui Ho: Lov3 & L1ght (2020, Planet Mu) B+(**)
- Siul Hughes: Hueman (2020, Fake Four) B+(***)
- Siul Hughes: Stoopkid (2018 [2019], Fake Four) B+(**)
- Sierra Hull: 25 Trips (2020, Rounder) B+(**)
- Hum: Inlet (2020, Earth Analog) B
- Kelley Hurt/Chad Fowler/Christopher Parker/Bernard Santacruz/Anders Griffen: Nothing but Love: The Music of Frank Lowe (2019 [2020], Mahakala Music) B+(***)
- Kang Tae Hwan/Hang Hae Jin: Circle Point (2019 [2020], Dancing Butterfly) B+(**)
- Hwyl Nofio: Isolate (2020, Hwyl) B+(*)
- Illuminati Hotties: Free I.H.: This Is Not the One You've Been Waiting For (2020, self-released) B+(*)
- Jasmine Infiniti: Bxtch Släp (2020, New World Dysorder) B+(**)
- International Teachers of Pop: Pop Gossip (2020, Desolate Spools) B+(**)
- Ital Tek: Outland (2020, Planet Mu) B+(**)
- Sunny Jain: Wild Wild East (2020, Smithsonian Folkways) B+(*)
- Sarah Jarosz: World on the Ground (2020, Rounder) B+(***)
- Hermione Johnson: Tremble (2019 [2020], Relative Pitch) B+(**)
- Juice WRLD: Legends Never Die (2020, Grade A/Interscope) B
- Juniore: Un Deux Trois (2020, Le Phonographe) B+(**)
- Maria Kannegaard Trio: Sand I En Vik (2020, Jazzland) B+(***)
- The Killers: Imploding the Mirage (2020, Island) B
- Kiwi Jr.: Football Money (2020, Persona Non Grata) B+(**)
- Stephanie Lambring: Autonomy (2020, self-released) B+(**)
- Sonny Landreth: Blacktop Run (2020, Provogue) B+(*)
- Last Dream of the Morning [John Butcher/John Edwards/Mark Sanders]: Crucial Anatomy (2018 [2020], Trost) B+(**)
- Pak Yan Lau & Darin Gray: Trudge Lightly (2016-18 [2020], By the Bluest of Seas) B+(**)
- Adrianne Lenker: Instrumentals (2020, 4AD) B
- Dave Liebman/Randy Brecker/Marc Copland/Drew Gress/Joey Baron: Quint5t (2020, Inner Voice Jazz) B+(**)
- Lithics: Tower of Age (2020, Trouble in Mind) A-
- Lomelda: Hannah (2020, Double Double Whammy) B+(*)
- Lydia Loveless: Daughter (2020, Honey, You're Gonna Be Late) B+(*)
- Luca T. Mai: Heavenly Guide (2018 [2020], Trost) B
- Roc Marciano: Mt. Marci (2020, Marci) B+(*)
- Roc Marciano: Marcielago (2019 [2020], Marci Enterprises) B+(**)
- Gia Margaret: Mia Gargaret (2020, Orindal) B+(*)
- Branford Marsalis: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom [Original Soundtrack] (2020, Milan) B
- Sabir Mateen/Christopher Dell/Christian Ramond/Klaus Kugel: Creation (2012 [2020], 577) B+(***)
- McCarthy Trenching: Perfect Game (2020, self-released) B+(***)
- Melenas: Dias Raros (2020, Trouble in Mind) B+(**)
- Melkbelly: PITH (2020, Wax Nine/Carpark) B
- Metz: Atlas Vending (2020, Sub Pop) B
- Buddy & Julie Miller: Lockdown Songs (2020, self-released) B+(***)
- Blake Mills: Mutable Set (2020, New Deal/Verve) B
- Gianni Mimmo/Alison Blunt: Busy Butterflies (2020, Amirani) B+(**)
- Moby: All Visible Objects (2020, Mute) B+(*)
- MoE With Mette Rasmussen and Ikuro Takahasi: Painted (2019 [2020], Relative Pitch) B
- Kevin Morby: Sundowner (2020, Dead Oceans) B+(*)
- Bob Mould: Blue Hearts (2020, Merge) B+(*)
- Mukdad Rothenberg Lankow: In the Wake of Memories (2020, Clermont Music) A-
- Munson-Hicks Party Supplies: Munson-Hicks Party Supplies (2020, Soft Launch) B+(**)
- Keir Neuringer/Ensemble Klang: Elegies & Litanies (2019 [2020], Ensemble Klang) A-
- Kyle Nix: Lightning on the Mountain & Other Short Stories (2020, self-released) B+(*)
- Jim Noir: A.M Jazz (2019, Dook) B+(**)
- NZCA Lines: Pure Luxury (2020, Memphis Industries) B+(*)
- Okan: Espiral (2020, Lulaworld) B+(***)
- J.S. Ondara: Folk N' Roll, Vol. 1: Tales of Isolation (2020, Verve Forecast) B
- The Orielles: Disco Volador (2020, Heavenly) B+(*)
- Jason Palmer: The Concert: 12 Musings for Isabella (2019 [2020], Giant Step Arts, 2CD) A-
- Christopher Parker & Kelly Hurt: No Tears Suite (2020, Mahakala Music) B+(**)
- Esmé Patterson: There Will Come Soft Rains (2020, BMG) B+(**)
- Ivo Perelman/Matthew Shipp/Joe Morris: Shamanism (2020, Mahakala Music) A-
- Ivo Perelman Trio: Garden of Jewels (2020 [2021], Tao Forms) A-
- Chris Pitsiokos: Speak in Tongues and Hope for the Gift of Interpretation (2020, Relative Pitch) B+(*)
- Popcaan: Fixtape (2020, OVO Sound/Warner) B+(**)
- Poppy: I Disagree (2020, Sumerian) B+(*)
- Pottery: Welcome to Bobby's Motel (2020, PTKF) B+(*)
- Ratboys: Printer's Devil (2020, Topshelf) B+(*)
- Enrico Rava/Matthew Herbert/Giovanni Guidi: For Mario (Live) (2020, Accidental) B+(*)
- Raw Poetic & Damu the Fudgemunk: Moment of Change (2020, Redefinition) B+(**)
- Tim Ray: Excursions and Adventures (2019 [2020], Whaling City Sound) B+(*)
- Reciprocal Uncles [Gianni Lenoci/Gianni Mimmo]: The Whole Thing (2019 [2020], Amirani) B+(**)
- Soho Rezanejad: Honesty Without Compassion Is Brutality (Volume 1) (2019, Silicone) B+(*)
- Soho Rezanejad: Honesty Without Compassion Is Brutality (Volume 2) (2020, Silicone) B+(*)
- Romare: Home (2020, Ninja Tune) B+(**)
- Mara Rosenbloom Trio: Respiration (2020, Fresh Sound New Talent) B+(**)
- The Justin Rothberg Group: Hurricane Mouse (2020 [2021], self-released) B+(*)
- David Rothenberg: Nightingales in Berlin (2019, Terra Nova) B+(*)
- Ana Roxanne: Because of a Flower (2020, Kranky) B+(*)
- Royce Da 5'9": The Allegory (2020, EOne) B+(**)
- Gonzalo Rubalcaba & Aymée Nuviola: Viento Y Tiempo: Live at the Blue Note Tokyo (2019 [2020], Top Stop Music) A-
- Jeff Rupert/George Garzone: The Ripple (2017 [2020], Rupe Media) B+(*)
- Samo Salamon & Friends: Almost Alone Vol. 1 (2020, Samo) B+(***)
- Jeannie Seely: An American Classic (2020, Curb) B
- Sleaford Mods: Spare Ribs (2021, Rough Trade) B+(***)
- James Solace: Mind Music (2020, Hot Creations, EP) B+(**)
- James Solace: Setting Sun/The Light (2020, Four Thirty Two, EP) B+(**)
- Spanish Love Songs: Brave Faces Everyone (2020, Pure Noise) B-
- Special Interest: The Passion Of (2020, Thrilling Living) B+(***)
- Sports Team: Deep Down Happy (2020, Island) B+(***)
- Macie Stewart & Kia Kohl: Recipe for a Boiled Egg (2020, Astral Spirits) B+(*)
- Dave Stryker: Baker's Circle (2019 [2021], Strikezone) B+(***)
- Dougie Stu: Familiar Future (2020, Ropeadope) B
- Sweeping Promises: Hunger for a Way Out (2020, Feel It) A-
- Aki Takase/Rudi Mahall: Fifty Fifty (2018 [2019], Trouble in the East) B+(**)
- Teyana Taylor: The Album (2020, GOOD Music/Def Jam) B+(***)
- Tchami: Year Zero (2020, Conession) B+(**)
- Teenage Halloween: Teenage Halloween (2020, Don Giovanni) B+(*)
- TOC: Indoor (2019 [2020], Circum-Disc) B+(***)
- TOC & Dave Rempis: Closed for Safety Reasons (2019 [2020], Circum-Disc) A-
- Touché Amoré: Lament (2020, Epitaph) B+(**)
- Two Weeks Notice: A Calm, Measured Response (2020, Fake Four, EP) B+(**)
- Ugly Beauty: Ugly Beauty (2019 [2020], self-released) B+(*)
- Cristina Vane: Old Played New (2020, Blue Tip) B+(***)
- Cristina Vane: The Magnolia Sessions (2020, Anti-Corp) B+(**)
- Luke Vibert: Luke Vibert Presents Amen Andrews (2020, Hypercolour) B+(**)
- Luke Vibert: Luke Vibert Presents Modern Rave (2020, Hypercolour) B+(***)
- Luke Vibert: Luke Vibert Presents Rave Hop (2020, Hypercolour) B+(**)
- Rufus Wainwright: Unfollow the Rules (2020, BMG) B-
- Anna Webber: Rectangles (2019 [2020], Out of Your Head) B+(**)
- Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble: Queen Nandi: The African Suite (2020, Mageba Music, 2CD) B+(*)
- BBQ With Fred Frith: Free Postmodernism/USA 1982 (1982 [2020], SÅJ) B+(**)
- Damily: Early Years: Madagascar Cassette Archives (1995-2002 [2020], Bongo Joe) B+(***)
- The Disciples: For Those Who Understand (1991-95 [2020], Partial) B+(**)
- Erotique New Beat (1989 [2020], Mental Groove) B+(***)
- Dexter Gordon: Montmartre 1964 (1964 [2020], Storyville) B+(***)
- Dexter Gordon: The Squirrel: Live at Montmartre Copenhagen '67 (1967 [2020], Parlophone) B+(**)
- Bonnie Hayes With the Wild Combo: Good Clean Fun (1982 [2020], Blixa Sounds) B+(**)
- Kakai Kilonzo & Les Kilimambogo Brothers: Buffalo Mountain (1975-85 [2020], No Wahala Sounds) A-
- Pedro Lima: Maguidala (1985 [2020], Bongo Joe) A-
- London Is the Place for Me 7: Calypso, Palm-Wine, Mento, Joropo, Steel & Stringband ([2019], Honest Jon's) B+(**)
- London Is the Place for Me 8: Lord Kitchener in England, 1948-1962 (1948-62 [2019], Honest Jon's) B+(***)
- Man Jumping: Jumpcut (1984 [2020], Emotional Rescue) B+(**)
- The Mighty Three's: Africa Shall Stretch Forth Her Hand (1978 [2020], Jah Fingers) B+(**)
- Jay Migliori and Dick Twardzik: Jazz Workshop Quintet: A Harvard WHRB Session (1954 [2020], Fresh Sound) B+(**)
- Mirah: You Think It's Like This but Really It's Like This (2000 [2020], K) B+(***)
- Lon Moshe & the Southern Freedom Arkestra: Love Is Where the Spirit Lies (1976-77 [2020], Strut) B+(**)
- New Orleans Mambo: Cuba to NOLA (1974-2019 [2020], Putumayo World Music) B+(***)
- Tony Oxley: February Papers (1977 [2020], Discus Music) B
- Sun Ra Arkestra: Egypt 1971 (1971 [2020], Strut/Art Yard, 4CD) B+(*)
- Sun Ra: On Jupiter (1979 [2021], Enterplanetary Koncepts) B+(***)
- Buddy Rich: Just in Time: The Final Recording (1986 [2019], Gearbox) B+(*)
- Riley: Grandma's Roadhouse (1970 [2010], Delmore Recording Society) B
- Max Romeo: Revelation Time (1975 [2020], 17 North Parade) B+(*)
- Schlippenbach & Johansson: Onkel Pös Carnegie Hall Hamburg 1978 (1978 [2021], SÅJ) A-
- Scorcha! Skins, Suedes and Style From the Streets 1967-1973 (1967-73 [2020], Trojan) B+(*)
- Phil Seymour: If You Don't Want My Love (1980-85 [2020], Sunset Blvd) B+(**)
- The Ibrahim Khalil Shihab Quintet: Spring (1968 [2020], Matsuli Music) A-
- Silkworm: In the West (1994 [2020], Comedy Minus One) B+(***)
- Soul Love Now: The Black Fire Records Story 1975-1993 (1975-93 [2020], Strut) B+(***)
- Sugar Billy: Super Duper Love (1975 [2020], Mainstream) B+(***)
- The Tabansi Studio Band: Vol. 3: Wakar Alhazai Kano/Mus'en Sofoa (1970s [2020], BBE) A-
- Keith Tippett: The Monk Watches the Eagle (2004 [2020], Discus Music) B-
- Turn Me Loose White Man (1900-60 [2020], Constant Sorrow, 30CD) A-
- Uzelli Elektro Saz (1976-1984) (1976-84 [2020], Uzelli) B+(**)
- Jack Wright/Michael Taylor: Kryptischgasse (2001 [2020], Right Brain, EP) B+(*)
- Don & Dewey: Jungle Hop (1957-64 [1991], Specialty) B+(**)
- Ensemble Klang: Tom Johnson: Cows, Chords & Combinations (2009 [2010], Ensemble Klang) B+(***)
- Group Doueh & Cheveu: Dakhla Sahara Session (2017, Born Bad) A-
- Bonnie Hayes With the Wild Combo: Good Clean Fun (1982, Slash) B+(***)
- Stan Hope: Stan Hope (1971, Mainstream) B+(**)
- Charles McPherson: Charles McPherson (1971, Mainstream) B+(**)
- Solitaire Miles: The Solitaire Miles Jazztets With Willie Perkins (2008-10 [2018], Seraphic, EP) B+(*)
- Solitaire Miles: Susie Blue and the Lonesome Fellas (2015, Seraphic) B+(**)
- Charles Mingus: Jazz in Detroit/Strata Concert Gallery/46 Selden (1973 [2018], BBE, 5CD) B+(***)
- Reggie Moore: Furioso (1972, Mainstream) B+(**)
- Prince Alla: The Best of Prince Alla (1976-79 [1981], Redemption Sounds) B+(**)
- Jeannie Seely: The Seely Style (1966, Monument) B
- Jeannie Seely: Thanks Hank! (1967, Monument) B+(*)
- Clark Terry & Bob Brookmeyer: The Power of Positive Swinging (1965, Mainstream) B+(***)
- Clark Terry/Bob Brookmeyer Quintet: Gingerbread Men (1966, Mainstream) B+(**)
- Clark Terry: Mumbles (1966, Mainstream) B+(**)
- Cristina Vane: Troubled Sleep (2017, self-released, EP) B+(**)
- Viktor Vaughn: Vaudeville Villain (2003, Sound-Ink) A-
- Ernie Wilkins and His Orchestra: Hard Mother Blues (1970, Mainstream) B+(*)
- Pete Yellin: Dance of Allegra (1972, Mainstream) B+(**)
- Tim Berne/Matt Mitchell: Spiders (2020, Out of Your Head Untamed) +
- Mark Helias/Tim Berne: Blood From a Stone (2020, Radiolegs) +
- Steve Lehman: Xenakis and the Valedictorian (2020, Pi, EP) -
- Roscoe Mitchell: Splatter (2017 [2020], I Dischi Di Angelica) -
- Neek/Blazer Sound System: NMX004: Sanctuary Mixtape (2020, Noods Radio) +
- Luke Norris: Northernsong (2020, Ears & Eyes) +
- Evan Parker/Matthew Wright/Trance Map+ [Adam Linson/John Coxon/Ashley Wales]: Crepuscle in Nickelsdorf (2017 [2019], Intakt) +
- David Ramirez: My Love Is a Hurricane (2020, Sweetworld) --
- Manuel Valera New Cuban Express Big Band: José Martí En Nueva York (2019 [2020], Greenleaf Music) +
- Bob Vylan: We Live Here (2020, Venn, EP) ++
- Dan Weiss Starebaby: Natural Selection (2020, Pi) -
- Hayes Carll: Alone Together Sessions (2020, Dualtone) A-
- Open Mike Eagle: Anime Trauma and Divorce (2020, Auto Reverse) A-
- Ashley McBryde: Never Will (2020, Warner Nashville) A-
- Young M.A: Herstory in the Making (2019, M.A Music) B+(***)
|