VERNON REID, Hoodoo Telemetry (Artone Label Group, 2025). Fans of Living Colour are well aware of the band’s eclectic musical nature. Their guitarist, Vernon Reid, uses his new solo effort as an opportunity to take that eclecticism to a new level. The rock aspect is obvious. But there are also elements of Soul, Jazz, R&B, Gospel, Hip-Hop, Reggae and other forms as well. Through it all cuts Reid’s signature sound, highly chromatic with rapid-fire riffs. He never seems to play the same riff once, giving his guitar the chance to fit anywhere it pleases. Guitar nerds will geek, music fans will listen with awe and wonder, and all should be inspired. This is Vernon Reid untethered, which is the ideal place for him.

JOHNATHAN BLAKE, My Life Matters (Blue Note, 2025). Music is often seen as the voice of revolution. Given the turbulent times in the U.S.A., Johnathan Blake’s latest effort — a suite created when he as awarded a commission by The Jazz Gallery — is taking full advantage of making another American minority voice heard loud and clear. Blake is rooted in jazz, but there is much more bubbling under the surface. His band’s sound is earnest, almost metal-like in attitude despite its acoustic style. Blake’s drum solos invoke thoughts of Max Roach: not quite ubiquitous per se, but unmistakably present when they reveal themselves. Blake’s band does a fantastic job of conveying the muscular melodies. Can’t find meaning in music? Here’s a good place to start.

STEPHAN THELEN & MARKUS REUTER, Rothko Spaces, Volume 4 (Iapetus Records, 2025). Two of the best voices in the modern Progressive Rock community join forces once again. Stephan Thelen (string orchestra and percussion programming) and Markus Reuter (touch guitar and soundscapes) have created “sheets of sound” taking them into the realm of the adventurous. The third musician in this collaboration is the studio itself, as Thelen set things up so the room’s response to sound is just as important as the sounds themselves. Sonics come from everywhere, which is why the listener is encouraged to either use headphones or experience the music in its Dolby ATMOS mix. To be certain, this is not singalong music. It can, however, be seen as the darker side of Robert Fripp’s soundscapes, offering the listener to take the mind wherever it longs to go. Regardless, the results are fascinating, even if they’re not necessarily for the faint of heart. Grab your ‘phones, light a candle, and let the sound take you away.

SLAPBAK, Funk Lives Matter (Slapbak, 2025). Nothing like respecting your roots and paying tribute to same. The youngsters in Slapbak put us in their time machine to remind us of what was great about the music of the seventies, eighties, and beyond. Funk Lives Matter evokes memories of Parliament-Funkadelic, Prince, The Black-Eyed Peas, Bruno Mars and points in between. The vocals are tight and harmonic. One can only imagine what the music would sound like with a horn section! As is, the arrangements are more than competent. Admittedly, little new ground is broken, but the band has laid the foundation to the brightest of futures once their own voice truly takes hold. For now, enjoy and appreciate the respect being paid to what got them here.

ZACH LOBER, So We Could Live (Zennes Records, 2025). Remarkably lyrical Jazz from bassist Zach Lober, whose tone and groove are top-notch. He also has steady melodic work from Jasper Blom (tenor sax) and Suzan Veneman (trumpet). Their music brings to mind the inspired playing of Miles Davis’s second great quintet, which featured Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock. Every tune swings in its own way. Even if you weren’t there, this is a great experience what once was in jazz.

PRECIPICE, Part of the Whole (Precipice, 2025). As band names go, Precipice is aptly named. They sound like a band on the verge. They’re a talented group playing solid music, but they need to trust themselves. Some of the songs sound as though they want to do more, but they’re holding the musical reins just a little too tightly. When they really let go, like on “Weightless Silence,” Precipice fires on all cylinders and seems destined for greatness. More of that, please! After that, the sky’s the limit!

GENESIS, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) (Atlantic/Rhino Entertainment, 2025). More than just Peter Gabriel’s swan song with Genesis, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is a masterclass of art/progressive rock that continues to be de- and re-constructed half a century after its initial release. The music remains as awe-inspiring now as it did then. The band swung for the proverbial fences and caught every stitch of the ball! Now the album has been given a facelift with every member of the band contributing his input. The studio album has been remastered and sounds even cleaner than it did before. Tiny details have been rediscovered and brought forward, giving even the experienced a fresh perspective. Gabriel and Tony Banks also participated in creating a remarkable Dolby ATMOS mix of the album, making things sound like the band finished its studio work a couple of weeks ago. For those who couldn’t experience it then, the box set includes a live performance of the album from the Shrine Theater in Los Angeles recorded in January of 1975, which includes two unreleased encore tunes. Some believe the first progressive rock movement (1959-74) achieved its apex with this album. It will be difficult to argue with that.

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If you would like to have your music reviewed or have your band photographed while in Chicago (starting in January of 2026), please contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.com