Muddy Waters was the single most important artist to emerge in post-war American blues. A peerless singer, a gifted songwriter, an able guitarist, and leader of one of the strongest bands in the genre (which became a proving ground for a number of musicians who would become legends in their own right). Muddy's influence is tremendous, not just on blues and rhythm and blues but on rock 'n' roll, hard rock, folk, jazz, and country; his use of amplification is often cited as the link between Delta blues and rock 'n' roll.

Tenor saxophonist Bob Berg's debut as a leader is mostly in the bop vein although he does his best to break down the boundaries a bit. With trumpeter Tom Harrell sharing the frontline and Cedar Walton (on both acoustic and electric piano) heading the fine rhythm section, Berg performs four group originals, the classic ballad "You're My Thrill," and a reworking of "This Masquerade." It's an impressive debut for the young tenor.

Drummer Alvin Queen is better known for his work as a sideman, though this is hardly his first record date as a leader. But this session is among his very best, leading a powerful quintet including trumpeter Terell Stafford, alto saxophonist Jesse Davis, organist Mike LeDonne, and guitarist Peter Bernstein. They open with a strutting, brassy take of Shirley Scott's "There's Blues Everywhere," while Queen sets up the well-known "Seven Steps to Heaven" with a tension-building solo introduction. The substitution of organ for piano in McCoy Tyner's "Contemplation" dramatically changes the character of the piece, bringing the drums to the forefront and showcasing Bernstein's superb solo. Jesse Davis contributed the funky "I Ain't Looking at You," a sassy piece that is full of humor even without lyrics.

The centerpiece of this collection is an absorbing five-part suite inspired by Rodin’s sculptures. It finds New York trumpeter Jeremy Pelt in a sonically expansive mood, supplementing a core sextet with the adroit guitar of Alex Wintz and the prismatic Rhodes and effects of Frank LoCrasto. The four non-suite tracks, more steeped in acoustic jazz, bristle with the same energy and harmonic seeking. The new presence here is vibraphonist Chien Chien Lu, who makes an outsize contribution both as a captivating improviser and as a colorful and attentive ensemble player (on marimba as well, particularly effective in doubling the basslines of Vicente Archer). She lends Pelt’s music a certain Bobby Hutcherson-like flavor, shimmering and thoroughly modern.

Vocalist Jon Anderson and master synthesist/composer Vangelis draw upon their legendary individual histories and more than two decades of classic collaborations to create this very spiritual and musical synergy, which combines elements of rock, classical, symphonic, jazz, soul, electronic new age, and worldbeat. Best known, respectively, as the lead singer of Yes and the Oscar-winning composer of "Chariots of Fire," the duo has released several extraordinary tandem recordings over the years, beginning with the 1976 album Olias of Sunhillow. This is the sixth of the series, and was originally released in 1991…

This 11-disc numbered limited edition super deluxe features both the Wild Life and Red Rose Speedway deluxe editions (which are available separately), as well as an exclusive Wings Over Europe newly mixed 20 track set.

Neil Young used his union with the Promise of the Real – the gangly crew fronted by Willie Nelson's kids Lukas and Micah – to tackle weighty social problems on The Monsanto Years, a record supported by a relatively expansive tour…