“Having this identity - radical indigenous queer feminist - keeps me going. My music and my identity come from the same foundation of being a Native woman.” Katherine Paul (aka KP) is Black Belt Eagle Scout, and Mother of My Children is her debut album. Recorded in the middle of winter near her hometown in Northwest Washington, Paul’s connection to the landscape’s eerie beauty are palpable throughout as the album traces the full spectrum of confronting buried feelings and the loss of what life was supposed to look like.

Alejandro Escovedo's new album is perhaps his most varied and expansive album to date. It is his first album recorded outside of America, in northern Italy, with co-writer Don Antonio Gramentieri. It is also Alejandro's first ever concept album drawing the story of two young immigrants to the US, who bond over a mutual love of punk rock as they struggle with the racism and discrimination. Special guests on the album include Wayne Kramer (MC5), Joe Ely, and Peter Perrett and John Perry of the Only Ones. To describe this album as, "epic," might be an understatement.

Keiko Abe has developed her position as a world-class musician thanks to a rare combination of creative power, acute sensitivity and virtuosic technique. Here she plays some of her most well-known and beloved compositions.

The more personal Sanctuary II continues where the brilliantly executed and heartfelt Mike Oldfield influenced Sanctuary left off. Produced, mixed and engineered by Reed, who plays most of the instruments himself, Sanctuary II features legendary drummer Simon Phillips, and also contains contributions from the Tubular Bells production team of Tom Newman and Simon Heyworth.

Remember that mix tape your friend made you way back when - the one that's etched in your soul? Martin Sexton's new album Mixtape of the Open Road is that musical cross-country trip, blazing through all territories of style, as you cruise through time and place. This record is a charm bracelet of twelve gems all strung together with the golden thread of what Rolling Stone calls a "soul marinated voice."

TRIX was formed in 2004, led by drummer Noriaki Kumagai (ex-Casiopea), with bassist Mitsuru Sutoh (ex-T-Square) and now guitarist Yuya Komoguchi and keyboardist AYAKI has joined the group. Their very ear-catcy music with thrilling techniques, and entertaining stage performance have been widely accepted among fans. Some of their songs are featured as the main theme of TV programs.

Burnin' in the Woodhouse is one of Milt Jackson's final recordings as a leader prior to his death in 1999, and the vibraphonist is still very much at the top of his game on this mid-'90s session. With a stimulating young rhythm section (pianist Benny Green, bassist Christian McBride, and the seasoned, in-demand drummer Kenny Washington), plus a trio of up-and-coming horn players (trumpeter Nicholas Payton, alto saxophonist Jesse Davis, and tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman) added on some tracks, Jackson works his magic, mixing potent jazz compositions and standards. His leisurely, lyrical setting of "The Masquerade Is Over" and the breezy "They Can't Take That Away from Me" feature the vibist with the rhythm section alone, with Green joining the leader as a strong soloist.

On Laughing Water, the fusion ensemble Jazz Is Dead one-ups the band that it sets out to honor. Laughing Water is a superior remake of the Grateful Dead's rather ordinary rock album Wake of the Flood.