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Obituary · The Story of the Week

Sonny Rollins, jazz's "Saxophone Colossus," dies at 95

The last great bebop tenor died Monday, May 25, at his home in Woodstock, New York. Alongside John Coltrane and Charlie Parker, Rollins stands as one of the most influential saxophonists of the twentieth century — his restless, distinctive tone kept him at the cutting edge of jazz for more than fifty years.

Source: PBS NewsHour
Read the full obituary

Rock

4 stories
New Release

Paul McCartney announces 27th studio LP, 'The Boys of Dungeon Lane'

First Andrew Watt–produced LP since 2020's McCartney III. The title nods to the winding Liverpool road that led young Paul to the Mersey.

New Release

Peter Frampton drops 'Carry the Light' — his first new album in 16 years

Guest-packed LP features Sheryl Crow, Tom Morello, Graham Nash and Benmont Tench. First all-original material since well before the pandemic.

Album Review

The Black Keys' covers LP 'Peaches!' splits critics

Metacritic 74. Clash and Record Collector hail a return to raw form; Paste and AV Club call it "a dashed-off afterthought." Auerbach says it's their "most natural" since 2002.

Out Friday

Kurt Vile releases 'Philadelphia's been good to me' on May 29

Two singles — "Chance to Bleed" and "Zoom 97" — already streaming. A global tour follows the release.

Blues

4 stories
Tribute Album

Joe Bonamassa announces 14-track Rory Gallagher tribute, 'The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork'

Recorded over three sold-out nights in Cork at the invitation of Gallagher's family. Out June 19; bonus footage features Brian May and Slash.

Lost & Found

Taj Mahal & the Phantom Blues Band finally release 'Time,' the lost 2010 session

Sixteen years in the can. Taj takes the band on a U.S. summer tour to support the long-delayed release.

Release Day

Stacked May 15: Ghalia Volt, Steve Louw & Chris Bergson all drop new LPs

Burn the House Down, Traces of the Flood and East River Blues — three working blues-rock vets on the same Friday.

Weekly Roundup

Samantha Fish, Danielle Nicole & When Rivers Meet all bring new music

Danielle Nicole announces a new album, plus fresh tracks from Datura4. The late-May blues-rock pipeline is unusually busy heading into summer.

Soul

3 stories
In Conversation

Samm Henshaw joins NPR's World Cafe to discuss his second studio LP

English soul singer in conversation about the new album's writing and production.

Debut EP

New Orleans quintet Sally Baby plays NPR with songs from their self-titled EP

A Crescent City soul/rock band building real momentum out of the local scene.

New Video

L.A. singer H'ATINA drops the official video for "Higher"

From the Soki-produced project CHEMISTRY. Worth a spin for music directors building neo-soul rotations.

Jazz

2 stories
Release Wave

Late-May new releases pile up: Monty Alexander, Madoka Nakamaru, Simon Moullier, Jarrod Lawson

Alexander's Rass!, Nakamaru's Bird of Wonder, Moullier's Ceiba and Lawson's Just Let It — a strong week across straight-ahead, fusion and crossover.

Fusion

Alphonse Mouzon's posthumous 'Virtue' & Gabrielle Cavassa's 'DIAVOLA' anchor the fusion side

The Mouzon estate continues to dig into the late drummer's vault; Cavassa's record leans cinematic and atmospheric.

Country Rock

4 stories
Lead Single

The Revivalists share "Heart Stop" from upcoming 'Get It Honest'

New Orleans roots-rockers back with their signature soulful grit and anthemic build.

15th Studio LP

Steep Canyon Rangers' 'Next Act' drawing strong notices

"Compelling songwriting, strong vocals, and instrumentals" — the long-running bluegrass-Americana partnership still firing.

New Release

49 Winchester release 'Change of Plans' (May 15)

Russell County, Virginia outfit's follow-up to the breakout Leavin' This Holler.

One To Watch

Mountain Grass Unit graduate to a bigger DelFest stage in 2026

Two-year arc from indoor music hall (2024) to secondary main stages. Momentum building fast.