Remembering Rahsaan Roland Kirk, born on this date in 1935. —Ed.

If one endeavored to compile the names of the last half century’s most enduringly popular jazz figures, multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk would land on that list with ease. In converting new listeners to his chosen musical field the bandleader’s right up there with Miles, Coltrane, Mingus and Monk. As Mosaic Records’ 4LP box set The Limelight/Verve Albums illustrates, Kirk’s achievement was sustained through a rare combination of pure skill, purposeful showmanship, uncommon range, sincere eccentricity and ceaseless ambition. And don’t forget the blues.

It was during the tail end of the 1980s that I made my initial attempts at diving headfirst into the immense landscape of jazz history. And I stress attempts, for while the music’s long narrative was easy enough to absorb through the numerous books on the subject, securing the all important listening material often proved quite tricky.

Certain crucial recordings, and indeed the prime works of many key players, were languishing out of print, and all but the most righteously stubborn of shops were choosing to whittle down shelf-space for non-pop/rock-related product to a relative sliver. Of course, an economic upsurge and ensuing compact disc boom was just around the corner, but in 1989 those trying to explore jazzdom (outside of major urban areas, anyway) often felt like they were navigating an enormous block of Swiss cheese.

A big exception was Roland Kirk. In my town, his platters could be found in both the Mom & Pop shop and the chain store at the mall, occasionally in the local used bins and on reliable loan from the area libraries, and the reason for this ease of availability related directly to his magnetic blend of the idiosyncratic and the accessible. However, he was also deft at communicating the glories of tradition in visionary terms, and with enough soul grease, blues grit and/or gutbucket funk to potentially send jazz novice’s reeling with personal epiphanies.

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VIA PRESS RELEASE | On August 19, 2025, Descenes and Discords: An Anthology will be released, offering a powerful time capsule of the birth and early evolution of punk music through the pages of two influential fanzines: Descenes and Discords. These publications, originally printed and distributed in Washington, DC during the late 1970s and early 1980s, captured the raw energy, irreverent spirit, and revolutionary ethos of the underground music scene—the first locally, the second nationally.

Published by writer and musician Howard Wuelfing, Descenes was a hyperlocal chronicle of DC’s burgeoning punk, hardcore, and new wave communities. It featured scene reports, interviews, and passionate live and record reviews of now-legendary acts like Bad Brains, Slickee Boys, and Half Japanese, and dozens of others that never gained national recognition. As vital local music scenes sprang up around the country, Discords picked up the baton with a wider lens—covering bands like Black Flag, Pylon, Circle Jerks, Mission of Burma, and many more, all with the same DIY authenticity and zero-corporate gloss.

Descenes and Discords: An Anthology presents full facsimiles of every issue of both zines, preserving the original cut-and-paste layouts, typewritten rants, and Xeroxed charm that defined a generation of independent media. The anthology is enriched with new commentary by Howard Wuelfing, reflecting on the zines’ creation and impact.

It also includes a transcribed conversation between Wuelfing and Ian MacKaye—the iconic frontman of Minor Threat and Fugazi—where they discuss the fanzine era’s role in shaping punk’s identity and legacy. A Foreword by esteemed DC cultural critic, and contributor to both ‘zines, Mark Jenkins sets the historical stage for readers.

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Based in the Bay Area of California in the USA, Mae Powell is a singer-songwriter whose second full-length Making Room for the Light is due to be released August 15 on the Karma Chief label of Colemine Records. Powell’s prior LP came out in 2021, and it’s clear through her new album’s 11 songs that she’s been hard at work on a follow-up. Making Room for the Light is released on vinyl (moonlit swirl and black), compact disc, cassette, and digital.

“Tangerine” opens Making Room for the Light by unifying Powell’s beautiful but sturdy and indeed jazzy vocal with backing in full rock band (and to pinpoint, full Band) mode, including rich swells of organ and chiming guitar licks. The following track, “Where Will Love Go?” scales it back at the start and then kicks it into gear with crisp rhythm, only to surge in the back end and then let it flow. The comparison to Karen Dalton is astute, but Powell’s not a copyist but rather a singer who is not just comfortable but thrives in a classique West Coast mode.

The unhurried country-rock singer-songwriter strum of “It Comes in Waves” is a case in point. It’s naturally Laurel Canyon-esque, meaning it’s a similarity that’s not calculated. But then “Rope You In” shifts into lightly psych-kissed territory with beaucoup guitar flourishes reminiscent of The Beatles circa Abbey Road (side two).

Powell is legitimately jazzy as a vocalist, but “Meet Me in a Memory” places her very comfortably into the late 1960s coffeehouse folkie tradition as it was winding down and giving way to those aforementioned singer-songwriters. We’re talking halfway between Verve or Elektra Records and a leftfield early Asylum signee.

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NEWPORT, RI | “How can a man, born of soil and sorrow, begin to speak of treading the sacred boards of the Newport Folk Festival?” asked folk-singer Josh Okeefe of Derby, England, who shared that having the opportunity to play Newport brushed the edge of his soul.

He offered his gratitude to Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová of The Swell Season, whose own set was full of magic, a duo that balances each other flawlessly with a blend of rock and poignant musicianship. “They lent me their world with three minutes of belief, the way one offers a flame to another’s candle. And all I could do was burn true for them. For this, I am forever grateful. Thank you so much. If the curtains’ to fall and the guitar goes back in its case, I’ll meet the end content. I’ll die with Newport air in my breath and a quiet knowing in my bones,” said Okeefe.

At its heart, gratefulness and collaboration are the cornerstones of the Newport Folk Festival. Artists, fans, volunteers, and all involved consider themselves incredibly lucky to be present on such iconic musical grounds. Sunday’s lineup was a mix of genres, from the indie rock styling of Dehd—a unique trio with incredible stage chemistry—to Mary Chapin Carpenter.

Women were at the forefront of Sunday’s sets, showcasing skillful, emotional performances, including Lucius, who always exceed expectations with their loveliness and enchanting harmonies. Very few people can touch your emotions with song the way Holly and Jess can. Mary Chapin Carpenter took to the Fort stage with a heartfelt performance, returning to the festival after 30 years. She shared that the passage of time was emotional for her.

Sammy Rae Bowers, of Sammy Rae and Friends, brought such energy and awe to the Quad stage. Looking out to the crowd with both gratitude and wonder, she shared, “There’s something so special about this festival. I’ve never seen anything like it in my travels, anything we’ve ever played before. Imagine if this were the picture of the world at large. Why can’t it always be like Newport Folk?”

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VIA PRESS RELEASE | On September 5, Rhino celebrates the enduring legacy of WAR with The CD Collection 1971–1975—a deluxe five-disc box set honoring the band’s groundbreaking early years and continuing the year-long celebration of their landmark album Why Can’t We Be Friends?.

This beautifully packaged collection features five essential albums—WAR (1971), All Day Music (1971), The World Is A Ghetto (1972), Deliver The Word (1973), and Why Can’t We Be Friends? (1975)—capturing the band’s first chapter following the departure of former frontman Eric Burdon. These albums mark the creative emergence of WAR as a singular force in American music—fusing funk, jazz, Latin rhythms, soul, rock, and psychedelia into a genre-defying sound all their own.

Housed in a striking package featuring original artwork by acclaimed illustrator Dave Van Patten, whose surreal, hand-drawn style channels the same boundary-pushing energy that defined WAR’s music and message, each album delivers the most vibrant and immersive listening experience to date.

Following 2021’s Record Store Day vinyl exclusive, this CD box set is a must-have for both longtime collectors and new listeners—offering a fresh lens into WAR’s most iconic era. From the streetwise poetry of The World Is A Ghetto to the unifying call of Why Can’t We Be Friends?, these albums remain as powerful, joyful, and relevant as ever.

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Since its debut in 2011, The Head and the Heart has consistently released fine albums. The group is one of only a handful of American bands that keep hope alive for pop-rock-based music. It has an indie, roots flair and creates real music while continuing to grow its ever-expanding popular following.

The new album seems to signal yet another crossroads for the group. After two albums on the indie powerhouse Sub-Pop label, which is based in Seattle, Washington, where the band came together, the group signed to Warner Brothers for two albums and, after one more for the Reprise imprint of Warner Brothers, it is now part of a revived Verve Forecast label, which distributes the group’s new album. It is the first under the band’s own label Every Shade of Music, echoing the title of its 2022 album Every Shade of Blue.

The seminal releases from the Verve Forecast imprint in the ’60s included artists as idiosyncratic and beloved as The Blues Project, Richie Havens, and Tim Hardin. Since 2004, the imprint has been revived and has included artists such as Jesse Harris and Teddy Thompson and others who align with Verve’s jazz beginnings, such as Jamie Cullum and Lizz Wright.

Since its third album, the group has released albums whose titles reflect the visual aspect of its approach to music—Signs of Light, Living Mirage, Every Shade of Blue, and the new album Aperture. The band paints pictures of evocative impressionist images with its music and lyrics, and all of the group’s members share songwriting credit.

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As part of Mute Records’ ongoing reissue slate of the A Certain Ratio catalog, on August 8, the label is giving Live in America, originally self-released on cassette in 1985 and sold at shows, a snazzy upgrade across multiple formats, including vinyl, compact disc, and a minuscule cassette edition that’s already sold out. Sequenced from a series of gigs opening for labelmates (then and now) New Order, the music delivers a surprisingly coherent statement from a band that was essentially in transition.

The label that A Certain Ratio shared with New Order at the time of the tour, that is documented on Live in America, was Factory Records. As the imprint responsible for bringing Joy Division’s catalog into the store bins, Tony Wilson’s Factory remains one of the cornerstones in the whole post-punk shebang. Formed in 1977 and debuting on wax with the “All Night Party” single two years later, A Certain Ratio were contemporaries of Joy Division, although their sounds were quite distinct.

One could argue that A Certain Ratio paved the way for New Order to get increasingly dance-oriented as that band progressed as a beacon for disaffected youth on both sides of the pond. But New Order, while dancy, lacked the overt funkiness of A Certain Ratio as exemplified by their highest profile single, a cover of Banbarra’s “Shack Up.” If New Order eventually perfected dancefloor synth-pop, A Certain Ratio made a considerable impact in the creation of post-punk disco.

But by 1985, A Certain Ratio’s two founding members, guitarist-electronics player Peter Terrell and vocalist Simon Topping, were long gone. Bassist-vocalist Jez Kerr and guitarist-trumpeter Martin Moscrop, who were quick to join and solidify the early lineup, remained in the band for the 1985 tour alongside keyboardist Andrew Connell, drummer-vocalist Donald Johnson, and saxophonist Anthony Quigley. This is the exact personnel who recorded the band’s last album for Factory, Touch, which was released in 1986.

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NEWPORT, RI | The fans returned for the second day of Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams, eager for what the day had to offer.

There was great anticipation for Remi Wolf (& Friends), who returned to the Quad stage—this time with some surprises. Many artists joined the charismatic performer on stage, including Saya Gray, Jeff Tweedy, John C. Riley, and Maren Morris, to name a few. Morris told Wolf, “I go to heaven singing with you.” Wolf is so dynamic and gifted, you don’t want the performance to end, and the collaboration between friends new and old just made it sweeter.

I’m With Her, composed of Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins, offered an awe-inspiring set. The blend of their three voices is magical, with lyrics that speak to your heart. The trio just released their sophomore record Wild and Clear and Blue, which comes seven long years after their breakout debut. The result is stunning and showcases a close-knit alliance of three highly esteemed musicians, graced with a deep understanding of folk tradition and unbridled passion for expanding its possibilities.

I’m With Her has been touring with Iron and Wine, who also performed on Saturday with a sound both beautiful and lulling. The harmony was so peaceful, and the crowd watched and enjoyed it like they were all long-lost friends.

Lukas Nelson and his band put their souls into their performance on the main Fort stage. His unique voice conveys so much, and his range of music styles covers everything imaginable, not to mention his phenomenal guitar playing.

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VIA PRESS RELEASE | Two of the most iconic West Coast jazz recordings return in definitive form: Way Out West by Sonny Rollins and Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section, now available as Ultra High Quality Record (UHQR) editions for pre-order via Analogue Productions.

Pressed on 200-gram Clarity Vinyl at Quality Record Pressings and cut at 45 RPM for the highest fidelity possible, these limited editions—each capped at 2,750 numbered copies—are mastered AAA directly from the original analog tapes by legendary engineer Bernie Grundman. Pre-order now to secure your copy of these collector-grade reissues.

Each deluxe package includes a booklet with new liner notes by John Koenig—son of Contemporary Records founder Lester Koenig—and is housed in visually striking, meticulously crafted jackets befitting these jazz landmarks. From the first spin, listeners will be immersed in a heightened soundstage that brings new depth, warmth, and dimensionality to two of the genre’s most celebrated albums.

Originally released in 1957, Way Out West marked Sonny Rollins’ first recording for Contemporary Records—and an instant classic that redefined jazz improvisation. Captured in the early morning hours by legendary engineer Roy DuNann, the session featured Ray Brown on bass and Shelly Manne on drums (neither of whom Rollins had played with before).

The trio’s spontaneity and creative freedom, combined with DuNann’s pristine, high-fidelity recording, turned this session into a genre-defining moment. Highlights include the irreverent swing of “I’m an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande),” the title track’s cinematic elegance, and Rollins’ harmonic daring in a trio format that allowed his saxophone to roam unbounded.

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VIA PRESS RELEASE | Prepare to raise a glass and stomp your feet as The Pogues’ seminal album, Rum Sodomy & The Lash, celebrates its 40th anniversary. Originally released on August 5, 1985, the album captured the raw energy and poetic lyricism that defined The Pogues, solidifying their place as one of the most influential bands of their generation. Today (August 5) marks the 40th anniversary of that original release date.

This 40th anniversary reissue will come in a collectible 2LP red marble vinyl edition and a Deluxe 2CD set, both offering the original album plus a bonus disc that brings together the legendary “Poguetry In Motion” EP, with tracks from the July 1985 BBC Janice Long session, plus original single B-sides. The bonus disc is completed by rare live versions of “A Pair Of Brown Eyes” and “Sally MacLennane” recorded at Glasgow Barrowland in December 1987, and a rough mix of a “Poguetry In Motion” outtake, the band’s version of The Lovin’ Spoonfuls “Do You Believe In Magic,” all currently unavailable.

Produced by Elvis Costello, Rum Sodomy & the Lash was the second studio album by the London-based Irish folk punk band. Costello, who was originally brought in to work on the singles, extended his stay to work on the entire album. At the time, he said, “I saw my task was to capture them in their dilapidated glory before some more professional producer fucked them up.” The album was released on August 5, 1985 and reached number 13 on the UK charts. It features the singles “A Pair Of Brown Eyes,” “Sally MacLennane,” and “Dirty Old Town.”

Celebrating Pat Smear, born on this day in 1961.—Ed.

Poor Darby Crash. First the Germs charismatic and drug-abusing lead singer returned from England a converted Adam Ant fan (very bad form, very bad form indeed), then he had the amazingly bad luck to die in a suicide pact the day before the murder of John Lennon, thus ensuring his death would receive virtually no recognition in the press.

Fortunately neither his Antdom nor his ill-timed deliberate death by heroin overdose have sullied his posterity, and his pre-planned live-fast-die-young career continues to contribute to what practically amounts to a cult. And I get it. The guy was loony tunes, but he also had charisma. Germs drummer Don Bolles recalls, “With a little more luck and concentrated effort, Darby could have fulfilled his plan to be the new Jesus/Bowie/Manson/Hitler/L Ron Hubbard… he was a natural messiah type, whose heroic consumption of LSD helped make him the most psychedelic prankster I have ever known.”

Fortunately he started a punk band instead, and not just any punk band. As Germs guitarist Pat Smear recollects, “Whatever we were going to be, we were going to be the most. If we’re gonna be punk, then we are gonna out-punk the Sex Pistols! If we are gonna be the worst band ever, then we are gonna be the fucking worst band ever!” As the lead singer for what I like to think was one of the worst bands in history, those are inspiring words indeed.

But my favorite Darby Crash story has nothing to do with the Germs, but rather Pop Rocks. Remember the candy that detonated like little hand grenades in your mouth? Well, in We Got the Neutron Bomb: The Untold Story of L.A. Punk, Gerber (aka Michelle Bell) recalls the time she and Crash were walking through a parking garage towards two Persian gentlemen who, faced with a couple of deranged looking punkers, assumed they were being mugged. So they threw themselves to the ground and offered up their wallets.

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