LATEST ADDITIONS

Earlier this year, I wrote two articles on record cleaning, in particular the ultrasonic kind. Some of the ideas I expressed were good and correct, like the choice of surfactant (Tergitol 15-S-9). Others, like the amount of Tergitol to use, were less well-considered.

Oscar Peterson was born in 1925. In late 2026, a set titled World Tour was released on the Mack Avenue/Two Lions label. It is advertised as "part of the continued celebration of Peterson's centennial." Consider this article a modest attempt to join the celebration.

Margaret Glaspy: I Am Both
ATO Records (auditioned as 24/192 FLAC). 2026. Joe Henry, prod.; Patrick Dillett, Thom Beemer, engs.; Chris Gehringer, mastering.

Jim Pugh: New American Symphonies; Vivaldi: Concerti per fagotto VI, Sergio Azzolini, L'Onda Armonica, Rebekah Heller: Righteous Rage; Moszkowski: Orchestral Music, Volume 4, Sinfonia Varsovia/Ian Hobson; R. Strauss: An Alpine Symphony; Metamorphosen, London Philharmonic Orchestra/Edward Gardner.

Ambrose Akinmusire/Mary Halvorson: Slo-Mo Neon Luminate Hoverings; Tyshawn Sorey: Members... Don't!; Steve Wilson: Enduring Sonance.

Billy Corgan is a busy man. The Smashing Pumpkins frontman has a schedule that would exhaust artists half his age. (He's 59.) Right now the guitarist/vocalist is guiding Smashing Pumpkins on "The Rats in a Cage Tour," in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the alt-rock giants' biggest release, 1995's 5× Platinum, double-album epic Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.

In a college music class I teach in New York City, the question of whether rhythm or melody is more important comes up every semester. Not surprisingly, given the age of the average college student, rhythm is always the clear winner. The influence of hip-hop has almost made the question moot.