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This week in our Release Radar we get more Smashing Pumpkins and more Elton John and both are sounding good. I think Elton John’s Jewel Box is going to be worth the investment. At eight CD’s, it’s for the hardcore collector, or maybe the person who needs to catch up on missed years of Elton’s career. Here it is, all in one neat jewel box.

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The Charlatans release an EP of Some Friendly Demos, while their lead singer Tim Burgess releases a new single, Yours. To Be.

“When my white shirt lets me down/Like one we race against the wind
You said that I’ve seen better days/I wash her silver hair away.”

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I love that Tim continues to create with a new band while still working with the old one. It’s hard to believe The Charlatans’ Some Friendly is 30 years old. This means, in turn, that I’m old.

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Rainbow Kitten Surprise returns with “Our Song,” and it’s two minutes of bliss. With stops and starts, it’s full of feet-tapping rhythms that end too soon. I patiently await more great rock from these incredible artists.

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Another release that I’m really excited about is Django Django. They do some pretty progressive stuff, crossing into Stone Roses territory at times. This time on “Spirals” they sound more like Tame Impala, and 70’s psychedelia.

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The Dinner Party: Dessert album is on my #RADAR this week, including artists Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, 9th Wonder, and Kamasi Washington, with vocal curation by none other than Snoop Double. On “Freeze Tag,” these all-stars shine together at the intersection of jazz and hip hop. This is one you want to listen to all the way through.

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Another funky entrance from Anderson.Pak. What a creator, “Jewelz” is playlist worthy.

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Your jazz cut of the week comes from Matt Ulery and his incredible band of musicians. Check out this lovely cut called “Jelly.”

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