New Music and an Apple Music Autumn Playlist
What new re-issues or music collections are you looking forward to hearing soon?
As we approach the holidays, fewer and fewer new titles seem to appear in the new release section at the local record stores, but ‘tis the season for box sets, collections, reissues, and limited-edition vinyl.
New to my collection this week is an original 1979 pressing of Gabe Baltazar's self-titled album on Gee Bee Records. Recorded in Honolulu, Hawaii, it’s a beautiful jazz album full of soul. Baltazar isn’t a household name, but he was part of Stan Kenton’s West Coast band before releasing solo projects later in life.
The Cosmic Tones Research Trio has released a new self-titled album, building off their debut last year, which topped my list of best albums in 2024. The band continues to impress me with their instrumental spiritual jazz music featuring both alto and soprano saxophones, a clarinet, flute, percussion, cello, and harp. A must listen!
The other album that arrived, and honestly, I haven’t opened it yet, but I am looking forward to hearing this re-issue of Groovin’ Live At The Penthouse by The Ramsey Lewis Trio (Verve), recorded in Seattle in 1962. The album features a limited-edition print with handwritten notes from the trio. This release is the Verve Record Club’s November 2025 selection.
Another one from the new releases pile is by Hüsker Dü, on the Numero Group label, which arrived at my house on Friday afternoon. It’s a 2-CD set of live music recorded on January 30, 1985, at First Avenue in Minneapolis. Many of the songs from this show come from their albums, Zen Arcade and New Day Rising, both originally released on SST Records. The live recording has been cleaned up, and the sound quality is quite good here. Highly recommend for any Hüsker Dü or Bob Mould fan.
I also received the latest bundle of digital tracks from Across the Horizon. A wonderful subscription from Northern Spy Records and Bob Holmes of the band SUSS. This latest round of instrumental and ambient country music features Pan American, Suss, Chelsea Bridge, Kyle Hamlett Cinco, and others. Across the Horizon is an artist-curated music series designed to broaden the landscape of instrumental music. Here’s more info: acrossthehorizon.bandcamp.com
Here’s an older track from the series, released in February 2025, from Lake Mary.
Playlist
Not a collection of new music, but one full of songs that always remind me of the Autumn season. This playlist is available through Apple Music, and you can listen by clicking the link below.
Thanks for reading. I’m off to NYC next weekend! - JB