Reading about the recent passing of Michael Fonfara made me revisit the records Lou Reed made with Fonfara and with Reed’s backing band from 1974-1980. This became a transnational period for Reed, and he found musical support with a group of talented musicians who came from outside the rock and roll galaxy.

Following the breakup of Mahavishnu, the keyboard player worked on some memorable projects.

The Bee Gees borrowed from the sounds of ’70s Philly soul then helped spread it far and wide as songwriters and producers.

Harold Budd’s 1976 recording, featuring saxophonist Marion Brown, is still strangely beautiful and unlike other ambient music recorded since.

A tribute to the underappreciated work of this pianist, an American jazz master

A selection of Elton John songs that have meaning to me and have stuck with me through the years, appearing frequently on mix tapes and playlists.