The Best Films of 2025
Like life itself in these times the visceral, the absurd, and the morbid all take their rightful place in our eclectic compilation of Best Films 2025.
Sal Cataldi
Sal Cataldi is a musician and writer whose works has been featured in the New York Times, Rolling Stone and other publications. He is the leader of Spaghetti Eastern Music and a member of the ensembles Guitars A Go Go, Vapor Vespers and spaceheater. He is the host of “Reading In Funktamental” on WGXC 90.7 FM in the Hudson Valley, a monthly show where he speaks to the authors of books on music. Instagram: sallyboynyc
Music/All Things Reconsidered/Feature Sub Head/Features/Interviews/Music Features/Pop Past/Pop Past Music
Chubby Checker’s Unexpected Journey Into Psychedelia
Chequered! is an obscure, long-out-of-print “psychedelic” album from 1971 by the most unlikely musician: Chubby Checker, the man behind the 1960 hit “The Twist”.
A Legendary Keith Jarrett Performance Highlights ‘KÖLN 75’
KÖLN 75 tells the story of a music-obsessed German teenager who overcame many obstacles to produce the most legendary concert by pianist Keith Jarrett.
‘Everything Is Now’ Digs Into NYC’s Avant-Garde Ferment
Everything Is Now expertly demonstrates how NYC’s varied avant-garde subcultures were birthed in cold-water lofts, coffeehouses, and tiny storefront galleries and theaters.
Iconic Art-Rockers Be-Bop Deluxe Celebrated in New CD Sets
The compulsively creative Bill Nelson was Be-Bop Deluxe’s visionary and truly one of the best of a generation thick with innovative, soul-stirring six-stringers.
Jazz Visionary Brandee Younger Redefines the Harp
Brandee Younger is one of the most celebrated and unique jazz artists to emerge in the 21st century. She redefines the harp’s potential in jazz and beyond.
How the Remarkable Tom Wilson Shaped Jazz and Rock
With his taste and track record, music producer Tom Wilson deserves the kind of fame afforded to his contemporaries Phil Spector and George Martin.
Hedvig Mollestad Trio Serve Up Jazzy Metal Fire
Hedvig Mollestad Trio offer progressive rock, metal, free jazz, psychedelia, and dark ambient rolled into one exquisitely heavy yet organized whole.
Yoko Ono Bio Captures the Primal Scream
The Yoko Ono biography by David Sheff captures the artist’s primal scream but understands that she is a rare specimen who cannot be pinned down or easily classified.
The Zombies’ Inhuman Staying Power
The Zombies only had a couple of hit songs, yet Robin Platts’ Times and Seasons shows their almost inhuman staying power to this day.
Ellen McIlwaine Was a Goddess Ahead of Her Time
Director Alfonso Maiorana talks about music pioneer Ellen McIlwaine, who raised the power and profile of female musicians, and how she achieved her hard-earned “goddess” status.
When “Hocus Pocus” Guitar God Jan Akkerman Went Kind of Blue
Jan Akkerman’s discography is vast and ranges from rock to jazz to classical works, several including solo performances on the guitar forerunner, the lute.