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Ray LaMontagne's 2004 CD Trouble — fueled by the title song — caught fire through word of mouth, turning into an official underground hit. In a recent visit to NPR's Washington studios, LaMontagne performed songs from a new CD — Till the Sun Turns Black.

Saxophonist Kenny Garrett talks with Tony Cox about his attempts to marry Asian music with jazz on his latest CD, Beyond The Wall.

Music critic John Brady offers a review of the new CD by the electronic band Ratatat.

Questlove, leader of the hip-hop group The Roots, talks about a new album, Game Theory. He says the album is "dark," and the subject matter ranges from Katrina to politics.

Adem's "Spirals" opens on a tiny scale before looking ever farther outward, drawing parallels between intertwined galaxies and people in love. In the process, the sweet ballad magnifies the way a small gesture of affection can reverberate with a force that's impossible to quantify.

For its summer tour, the musical duo the Ditty Bops isn't traveling cross-country like most bands. For most of their California-to-New York trip, Abby Dewald and Amanda Barrett are riding their bikes. Their latest release is Moon Over the Freeway.

Hiatt's newest album, Master of Disaster, features an edgy, funky sound, thanks largely to the assistance of The North Mississippi Allstars. Together, they assemble a collection of gritty country, blues, rock and jazz.

Named for a fragrant East Indian grass, Vetiver is singer-songwriter Andy Cabic's band and musical home. With help from friend and fellow singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart, Cabic and his colleagues create songs that are unique, catchy and thoughtful.

Arthur's music is driven by simple melodies and soaring vocal harmonies. Each song has its own driving force — a wistful backup groove, a driving guitar riff or Arthur's own mournful voice. His music sounds heavily influenced by R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe and Coldplay's Chris Martin, but the inspiration may not be one-sided.

Estonian-born composer Arvo Part is in the news. Last week, he announced that all of this season's performances of his music would be dedicated to slain Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya. From a concert earlier this year at Spivey Hall, just outside Atlanta, Paul Hillier leads the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir in a performance of Part's "Magnificat."