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Pianist and composer Andrew Hill was one of the least-known, but one of the most revered — among musicians and fans — of the jazz players who came on the scene in New York in the 1960s. He died today at the age of 75, several years after he'd been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Country singer Charlie Louvin turns 80 this year. Along with his late brother Ira, the Alabama native formed The Louvin Brothers in the 1940s, wrote hundreds of songs and enjoyed commercial success. Louvin influenced generations of musicians, a few of whom are assembled on his new self-titled CD.

Every decade or so, jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis says, he makes a political album. From the Plantation to the Penitentiary is his latest. The songs criticize hip-hop culture, a lack of strong black leadership and materialism.

McKennitt's music has a Celtic feel, though it incorporates influences from all over the planet: She often travels to other countries for research purposes. Her newest album, An Ancient Muse, is as ambitious in scope as its title would suggest.

Brazilian musician Bebel Gilberto earned Grammy nominations for her debut album, Tanto Tempo. Her latest CD, Momento, has just been released. Gilberto speaks about her musical journey.

The humming synths and warped guitars of "Dr. Strangeluv" create a mellow sound that, when accompanying an eclectic mash of percussion, allows the song's eclectic textures to reveal themselves slowly.

Conor Oberst, lead singer of Bright Eyes, captured public attention as a protest singer with artistic ambitions. At 27, he seems to have mellowed. "Make a Plan to Love Me" is a gentle throwback to the '60s.

Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst has never been afraid to emote. But on "Smoke Without Fire," featuring M. Ward, the pair crafts a duet that brings to mind a casual discussion between two world-weary singers who've been through a long journey in both of their short adult lives.

Former Luna members Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips revel in the opportunity to explore and experiment. Cover songs and obscure '60s throwbacks dot their releases, showcasing the singers' love of Joy Division, Serge Gainsbourg and especially The Velvet Underground.

The Stooges rock band, led by singer Iggy Pop, have just released their first album in almost 35 years. It's called The Weirdness.