The Banket 2006

Led by Trinidad-born singer/songwriter Romeo Stodart, London's Magic Numbers blend the melodic experimentation of artists like the Flaming Lips and David Axelrod with the sweet harmonies of '60s pop groups like the Lovin' Spoonful and the Mamas & the Papas. Stodart began making music with drummer Sean Gannon almost immediately upon moving to the U.K. from New York City in the early 2000s. They were eventually joined by Romeo's sister Michele on bass and Sean's sister Angela on percussion and melodica.

David Coverdale is back with a brand new Whitesnake on Live…In the Shadow of the Blues. Recorded between 2005 and 2006, this double disc documents a new band – with veteran monster drummer Tommy Aldridge (Black Oak Arkansas, Pat Travers, Randy Rhoads-era Ozzy Osbourne), guitar wizards Doug Aldrich (Dio, Carmine Appice, Bad Moon Rising) and Reb Beach (Winger, Eric Clapton), bassist Uriah Duffy (Carmine Appice, Pat Travers Band, Christina Aguilera), and keyboard boss Timothy Drury (Eagles) – and runs not only through the hits in an inspired and dirty-ass fashion, but comes up with four new cuts as well, recorded in the studio and tacked on at the end of disc two…

This album is fantastic in its own way. Sure enough, Emerson's skill is shown remarkably in this large compilation of songs, even more so than with ELP (the piano improv)…

Lindsey Buckingham has released only four albums as a solo artist in 25 years. While he remains active as a producer and session musician, this is his first offering in 14 years. Those who saw Cameron Crowe's film Elisabethtown got a sneak peak: Buckingham's "Shut Us Down" was featured in the film. Under the Skin is perhaps the most nakedly visible and tender recording he's ever dropped. He wrote much of the set while on tour with Fleetwood Mac in 2003…