Ali Mohammad Birra's "Ethiopiques 28: Great Oromo Music"

Album: Ethiopiques 28: Great Oromo Music (2013, Buda Musique)

Artist: Ali Mohammad Birra

Vibe: 28th installment of the essential Ethiopiques series featuring underrepresented wonders of the Oromo tradition of Ethiopian music.

Rudresh Mahanthappa & Steve Lehman's "Dual Identity"

Album: Dual Identity (2010, Pi Recordings)

Artists: Rudresh Mahanthappa & Steve Lehman featuring Liberty Ellman, Matt Brewer, and Damion Reid

Vibe: Passionate alto jazz standoff recording live at the Braga Jazz Festival.

Nels Cline's "Lovers"

Album: Lovers (2016, Blue Note)

Artist: Nels Cline

Vibe: Current Wilco guitarist and all-around jazzman Nels Cline and his take on the concept of "mood music."

Jeff Parker's "The New Breed"

Album: The New Breed (International Anthem Recording Company, 2016)

Artist: Jeff Parker

Vibe: Tortoise guitarist Jeff Parker in a soulful funky tribute to his father and the hip hop producers that inspire him. So chill.

Rival Consoles' "Night Melody"

Album: Night Melody (Erased Tapes, 2016)

Artist: Rival Consoles

Vibe: Mysterious electronic ode to pervasive days of darkness.

Peter Broderick's "Music for Congregation"

Album: Music for Congregation (Erased Tapes, 2010)

Artist: Peter Broderick

Vibe: Gorgeous commissioned composition for pedestrian ballet performance.

Peter Broderick's "Partners"

Album: Partners (Erased Tapes, 2016)

Artist: Peter Broderick

Vibe: A slow carriage ride through a rainy forest filled with feelings of longing and regret accompanied simply by piano.