Offered Schematics Suggesting Artist: Sound Tribe Sector 9 Release Date: 2004

Heralded as one of the progenitors of livetronica, this release finds Sound Tribe in the studio. Offered Schematics Suggesting Peace captures STS9 at a critical moment, when they transitioned away from their jazz and funk origins. The album rewards a focused listening session, as, like the band's live shows, it's best experienced as a series of entwined movements rather than a collection of compositions.

All Kooked Out! Artist: Stanton Moore Release Date: 1998

Galactic drummer Stanton Moore is one of those estimable players now vesting traditional New Orleans funk with a potency and primacy for a new generation. All Kooked Out! is one of the Crescent City native's initial efforts to this end, presaging some of his later shape-shifting jazz expressions with Garage A Trois. Eight-string guitarist Charlie Hunter and "saxophonics" purveyor Skerik are Moore's core band for these 13 tracks, which also feature fellow Galactic resident Ben Ellman and Sun Ra alum Michael Ray.

Steve Kimock Band Live at 07/17/2004 Artist: Steve Kimock Band Steve Kimock is justly characterized as an heir to Jerry Garcia -- and not only because the late Grateful Dead guitarist identified him as a personal favorite. The two musicians share a drive to uncover novel tones and subtle shadings in any material while utilizing a similar sense of pacing. Current SKB staples drummer Rodney Holmes and guitarist Mitch similarly angle for adventure during the quintet's performance in an appropriate setting at the Vibes. Weightless in Water Artist: Strangefolk Release Date: 2004

Since coming together in 1991, Strangefolk have fused a California '70s folk-pop sensibility with an affinity for improv. Weightless in Water, the band's finest effort, translates some more expansive tunes into the studio setting at a halcyon moment with co-founder Reid Genauer still in the fold (he would depart in September 2000 and form Assembly of Dust nearly two years later). Many of these offerings remain in active rotation both by Folk and AOD, including "Roads," "Westerly," "Valhalla," "All the Same" and "Whatever."

Umphrey's McGee Live At Fox Theatre 03/29/03 Artist: Umphrey's McGee Release Date: 2004

Relix cover boys Umphrey's McGee (Dec/Jan 2005) also were anointed by Rolling Stone as "leading contenders for Phish's jam-smeared crown." This live set gives a sense as to why, demonstrating the band's prog-precision and high humor. Along with signature compositions "Uncle Wally" and "YYZ," this Fox Theatre performance presents two of the group's collective, semi-structured improvisational exercises: "Jimmy Stewart" and "Jazz Odyssey."

Weir Here: The Best Of Bob Weir Artist: Bob Weir Release Date: 2004

Bob Weir is not only an underappreciated rhythm guitar player, but his enduring compositions are sometimes denied their due. Nonetheless, Weir remains a vital artist as his current group, RatDog, embodies the ethos of the Grateful Dead, recasting older material while delivering vibrant new compositions. This retrospective mostly focuses on Weir's contributions to the good ol' GD (most notably through the live cuts, from a '71 "Truckin" on through an '89 "Music Never Stopped") with a nod to recent essential RatDog ("Ashes and Glass" and "Two Djinn").

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