New music: Jeffrey Foskett, Paul Weller, the Alexis P. Suter Band, Allison August

In this column I feature four audio titles worthy of discovery, including a wonderful tribute to the late Jeffrey Foskett as well as the latest albums from Paul Weller, the Alexis P.  Suter Band and songstress Allison August.

Artists: Jeffrey Foskett, Brian Wilson, Robert Lamm, Mike Love, more

Title: Something There — Remembering Jeffrey Foskett (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: The Beach Boys, America, Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jeffrey Foskett was a beloved figure for his work with The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, as well as high-profile collaborations with fellow music greats and his solo work. Sadly, following a lengthy battle with throat cancer, Foskett died in December 2023. Now Omnivore Recordings has issued Something There — Remembering Jeffrey Foskett, an outstanding 25-track tribute that celebrates the wide-ranging career and immense talent of the Southern California native. Among the tracks on the collection are several key Foskett recordings ("I Live For The Sun," "Everybody," "Something There"), rare collaborations with Robert Lamm of Chicago and Christopher Cross, and previously-unissued joint projects with Brian Wilson, Mike Love, America and Los Straitjackets. Among this writer's favorite cuts on the set are the propulsive power pop opener "Tell Me," the previously-unheard "Thru My Window" (a Beach Boys-flavored gem originally released in 1996), the shimmering "Mary Honey" (a previously-unissued nugget produced by Foskett, Wilson and Gary Griffin in 1994 but heard for the first time here), the breezy melodic sortie "You Remind Me Of The Sun," folk rocker "Cool And Gone," and "Living Alone" — the latter an infectious collaboration between Foskett and Lamm. Information: www.omnivorerecordings.com.

Artist: Paul Weller

Title: Find El Dorado (Warner Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Paul Weller, Robert Plant, Noel Gallagher

Tell me more: Paul Weller's forthcoming album Finding El Dorado (available on July 24, 2025 courtesy of Warner Records) is an ambitious collection of cover versions that have influenced and ultimately led the beloved artist to record these 15 tracks via artfully reworked versions that honor the originals while showcasing Weller's singular sonic approach. Weller's well-known talents are bolstered on the Steve Cradock-produced recordings by a handful of top-tier guests. Early standouts on the collection include the nuanced cover of Richie Havens' "Handouts In The Rain" that finds Weller trading lead vocals with Declan O'Rourke, a lavish acoustic reading of Eamon Friel's "El Dorado" with Weller's potent vocals enhanced by Noel Gallagher's expressive acoustic guitar work, a shimmering take on the Merle Haggard-penned Flying Burrito Brothers classic "White Line Fever" and Brian Protheroe's stark "Pinball." The strength and diversity of the album's track listing continues via a poignant strings-swept version of The Bee Gees' "I Started A Joke," rootsy groove-infused version of The Guerrillas' "Lawdy Rolla" and many other powerful selections; Robert Plant (lead / backing vocals & harmonica on "Clive's Song") and Amelia Coburn (vocals on "One Last Cold Kiss") are among the other guests who appear on the highly-anticipated disc. Information: paulweller.com. 

Artist: The Alexis P. Suter Band

Title: Just Stay High (Nola Blue Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Buddy Guy, Marcus King
Tell me more: The Alexis P. Suter Band's latest collection Just Stay High is a powerful and authentic celebration of the blues, steeped in both the traditional and modern stylings of the genre across 14 winning tracks. The opener "God Gave Me The Blues" showcases singer Alexis P. Suter's forceful vocals on the Jimmy Bennett-penned anthem (Bennett also delivers some outstanding guitar work on the track). The gospel-flavored "Some People" is bolstered by Vicki Bell's vocals and a wonderfully nuanced approach by the band. Other memorable songs on the album include the fiery "Breathe," ferocious electric Chicago-blues styled "Be On Your Way," a soulful take on Ron Davies' "It Ain't Easy" and the blues rocker "Ride All Night." The troupe also shines on a potent cover of Leon Russell's "Song For You." A project whose roots date back to the pandemic and initial writing sessions that took place via Zoom, Just Stay High showcases the triumphant nature that marked how so many musicians overcame the dangers of COVID at the beginning of this decade. Information: www.nola-blue.com.

Artist: Allison August

Title: August Moon (MoMojo Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Janiva Magness, Bonnie Raitt
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter Allison August's latest August Moon features a dozen cuts showcasing her strong soprano and compelling original material blending blues, soul, R&B and even jazz. Her wonderful songwriting takes aim at everything from relationships and religion to motherhood and battling cancer. Highlights include the funk-tinged "Afraid of Love," immersive blues track "Dashboard Madonna" that looks at the good and bad in Los Angeles with artistic candor, jazzy delight "What Would Mama Say," sparse blues ballad "Desiree," catchy uptempo frisk "Dog In You" and look back when she and friend Paul Barrere were both battling cancer via "The Cure." The album closes out with the sumptuous uptempo blues foray "Born Yesterday," a statement of how to soar even when the odds are against you. Information: allisonaugust.com.

Robert Kinsler