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Jim Fusilli listens to The Bad Plus, a jazz power trio with a rock-and-roll heart. The group discards the usual trappings of a trio of bass, drums and piano, which usually has the piano as the lead instrument, and the others in supporting roles. The Bad Plus tackles the music of Nirvana, Blondie, Aphex Twin and their own material the way a rock band does, which means everyone is responsible for the chaos and wonder that ensues. The CD by The Bad Plus is called These Are The Vistas. It's on Columbia Records.

Neko Case grew up in Tacoma, Wash., attended art school in Vancouver and performs and records with the Canadian pop-rock band The New Pornographers. As a solo artist, her music has often tended to be more influenced by country and folk music. Her new CD, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, is her fourth studio album. Our music critic says it contains some of her most complex and beautiful music to date.

King Sunny Ade is one of the founders of world music. The Nigerian star and his band have toured the U.S. many times, but never African style, which includes interactive elements known as "spraying" and "praise singing." King Sunny Ade tells Scott Simon how American fans are responding.

The Omaha rockers use an odd mix of instruments: flute, glockenspiel, cello, bells — and tap shoes for percussion. Band members Jamie Williams and Derek Pressnal discuss the CD Wild Like Children.

The music of the Asylum Street Spankers hails from the early 20th century, but many of their lyrics are modern enough to be too naughty for NPR. Key players Christina Marrs and Wammo tell Jacki Lyden about their "postmodern jug band."

Roger Miller is a musical legend. No, we're not talking about Mr. "King of the Road." This is the Roger Miller who fronted the early '80's Boston band, Mission of Burma. Today, this Roger Miller is best-known for his work with the silent film ensemble, Alloy Orchestra. But he's also a composer who creates challenging music for his current duo with drummer Larry Dersch. They call their group, Binary System. Sean Cole, of member station WBUR, reports.The new recording by Binary System is called, Invention Box.It's on Atavistic Records, catalog # ALP 127 CD.

Fronted by Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley, the band sets lyrics of struggle and pathos against backdrops of country, R&B and thick, muscular rock. Fresh Air's rock critic says their new album, Brighter Than Creation's Dark, is one of their best-written and most enjoyable yet.

Last week, 1,700 bands converged on Austin, Texas, for the annual South by Southwest music festival. From a Chinese woman who sings AC/DC covers to a singer whose songs are like foot rubs at the end of a long night out, the music brought out power and beauty in unexpected places.

We asked public radio stations across the country to highlight their favorite musical discoveries of the year. The results ranged from a Pulitzer Prize winner to a Kansas City BBQ blues band.

Every successful big band leader featured brilliant soloists, but Duke Ellington spotlighted his men apart from the rest. Ellington specifically targeted his musicians' strengths and accentuated those attributes.