The most compelling releases of the year reimagined hip-hop tracks, deep-rooted collaborations and longstanding inspirations.
In a year that saw the deaths of two leading drummers, Jack DeJohnette and Al Foster, other drummers both young and old — including Billy Hart, Kassa Overall, Joe Farnsworth and Marcus Gilmore, the M.V.P. of 2025 — shone as elite bandleaders. The tre... [2156 chars]