Rather, they are the ages of three storied jazz saxophonists — Charles Lloyd, Charles McPherson and Sun Ra Arkestra leader Marshall Allen — who each released standout albums this year.

Here’s a fun idea I can’t believe no one has ever thought of before: Metazz is a “retro redesign of classic metal album covers” by the artist Rafael Melandi. As Decibel puts it, “It’s as if Reid Miles ...