After a rainy May, we finally got up over 90 degrees today. We cooled off in Unison at a neighbors' house, where we watched the Belmont, and drank some handmade mojitos. With the summer solstice come outdoor parties, where a soundtrack is a necessary part of any gathering. So far in 2016, a number of fine albums have been released, so here is a summer six-pack of music for you to consider for your next backyard BBQ. You can hear my Spotify playlist at http://tinyurl.com/zrtxmmd, and you can find this music at a variety of online sources, like iTunes, Amazon, or Spotify.

Safety in Numbers—Umphrey's McGee. Originally released in 2006, my favorite band put out a ten-year anniversary release of the great Safety in Numbers this year, with the addition of a couple of bonus tunes. This heartfelt set of songs runs the gambit of UM style, from the hard rocking "Ocean Billy", to the heartfelt "The Weight Around"; the rock ballad "Passing", to the bittersweet acoustic version of "Divisions". This is amazing stuff that deserves a listen--all from a band most people have never heard of, despite their 100+ shows around the country each year. Playlist Pick: Divisions

Emily's D+Evolution—Esperanza Spaulding. Over the past few decades, Joni Mitchell has released a series of albums featuring collaborations with Jazz greats like Jaco Pastorius, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, and Pat Metheny. Bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spaulding's represents the next evolutionary step from those Mitchell albums. It is a remarkable and complex combination of sublime vocals, jazz-rock instrumental passages, and progressive rock power arrangements. All I can say is, wow. Produced by Spaulding and Tony Visconti, who produced David Bowie, this set is a rare treat that is destined to be a classic, and one of the best new albums of 2016. Playlist pick: Earth to Heaven.

The L&G Tapes LIVE —The Infamous Stringdusters. While classified as a country group, I would put this band right in the middle of the 21st century "jamgrass" movement. They host a great small music festival in October called, The Festy, on a farm in Nelson County, VA. The L&G Tapes LIVE gives you a good taste of how brilliant this band is when they are onstage—high energy renditions of pop, bluegrass and rock tunes, all within the aesthetic of a bluegrass band. Their interpretation of "Jefferson Airplane" is rockin'. These guys have gone far, and you'll feel better after listening to them. Playlist pick: Scarlet Begonias.

Culcha Vulcha—Snarky Puppy. I get this text from an old musician friend. "Check out these cats", he said. So I did, and I wasn't sure what I was listening to at first, it was so fresh…who were these guys? Snarky Puppy is made up of eighteen or so talented musicians from North Texas State that is making big waves in the jazz world today. Their fusion of styles and ensemble playing is something I thought had ended thirty years ago. The record is powerful in its creativity and orchestration, and critics are giving it five stars, a pretty rare grade despite the high quality of today's music. It's a big band that doesn't sound like one. Playlist pick: The Simple Life.

Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison, CO 7-12-78—The Grateful Dead. There are a lot of Dead recordings out there. The band encouraged taping, and people have spent lifetimes collecting and even remastering various live recordings. You can find hundreds of shows for free at bt.etree.org and archive.org. The band's archivist recently released a show from the 1978 Red Rocks run that some consider to be reflective of their best work. Some of my favorite tunes include, "Wharf Rat", "Eyes of the World", and "Estimated Prophet". The Dead enhances any party, and this recording supports that premise. Play it loud. Playlist pick: Wharf Rat.

Spacedust & Ocean Views — Anders Osborne. I saw Anders Osborne a couple years back and I was hooked. He has released a slew of albums, most of which reflect the impact that his adopted hometown, New Orleans, has had on his rock vernacular. His hard rock guitar playing will light you up; his acoustic ballads make you cry. This time, he has created a great soundtrack for your summer in the Piedmont. Bluesy hooks and a touch of R&B direct this set, although Osborne's rocking is never far away. Listen to this album and then explore his catalog; Anders pulls in anyone who listens. Playlist pick: Big Talk.

Steve Chase lives in Unison and tries not to play the music too loud.