Of the "name brands":
Stanley Dance, Larry Kart, Dan Morgenstern, & John Litwieler for thier shrewd and insightful critical acumen (even when I disagree with their conclusions); Chris Albertson, Lewis Porter, & Mike Fitzgerald for their comprehensive biographical skills; Whitney Balliet & Joe Goldberg for thier writing style(s), and early Amiri Baraka for his ability to vividly (and accurately, I believe) capture a moment in time. Probably a few others, but those are the ones who spring readily to mind.
I find nowadays that most everybody else has it either "wrong", incomplete, or has an agenda that is not relevant to my lifestyle, if you get my drift. I have my own experiences in the music and my own perspectives and opinions as a result. Sue me.
I'm flattered that I be LEARNIN' ya', but if you learn anything from me, I hope that it's there's always more to the music than anybody says, including me.
ESPECIALLY including me!