Esoteric Recordings is proud to announce the release of a new 2 CD set anthologising all the recordings made by the legendary STRAY for Pye Records and its imprint Dawn Records between 1975 & 1976. After five remarkable albums and tours with some legendary names in rock such as Black Sabbath, The Groundhogs, Status Quo and Ten Years After, Stray signed to the Pye Records label in 1975. During sessions for their first album for the label, “Stand Up and Be Counted”, Steve Gadd departed the band. Second guitarist Pete Dyer joined Stray and Del Bromham, the band’s main song writer, now handled lead vocal duties.

Ernestine Anderson's first official Concord recording (which was predated by part of Live From Concord to London) launched her "comeback" after years of neglect (and a decade off of records). Accompanied by pianist Hank Jones, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Jimmie Smith, Anderson mixes together veteran standards (such as "Yes Sir That's My Baby," "It Don't Mean a Thing" and "Tain't Nobody's Bizness") with more recent songs from Johnny Mandel, Stevie Wonder ("Bird of Beauty"), Ray Brown ("Soft Shoe") and even "Send In the Clowns" on this CD reissue. The singer's enthusiasm comes across throughout this fine studio set.

Recorded for Calliope between 1975 and 1991, André Isoir’s version of the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach was an exceptional undertaking that received unanimous acclaim from press and public alike. La Dolce Volta here reissues this set, unavailable since 2008, on 15 CDs at a highly attractive price. These interpretations which have achieved legendary status for their magical touch and ornamentation, their supremely elegant and inward sculpting of phrases, are now enhanced by stylish new presentation (remastered sound, luxury packaging, recent interview with the artist, full details of the instruments).

Kscope Sampler Volume 12, featuring tracks from Tim Bowness, The Pineapple, Blackfield, Mariusz Duda, Bruce Soord, Gong, Storm Corrosion and many more.

Few ensembles are as difficult to write about as the incomparable Tallis Scholars. Inevitably, you just string together an array of superlatives and hope that other reviewers haven't gushed about the same attributes using the same words in precisely the same order. The ensemble's recording of the Christmas Mass and the antiphon Ave Dei patris filia marks both its fourth recording of works by Renaissance master Thomas Tallis and one of Gimell's last albums to be made during an unhappy affiliation with Universal Classics. (The label has since reverted to independent status, distributed in the United States by Harmonia Mundi.) As has been the case with other Tallis Scholars projects, the singers have rediscovered missing manuscripts and have put together the first modern performance editions of both of these works. Their complete mastery of their chosen subject, combining keen scholarship and transcendent beauty, makes this a radiant recording. The clarity and luminescent tone that conductor Peter Phillips achieves with his singers are simply superb. The recording, made at their frequent locale of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Norfolk, is a faithful one–but don't miss any opportunity to hear them live.

Thanks to the Arhoolie label, fans of zydeco legend Clifton Chenier have another chance to hear Clifton Sings the Blues. Recorded in Houston on April 1, 1969 (tracks 1-12), Chenier's accordion and vocal prowess were more relaxed on these tracks than most zydeco fans would expect. The set features sturdy assistance from Cleveland Chenier, Clifton's brother, on rub-board, drummer Robert Peter, bassist Joe Morris, and guitarist Cleveland Keyes, and Chenier's love of laid-back Texas blues is evident on tracks like "Ain't No Need of Cryin' (Every Day Is the Same)," "Brown Skinned Woman," and "Trouble in Mind." While the pace of these tunes flows between slow to midtempo shuffles, the three exceptions, "Rosemary," "Me and My Chauffeur Blues," and "Paper in My Shoe," are first rate uptempo dance tracks.

This LP has one of trumpeter Shorty Rogers' finest small group sessions of the 1950's. Rogers, Jimmy Giuffre (on clarinet, tenor and baritone), pianist Pete Jolly, bassist Curtis Counce and drummer Shelly Manne are the epitome of cool on a well-rounded and consistently interesting set. Highlights including "Isn't It Romantic," "Trickleydidlier," "Not Really The Blues" and Rogers' "hit" "Martians Go Home."

Recorded to benefit the Special Olympics, this has some of the biggest names in contemporary music, most covering seasonal favorites with mixed success. Outstanding tracks include The Pretenders "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," with Chrissie Hynde giving a touching performance. Run-D.M.C.'s topical "Christmas in Hollis" relies heavily on sampling "Back Door Santa," and may head you toward the dance floor. Alison Moyet's stately version of "The Coventry Carol" is beautifully haunting. Only the Material Girl, Madonna, embarrasses herself with an overly campy "Santa Baby".