Volume two of Collectables' Ultimate Christmas Album gathers more classic pop and rock holiday tunes, including the Beach Boys' "Little Saint Nick," Gene Autry's "Here Comes Santa Claus," and Diana Ross & the Supremes' "White Christmas." Most of this volume's best-known tracks are by traditional pop crooners, such as Dean Martin's "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!," Bing Crosby's "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," and Burl Ives' "Holly Jolly Christmas." However, less-familiar tracks like the Echelons' "A Christmas Long Ago (Jingle Jingle)," Augie Rios' "Donde Esta Santa Claus," and Barry Gordon's "Nuttin' for Christmas" prevent the collection from being too predictable. It's not exactly a straightforward holiday-hits compilation, but The Ultimate Christmas Album, Vol. 2 balances enough standards and obscure tunes to make it a unique collection.

Snow Stories is an album by Chris, a musical project led by Chris Stigall, which was released in 2012. The album blends elements of ambient, instrumental, and jazz fusion genres, creating a soundscape that is reflective, soothing, and atmospheric. The work has been described as emotionally evocative, with a tone that mirrors the serene and introspective qualities of snow, making it particularly fitting for winter listening or quiet, contemplative moments.

Beware of the Dog was Hound Dog Taylor's posthumous live album containing performances that are even steamier than his first two studio albums, if such a notion is possible. For lowdown slow blues, it's hard to beat the heartfelt closer "Freddie's Blues," and for surreal moments on wax, it's equally hard to beat the funkhouse-turned-loony bin dementia of "Let's Get Funky" or the hopped up hillbilly fever rendition of "Comin' Around the Mountain".

Vibrant release 'Counteraction' sees Partikel shifts up another gear, with music crafted specifically around their forward-thinking approach to composition, while also introducing atmospheric electric guitarist Ant Law, flautist and baritone saxophonist Anna Cooper, and electronic sound designer Sisi Lu. Since their Whirlwind debut as an acoustic trio ('Cohesion', 2012), Partikel have progressively pushed at the developmental possibilities, and 2015's 'String Theory' - augmenting the line-up of Duncan Eagles (saxophones), Max Luthert (double bass) and Eric Ford (drums) with string quartet - generated significant interest, spawning numerous gigs both in the UK and internationally. These live experiences (including a month touring China) saw the band's sound climbing to new heights, enhanced by the work of violinist Benet McLean and super-sized with the creative blends enabled by digital harmonizers, pedals and programming. The compositions (mostly by Eagles) explore fascinating textural avenues, balancing and integrating them with the band's original sax, bass and drums identity to create often strikingly unusual resonances.

The Italian Sessions is a renowned album by the iconic American trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker, recorded in 1962 during a series of sessions in Italy. It showcases his remarkable ability to blend cool jazz with a more relaxed and lyrical style, all while being influenced by the European jazz scene. The album consists of a mix of original compositions and standards, and it's often considered a significant release in Baker's career, offering a snapshot of his creative output during this period.

Beethoven Renovated is an album by the Quintessence ensemble, released in 2002. This album features a unique and innovative approach to Beethoven's works, blending classical music with contemporary and experimental styles. The quintet's interpretation of Beethoven’s compositions presents them in a modern light, incorporating elements of jazz, ambient, and improvised music while maintaining the essence of the original works.

André Previn Known as a successful classical conductor, jazz pianist, and composer of jazz, classical, and film music, André Previn frequently bridged the gap between popular and so-called "serious" music, and in doing so broadened the horizons of both. A German-American who fled Nazi Germany with his family in his youth, he went on to win four Academy Awards, all for his work on film musicals in late '50s and '60s, including his adaptation of My Fair Lady (1964). By the '70s, he had established himself as one of the world's leading classical conductors, with terms at the London Symphony Orchestra (1968-1979), Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (1976-1984), and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (1985-1992). He also served as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1985 to 1989. During his tenure at the LSO, the BBC series André Previn's Music Hour made him household name.

Montreux - A Windham Hill Retrospective is a compilation album that showcases the work of Montreux, a musical project led by composer and pianist Will Ackerman, who is well known as the founder of Windham Hill Records. Released in 1993, this album serves as a retrospective look at Montreux’s contributions to the genre of contemporary instrumental music and new age. It features a selection of tracks from their previous albums, blending peaceful, atmospheric, and introspective sounds that define the Windham Hill style.

Passer Guldfisk is the debut album by Panzerpappa, a progressive rock band from Norway, released in 2000. The album is notable for its fusion of complex musical structures, jazz influences, and quirky, experimental rock elements. Panzerpappa is known for creating music that is intricate, yet melodic, and Passer Guldfisk serves as a strong introduction to their unique sound.

Intuition is a jazz album by the legendary American jazz pianist Bill Evans, released in 1975. It features Eddie Gomez on bass, with whom Evans had a long musical partnership. The album is notable for its intimate and introspective vibe, as well as its exploration of musical intuition and improvisation, characteristic of Evans' style.

Go-Go Fightmaster is the self-titled debut album by the American indie rock band Go-Go Fightmaster, released in 2003. The album features a mix of punk, post-punk, and alternative rock, characterized by energetic rhythms, raw guitar-driven sound, and somewhat unconventional song structures. Go-Go Fightmaster emerged in the early 2000s indie rock scene, combining catchy melodies with sharp, often rebellious lyrics, which resonated with fans of lo-fi rock and underground music at the time.

Jazz Impressions of Japan and Jazz Impressions of New York are two albums released in 1964 by Dave Brubeck, one of the most influential jazz pianists and composers of the 20th century. These albums were released as a double LP, showcasing Brubeck’s diverse ability to blend jazz with world music influences and modern jazz expressions.

Chromium is the 2005 album by the progressive rock band Talisma, a project known for their complex instrumental arrangements and blending of various genres, including progressive rock, jazz, and fusion. The band, primarily instrumental, incorporates elements of classical music, electronic, and avant-garde rock, which makes Chromium a multifaceted and eclectic work.

Straight Ahead is a 1994 album by Hungarian jazz pianist Szakcsi Lakatos Béla, commonly known as Szakcsi, a prominent figure in the Hungarian jazz scene. The album features a blend of straight-ahead jazz with influences of both Hungarian folk music and contemporary jazz, reflecting Szakcsi's unique style and approach to the genre. As a highly skilled and versatile pianist, Szakcsi incorporates rich harmonic structures and intricate rhythms into his compositions and improvisations.

The Crossing is an album released in 2001 by The Dave Brubeck Quartet, led by the legendary jazz pianist Dave Brubeck. This album represents a later stage in Brubeck's prolific career, showcasing his continued innovation in jazz, particularly in the realms of rhythm and harmony. The quartet features a blend of Brubeck's distinctive jazz piano stylings and his groundbreaking approach to time signatures, making the album both a continuation of his earlier work and a reflection of his evolving artistry.