"The Modern Jazz Quartet - Live at the Philharmonic Hall, New York 1973" is a recently released live album capturing a performance by the iconic jazz ensemble. This recording features the classic lineup of Milt Jackson on vibraphone, John Lewis on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Connie Kay on drums. Known for their sophisticated blend of jazz, classical, and blues influences, the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) delivers a dynamic and engaging set.

Lully may have had a monopoly on the performance of actual opera in France, but David et Jonathas is effectively a sacred opera composed for performance at Jesuit colleges. The work is comprised mostly of arias and choruses; what recitative there is is unusually dramatic–especially in Saul's confrontation with David and his visit to the Witch of Endor to summon the ghost of Samuel. (Dominique Visse as the Witch deserves special mention for a convincing performance in a role that could easily descend into camp.) William Christie's choir and orchestra perform with all the expertise you'd expect; Monique Zanetti makes a rather feminine Jonathan but sings beautifully. In the role of David, the sensitive and heroic countertenor voice of Gérard Lesne is extraordinary.

There is certainly no shortage of recordings of Bach's Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, but this version by a veteran American performer and teacher has something to offer to the interpretation of this work with so many facets and such a complex structure. Lisa Goode Crawford, a longtime professor at Ohio's Oberlin Conservatory and a performer on historical instruments since long before it was fashionable, plays a powerful harpsichord (apparently a copy of a Dutch Ruckers instrument, although this is not specified anywhere). It allows her to differentiate sharply among the variation types that make up Bach's massive edifice. Tempos in general are on the slow side, allowing the listener to luxuriate in the varied textures.

Fire Burning in Snow, the third volume in Ex Cathedra's series of Baroque music from Latin America, is strong testimony to the vitality of the musical scene in South America in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. The bulk of this album is devoted to the sacred and secular choral music of Juan de Araujo (1648-1712), who was born in Spain, but whose family moved to South America when he was a child. He lived in Peru and Panama, but spent most of his adult life in La Plata, Bolivia, where he was the organist at the cathedral. The music recorded here is notable for its almost Monteverdian range of styles and expressiveness. This selection of Araujo's strongly rhythmic work includes a rigorously polyphonic motet for triple choir; a simple, lovely lullaby for women's voices; and many stylistically diverse choral villancicos.

Accompanying CD to the book "Commercial Book" by Andrew Hook. This book & CD package is limited to 100 numbered copies. Some leftover copies of the CD were separately sold through Psychofon's web store in June 2024.

DUB ROCK dives deep into the sonic landscape of GROUNDATIONs 2022 release ONE ROCK. Legendary engineer Jim Fox of famed LION & FOX Studios peels away the layers and creates new compositions that are both dynamic and subtle with his use of reverbs and delays highlighting the instrumentation that includes a string trio and 12 lead vocalists ranging from GROUNDATIONs energetic frontman Harrison Stafford to the iconic voices of Israel Vibration, The Abyssinians, and The Congos. For many this dub release will exceed the triumphs of the studio album that has been hailed as an instant classic by fans and critics alike.

Elle est la plus belle voix de la chanson française des années 70. En 1974, Nicole Rieu enregistre "Je suis". Premier disque, premier tube ! Pendant cinq ans, elle accumule les succès, publie plusieurs albums, représente la France à l’Eurovision, gagne le Grand Prix de la Chanson au Midem de Cannes … et immortalise des titres aussi efficaces que beaux. En tout, 50 chansons sont enregistrées par Nicole chez Barclay jusqu’en 1979 : les voici toutes réunies aujourd’hui, sans exception, pour la première fois ! Vous en aviez rêvé … Marianne Mélodie l’a fait !

Ivan Graziani torna con un album di inediti dal titolo "Ivan Graziani - Per gli amici", a distanza di 30 anni dal suo ultimo album di studio "Malelingue", in uscita il 26 gennaio 2024 per l'etichetta NUMERO UNO/SONY MUSIC. L'album è composto da 8 tracce inedite: "Una donna", "La rabbia", L'Italianina", "La canzone dei marinai", "Tv", "Miley", "Ti sorprenderò" e la title-track "Per gli amici". Otto canzoni ritrovate grazie al lavoro della famiglia Graziani, prodotte dal figlio Filippo Graziani e distribuite dalla storica Numero 1 compongono questo imperdibile album che ci lascia una testimonianza viva di uno dei cantautori e musicisti che ha rivoluzionato il modo di intendere la musica d'autore e il rock italiano.

Extremely rare and almost impossible to find 26 track studio anthology of Michael Brown's chamber pop ground breakers includes "Walk Away Renee" and "Pretty Ballerina". Issued by Mercury with sleeve notes.

Power Ballads Gold Review by Rob Theakston
Like spandex pants, pyrotechnics, and concept records, the power ballad is as essential to a proper hard-rockin' band as a mid-concert guitar or drum solo. Giving the band a moment to show its sensitive side was just as important as the hardest song on the album, striking a balance and making the music accessible to those who like a little love in their rock. A time-honored tradition since the '70s, this two-disc compilation is not just a reasonably priced two-disc session, it's an anthropological barometer mapping the evolution of the power ballad. Metal love song compilations come and go, but never has this song style been so meticulously documented so well. Every single important moment in the history of power ballads is included in this 30-song session. From its early origins from classic rock bands like Styx, Kiss, Nazareth, and Foreigner; to its prime time golden years as a crucial centerpiece in a hair metal band's oeuvre (Poison, Extreme, Warrant, etc.), it's all here. Songs that transcended hard-rocking FM stations to soft rock background stations and back again. Lacking filler completely, this is a collection that is essential for any serious fan of the song style that has touched so many lives.

Features 39 tracks on 2 CDs and includes 2 booklets that contain extensive notes celebrating 50 years of singing and songwriting by one of the truly great artists of the 20th century. This collection includes a new song by Seeger, as well as rare appearances by artists like: Bruce Springsteen, Ani DiFranco, Bonnie Raitt, the Indigo Girls, Peter, Paul & Mary, Judy Collins, Tim Robbins (yup, the actor) and more! A pretty stunning group of socially conscious performers (from Bonnie Raitt to Billy Bragg) join in tribute to the inspirational music and life of Pete Seeger on this expansive 2 CD set. The grand selection of songs is well-annotated with notes from the artists and Seeger himself about each piece and its place in the pantheon. Among the many highlights are Bruce Springsteen's heartfelt "We Shall Overcome," John Trudell's tense "Torn Flag," actor Tim Robbins's rap-like "All My Children of the Sun," and Ani DiFranco's quiet, brooding "My Name Is Lisa Kalvelage." Further listening: the Smithsonian/Folkways release of If I Had a Hammer, a remarkable collection of Seeger singing his own songs. –Michael Ruby

Deluxe four CD + NTSC/Region 0 DVD edition. The most comprehensive collection of Tracie, the former protégée of Paul Weller. Bringing together her two studio albums plus much of the related bonus material from the period 1983-1986. 24 tracks appearing on CD for the first time. The featured period spans her eight singles and two studio albums over the period of 1983-6, while Tracie was signed firstly to Paul Weller's label, Respond Records, and then to Polydor Records for the release of two singles and the then unreleased second album, 'No Smoke Without Fire'. This was subsequently released in 2014 on Cherry Red Records. The exclusive DVD brings together her original promo videos, rare footage of Tracie's appearances at the BBC and a live performance filmed in Japan in 1984.

The title might sound like this one's a breakdance compilation – but it's 70s funk and soul all the way through! The package mixes together rare funky 45s, hard-grooving modern soul, and some heavier vocal numbers that are really great – and all chosen with the care that you'd expect from the Goldmine label! The groove's nice and open – so that you'll have heavy drums and guitar on one track, and strident dancing grooves on the next, shifting back and forth to keep the sound fresh, making each turn of the set a great new surprise. Titles include "Peace & Love" by Brooklyn People, "Welcome To My Door" by Spaceark, "Messenger To The Ghetto" by Otis Jackson, "Headin West" by Pure Soul Band, "My Love Supreme" by Milton Hamilton Crystalized, "Dance Your Ass Off" by Pop A Groove, "I Need You" by Diane Jenkins, "West Coast Drive" by VIP Connection, "Everybody Must Pay" by Family of Swede, and "Funkie Shortnin Bread" by Sidney Owens & North Soul Connection. 14 tracks in all!

Bach’s remarkable Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin are revered for their boundless inventiveness, technical ingenuity and emotional depth. With their brilliant preludes, stately dances and complex four-part fugues, the demands on the performer are enormous – from rapid scale passages, double stopping and arpeggios, to the skill and concentration required to create the illusion of separately moving and interweaving voices.

When an artist records one type of music exclusively for years, it's always amusing to hear the artist's manager, record company or publicist claim that he/she "defies categorization." The fact is that when an artist spends his or her entire career recording a specific style of music, categorization comes easy – and it's silly and dishonest to claim otherwise. But if any artist really does defy categorization, it's Robben Ford. The eclectic singer/guitarist is a compelling bluesman, but he's equally convincing as a jazz improviser and a pop/rock singer. On Supernatural, Ford's primary role is that of an easygoing pop/soft rock singer – although a pop/soft rock singer who often incorporates soul, blues or jazz.