Here's more proof that Weather Report actually became a more potent, life-affirming musical force after the departures of its best-known sidemen. Things begin on an oddly commercial note with a pop song "Can It Be Done," sung by Carl Anderson, that actually lays out Weather Report's credo, searching for sounds never heard before. Then Joe Zawinul and company get down to business with the funky "D-Flat Waltz," marked by Omar Hakim's flamboyantly complex drumming. Zawinul's synthesizer textures become thicker and more flexible with the help of newly-introduced digital instruments, and the funk element in general becomes more pronounced than on any record since Tale Spinnin'. Victor Bailey (bass), who spins his wheels on the title track, and Jose Rossy (percussion) remain on board (though Rossy left shortly thereafter) and Wayne Shorter's tenor sax has a rawer, tougher edge than it has in awhile. Though not quite as triumphant as Procession, a triumph nonetheless.

Isaac Hayes - The Isaac Hayes Movement (1970) {2004 Stax DSD Remaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 231 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 87 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 73 Mb
© 2004 Fantasy / Stax | SXSA-31238-1010-6
Soul / Southern Soul / Funk

If some cynics chimed that Hot Buttered Soul had been a fluke, Isaac Hayes easily repeated the success of that 1969 breakthrough for symphonic soul with this 1970 masterpiece. Like its predecessor, it contains four long songs and became a massive seller, peaking at No. 8 on Billboard's pop album chart. Highlights include Hayes's soulfully simmering renditions of Jerry Butler's "I Stand Accused" and the Beatles' "Something," the latter featuring the serpentine jazz violin work of John Blair. Stax Records historian Rob Bowman has called Hayes's vocal on "I Stand Accused" "his finest moment as a singer" and that song's interplay between Pat Lewis's background vocal line and Michael Toles's circular guitar figure "pure alchemical magic."

Dimitry Markevitch - Bach: Six Suites For Cello Vol 1 (1992)
EAC Rip | FLAC+CUE+LOG | 282 MB | no scans
MP3 CBR 320kbps | 158 MB
Baroque Cello | Label: Gallo | 69:12

Dimitry Markevitch (1923 - 2002) was a Russian concert cellist, researcher, teacher and musicologist. He studied under Gregor Piatigorsky and founded the Institut de Hautes Etudes Musicales (IHEM) in Switzerland. His brother, Igor Markevitch, was an orchestral conductor.Markevitch rediscovered several important manuscripts, including Westphal and Kellner transcriptions of several Bach Suites, and published his own edition of the Suites, playing all six in recital at Carnegie Hall in New York in 1964. He was one of the first people to champion "authentic" instrumental techniques and played a baroque cello for pieces composed before the 19th century.

Jonas Kaufmann - Schubert, Die schöne Müllerin (2010)
Jonas Kaufmann (Artist), Franz Peter Schubert (Composer), Helmut Deutsch (Performer)
MP3 CBR 320kbps | 146 MB
Classic Tenor/Song Cycle | Decca | 63:10

Schubert's devastating song cycle, Die Schöne Mullerin is not solely for the singer, but exists as an equal duet between pianist and voice. Listeners will experience Jonas Kaufmann's voice from an entirely new perspective, as he sings romantic Lieder. Kaufmann's outstanding ability to communicate though the music with his versatile voice is heartwarming. Helmut Deutsch, a renowned collaborative pianist, brings his intelligence and sensitive artistry to bear in these heart-rending performances.

A collection of traditional Egyptian belly dance music. This album is good for any beginner or advanced belly dancers. It is also suitable for parties, DJ's, and clubs. It was nominated for the best Belly Dancing Music in 2000 by The International Academy of the Middle East Dance. Music by Dr. Samy Farag

Fifi Abdo's Middle Eastern Nights is a curious album that puts together several belly dancing songs. This hypnotic style of music is very engaging and sensual, and is played as such throughout. The only weird issue is that Abdo must be the big-name belly dancer attached to the project, because she isn't credited with doing anything more than that. But anyone looking for this sort of music for any reason, this is a good collection that has a clear production and doesn't resort to bad keyboards the way that many similar collections do

An eclectic mix of heartfelt gospel, earthy blues and hook-laden pop, Rebecca Cole's Drink the Rain heralds the arrival of a distinctive new musical voice. Music straight from the heart and at once introspective and exuberant plus great guitar work and backing vocals from special guest artist and local legend Carolyn Wonderland.