Vocalist Cassandra Wilson long ago attained the happy position where it was unnecessary to tell her followers that a new album was good. The fact it is a Cassandra Wilson album is recommendation enough. Since her Blue Note debut in 1993, she has been in a rich vein of form – and now Silver Pony continues that run. (John Eyles, BBC review, 23 Nov 2010)

These early performances by the greatest string quartet of the 20th century are absolutely gorgeous. They may not be quite as virtuosic as the Amadeus' later stero recordings of Mozart's quartets and quintets, but they are more mellow and lyrical. Combining expert musicianship, technical mastery, gorgeous sound, vivacity, and unbelievably tight ensemble playing, the Amadeus Quartet brings out the beauty of every melodic line of Mozart's ingenious compositions and does justice to each note and ornament.

The "Rocky Horror Hammond Show" - or "The Rocky Funky Organ show" - or whatever you want. Italian organist Michele Pintatore, aka Mike Painter, warms up the 50's and 60's rock music at the organ, borrowing a bit from Booker T., but also from samba organ king Walt Wanderley. Mike calls his band the Family Shakers, and that can be understood literally. Hip shaking is announced, the rock legend lives.

Onmyo-za is a band that is difficult to categorize. The band members themselves introduce their music as "Yokai Heavy Metal," with yokai (creatures from Japanese folklore) being the subject matter for many of their songs. This however, does not give full scope to the wide range of styles that the band performs, including pop, rock, ballads and their own special matsuri (traditional Japanese festival) style compositions that end every concert performance. Admittedly their music is deeply influenced by orthodox heavy metal, but there are also many aspects of traditional Japanese music woven throughout their compositions…