What is documented on this CD is the highly memorable first Avantasia world tour. It included a headliner show at the Wacken Open Air festival for an audience of 85,000 people in 2008 and at the Masters Of Rock festival, but also shows in Asia, South America and all over Europe in front of more than 500,000 people. Apart from the concert, it offers a detailed documentary movie about this once-in-a-lifetime journey of the world’s greatest Heavy Metal-all-star-circus, containing of icons such as Kai Hansen (ex-Helloween), André Matos (ex-Angra) and Jorn Lande (Masterplan). In the end, The Flying Opera illustrates the sheer magnitude of this historic event perfectly and is fun to watch for fans from all over the globe!

Metronomy release their third album, ‘The English Riviera’ on April 11th through Because Music. The follow up to 2008’s critically acclaimed ‘Nights Out’, ‘The English Riviera’ is a sonic progression of epic proportions and affirms Metronomy front man and producer, Joseph Mount, as a rare British talent. Since ‘Nights Out’, the band have swollen to a four piece with new members Anna Prior on drums, Gbenga Adelekan on bass, original member Oscar Cash on keys/sax, and Joe himself on vocals, keys and guitar. This expansion of personnel is reflective of a new record that is mapped by vast soundscapes, incredible depth and warmth, and big pop hooks.

Celebrating the rediscovery of a long-lost mass in forty parts - a feast of Renaissance choral music from Italy and England, the album (and bonus DVD) reveals a work by the Italian, Alessandro Striggio – believed lost until the recent discovery of vocal parts, in Paris. Striggio travelled extensively to the courts of Europe and it was probably a performance during his visit to Elizabethan England in 1567 that inspired Tallis to write "Spem in alium", which is performed here with rarely heard instrumental accompaniment and the benefit of a major piece of textual change reinforcing the message of forgiveness.

Excellent example of instrumental sympho/neo-prog deeply inspired by IQ.The further we go the more complex music we meet; a real sympho!!!..

Following the much ballyhooed Return To Forever reunion tour of 2008, guitarist Al Di Meola began refocusing his energies on his World Sinfonia band. Live in Seattle and Elsewhere documented his tightly-knit chemistry in concert on a 2009 tour with his acoustic ensemble of accordionist Fausto Beccalossi, second guitarist Kevin Seddiki, bassist Victor Miranda, drummer Peter Kazsas and Di Meola's longtime collaborator Gumbi Ortiz on cajon and assorted hand percussion. Di Meola's rhythmically-charged flamenco and tango inspired originals revealed his knack for advanced harmonies along with his embracing of simple, beautiful, alluring melodies. And although he may be a romantic at heart, he showed that he is still very much capable of flashing those legendary chops that graced his `70s classics like Elegant Gypsy and Casino.

Always in their own space, Pavlov's Woody have done it again. They Came From Beneath The Surf is a very enjoyable surf CD that's well suited for traveling (plays nicely in the car), and for focused listening as well. Excellent arranging, superb use of piano, and great playing all around.

Although a touch underrated, Jazz at Oberlin is one of the early Dave Brubeck classic recordings. The interplay between the pianist-leader and altoist Paul Desmond on "Perdido" borders on the miraculous, and their renditions of "The Way You Look Tonight," "How High the Moon" and "Stardust" are quite memorable. ~ AllMusic