The origin of Timba, a sound with highly complex rhythmic arrangements, can be traced back to Los Van Van and Irakere. It's no surprise former Irakere reedman German Velazco delivers a Timba album like no other.

Another 7 years passed by after the release of the The Ballads III. Seven years of writing, recording and collecting even more emotional and melancholic songs. To keep up the tradition, they decided to record 3 brand new tracks for this ballad compilation. Where The Wild Waters Flow is a composition in the true ARP ballad style. Holy Diver has been completely re-arranged and made a piano version out of it, featuring some orchestra strings, a cello and a clean and melodic guitar solo. Hallelujah is one of the best ballads around. Originally written and released by Leonard Cohen in 1984.

"The Source Of Black Water", the new album, every fan of melodic NeverDie heavy metal music may find yourself something interesting - the lyrical compositions generously flavored gothic elements of different metal styles. Atmospheric keyboards gently diluted with powerful guitar riffs, and pure and extreme female vocals to the sound diversity.

An exploitative album, released in 1966 shortly after the Yardbirds had their first American hits. This is a live show from late 1963, on which Chicago blues great Sonny Boy Williamson is backed by an extremely green Yardbirds. Yes, Eric Clapton is on here; no, he doesn't play well, managing some thin, extremely tentative solos that find him stumbling occasionally. It's really not that bad, though, as Sonny Boy himself sings well. But it should really be treated as a Sonny Boy Williamson release that happens to have a soon-to-be-famous-but-still-embryonic band in the background, in the manner of the sides the Beatles cut in Hamburg supporting Tony Sheridan. All of the material, and even some unreleased/alternate takes from the same dates, has since shown up on anthologies that are much easier to find than this instant collector's item.–by Richie Unterberger

This is a particularly intriguing project, for producer Pete Welding in 1966 gathered together four veteran Chicago blues musicians (three of whom were playing electric blues at the time) and had them re-create the style of a 1920s/'30s string band. Carl Martin (60 at the time) was part of the original era, and he is heard on violin and guitar. Also featured in different combinations are Johnny Young on mandolin, guitarist John Lee Granderson, and John Wrencher on harmonica; all four musicians have their spots taking vocals. The music is very much in the early tradition, and the music is both spirited and delightful.–by Scott Yanow

The sound of Vangelis is unique. Through a keyboard-based combination of orchestral and electronic textures, he has created a remarkable and unique world of sound. Vangelis plays all the instruments himself: he is composer, arranger and producer. In over twenty albums, in many film, television, theatre and ballet scores, he has created an instantly recognisable and distinctive style which, although widely imitated, has never successfully been copied.

2006 release from a Brazilian singer who claims both France and Canada as home. Label Honcho Pierre Barouh signed her to his mythical Saravah label. This effort follows up her first album "La Memoire Du Vent" from 1997. "Coeur Vagabond" is a collection of Brazilian songs sung in French (material penned by Caetano Veloso, Jobim, Chico Buarque, Djavan, Marcia Faraco…); and French songs sung in Portuguese (By Alain Souchon, Serge Gainsbourg, Georges Brassens), all flavoured with Bossa and Samba. This dialogue between the two languages and the songs themselves provides a unique realized concept of two textual and musical legacies.

"On the Other Hand" finds pianist Michel Camilo straying from his normal piano trio format to command a larger ensemble with horns and percussion. This expansion is continued further with the addition of a guest vocalist on one track ("Forbidden Fruit"). His stunning piano chops, however, are in fine form as usual, as are his masterful composing and arranging skills. With this release, his fifth as a leader, Camilo is in his prime.

John Zorn - Masada Guitars (2003) {Tzadik}
EAC rip (secure mode) | APE(image)+CUE+LOG -> 354 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 171 Mb
Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 12 Mb
© 2003 Tzadik | 7171
Jazz / Modern Jazz / Guitar

In 1993 John Zorn began composing and performing his 208 tunes that now comprise what is known as the Masada songbook. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of this, his most popular musical project, John Zorn has organized a series of CDs, featuring his most illustrious colleagues performing their own unique arrangements of these classics of modern Jewish music. This first release contains three guitarists whose styles are as varied as the compositions they perform. From the singular brilliance of Marc Ribot, the lush sonorities of Bill Frisell, to the orchestral virtuosity of Tim Sparks, Masada Guitars is a glittering tribute, lovingly executed by three of the most original guitarists in the world.

Phil Collins first enjoyed international success as the drummer with Genesis and then subsequently as lead singer when Peter Gabriel left the band. In 1981, however, Face Value launched him as a solo artist and remains in many ways his most exciting and unusual music offering.Face Value was immediately a worldwide hit, entering British charts at Number 1, spending almost six years in the Top 75, and selling in excess of 12 million copies. The album went on to make the U.S. Top 10, earning a gold disc. Face Value also gave birth to several hit singles, including the atmospheric 'In The Air Tonight,' ' I Missed Again,' and 'If Leaving Me Is Easy.'