Very few, if any, attempts to merge classical music and jazz have succeeded. Somehow, jazz pianist Uri Caine's masterful and magnificent interpretations of selected works of the 19th century classical composer Gustav Mahler work remarkably well. Of course, it does not hurt to work with a stellar ensemble, including trumpeter Dave Douglas, violinist Mark Feldman, clarinetist Don Byron, and drummer Joey Barron, and turntable spinner DJ Olive, among others. However, it is Caine's clever arrangements that take the cake. He does not simply "jazz up" Mahler, which would mock the greatness of his works. Instead, he worms himself inside the songs and harmonies and uses them as a starting point to create a related, but new, synthesis of his music. Jewish folk melodies, cantorial renditions, free jazz, and classical violin are all merged in a whole that transcends the parts.

~Steve Loewy

This record gives us a survey of Russian music of the twenties in all its diversity, its complexity and all its ambivalence, and affords a glimpse of numerous phenomena with a bearing on analogous processes in western culture of the period. Russian music of the first post-revolutionary decade is here represented by the works of three composers of totally different personalities and scope : Sergey Prokofiev, the young iconoclast, the revolutionary who burst upon the traditional musical scene and, as Mayakovsky said, asserted himself "with weight, brutality and ostentation"; Vladimir Shcherbachov, the heir of the academic traditions of the Saint Petersburg school; and Nikolay Roslavets, that marvellous Russian artist who, after a period of unjust oblivion, has today become the centre of constantly growing interest on the part of music lovers and musicologists.

(Booklet Extract)

A pianist who has always given more attention to the shape of a melody than to the condition of his outward career, musicians' musician Bobo Stenson is suddenly ubiquitous. War Orphans finds Stenson, Anders Jormin and Jon Christensen in peak form as they rove freely through an intriguing repertoire that includes two Ornette Coleman tunes, Ellington's "Melancholia", a beautiful Cuban love song by Silvio Rodriguez, and original material by bassist Jormin and the leader.

To say Etta James was one of the most prolific jazz, soul and blues singers on the planet is a fact, to say her voice will never be matched by another is a fact, to say Etta James:Live At Montreux is the best compilation and showcase of her work is also a fact. It's a great album and has been on repeat in my car for weeks, even the omission of some of my faves couldn't put a damper on the sheer joy this album produces.

Anthony Wilson Trio - Our Gang
EAC+LOG+CUE | WV: 330 MB | Full Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Groove Note # GRV2008-2 | Country/Year: US 2001
Genre: Jazz | Style: Contemporary Jazz, Post-Bop, Guitar Jaz

…The panoramic soundstage, high resolution, and overall sweetness make this recording sound very here, and the cymbals give away how special the sound is – quick attack and long decay. This CD could pass for a 24/96 DVD, and it was recorded live to two track DSD, so expect an SACD soon.

The first-ever live audio/video offering from the former NIGHTWISH soprano, "Act I" is a mammoth undertaking recorded and filmed with 10 HD cameras at the breathtaking Teatro El Círculo in Rosario, Argentina in March 2012. With an elaborate track listing of solo tunes, NIGHTWISH classics and various covers, including a rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom Of The Opera", Gary Moore's "Over The Hills And Far Away", WHITESNAKE's "Still Of The Night" and a variety of video extras, "Act I" provides a full-fledged bill of fare to every diehard Tarja fan.

The truly monolithic sound of Sylosis covers the bases of melodic death metal and modern thrash, always adding special, unique touches that help them stand far apart from the crowd. Not only on a musical but also on a thematic level, the image of an almost insurmountable rock of monumental magnitude literally forces itself on the listener when listening to the aptly-titled 'Monolith.' Enthralling narratives on the basis of Greek mythology are cast in a lyrical mold, and musically Sylosis proves they are worthy of all extolments by delivering a record that stretches the listener to the limit.

Lee Ritenour's Rhythm Sessions is, in a roundabout way, a companion album to 2010's Six String Theory. For that record, he sought out a slew of guitar greats to celebrate their joint love for the instrument. Here, Ritenour assembles another top-flight cast for a set of tunes that range from fusion to pop, from contemporary jazz to post-bop and more. "The Village" places the guitarist with George Duke, Stanley Clarke, drummer Dave Weckl, and percussionist Munyungo Jackson. The fusion groove is nocturnal, slippery, even bluesy. Kurt Elling joins Dave Grusin, Nathan East, and Will Kennedy for an elegant reading of Nick Drake's "River Man." This utterly unique recording in the contemporary jazz genre is a fine showcase for his skills as a bandleader.