Dexter Gordon - The Complete Hamburg Concert 1974 (2008) [2CD] {Gambit Records}
EAC Rip | FLAC (tracks+.cue+log) - 844 MB | Scans JPG - 20 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.98) - 267 MB
Genre: jazz | RAR 5% Rec. | Label: Gambit Records | CAT # 69304 | 2008

A previously unissued Dexter Gordon concert recorded (in superb stereo) in Germany in 1974. This was the first live performance by the NDR band, formerly known as the NDR Studio Band, conducted here by Bosnian trumpeter Dusko Goykovich, who also acted as MC and arranger. The band features guests : Herb Geller, Slide Hampton, Horace Parlan, Tony Inzalaco and Goykovich himself.

This is another great, but completely underrated album from obscure UK progressive rock band. Released in November 1970 on Beacon Records, the Whichwhat's First (and last, unfortunately) album contained an eclectic mix of styles - from bluesy prog, through jazz-rock to folk ballad. That varied and (sometimes) simply stunning album will certainly appeal to the fans of early Jethro Tull, Family and Traffic - with plenty of sax and flute, nice guitar leads and very busy and inventive drumming. It's worth noting that the drummer Steve Harris played before in Woody Kern - another very underrated UK progressive band. In addition to the original LP listing, the four singles tracks has been included as a bonus. This CD has been carefully remastered from the original source and sounds better than ever!

Many of Chicago's blues clubs could be described as "blues and soul clubs" because that's exactly what they are. Although blues is the main focus of those West Side, South Side, and North Side venues, so many of the artists they book include a lot of R&B in their sets. One of those soul-minded bluesmen who lives in Chi-Town is Detroit native Quintus McCormick, whose Put It on Me is a perfect example of an album that has one foot in electric urban blues and the other in soul (specifically, old-school soul of the ‘60s and '70s variety). Actually, McCormick's résumé says a lot about his musical outlook; he has been a sideman for both James Cotton and Otis Clay….

Delmark Records consistently unearths blues talent heretofore undiscovered, and guitarist/vocalist Quintus McCormick certainly fills that bill. Born in Detroit in 1957, he was listening primarily to rock & roll, but upon a move to Chicago in the late '70s, it took yet another decade for him to discover his calling as a bluesman. This recording shows McCormick has emerged from the shadows of being a sideman (James Cotton, Lefty Dizz, A.C. Reed), leading a band with a horn section and backup singers to present his side of authentic urban music. His acknowledged influence of guitarist Albert King is quite evident in his solos and fills, while vocally he's quite reminiscent of Bobby "Blue" Bland, or former employer/mentor Otis Clay. These songs were written by McCormick, with the stamp of authentic 12-bar blues, a little contemporary soul, and some rocking beats at times…..

Another promising band, this time comes from three countries (finland, italy, usa), doing a very agressive depressive black metal. Photophobia was founded in the winter of 2010 by the mind of Morbid (Fornicatus, Tunes of Despair) and Letaliis (…,oppressive light) to express the deep feelings and analyze the sadness inside their souls… Humana Fragilitas was the debut full lenght album recorded and released in 2010 by Immortal Frost Productions.In 2011 Photophobia starting writting new materials for their second full length “The Seven States Of Mourning” which was released in 2012 by Immortal Frost Productions

The sole album from this British progressive quartet was released only in Germany (in 1971) on Bellaphon label - home of the other little known UK bands, like Diabolus, Crazy Mabel and Little Big Horn. The sound of Sunday was a superb combination of a quite intensive and powerful Hammond organ-driven parts linked (in the background) with some piano notes, spontaneous electric guitar leads and powerful rhythm section - with more than a trace of blues and psychedelia. It can be compared to the Jody Grind (their member, Pete Gavin was a drummer, here…), Atomic Rooster, early Argent, Procol Harum (at their heaviest) and late 60' s Pink Floyd. This CD edition was carefully remastered from the original, analogue source and sounds really great!

Eric Dolphy - Eric Dolphy Quartet In Europe. The Complete 1961 Copenhagen Concerts (2012) [2CD] {EJC}
EAC Rip | FLAC (tracks+.cue+log) - 872 MB | Scans JPG - 129 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.98) - 357 MB
Genre: jazz | RAR 5% Rec. | Label: Essential Jazz Classics | CAT # EJC55546 | 2012

This release presents, for the first time ever on a single set, all of the music recorded by the Eric Dolphy Quartet in Denmark on September 6 & 8, 1961, which originally appeared on three separate LPs: Eric Dolphy in Europe Vols. 1 to 3 (Prestige PR7304, PR7350 and PR7366). Further versions of “Laura” (unaccompanied) and “When Lights Are Low” as well as a short take on Thelonious Monk’s “52nd Street Theme”, recorded a few days earlier in Sweden, have been added here as a bonus.

It has been four long years since the band revolving around Swedish mastermind Johan Edlund let their fans waiting for a new sign of life. Finally, the successor to the highly acclaimed "Amanethes" hits the streets. It was worth the wait, as "The Scarred People" presents TIAMAT in absolute top form! Mainly based in hypnotic mid-tempo, the songs combine elements from the legendary first albums and the latest long-players in the impressive TIAMAT discography and offer brilliant Dark Gothic Metal full of emotion and melody.