Since her early success in Glyndebourne’s now famous production of Handel’s Giulio Cesare, Danielle de Niese has become most closely associated with the music of the Baroque. The New York Times commented: “A voice seductive enough to woo gods as well as mortals”.

The Brodsky Quartet celebrates its fortieth anniversary this year. Formed in 1972, the Quartet quickly emerged at the forefront of the international chamber music scene. It has performed more than 2000 concerts and made more than fifty highly acclaimed recordings. Now exclusive Chandos artists, the Brodsky players are releasing their second disc on Chandos with guest soloists Jean-Efflam Bavouzet and the harpist Sioned Williams.

Very important band from the rich Hungarian prog scene which makes a very complex and moody music. There is a huge variety in their music among their discography. Some albums are very dark, yet beautiful, with a calm atmosphere provided by cellos and violins among moody keyboards and guitars. Other albums hold a more consistent sound where you'll find ELP influences (mainly on the Hammond passages). Definitely a must in any prog rock collection.

Showing the influences of progressive rock, blues, and straight-up boogie, Wishbone Ash were never your run-of-the-mill British rock band, and this home video, recorded at London's Shepard's Bush Empire during the spring of 2000, makes it clear that three decades after their debut, this band still has plenty to say and the musical authority to say it with style, flair, and power. Wishbone Ash: Live - 30th Anniversary Concert features the band playing a dozen of their favorite songs with plenty of room for Andy Powell's trademark guitar solos.

The vikingrock band Njord was created in early 2003 and has now evolved to one of the most active vikingrock bands in the world. The band was created by Mathias and Johanna after influences of Ultima Thule and Völund Smed.The debut album ”Mot himlen…” was released at the moment the band members felt entirely confident with their material; in July 2008 at the company Vikingarock Records (sweden).

Omotai is a three-headed thunderous metal-spewing beast from Houston, Texas, formed in late 2009. Members include Melissa Lonchambon on bass, Anthony Vallejo on drums, and Samuel Waters on guitar.In July of 2010, the band released a five song debut EP entitled Peace Through Fear.The songs are brief, frenetic explosions of sound, a deft blend of grindcore, sludge, progressive noise-rock, math metal and whatever else happens to be blowing the band's skirt up at the time, all of it reaching your ears sopping with distortion and twisted to superior volume.

Clocking in at 45 minutes, Matthew Sweet's third record of guitar-dominated, hook-laden power pop runs through its 12 songs at a classic speed, piling up songs that lovingly conform to the three-minute pop tradition. Richard Lloyd's gnarled guitars save Sweet's melodies and harmonies from being saccharine or sappy. Behind Sweet's bright hooks lies something darker – the self-loathing of "Sick of Myself" and the mental manipulation of "We're the Same" aren't evident from the sound of the record, which obliterates any hidden meanings with its chiming guitars and driving rhythms. It might not have the consistent barrage of great songs like Girlfriend, yet it tames the wilder impulses of Altered Beast into an album that rocks its worries away without ever getting rid of them.

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) - Symphonies & Ouvertures
Anima Eterna / Jos van Immerseel
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 1,67 GB | Full Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Zig Zag Territoires # ZZT080402.6 | Country/Year: France 2008
Genre: Classical | Style: Symphony

…As for the orchestral playing, it leaves nothing to be desired; intonation is true and ensemble is razor sharp. Anima Eterna captures the music’s raw energy and succeeds in coupling it with eloquence and warmth, resulting in a wonderful blend of soul and virtuosity. In the end, these are sterling performances, certainly capable of going toe-to-toe with the period-instrument competition and well worth the time and effort to open your wallet.

Under the Covers is collaboration between alternative rock artist Matthew Sweet and Bangles singer Susanna Hoffs. Volume 1 and 2 contains 36 cover versions of favorite songs from the 1960s and 1970s.

The Charlatans - Between 10th And 11th
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 282 MB | Full Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Beggars Banquet Germany # SPV 084-05092 | Country/Year: Germany 1992
Genre: Rock, Electronic | Style: Brit Pop

…In hindsight, though, Between is much stronger than its reputation, with many fans proclaiming it their favorite. It's partly due to Burgess' more up-front vocals – his singing is still some of the calmest one will ever hear at the front of such a band, but his performance maintains Some Friendly's loose flow while sounding more compelling…