Helen Jahren is one of today’s most prominent oboe soloists. As one might expect from a former pupil of the legendary Heinz Holliger, she takes a great interest in contemporary music and has premièred a succession of concertos and works written directly for her. On this disc however, she presents a selection of pieces written between 1935 and 1983 for oboe, with and without piano accompaniment. The composers are Britten, Doráti and Krenek – of English, Hungarian and Austrian origin respectively …………

And now a little thrill! Debut full and maybe only album The Branlarians (Before that was already split with Krutyshi Bobby Sixkiller)! Unrealistic pleasant to the ear early / skinhead reggae and ska from the French with lyrics in English. On this I have the authority as if everything is nothing to add, just swing!

As you should already know by now, FM359 is fronted by Street Dogs‘ vocalist Mike McColgan. Joining him in this project are fellow founding member of Dropkick Murphys Rick Barton (also of Continental fame), and fellow Street Dog Johnny Rioux. The resulting collaboration has been billed as “Americana, classic rock, country, tinges of punk rock, wrapped up in an uplifting folk, or even gospel backdrop; just without all the hand clapping…” We’ve heard it, and we agree.The band’s debut full-length, entitled “Truth, Love & Liberty,” was released today via Pirates Press Records, the same label released FM359′s “Some Folks” seven-inch earlier this year. Click here to get yours.

The long-awaited album is first and foremost an exploration of the possibilities of modern guitar music. A blend of ecstatic noise, ambient drone and visceral, ear-splitting alt-rock, combined with lyrics that touch on the complexities of relationships, nature, the city, memory, dislocation and self-identity, the self-titled record displays a giant creative leap from the lo-fi fuzz of the band’s first two EPs.

Seldom has an album lived up so well to its name. With each track, crafted from a combination of precious elements and featuring a whole host of guest stars, Juan Carmona puts the flamenco music so dear to his heart into the arena with jazz, that musical heavyweight, and world music. At times very outward-looking, at times introspective, with this album, he brings his art to a new level and paints a bold self-portrait underpinned by rich variety, freedom, the pleasure of new discovery and exceptionally high standards. The guitarist truly is an alchemist who has found the philosopher’s stone by focusing on the music alone.

Gimlie, the 20th album from Corvus Corax, “The Rolling Stones of Medieval Music,” finds them exploring historical Viking songs, languages and instruments. The band’s lust for life imbues long-dead art with vigor and passion, bringing history alive in a way that only music can. As with all Corvus Corax albums, those who have never heard medieval music will become fans after listening to Gimlie.

The Puerto Rican singer Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez (Ponce, 1946-1993), aka Hector 'Lavoe', was the most recognized, prestigious and imitated of the 'salsa music, which marked the summit to imitate by many salsa singers in later years. After starting with the Willie Colón band, Lavoe finished launching his solo career with his own band in 1975, which lasted successfully until the late 80s. This album features a collection of fifteen of the biggest hits of his career, especially 'El cantante', that became his logo theme.

Second recording of the great flamenco guitarist Rafel Riqueni. The disc offers ten itemson various flamenco styles. Riqueni, composer of all, gives a master lesson in flamenco guitar and composition demonstrating ithis qualities of virtuoso performer and composer. Particularly in the topic 'Villa Rosa' strikes a perfect balance between his sensibilities as flamenco and classical guitarist and high styling in the melody. 'Villa Rosa' is considered the best 'minera' ever played on a flamenco guitar.

Released for Christmas 2003, this collection of John Lennon's solo songs was prepared – with the substantial involvement of Yoko Ono – expressly for DVD. ..

Carolyn Wonderland & The Imperial Monkeys - Play With Matches
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 351 MB | Full Artwork: 31 MB | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Big Mo Records # BIG MO 3024 | Country/Year: US 1995
Genre: Rock, Blues | Style: Blues Rock, Alternative Rock

Carolyn Wonderland is an American blues singer, songwriter and musician. Wonderland's instrumental abilities include guitar, slide guitar, mandolin, trumpet and piano. Although primarily a blues artist, Wonderland likes to incorporate elements of country, swing, zydeco, surf, gospel, soul, and cumbia into her musical mix. She usually performs with Cole El-Saleh on keyboards and Robert Michael Hooper on drums…

Ludwig van Beethoven - Ronald Brautigam - Eroica, Variations (1796-1802)
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 299 MB | Full Artwork: 99 MB | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: BIS # BIS-SACD-1673 | Country/Year: Sweden 2012
Genre: Classical | Style: Classical Period, Piano

"…Like the previous releases in this series, BIS's sound is excellent. All I can say are the usually adjectives of praise. Since I received this disc a month and a half ago I've probably listened to the Eroica Variations nearly 20 times – like the previous releases, it's Beethoven played to perfection." (sa-cd.net)

The sound of Paul Bley's trio brings to mind Lennie Tristano immediately as this recording begins, and for once Bley is playing with a heavy enough touch so that an appropriately dark-toned curtain shrouds the music; out of this bursts a series of blues choruses that are incredibly inspired. Thus begins one of Bley's most enjoyable albums, a recording from New York City in the early '60s that has been issued in close to ten different versions. The acquisition of these tapes by the French BYG label right away spells trouble, especially for anyone hoping to collect royalties. Jazz fans will encounter several different cover photographs for these loose Footloose! releases, even involving several different pipes being smoked by Bley.