In the hands of Richard Galliano, the mechanical intricacies of the accordion become agents of a compelling musical power, grace, and expression. A virtuoso of the instrument, Galliano exploits the complete orchestral potential of the keys, buttons, and air beneath his fingers. On Laurita, his musicianship is put in the service of utterly swinging jazz that is informed by the romantic and impressionistic influences of Galliano's French-Italian heritage. Call it the soundtrack for the boulevardier who likes to chase his espresso with a shot of bop. The core group on this 1995 session is Galliano, drummer Joey Baron, and bassist Palle Danielsson – a formidable trio in which Baron's muscular, musical touch and Danielsson's rich tone and technique…

The Extraordinary Nat King Cole will be released in two distinct versions. The standard single-disc edition contains 22 classic Cole performances, while the two-CD Deluxe edition adds 14 rare and/or previously unreleased tracks, including four never-before-heard vintage songs and previously unissued alternate takes of the Cole standards ''Straighten Up And Fly Right,'' ''Unforgettable,'' ''Mona Lisa,'' ''The Christmas Song,'' and ''(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons'' taken from the Nat King Cole Story sessions. Also featured are ''Ain't She Sweet'' and ''What to Do,'' recorded in 1954, both of which find Cole trading vocals with his daughters Carole and Natalie (whose cross-generational 1991 duet version of ''Unforgettable'' helped to introduce her father to a new generation of listeners.

ILLDISPOSED's new album "With The Lost Souls On Our Side" was produced, mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen at the Antfarm Studio. Lasse Hoile is responsible for the album artwork. The album is also available as limited edition digipak with two exclusive bonus tracks!

New York hardcore veterans MADBALL have set "Hardcore Lives" as the title of their ninth studio album, due on June 27 via Nuclear Blast. The CD was tracked and engineered by UNEARTH guitarist Ken Susi and mixed and mastered by longtime collaborator Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, AGNOSTIC FRONT, SOULFLY, TERROR, WHITECHAPEL).

Released in 1985, Astra is Asia's third studio album and first without guitarist Steve Howe. While somewhat unfairly regarded in comparison to Asia's first two albums, Astra is nonetheless a solid prog rock outing that finds bassist/vocalist John Wetton, keyboardist Geoff Downes, drummer Carl Palmer, and replacement guitarist, Krokus' Mandy Meyer, delivering a set of melodic and driving rock anthems…

This recording is related to a long trip Edgar made in the early 80's to Australia. The name "Pinnacles" is taken from a huge million years old petrified stone landscape in the Western desert part of Australia.