To a large extent, the Chick Webb big band is now chiefly remembered as the launching pad for Ella Fitzgerald, but during its peak years it was one of the top swing bands. This 25-song CD from the European Classics label reissues all of the band's recordings from a three-year period that did not feature Fitzgerald as a solo singer; she does make a brief appearance on "Wake up and Live."…

Branching out from their mostly Monk repertoire, Sphere tackles the work of equally celebrated bebop giant Charlie Parker on this 1987 recording. It would be the last record the band would make with former Monk sideman Charlie Rouse on tenor saxophone (he passed the following year and would eventually by replaced by alto saxophonist Gary Bartz when the band reformed in the late '90s). Along with several classic Parker originals like "Red Cross," "Dewey Square," "Barbados," and "Al Leu Cha," the quartet turns in fine versions of Parker favorites like "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" and "Just Friends" (both found on Bird's recordings with strings).

Out in the Fields: The Very Best of Gary Moore is a compilation album by Gary Moore. Released in 1998 the album encompasses a part of Moore's immense career from 1982 to 1994. There is also 2 CD version, released at the same time; the second disc contains outtakes from various gigs, two B-sides and one remixed track.

"Heavy Nights" finds Passport founder and veteran sax man Klaus Doldinger in rare form. On this offering from 1986, the veteran sax player delves into the world of pop-jazz. Although, given his vast palette and the different settings here, it would be a mistake to simply call Heavy Nights a pop-jazz record. Doldinger's tastes have always been eclectic and he brings his own unique jazz contributions to the table. Furthermore, he possesses that rare ability to produce jazz that is accessible without having to sacrifice substance in the process. Whatever you chose to call it, Heavy Nights is just great music. The songs here range from the playful "Bahia Praia" to the upbeat, big-band feel of "It's Magic."

Chapel Of Disease have caused quite a stir on the death metal scene recently. Approaching from a purely old school angle, their debut album Summoning Black Gods was a refreshing burst of inspiration in an otherwise stagnant scene. Floundering on its past glories and struggling to find a way forward, the death metal scene needed a short sharp shock and it looks likely that Chapel Of Disease may well have given it. Of course this could could have been a one off and their follow up may just be another death metal album. Except it’s not and in The Mysterious Ways Of Repetitive Art the band may well have defined what death metal can be for a new generation. Still chock full of old school riffs and growling vocals and blast beats it also has a sense of experimentation and resolve about it that is not unlike Carcass’ work on Heartwork. It is music which seeks to expand on a previous palette whilst keeping purely in genre conventions.

German death metal band STILLBIRTH and Rising Nemesis Records join forces to release / distribute the new album “Global Error” together with Deafground Records. This full length is the follow up to their 2011 release “Endgame is near”. During their fifteen years of existing, STILLBIRTH has created a very unique style that gives them a distinct sound. Twelve songs full of brutal,heavy riffs and extreme blasts and breaks awaits you.