Who would have thought that the lead singer for one of Sweden’s most beloved melodic death metal bands would be hiding such a talent for classic rock? Well, Bjorn ‘Speed’ Strid, the voice behind SOILWORK, has been leading a double life for over a decade now with both his main band and THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA, formed alongside then bandmate David Andersson in 2007 and also including former members of ARCH ENEMY and KING DIAMOND. Yesterday, their fourth album came out via Nuclear Blast Records, entitled Sometimes the World Ain’t Enough and it might just be the most bonkers record you hear this year…

The mastermind behind Lunatic Soul, Mariusz Duda (also renowned as the front man of the band Riverside) crafted what could well be one of his finest albums to date in last year’s ‘Fractured’, the fifth album in the Lunatic Soul canon. 2018 marks the ten year anniversary of his deeply personal solo project and to mark this occasion, Mariusz announced he would be releasing a sixth companion album with eight new compositions titled ‘Under The Fragmented Sky’…

Released in 1979, “Feel the Night” belongs to a string of albums that definitely established Lee Ritenour as one of the world’s best and most sought after guitar players. All but one track are original jazz/fusion instrumentals written by Ritenour and Don Grusin and perfectly played by the guitar superstar with strong support from the usual suspects. Among the cast of session aces are keyboardists like David Foster, Joe Sample and Dave Grusin with Steve Gadd and Abe Laboriel driving the pulsing rhythm section.

Soloff's trumpet has wonderful warmth and richness in the mid register and he periodically leaps into the upper stratosphere with squeals and wails. Trombonist Ray Anderson also plays `up there' with abandon, so much so that sometimes it sounds like there are two trumpets. Stand out cuts are Bassist Mark Egan's `True Confessions' which has a gorgeous spaciousness similar in manner to Billy Cobham's `Heather'.

Dominique Lawalrée (b. 1954) - Litanies Du Monde A Venir (1985) {LP Editions Walrus WLS15} (Released on VINYL but not CD)
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/48kHz - VINYL LP RIP -> 214 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 100 Mb
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© 1985 Editions Walrus | WLS 15
Classical / Modern Classical / Organ / Minimal

Belgian composer, keyboard player and educator Dominique Lawalrée, born in Brussels in 1954, studied music in Namur and began composing in 1973. With a name inspired by his love of The Beatles (I Am the Walrus, 1967), Lawalrée launched Walrus records in 1976 when he was only 22 years-old. Walrus was the vehicle of choice for the release of his own music, though he also published a great 2xLP compilation with Baudouin Oosterlynck, Eric de Visscher and Robert Fesler in 1984 (W.L.S. 012/13). Lawalrée’s music until the mid-1980s is a delightful mix of synthesizer exploration in the vein of Brian Eno and Roedelius, piano minimalism à la Satie, as well as personal ideas in the form of field recordings, sound collages and spoken word – for instance, his 1983 mini-LP Six jours à Barcelone (6 Days in Barcelona) included bird sounds.

This only album by Finchley Boys is a pretty satisfying mix of blues rock and psychedelia. The guitarwork is strong and these songs all do their job very well…

The Dolphins, a quartet that includes Dave Brubeck's son Dan on drums, primarily performs electronic originals that groove nicely. The musicianship of the group (which also includes guitarist Mike DeMicco, Vinnie Martucci on synthesizer and bassist Rob Leon) is excellent and the ensemble sound has potential but their originals are largely forgettable, with the only strong melody of the set being Dave Brubeck's "Blue Rondo A La Turk." All of the musicians are capable of creating more significant music.

One could say that Troyka s self-titled 1970 Cotillion album came out of left field, but that wouldn t quite do it justice. It really belongs on its own planet. Though there are strong elements of hard rock and psych that have made it a favorite among collectors, Troyka s mad concoction also stirs in elements of folk, traditional Ukrainian music, Polish spoken-word bits, prog and even funk…

Ramones - The Sire Years 1976-1981 (2013) {6CD Box Set Rhino-Warner 8122796278}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 1.44 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 461 Mb
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© 1976-81, 2013 Rhino / Sire / Warner | 8122796278
Rock / Punk Rock/ Alternative

Not many bands can honestly say they changed the shape of rock & roll as we know it and upended part of the larger global culture at the same time. The Ramones did just that; by stripping down and speeding up rock & roll like a hot rod that could outrun all competition, and injecting it with a massive dose of snotty, absurdist humor, they gave the music a new lease on life, and left behind a handful of brilliant recordings that are still a solid kick to hear nearly four decades after their debut hit the streets. Punk rock first emerged from a very specific time and place, but the best of it is timeless in its joyous roar, and the first four Ramones albums absolutely live up to that description.

In his early prime and well-respected, tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins cut this fine hard bop date as one of several late-'50s sessions for Blue Note. The record is part classic date, part blowing session, sporting a mix of engaging head statements and lengthy solos. Rollins takes to the spacious quartet setting, stretching out on taut versions of Miles Davis' '50s concert opener "Tune Up" and Kenny Dorham's "Asiatic Raes." Keeping the swing hard but supple are drummer Philly Joe Jones, bassist Doug Watkins, and pianist Wynton Kelly; Jones was certainly the standout in this well-respected sampling of the best young players of the period, as he oftentimes matched the intensity and ingenuity of the star soloists he backed.