The album as a whole manages to nail that hard-to-find balance between catchiness and complexity, that point where all the songs are incredibly infectious yet there's always something more to be found and appreciated. That's what makes for such an accessible yet intricately subtle album.

After some editions of the popular series "Fetenhits - The Real Classics" there is now a 3CD-Best Of. The biggest hits and most popular songs for your party! Rock classics like Queen "We Will Rock You", R.E.M. "Losing My Religion" or Bon Jovi's "Livin 'On A Prayer" are gathered here, but newer hits, which have become almost classics, can also be found here, such as: Amy Winehouse "Rehab", Robbie Williams "Rock DJ" or Justin Timberlake "SexyBack". 60 hits guarantee a great atmosphere on your party!

Stylewise, the music on this CD sounds much closer to a mid-'60s Blue Note release than what one might expect from ECM. Although the general sound of the ensembles is light, the music is often filled with inner heat, a little reminiscent of a Wayne Shorter record. Altoist Eric Person and vibraphonist Steve Nelson work well together, bassist Dave Holland takes plenty of solo space, drummer Gene Jackson keeps the momentum flowing and guest vocalist Cassandra Wilson does a fine job on Maya Angelou's poem "Equality." Holland's originals have plenty of variety in moods while close attention is paid to dynamics. A satisfying and thought-provoking session.

The 70s are long gone, but the Musk has remained. DISCO is the party guarantor today as it was then. That's why the Fetenhits series features a Best Of on three CDs. The greatest artists of this era are all represented here: Donna Summer, Boney M., Barry White, Supermax, Anita Ward, Kool & The Gang, Hot Chocolate, Village People, Chic & Sister Sledge and and and ….. The Compilation Titles include the disco years of the 70s to the beginning of the 80s.

Holland picks up here where he left off on Emerald Tears with this overlooked solo album, which finds him swapping his usual upright for cello. While Holland is obviously no stranger to the instrument, it is such a rare pleasure to hear the cello alone at his bow. The bread and butter of this set is the eponymous five-parter, which indeed seems to trace a life from beginning to end. It is not only a cycle, but also its affirmation, such that the birth cries of “Inception” rend us with the thrill of being in a way that suggests awareness of a former existence.

Anthony Phillips' first post-Genesis solo album was an extension of the pseudo-medieval folk elements found on Trespass, the last of his Genesis albums. Much of this recording sounds like a lost Genesis album, understandable since Phil Collins does a lot of the singing, and Michael Rutherford is present on guitar, bass, and keyboards, and also shares composer credits with him on major parts of this album…

On this diverse and generally interesting CD, keyboardist/composer Dave Grusin performs a five-song suite from his soundtrack of The Milagro Beanfield War along with selections by Harvey Mason, his brother Don Grusin, Hugh Masekela, Marcus Miller and himself. Other than the suite (which has a string section), the music is mostly played by smaller groups, with Branford Marsalis on tenor and soprano a major asset on three songs and flugelhornist Hugh Masekela taking a solo on his own "Polina."

These concerts were a joy, mostly because of the beautiful attitude of these musicians. Besides the inherent talent involved, they each exhibit an enormous amount of caring, which makes all the difference. ~ Dave Grusin

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the opening of West Side Story on Broadway, Dave Grusin revived the score, giving its ten themes fresh arrangements that keep the original melodies in mind but add a stronger dose of jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms to the music. For the most rewarding recording of this music since Stan Kenton's powerful renditions of the early 1960s, Grusin utilized an all-star big band with strings. Among the key soloists are trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, Bill Evans, Michael Brecker on tenor, baritonist Ronnie Cuber and flutist Dave Valentin (who is featured on a purposely cute rendition of "I Feel Pretty") plus the pianist/leader, who clearly loves the music. In addition, one song apiece features vocalists Jonathan Butler ("Maria"), Gloria Estefan and Jon Secada.

Dave Grusin has been a highly successful performer, producer, composer, record label executive, arranger, and bandleader. His piano playing ranges from mildly challenging to competent to routine, but he's primarily an accomplished film and television soundtrack composer. Grusin played with Terry Gibbs and Johnny Smith while studying at the University of Colorado. He was the assistant music director and pianist for Andy Williams from 1959 to 1966, and then started his television composing career. Grusin recorded with Benny Goodman in 1960 and recorded with a hard bop trio who included Milt Hinton and Don Lamond in the early '60s.

The Jazz Club series is an attractive addition to the Verve catalogue. With it's modern design and popular choice of repertoire, the Jazz Club is not only opened for Jazz fans, but for everyone that loves good music.