PentaTone's live recording of John Corigliano's The Ghosts of Versailles is billed as the world premiere recording, though it was preceded by the 1991 video recording of the Metropolitan Opera's production, which was conducted by James Levine and starred Teresa Stratas. Even so, this 2016 audiophile presentation of the LA Opera production, conducted by James Conlon, is a major event for opera lovers, especially since the Met's recording is difficult to find and performances of The Ghosts of Versailles are rare.

In a note accompanying this new Winterreise with Jan Van Elsacker, the fortepianist and musicologist Tom Beghin asks what yet another new recording of Schubert’s great song-cycle might offer. The answer, in the first instance, is the instrument Beghin plays, a newly restored Gottlieb Hafner from Vienna c1830, whose five pedals – and attendant effects – Beghin is unafraid to employ.

During 1928, the main stars of Duke Ellington's orchestra (in addition to the leader/pianist/composer/arranger) were trumpeter Bubber Miley, trombonist Joe Tricky Sam Nanton, clarinetist Barney Bigard, and (starting in June) altoist Johnny Hodges. All of the master takes (including ones for different labels) are being reissued in the Classics series. This disc is highlighted by "Black Beauty" (particularly Ellington's solo piano version), the heated "Hot and Bothered" (featuring guest guitarist Lonnie Johnson and singer Baby Cox), "Louisiana," and "I Can't Give You Anything but Love." Two songs feature singer Ozie Ware backed by a small combo taken from Ellington's big band. This CD has plenty of timeless classics, most of which are also available in other reissue programs.

Gravestone are a Swedish death metal band and this is their debut album. Featuring members of Entrails and Kongh, this is 34 minutes of classic, old-school death metal delivered in the venerable Swedish style. Gravestone revel in old-school Swedish death metal worship, and they do what they do very well indeed. Sickening is a highly recommended listen for any fan of the style.

"In the Days Of Jupiter" is the 4th album from tri-state post-rock trio Lights Out Asia. Just as Jupiter eclipses the other planets in our solar systems, Lights Out Asia have eclipsed expectations by delivering their most expansive album to date. Not only in relative scope and emotional depth but also in proper use of something they have used sparingly on previous albums - open space. Their previous use of guitars in a more deliberate melodic role is somewhat subdued on "In The Days Of Jupiter". The guitars here are utilized more just to drive a point home with the strings, field recordings and electronics being more of a prominent, and key, ingredient…

DJ Maretimo, Frank Borell, Cafe Americaine, Vladi Strecker, Jazzy James Jr., Stereo Gringos, Island Sun and more.
Includes continuous mix by DJ Maretimo.

Joe Wilder - Softly With Feeling (1956) {Savoy Jazz ZDS 1191, Early Press, rel 1989}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 191 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 113 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 15 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1956, 1989 Savoy Jazz / SJ Records | ZDS 1191
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Swing / Trumpet

Before it was more common for jazz players like Wynton Marsalis to play both jazz and the "straight" music from stage, screen, and concert hall, trumpeter Joe Wilder broke the mold as a regular in Broadway pit bands and as a staff musician at ABC-TV from 1957-1973. After fleshing out his formal studies via stints with Lionel Hampton, Jimmie Lunceford, Lucky Millander, and Count Basie, Wilder augmented his "day job" at ABC with several dates as a leader. This 1956 Savoy session finds him in the sympathetic company of pianist Hank Jones, bassist Wendell Marshall, and drummer Kenny Clarke.