Back in 2008, former Wishbone Ash bassist/vocalist Martin Turner came up with the idea of re-recording the immortal "Argus" record with his then current band consisting of Ray Hatfield, Keith Buck, Rob Hewins, and Danny Willson. The legendary John Wetton (Asia, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash) and Yes keyboardist Geoff Downes also make an appearance on one track. However, the intention was to approach the aforementioned album from a slightly different angle with respect to the technology used to record it and each individual musician's contribution to the song material…

Great Friends is an artifact. Recorded on July 7, 1986, at Sysmo Studio in Paris, it is the only recorded output of the aggregation that included alto saxophonist Sonny Fortune, tenor saxophonist Billy Harper, Stanley Cowell at the piano, bassist Reggie Workman, and drummer Billy Hart. Until this reissue on the Pennsylvania indie Evidence Music, Great Friends was only available in Europe, on the French label Black & Blue. While led by the bristling tones of Fortune's alto, the recording gives equal time to each musician, allowing its titular egalitarianism to color each of the eight tracks included. Workman's bass solos on Stanley Cowell's "Equipoise" and his own "Synapse," in particular, reveal the clear lines of communication that define this recording.

Debut album “Evolution” which shattered preconceptions about crossover music being boring, as well as solo performances by the group members. Forestella gets their name from “a star(stella) that shines above a forest” and comprises of musical actor Bae Doo-hoon, tenor Jo Min-kyu, bass Go Woo-rim and ordinary salaryman Kang Kyung-ho. The four were the top finalists for the audition show “Phantom Singer 2” and went on to form the crossover quartet.

With the new album ‘Їм часто сниться капіж’ (‘They Often See Dreams About the Spring’), DRUDKH’s traditional black metal sweeps in like a cold wind from the East. Timeless frozen melodies adorn an uncompromising attack, creating yet another epic work from one of the genre’s most important bands.

J.S. Bach - Branderburg Concertos (1-6) and Orchestral Suites (1-4) (1990) {3CD Festival Strings Lucerne, Rudolf Baumgartner rel 1977-1978}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 986 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 433 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 122 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1977-78, 1990 EuroDisc / BMG Ariola | 69219-2-RV
Classical / Baroque / Concerto / Orchestral

I've been listening to Brandenburgs non-stop for the past three weeks, for some reason. I love the Ristenpart recording, and I like the Britten version even better in some ways. This Baumgartner recording has a certain elegance. The pace is a tad slower and the ambience a bit thicker. The second movement of the first Brandenburg hits that emotional place a bit better than in the Britten version. I would be hard pressed to say which I prefer overall, but on first listening I sure loved this recording.

Mick Karn - Three Part Species (2006) {2016 Kscope label digipak CD edition KSCOPE415}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 396 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 156 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 285 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2006, 2016 Kscope / Mick Karn | KSCOPE415
Rock / Experimental / Art Rock / Electronic

2016 release from the former Japan, Rain Tree Crow and Dalis Car bassist, his seventh solo album, Three Part Species, illustrates more than any other, how completely in command of musical composition he has become. A mixture of so many diverse types of music that, somehow never, even for a second, sound confused in direction. It's impossible with each piece to predict which genre will come next, as the listener is guided through Mick Karn's unique world. At times, there are elements of Motown rhythms and gospel choirs, classical arrangements and Rock guitars, passing through Hip Hop and Jazz Fusion, ethnic traditions and Pop songs.

Gutiarsist Tymon Kruidenier is known in the progressive metal world for his virtuoso skill and incredible technical songwriting ability and has a made a name for himself as a member of legendary prog death metal band Cynic as well as his own band Exivious. After Exivious' second full length album, however, Kruidenier said that he wanted to explore a different avenue of songwriting - vocals. Thus, Our Oceans was born. Graceful vocal melodies intertwined with dreamy guitar tones. Lyrical fretless bass lines dancing amongst washes of cymbals and clouds of percussion. Our Oceans laces classic singer/songwriter influences with modern, progressive elements. Weaving mindful musicianship and introspective lyrics into an otherworldly and deeply melancholic musical universe.