Because the band risked experimenting with some bold new directions on 1990's By Inheritance, the album usually gets a bad rap from grumpy thrash purists and even some Artillery fans. But, with the benefit of hindsight, Artillery's third album frequently sounds like their finest hour, as much for boasting some of the most distinctive and imaginative songs of their career as for incorporating textural variety at a time when many of the Danish quintet's contemporaries were wallowing in stagnation…

Vermicelli Orchestra is an instrumental project of professional musicians founded by composer Sergey Schurakov. The band consists of Sergei Schurakov (accordion, composition), Natalia Marashova (mandolin), Julia Rytchagova (cello), Timur Bogatyrev (flute), Mikhail Ivanov (bass), Ilya Rozovski (guitar), Pavel Ivanov (drums) and Oleg Shar (percussion). Vermicelli Orchestra performs its own original music of the unique sound and structure. The style can be defined as a modern music combining a multitude of styles bordering on rock, classical and ethnic music along with extensive use of polyphony and minimalism…

As PFM's work showed the increasing influence of electric jazz, the releases showed more impressive chops and yet also became less compelling to listen to. Jet Lag is the first release of theirs to cross this line, as it's noticeably less enjoyable than the previous year's Chocolate Kings…

Judging from the way Dark Passion Play starts out, it's understandable to assume that it's some sort of opera aria. But hold tight, dear friends, because from out of nowhere metal guitar riffs come swooping in. That's Nightwish for ya – a Finnish quintet that had been walking the line between symphonic and metallic for ten years by the time of this 2007 release…

Hispanodelicius Records warmly invites you to take a deep breath and dive into Little Pieces Of Infinity, a tranquil and relaxing exploration of psychedelic dub and chill out compiled by Dark Fox. Featuring a strong line-up of creative producers from South America and beyond, this release will enchant and delight your senses with super smooth rhythms and exotic melodies. Te invitamos a formar parte de esta liberacion musical, y a disfrutar del infinito. Diviertete!

As its title promises, Bud Shank Plays Tenor eschews the jazzman's signature alto and flute, and while the leap to tenor doesn't dramatically impact his overall sound and style, it does add soul and depth to his lyrical solos. Paired with pianist Claude Williamson, bassist Don Prell, and drummer Chuck Flores, Shank crafts a radiant set of standards spanning from "All the Things You Are" to "Long Ago and Far Away," and while none of the performances reinvent the familiar material, the robust approach sets the session apart from his other Pacific Jazz dates.

Honky is the hallucinogenic country music soundtrack to a nervous breakdown in the desert. Simon Stokes is a former collaborator of Timothy Leary, and his musical career stretches back for decades, including a variety of soundtrack contributions, in addition to stints in bands such as the Nighthawks, the Black Whip Thrill Band and a host of other groups. Honky boasts some impressive guest players, including the likes of Wayne Kramer and the Bellrays' Lisa Kekaula, and Stokes's own voice ranges from a low, gritty growl to a full-blown raspy howl. Stokes writes songs that stretch from slow, off-kilter bluesy rockers to subdued country ballads, and the album offers lyrical underworld stories concerning varied topics such as outlaws, love and drugs. Tougher than rusted brass knuckles, Simon Stokes plays distorted country and blues with a well-worn sneer.

This marks Rolando Villazón’s directorial debut in a dual-role: stage director and star singer (main role Nemorino) at the same time, and it is a clear WINNER. Inspired by the cartoon character Lucky Luke and the Spaghetti Western-tradition, the tenor’s staging for the Baden-Baden Festspielhaus is not only a film studio in the thirties but also a Western at the same time. Lead by the dynamic young conductor Pablo Heras-Casado, who “…conducts very singer friendly” (Online Musik Magazine). Extraordinary visual production, and one of the most memorable European operatic events of 2012.

This is an excellent selection of ragtime and jazz pieces performed by Claude Bolling. Many of the best-known ragtime songs are included on this one CD, including "The Entertainer" and "Maple Leaf Rag" by Scott Joplin, and "Tiger Rag". This album would be close to perfection if it also included "Kitten on the Keys" and "Dizzy Fingers", both by Zez Confrey; and "12th Street Rag" by Euday L. Bowman.