When an artist has been as prolific for as long as blues legend John Lee Hooker, a lot of curious items pop up in the discography, including albums of unknown derivation and varying quality. THE GREAT JOHN LEE HOOKER shares something with these recordings in that it's a small label release with no recording information. That shouldn't scare you away, though…

Tromba Hispanica: 17th-Century music for the Spanish Court Trumpets - Barocktrompeten Ensemble Berlin (2011) {Raumklang RK2906}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 325 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 158 Mb
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© 2011 Raumklang | RK 2906
Classical / Renaissance / Baroque / Trumpet

At the beginning of the 16th century a mighty axis was formed in Europe: the Spanish royal house joined with the Habsburg Empire, to which belonged also the nothern parts of Italy. These ties were a reason for numerous travels undertaken by envoys, diplomats and also rulers, who usually – as an important element of representation – were accompanied by ensembles of trumpeters. A huge ensemble of the Viennese court ca 1600 consisted of 30 trumpet and timpani players. Its Spanish counterparts were two slightly smaller ensembles: first, established before joining Isabela and Ferdinand courts, and the other one: a newly-founded ensemble of the Italian trumpet players.

A prestigious line-up of musicians - Les Solistes de Prades, directed by clarinettist Michel Lethiec - introduces us to a Théodore Gouvy who here appears warmer and more unexpected than ever, in this anthology of large-scale works for wind instruments. A splendid, previously unpublished 'Septet', dedicated to Paul Taffanel, and the Ottetto accompnay the 'Petite Suite Gauloise'. Here is another stage in the process of rediscovery of this once little-known composer from Lorraine, who again confirms his position as a major figure in late nineteenth-century French music.

Difficult to Cure is the fifth studio album by the British hard rock band Rainbow, released in 1981. The album marked the further commercialization of the band's sound, with Ritchie Blackmore once describing at the time his appreciation of the band Foreigner…

Mexican band RIZENGARD was formed back in 2011, and following just a sole year as a band unit they were ready with their debut album "Chapter 21″, self released by the band on the usual platforms we come to expect in this digital age as well as a physical CD…

Lee Konitz - The Complete Motion (1961) {3CD Set Verve Elite Edition 314 557 107-2 rel 1998}
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© 1961, 1998 Verve / Polygram | 314 557 107-2
Jazz / Cool / Post Bop / Saxophone

The album 'Motion' was originally released on LP with five tracks and later on CD with eight. All those tracks were taken from the session on 29 August, 1961 and feature the trio with Elvin Jones on drums. However previous to this date there had been two earlier sessions with a trio featuring Nick Stabulas on drums. In 1997 Verve issued all the sessions on a three CD set, now sadly OOP. Whilst it is clear why the session with Elvin Jones was the one marked for release, the other sessions with Nick Stabulas are also excellent and offer a fascinating alternative glimpse of a 'work in progress'.

The Count Bishops - The Count Bishops (1977) {2005 Chiswick Records–Ace Records CDWIKM 254, Remastered Reissue}
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© 1977, 2005 Chiswick Records / Ace Records | CDWIKM 254
Rock / Rock & Roll / Garage Rock / Indie Rock / Pub Rock

Kicking off with a great cover of the Kinks' "I Need You," this solid, unpretentious debut album belongs in the home of every fan of English R&B from the Yardbirds to the Pretty Things to Dr. Feelgood. Guitarists Johnny Guitar and Zenon de Fleur keep it tight and simple, never wasting a note, and vocalist Dave Tice is so macho, it's enough to make you laugh. The originals are OK if somewhat predictable blues-based rave-ups, but the energy and good cheer more than make up for the album's derivative nature. Not a deep album by any stretch of the imagination, just good dirty fun.