This luxuriously cast film of Mozart's beloved opera buffa features a host of legendary interpretations, including Kiri Te Kanawa's exquisite Countess Almaviva, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau as her philandering husband, Hermann Prey as the wily title character, Mirella Freni, a delight as his no less savvy bride Susanna, and Maria Ewing, hilarious as the lovesick page Cherubino. Director Jean-Pierre Ponnelle's imaginative camera-work tellingly emphasizes character and mood in this immortal story of love, intrigue and class struggle, set against the historical background of ancien regime Europe sliding inexorably towards revolution.

One of the top jazz singers of the 1990s, Roseanna Vitro is a versatile vocalist who is not afraid to take chances. On her Telarc debut, the personnel changes on many of the ten selections with the stars among the sidemen including pianist Ken Werner (Vitro's musical director), altoist Gary Bartz, trumpeter Tim Hagans, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Elvin Jones.Among the highpoints of the diverse repertoire are an adventurous "Freedom Jazz Dance," "Out of This World," "Long as You're Livin '," McCoy Tyner's "Passion Dance" and "Strollin"' (an adaptation of Charles Mingus' "Nostalgia in Times Square").The only number that does not work is an over-the-top rendition of "More than You Know" that is overly complex; simplicity would have been much more effective. Otherwise this is a superior set by a very appealing singer.

Roman jazz drummer Roberto Gatto's Sing Sing Sing features some of the brightest talents on the Italian scene. Essential contemporary jazz from Via Veneto Jazz. Roberto Gatto: drums; Javier Girotto: sax; Gianluca Petrella: trombone; Stefano Bollani: piano; Michel Benita: bass.

There's something about the WDR Big Band of Cologne that when you see that name on a recording, you know you?re in for a treat. In recent years, this German-based ensemble has turned in some magnificent performances alongside some jazz heavyweights, including Randy Brecker and the late Joe Zawinul. Now the WDR Big Band has joined alto saxophonist and vocalist Maceo Parker for Roots & Grooves, a two-disc set recorded during a European tour in February and March 2007.

The Mandrake Memorial - Medium (1969) {Poppy–Collectables COL-0692 rel 1996}
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© 1969, 1996 Poppy Records / Collectables Records | COL-0692
Rock / Psychedelic Rock / Early Progressive Rock

The brooding second album by Mandrake Memorial is complex, transitional and driven by four egos trying to define a unique sound-and still get along. I would chalk up any unevenness between the tracks to the compromises happening behind the scenes. It lacks the upbeat, spontaneous flow and continuity of their first album, though this music has a gradual tidal wave swelling to it, and it's full power becomes accessible after repeated listening. Mandrake's musicianship is improved and the song writing is far more adventurous.

Modern Jazz Quartet - Longing for the Continent (1958) {Lester Recording Catalog CDC7678 rel 1989}
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© 1958, 1989 Lester Recording Catalog / LRC Ltd. | CDC 7678
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Third Stream

The Modern Jazz Quartet is well documented on a number of outstanding labels, though there is only sketchy information about the background of this particular CD. Recorded in 1958 in Europe, probably from one or more radio broadcasts, the group is in top form, though the sound is at times a bit overmodulated. In addition to favorites like John Lewis' "Django," and Milt Jackson's "Bluesology" and "Bags' Groove," there are less frequently performed gems like "Animal Dance." Jackson's bluesy vibes are featured extensively, though Lewis' elegant piano is also a treat.

By the release of their third album, 1975's Dressed to Kill, Kiss were fast becoming America's top rock concert attraction, yet their record sales up to this point did not reflect their ticket sales. Casablanca label head Neil Bogart decided to take matters into his own hands, and produced the new record along with the band. The result is more vibrant sounding than its predecessor, 1974's sludgefest Hotter Than Hell, and the songs have more of an obvious pop edge to them…

2020 release. Grammy Award-winning Contemporary Jazz/R&B superstar Norman Brown has sold over 2 million albums in his extraordinary career and virtually lives at the top of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz sales and radio charts. Heart To Heart has Norman's hit-making talents on full display. Starting off with his cool and vibey tribute to Wes Montgomery, "Heading Wes," the album covers a wide range of styles including "Heart To Heart," a romantic duet with Peter White, the driving "Outside The Norm," "Amen" and much more!

Essence of Raga Tala is a unique and compelling take on Indian musical tradition; nine Indian ragas and selected talas are re-imagined for both traditional and western instruments in new and exciting directions.

As Roxy Music took an extended hiatus, the live album Viva! was released. Comprised of material recorded on tours from 1973, 1974, and 1975, Viva! is a tough, powerful document of Roxy at the peak of their live powers, featuring a fine cross-section of their best work.

The music of Syzygy is an overwhelming experience. It is still possible to make fresh and powerful music which has its roots in the seventies. Combining elements of old school progressive rock (Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant and ELP,) with modern production values, The Allegory of Light is a complex yet melodic collection of songs that will truly make a prog fan happy. The three musician’s are skillful enough to play the complex and up-tempo material of the band. At one point the guitar of Carl Baldassarre sounds like Fripp and the next time you think you are listening to Steve Howe. The same story goes for Sam Giunta. One minute he sounds like Keith Emerson, the next minute you think of Kerry Minnear (Gentle Giant) or Ryo Okumoto (Spock’s Beard)…

Gerhard Narholz (born June 9, 1937) is an Austrian-American composer, arranger and conductor, dedicated to easy listening and film score music. 1958-1965 he wrote pop songs for artists such as Petula Clark, Heidi Brühl, Bill Ramsey and film scores for various German feature films and TV series. He also produced various instrumental pop albums for Polydor Germany and Tokyo (under his pseudonym Otto Sieben). In 1965, Narholz founded the Sonoton Recorded Music Library. 1970-1980 Narholz arranged, produced and conducted numerous LPs with large string orchestra under his pseudonym Norman Candler for Decca Records / Telefunken, Germany and King Records, Tokyo. 1971 Norman Candler received the "3 Star Award" from BBC London for "Best Album of the Year".

Sylvain Chauveau - Abstractions (2012) {flau FLAUR 06}
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© 2012 Sylvain Chauveau / flau | FLAUR 06
Neo-Classical / Experimental / Abstract / Post-Classical

I've been remixing songs by other artists since 2001 and it's something I always like to do. This year, in collaboration with the Flau label, I've decided to compile my favourite remixes and to release them on one CD. Most of the time, I like to transform very much the original songs. I try to bring them into my own musical atmosphere. For example, on Agoria's techno song "Heart Beating", I kept nearly nothing of the original music but I replaced it by orchestral parts that I had recorded with a 40-strings orchestra for the film by HR Boe "Beast". Anyway, I always want to keep faithful to the original melodies.