"Geniuses are not born but (self-)made. Bach’s youth was a vast field of observation. From the years of apprenticeship in Ohrdruf, where his precocious artistic sensibility was dazzlingly demonstrated, to his first major post as organist at Arnstadt, Bach constantly enriched his musical culture, underpinned by a strong family tradition and driven by iconic respect for the old masters, crucial affinities and unfailing curiosity.

Fred Hersch is one of the greatest jazz pianists of our generation. Equipped with Bill Evans-esque lyricism, boundless imagination and fierce creativity, he has recorded many beautiful albums for various labels. His career was almost cut short by AIDS, but he came back from a near-death experience and began recording again. From this background comes his surprising first album for Venus Records. Unlike his recent releases, this album consists entirely of standards. Aided by John Herbert on bass and Eric McPherson on drums, Hersch displays his prestine tone, elegant interpretations of the standards, and his improvisational flair which often climaxes towards the end of a tune. An inspirational, strong trio album from the contemporary master of jazz piano.

The grounding force and shining start of this offering is Jillian’s rich lamenting voice and lyrics that are contemplative at times, political at other times, but at all times an honest reflection of an artist committed to true self expression and music that has meaning. This is one musician that is extremely determined and passionate about the songwriting craft. Speer also shares unique original tunes that harken back to a classic era. The songwriting is impressive and it offers much in the way of passion and compelling-thought provoking lyrical content. Speer is a real breath of fresh air and a shock to the everyday musical system presently in place.

Emtidi were a duo comprising the German Maik Hirschfeldt and the Canadian Dolly Holmes. Their first album was a low budget production, released in a very limited quantity on the minor Thorofon label. The music presented here was a somewhat ordinary kind of acoustic folk. Far more interesting and completely different was Emtidi's classic second album Saat, made with a solid involvement from Dieter Dierks (engineer, bass, mellotron, percussion) in the Dierks Studio, Stommeln in February 1972.

Aaron Watson opens Vaquero his 11th set of original material, but his third since he started making waves on the Billboard charts with "Texas Lullaby," a salute to the Lone Star State he calls home. Watson is a proud Texan it's very rare to find a Texan who isn't but Vaquero navigates the territory between tradition and modernity, sounding strong and open, never making concessions to pop but never adhering to a calcified notion of country, either. Watson is straightforward but nimble, happy to play with familiar sounds Vaquero is filled with songs that recall everyone from George Jones to George Strait but it always swings back to the present. Often, this materializes through tales of commitment much of the album is about being in a long-term relationship and that, combined with his allegiance to old-fashioned music, conveys how Watson is devoted to building upon the past, and that is ultimately what gives Vaquero its kick: Aaron Watson is an old-fashioned singer/songwriter, but he applies his traditional values to the present, and that's what makes Vaquero seem fresh.