Fire and Water is the third studio album released by the English rock group Free. It became the band's breakthrough, achieving widespread commercial success after the band's first two studio albums had faced a more muted response. With the "tremendous" acclaim of Fire And Water at their backs, in the words of Allmusic, Free headlined the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival and "appeared destined for superstardom".

This recording marks the second release of the Carducci’s Shostakovich 15 project, which includes performances of the complete cycles of the Shostakovich Quartets in cities including Washington DC, London, Oxford, Cardiff, Bogota and concerts throughout the UK to mark the 40th anniversary of the composer’s death.

The flute takes a very special place in French music, particularly so in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. As a result (and in addition to a great deal of original repertoire for the instrument) there is a significant body of work transcribed for flute and piano, which Lisa Friend and Rohan De Silva explore in this exquisite programme.

Just like Johann Sebastian Bach before him, Ludwig van Beethoven played a significant role in the development of the cello. His five sonatas for cello and piano, three cycles of variations and the Triple Concerto all enhanced the instrument's expressive scope to an extent that has not been bettered to date. With his unparalleled ability to endow the instrument with highly lyrical and elegantly cantabile qualities, he blazed the trail for composers who would follow him.

There is an entire life of composition between Saint-Saëns’s quintet and quartet — there are joys, sorrows, ideas and motifs, as well as the building of a life and an aesthetic. The Girard Quartet (Quatuor Girard) — currently one of the most promising French ensembles accompanied by young pianist Guillaume Bellom — wanted to capture this outstandingly delicate material on the new CD released by the B Records label. It was recorded in the calm and relaxed atmosphere of the Singer-Polignac Foundation.

It's a perfect match: Matthias Kirschnereit, the "Poet at the Piano" (according to Süddeutsche Zeitung), and the Konzerthausorchester Berlin under Jan Willem de Vriend play Schumann's large-scale work for piano and orchestra. All of the musicians are experienced, skilled artists and they have produced a performance clearly based on knowledge of the work and musical experience. The album's concept is impressive: Schumann's Piano Concerto, the most frequently recorded work in the history of the CD, is presented as the highlight, but also as a sort of encore after the three lesser known Concert Pieces opp. 86, 92 and 134.

For his first release with La Dolce Volta, Olivier Latry has chosen a programme devoted to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Fred Chapellier has now joined the ranks of the top French blues rock guitarists. Semi-finalist at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis (the largest gathering of blues musicians in the world) and having toured with some of the best French vocalists, all this managed to propel him front stage. With this 'Electric Communion' totally warm and dynamic, the logical continuation of his recent 'Electric Fingers', Fred confirms that he is more than able to succeed when recording in a studio as well as performing on stage.

Nils Landgren isn’t a name only to be found among “the top rank of European jazz trombonists“ (Der Spiegel). He is also one of the wide-ranging set of artists to be found on the European jazz scene today. “A musical omnivore“ (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) and “a marvel of flexibility“ (Jazzthetik), whose interests and output cover many bases: whether the man with the red trombone is performing one of his frenetic concerts to enthusiastic fans with his grooving Funk Unit, singing with “hypnotic charm“ (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung), devoting himself, in collaboration with Esbjörn Svensson, to the reworking of Swedish folk songs, or celebrating kitschy chamber music or big band jazz – all reflect the many sides of the same person.

Sentimental Journey is the proof that Nils Landgren is not only a world class trombonist and bandleader but a singer with heart and soul as well. Diana Krall, Jane Monheit, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Natalie Cole - these are the stars that have caused a worldwide furore with their full-blown movement back to the 'standards'. It comes as no surprise that the interpretation of the well-known ballads that make up a large portion of 'The Great American Songbook' has always been considered one of the highest disciplines in jazz.

'“Hymns/Spheres”, Keith Jarrett’s celebrated 1976 encounter with the Trinity organ of Ottobeuren’s Benedictine abbey, is at last released in 24bit Studio-Master quality as a double-album set remastered from the original analog tapes. “No overdubs or technical ornamentations were utilized, only the pure sound of the organ in the abbey is heard”. The pure sound, as channelled by the mind, hands, and feet of one of the great improvisers of the age. When “Hymns/Spheres” was first released in 1976, some critics made comparisons with the organ music of Ligeti, Messiaen and Reger, but time has shown this to be an essential expression of Jarrett’s creativity, original to the core.

'Memnon' is built around an equally simple and striking ambition: Keeping the music as pure as possible. Relying on nothing but voice and piano, Ruth Wilhelmine Meyer and Helge Lien are eliminating the delay between the moment of creation and an emotional response in the listener. The very moment their music is released into the world, it is immediately perceptible as a tangible physical sensation.

Having their roots in eastern Europe, with an international music education, the three sought-after musicians of East Drive found their mutual home in 'world music'. They mingle a virtuosic creation of modern jazz, russian melancholic melodies, polka, indian classical music, latin american interludes as well as funk, distorted guitar and most importantly: groove. East Drive – these three men are curious globetrotters crossing musical borders in a self-confident and joyful way.

In the inspiration and motivation, playing and writing jazz are so many possibilities. In this project are again new sounds and clangs created, all packed in a rhythmic album. The diversity of the album Quartets and Trios reaches from pop jazz a la Fourplay and Pat Metheny to jazz standard and ballads. From jazz rock from the 80's in the style of Chick Corea and Miles Davis as well as traditional and contemporary modern and latin jazz. All compositions are written by Christof Heringer. Everything based on the motto 'Jazz is fun to play!' (a quote from Martha Miers). This album was conceived between 1993 and 2011. Despite the fact he gets his inspiration from the big ones in jazz, the songs are all very unique and personal. The pieces have an individual and stand-alone character. Because of the diverse and virtuoso interplay of the musicians, the music can be truly expressed.

There are a lot of headaches that come with this gig. Deadlines, interviews and in some cases reviewing a greater variety of releases than some major publications. As a one man band this gig can work your last nerve at times. I've had the privilege to be contacted from artists and labels all over the world. The Christian Meyers Quintet and East Autumn which streets on 11/02/12 and makes all the headaches well worth the time, trouble and effort to try and share a perspective of what is happening around the globe. While 'European jazz' is often incorrectly thought of as cold and harmonically sterile, The Christian Meyers Quintet turns in a jazz collective of east meets west with a contemporary flair but old school swing that may be one of Neuklang's finest releases of the year.