Mana origins date back to a band called Sombrero Verde. In 1975 they decided to get together to play different songs from groups they admired, including The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, The Police, among others. They were originally known as The Spies of the Green Hat, but soon the name was shortened to Green Hat and was eventually adapted into Spanish as Sombrero Verde, as the band wanted to rock in their own language. They were one of the first groups to venture out, composing their own songs even though rock in Spanish was not yet a trend.

The debut album by the Austin guitar legend. After a small stroke, Sexton moved to Memphis, his soon-to-be wife, and to focus on redesigning his music career. After a few years in the Memphis scene, Sexton has now established itself as one of the most sought-after session guitarists and collaborators. Now he comes with his debut label release, supported by the legendary New Orleans group The Iguanas, and continues to focus on songwriting and developing a unique and conceptual narrative about life as a musician.

Some cats just need a couple of good chords, a charismatic voice and a story to tell, in order to touch anyone’s heart in seconds at. True soul singers don’t need any gimmicks or additives to project their essence, and undoubtedly, Clarence Bekker forms part of that hall of privilege. Originally a Dutch citizen born in tropical Surinam, his career has led him on plethora of paths: he was the youngest member of the successful Swinging Soul Machine Band; also a stellar member of the 08001 world music collective; and has been a prominent voice of the very viral Playing For a Change project. Life’s trials and tribulations had removed Bekker from his blazing path, causing him to take two steps back temporarily.

Talented Argentinean musician Lito Vitale was born in Buenos Aires, son of Esther Soto and Rubens Vitale. At a very young age, influenced by his parents and inspired by a piano, Lito started getting involved in music. In 1976 he formed M.I.A., which stood for Músicos Independientes Asociados (Independent Musicians Associated). After a show, Argentinean singer/songwriter Luis Alberto Spinetta invited him to join his band, Spinetta Jade. In 1981 Lito Vitale released his first solo record, Sobre Miedos, Creencias y Supersticiones, soon after teaming up with Dino Salvazi and Manolo Juárez. Next, he formed a three-piece act with Bernardo Baraj and Lucho González, issuing El Trio in 1985 and Vitale-Baraj-González in 1986.

Jan Simonsen Quintet was an active mid-seventies, Norwegian jazz group, drawing up influences from Herbie Hancock to McCoy Tyner the group’s very rhythmical approach fell positive with the crowd and landed them regular gigs at the famous Club7 venue in Oslo, the group also performed at Molde Jazz 1976. In Winter that same year the group recorded these four tracks to reel using Asker church for maximum reverb effect and broadened acoustics. Jan Simonsen on keys, Svein Hansen flute and percussions, Trond Mathisen sax and percussions, Kristian Røstad bass and Thor Bendiksen drums.

A Period of Transition is the ninth studio album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, released in 1977 (see 1977 in music). It was his first album in two-and-a-half years, largely forgotten or overlooked by most casual fans. At the time of its release it was received with some disappointment by critics and fans: "Most were hoping for a work of primeval vocal aggression that would challenge the emerging élite of Morrison pretenders, whose ranks included Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, Phil Lynott, Graham Parker and Elvis Costello." However, the album is still notable for several major compositions, including "Heavy Connection", "Flamingos Fly", "The Eternal Kansas City" and "Cold Wind in August".

Steinway & Sons' series of Beethoven’s complete Piano Sonatas continues with Volume 3. These performances by Konstantin Scherbakov include a thrilling performance of the "Pathétique" sonata, one of Beethoven's early masterpieces.

Throughout his life Russian composer and pianist Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915) displayed a great admiration for the music of Frederic Chopin. So much so that some of his early Sonatas and Preludes are written in the same harmonic style as Chopin. And similar to Chopin, only a handful of Scriabin's works were orchestral in nature, as most of his prolific output was devoted to the piano. And nowhere are the similarities more apparent than in the Op. 3 Mazurkas. After all, the Mazurka is native to Poland and not Russia.

Messages Quartet has been founded in 2014 and in just a year won the Second Prize, Silver Medal and a Special Award for interpretation of Shostakovich’s Quartet in the Second International Competition of Chamber Music in Plovdiv (Bulgaria, X 2015). The Quartet has also been recognized by the Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage and in February 2016 awarded a grant under “Young Poland” Scholarship Programme, thanks to which in 2017, the debut record of the ensemble containing the recording of string quartets by Szymon Laks was released by the record company DUX. The album received excellent reviews in the French, German, British, American and Polish press. This newest release showcases music from Stanislaw Moniuszko, Andrzej Panufnik, and Krzysztof Penderecki.

Suzana Bartal establishes herself as one of the exciting talents of her generation. Winner of the New York Concert Artists Concerto Competition in 2013, her playing has been hailed as “brilliant, full of shades and virtuosic” by the Bonner Anzeiger. Recent performances have taken her to prestigious venues such as the Beethoven-Haus in Bonn, Salle Pleyel and Radio France in Paris, Merkin Hall in New York as well as Milton Court in London and she has made recordings on France Musique, the WDR (West Deutscher Rundfunk) and the Danish Radio.

Chimes of Freedom, Lynne Arriales 15th album as a leader, was recorded in Belgium for release by Challenge Records International. Lynne is joined by renowned musicians, Dutch bassist/co-producer Jasper Somsen, drummer, E.J. Strickland, and guest vocalist, K.J. Denhert.

Tetrahedron is the new chord-less trio led by Ernesto Cervini. Featuring two of Canada’s finest improvisers, Luis Deniz on Alto Saxophone and Rich Brown on Electric Bass, the band plays originals from all three musicians as well as funky arrangements of standards. It’s a groovy, energetic trip! The group has been performing extensively around southern Ontario for the past 4 years, and will be recording their debut album in April of 2019, with special guest, guitarist Nir Felder from NYC.

Since releasing These Human Beings (2015) and Legacy (2018), Pericopes+1 have been rigorously touring the world, despite living oceans apart — New York City, Paris and Milano. The saxophone, piano and drums power-trio “demonstrate power and intention” (Downbeat – USA) plus grit and creativity that has earned recognition from both industry pros and fans. This “cleverly unorthodox trio” (Musica Jazz – Italy) has been described as “an original, stylistically interesting” (Concerto – Austria) cross-genre band that “belongs to a new generation” (Jazz ‘N’ More – Switzerland) of European jazz.

Jonathan Biss concludes his nine-year, nine-volume exploration of Beethoven’s piano sonatas with a recording for our times, one that asks profound questions about mankind’s fragile existence. Considered the cornerstone of the pianist’s repertoire, the cycle comprises thirty-two sonatas in a range of emotional expressions.

Strictly judging from the lyrical sentiment of his recordings, it might be wise not to make Chicago guitarist Byther Smith angry. Smitty's uncompromising songs are filled with threats of violence and ominous menace (the way blues used to be before the age of political correctness), sometimes to the point where his words don't even rhyme. They don't have to, either – you're transfixed by the sheer intensity of his music.