Recorded in 1964, "Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Song Book" was recorded at Radio Recorders Studio 10-H in Los Angeles, California with Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra. The album was the only songbook collection Ella recorded that concentrates on the work of a lyricist instead of a composer. Riddle created wonderfully lush arrangements, and the album was Ella's fifth and final collaboration with the conductor and arranger during her years on the Verve label.

This pre-classical programme is dedicated to Anna de Amicis, the famous soprano who first created the role of Giunia in Mozart's Lucio Silla. Besides works by the young Mozart the programme comprises arias by N. Jommelli, JC Bach, C.W. Gluck and others.

The young, Vancouver guitarist and oud player Gordon Grdina sought out Gary Peacock after a Keith Jarrett concert in San Francisco in 2000, and for the next five years Gary became his mentor and teacher. At their last meeting at Gary's house in upstate New York there was virtually no discussion, they just sessioned together for an hour or so, and the next day Gordon asked Gary if he would do a trio record. Gary agreed, and helped bring Paul Motian (another of Gordon's musical heroes) into the picture. Recorded in Brooklyn in January, "Think Like the Waves" is a remarkable international jazz debut, full of compelling original tunes by Grdina and deep interaction by the trio.

This recording shines a light on Australian composition for the saxophone combined with piano and at times joined by cello, violin and percussion. Some works are adaptations of music originally for oboe made by the composers themselves (Edwards, Hindson, Broadstock), and all recordings are premieres of which two (Chan and Orlovich) were commissioned specifically for this project.

Fuelled by deep love of 90's guitar bands and an unwavering passion for football (with a slight obsession for Lionel Messi), Joe Webb emerges with a new EP ‘Collblanc’ as an extraordinary talent, skilfully blending traditional piano mastery with a captivating rock star persona.

This Da Vinci Classics album explores two crucial aspects of Bach’s output and of his style. On the one hand, there is the “Italianness” of his music; on the other, the pedagogical dimension.

Few things could have prepared society for the global pandemic that gripped the world from 2020-21. From that darkness, however, there emerged numerous avenues for creative reflection. Musicians suddenly had a lot of time on their hands, and an opportunity to develop their art in new and ambitious directions. During this period, Portuguese composer Pedro Faria Gomes, whose imaginative and communicative music combines clear originality with a confident respect for tradition, turned to the piano. His initial idea was to write a variation on two sets of four notes. Faria shared the resulting movement with pianist Kenneth Hamilton, his colleague at Cardiff University School of Music. Hamilton was impressed with the piece, and a plan evolved to compose a more elaborate work. This developed into the ten movement, strikingly thought-provoking Suite J–the 'J' refers to Faria's daughter Joana–recorded for the first time on this disc.

Best known in the U.S. for their hard rock material, Golden Earring have been the most popular homegrown band in the Netherlands since the mid-'60s, when they were primarily a pop group.

Saxophonist, composer and arranger Michael Blake has established his presence in the jazz world, while his work gracefully erases the borders between different areas of music. He chooses to play progressive jazz-based music rooted in his family's remembrances with a sextet of like-minded modern creative players that use admittedly traditional sounds in a non-traditional manner. This collection of original compositions uses collective themes and motifs that stretch the imagination, yet remains within a colorful framework of highly motivated and intelligent designs that bear little resemblance to standardized tune structures. Extended techniques and odd meters are at the center of Blake's personalized music, as he plays primarily tenor sax and some soprano to extend these older values into new music beyond simple categories.

This recording of piano works is the third title from ESOTERIC label, produced by bringing together the knowhow of ESOTERIC and Octavia Records, with the goal being a high-quality DSD recording primarily targeting audiophiles. The resulting recording promises a new level of excitement by bringing to the listener not only high sound quality, but also the captivating musical power embodied in the original works themselves.

The Smiths are one of music’s most influential alternative rock bands. "Complete" features the 2011's hi-definition remastering and includes the band’s historic studio recordings: "The Smiths" (1984), "Meat Is Murder" (1985), "The Queen Is Dead" (1986) and "Strangeways, Here We Come" (1987).

With "New Horizon", The Answer releases the most thrillingly vital album of their career to date. This album is a statement of intent that showcases their trademark rock 'n' roll evangelism. Produced by Little Angels front man, Toby Jepson and mixed by the renowned Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Metallica) with artwork by the late Storm Thorgerson (Pink Floyd/Muse/Led Zeppelin). You might know them from their 2008-2009 Worldwide tour as opening band for AC/DC on the Black Ice tour!!! For fans of AC/DC, Black Crowes, Led Zeppelin, Airbourne.

A collection of beautiful baroque and renaissance love songs that reflect the versatility of love – passionate, dramatic and addictive by the most popular composers of this time, from Monteverdi, Purcell, Cesti to Merula and Dowland. The arrangement, cast of instruments, and recording set up is as such that the “pop song” quality, the contemporary and eternal spirit, the immediacy of these compositions is revealed. All sung with the unique legato, pure, and silver quality that makes Simone Kermes' voice so special. This is Simone Kermes' most intimate and personal album yet.

The second, eponymous album from saxophonist-composer Tim Berne’s acoustic quartet Snakeoil. Over four years together, Berne and his band of New York standouts - pianist Matt Mitchell, clarinetist Oscar Noriega and drummer/percussionist Ches Smith - have developed a rapport that sounds like communal telepathy. The studio outcome is a marvel of kinetic action, the six pieces of Shadow Man making for music as visceral as it is cerebral; there is roller coaster dynamism and aching lyricism, roiling counterpoint and intriguing harmony, glinting detail and ensemble impact. The album is a dizzying experience for the senses, breathtaking in its sheer imaginative verve.

Will Rast (Antibalas, Thievery Corporation, Ocote Soul Sounds) and The Funk Ark grab the best parts from some of the most American genres of music. There’s the bluegrass-like slide guitar, the precision lines from fusion jazz, and of course, the locked down thick pocket taken from the style of music they bare in their name. With all of this comes the sophistication and swagger that one would expect from a group so steeped in these expansive musical traditions.