Six Celan Songs/The Ballad of Kastriot Rexhepi and Acts of Beauty/Exit no Exit are two new recordings that present compelling examples of Nyman's vibrant approach to word-setting, song structure and subject matter. Six Celan Songs/The Ballad of Kastriot Rexhepi couples two of Michael Nyman's major vocal pieces of 1991 and 2001 and two favoured singers of the composer, Hilary Summers and Sarah Leonard. Six Celan Songs is Michael Nyman's most profound song cycle, composed in 1990 for Ute Lemper. Nyman selected six of Paul Celan's less hermetic texts, accidentally, perhaps, all featuring flower symbolism in a kind of 'negative theology', representing Celan's attempt as a poet to come to terms with the impossibility, according to Adorno, of writing poetry 'after Auschwitz'.

The “Pirate Metal Drinking Crew” is back to show all the filthy landlubbers what they’re made of. ALESTORM’s sixth long-player, Curse Of The Crystal Coconut, will be released on May 29, 2020, via Napalm Records! Eleven tracks presented in ALESTORM’s typical unadulterated, chaotic fashion will pull the rug out from under your feet. Adding to that are guest performances from musical greats like Ally Storch of Subway to Sally (violin on the entire album) and Captain Yarrface of Rumahoy! A must-have, riff-laden anthem at any party, “Treasure Chest Party Quest” takes the listener onto a journey into the depths of Tortugas darkest taverns and Christopher Bowes’ unique sense of humor. The smashing, lively track “Chomp Chomp”, featuring vocals of Vreth of Finntroll, may make you never want to enter the open waters again, but will definitely entice you to dance along with its addictive melodies. “Pirate Metal Drinking Crew” is yet another foot-stomping anthem on the album that excels with a catchy rhythm and indelible hook.

The main reason to obtain Think Before You Think is the prominently featured tenor sax of Joe Lovano, who was a year away from recording for Blue Note when the acoustic post-bop/hard bop session was done in 1989. This isn't to take anything away from leader Bill Stewart - a competent, swinging drummer - or his other sidemen on the album: acoustic pianist Mark Cohen (an admirer of Bill Evans and Chick Corea) and the distinguished, risk-taking bassist Dave Holland. But it is Lovano's contributions that stand out the most. Whether being cerebral on Holland's moody "Processional" and the angular "Dewey Said" (Lovano's ode to saxman Dewey Redman) or melancholy and remorseful on the standard "Goodbye," Lovano never fails to play with soul and conviction…

Prolific Irish singer/songwriter Paul Brady passed through several major bands before embarking on a long and successful solo career. Starting his performance life as a hotel piano player in Donegal at the age of 16, he moved on to a series of rhythm & blues bands in the mid- to late '60s, including Rootzgroop, Rockhouse, and the Kult. They were followed by a stint with the Johnstons as a guitarist and singer that ended in 1974, and a shorter one with Irish folk group Planxty that saw Brady touring extensively. It was in that band that he met Andy Irvine, and in 1976 the duo released the album Andy Irvine and Paul Brady. Brady's solo debut came in 1978 in the form of the folk album Welcome Here Kind Stranger.

Giuseppe Saverio Mercadante was a contemporary of Donizetti and Rossini, and his prolific output of operas proved influential in founding dramatic techniques that were taken on by Verdi. Set in the ancient and besieged city of Carthage, Didone abbandonata is the dramatic and tragic tale of ill-starred lovers whose decisions ultimately place an entire populace in peril. A genuine rarity in the theatre, Didone has strong ties to the 18th century but also points towards the bel canto innovations that were to come. This carefully researched and critically acclaimed production presents the work in the sound and playing style of Mercadante’s time.

The German producer duo Weathertunes are happy to present their new 6 tracks EP "Sunrise". A feel-good album in its best sense. While listening, you get immediately imbibed into the magic of this wonderful music. The first track "Rise And Shine" is a collaboration track with Dutch Lounge music producer Dennis Bonam (alias "Faro") who has been releasing his music on Lemongrassmusic since the first days of the label. "Sunrise" is a wonderful EP about love, closeness and togetherness. Tune in, catch the vibe and ride on the waves of Weathertunes’ sunny imagination.

B.B. King - The Blues (1958) {2005 Remastered & Expanded, Crown–Ace Records CDCHM1084}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 165 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 105 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 23 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1958, 2005 Crown Records | Ace Records | CDCHM 1084
Blues / Modern Electric Blues / Soul-Blues / Memphis Blues

Originally released in 1958 by the budget-priced Crown label, The Blues collected a dozen sides B.B. King cut for RPM and Kent between 1951 and 1958. (RPM and Kent were owned by the Bahari Brothers who also ran Crown, which explains how one of the true prestige artists of the blues ended up on such a notoriously cheap-o label.) As was often the case with Crown's product, The Blues used a single hit tune (in this case "When My Heart Beats Like a Hammer," a Top Ten R&B chart entry in 1954) to help sell a package of lesser-known material, but thankfully the label also picked some great tunes that hardly sound like filler, even if they didn't make the charts.

Soft Machine - Floating World Live (1975) {2014 Japan Mini LP SHM-CD Remaster VSCD4261}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 389 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 189 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 180 Mb | 5% repair rar | Canterbury Scene Vol.1 Series
© 1975, 2014 Vivid Sound / MoonJune Records / Radio Bremen | VSCD4261
Jazz / Rock / Experimental / Prog Rock

Cardboard sleeve reissue. Features SHM-CD format and new remastering. This album marks the first release of a live performance by Soft Machine's "Bundles" lineup, featuring a young Allan Holdsworth on guitar. The concert was originally recorded in January of 1975, and consists primarily of the Bundles album material (which was already recorded, but still unreleased at the time). Chocked full of magical moments, this CD contains over 78 minutes of incredible music.

Francy Boland & The Orchestra - Blue Flame, Red Hot, White Heat (1976) {2CD Set, MPS–Universal rel 2008}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 712 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 264 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 19 Mb | 5% repair rar | 192kHz/24bit remaster
© 1976, 2008 MPS / Universal | 06025 1764388
Jazz / Modern Big Band / Progressive Jazz / Piano

A trio of amazing records from the legendary Francy Boland – sessions done away from his big band work with Kenny Clarke, and in a groove that breaks nicely from that group's more famous style! The sessions here are still very much in Clarke/Boland Big Band territory – as Francy's working with a large group of familiar players, and is produced by CBBB impresario Gigi Campi – but the overall sound is quite different too, and features a range of sensitive and sophisticated tones and colors!

Anthrax's lineup had not yet solidified when they recorded their debut album, and neither had their style. Fans of the group's peak-period material are likely to find Fistful of Metal off-putting, as the band sounds more like a Judas Priest knockoff with rather silly, stereotypical heavy metal lyrics than the thrash innovators they would become…

2020’s Prehensile Tales is the second studio album from Pattern-Seeking Animals (the quartet featuring the talents of current and former Spock’s Beard members Ted Leonard, Jimmy Keegan and Dave Meros as well as long-time contributing songwriter-producer John Boegehold). Coming out just one year after the much-lauded self-titled PSA debut Prehensile Tales proves to be a an even more adventurous Prog journey with a strong emphasis on infectious melodies and powerful dynamics.