The trio of Nor Dar comes from Armenia. Right from their first album "Opus of the Lizard" (winner of the Armenian Music Awards 1998) the group showed the desire to give a broader experimental spirit of the legacy of Komitas, the father of Armenian music. The success surely comes from the unquestionable ability of the group's members at the time of using traditional instruments. And combined with the classical education and the general preoccupation with jazz, it led to a more complex musical alloy, which is obviously intended to pass the traditional and classical music of their country to a wider audience, opening new avenues of evolution.

This opera, Handel's penultimate, is relatively direct, both in its scoring–just strings and oboes–and its plot: Rosmene (soprano) must choose between Tirinto (mezzo-soprano), whom she loves and who loves her, and Imeneo (bass-baritone), who rescued her from pirates. Rosmene's confidante Clomiri (soprano) loves Imeneo, but it is unrequited; he loves Rosmene. Argenio (bass) is Rosmene's father; he wants her to marry Imeneo. This simplicity might lead you to believe that the opera is lightweight or emotionally void (it was referred to as an "operetta" at its premiere), but it's remarkable how involved the listener gets in the plot.

The tragic death of the great Clifford Brown in a car accident at the early age of 25 on June 26, 1956, put a halt to one of the most promising careers in jazz history. From then on all of the remaining sessions which Clifford had recorded began to be released under titles such as that of Jazz Immortal (Pacific Jazz Records PJ-3), which appeared posthumously and presents a couple of sessions that marked the only existing collaborations between Brown and Zoot Sims. The rare Sims feature “Bones for Zoot”, which completes the date and was omitted from various previous reissues, is included on this edition, as well as a complete 1953 bonus session that pairs Brown with another horn giant, Lou Donaldson.

A Limited Edition reissue of the original commemorative cassette released only to subscribers of the first Recommended After Dinner LP – a collection of exquisite live interpretations of the songs, recorded on the band’s first European tour (itself a technically innovative event in which they essentially set up a 5.1 sound system at every concert. Great songs and great performances, full LP length. This CD edition, also includes all the Tokyo recordings released on the ReR Quartlerly 0104 in 1986 and a previously unreleased song, from the 1989 European tour. With full documentation, many new photographs, technical diagrams and an introduction by Haco, who oversaw the whole project. All re-mastered by Bob Drake.

A CERTAIN RATIO are back with a new album, ACR Loco. Revitalized by their most successful tour in over two decades, the band returned to the studio to record their first album in 12 years – due for release September 25 on Mute.

72Blues (aka 72 Blues), is a Detroit, MI, USA based delta-electro rock n' blues band, paying homage to the great blues artists of the early 20th century. The band celebrates 'tradition' and 'authenticity' with their roots firmly planted in American heritage but saturate their blues with a stinging-sweat style of attitude and delivery, making the 72Blues sound - all their own. 72Blues deliver a blend of down south and signifying honky rawkin-blues; celebratin' old time traditional music, swing blues, delta blues, rock blues and nail it to the cross with original and contemporary sensibility. This mob of musicians hen peck and scuffle a devilish blend of country-blues, swamp-blues, gospel rhythms, cotton field chants, gospel-blues and prison-blues. Devil music meets Divine intervention you might say! 72Blues arrived with their highly acclaimed debut CD release 'Said I Would' of 2005, with 11 wickedly raw tracks streamed together seamlessly rejoicing in a 70 minute sinner's sermon. Followed by their sizzlin' 2006 single 'She Like The Fux, Like Electrolux' recorded in Melbourne, Australia and their latest 'Detroit Border City' EP recorded with legendary producer Jim Diamond of 'Ghetto Recorders Studio' in Detroit, Michigan'

Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna is once again this year the beautiful backdrop for a classical music concert in a class of its own. Every year, the famous summer night concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra takes place there. This year, the orchestra is conducted by Valery Gergiev, who has been working with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for many years. For the first time this year, the German world star Jonas Kaufmann will be the star guest at the Summer Night Concert. The programme is still secret, but as every year it will be a particularly beautiful mixture of classical hits and special works by Richard Strauss, Richard Wagner, Jacques Offenbach, Jules Massenet, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Emmerich Kálmán, Maurice Jarre, Aram Khachaturian and Giacomo Puccini.

The first of 100 tunes in this collection is a 1937 recording of tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins and guitarist Django Reinhardt playing Out Of Nowhere. It was recorded two years before Blue Note Records was founded. The taping was done for EMI’s Capitol label’s French division. This is an ominous hint as to the content of the 10-disc “100 Best of Blue Note” box set, which at first glance appears to have all the trimmings of a slick 21st century collection.

Kenny Wheeler sticks to flugelhorn exclusively for this unusual yet intimate trio date with pianist John Taylor and electric bassist Steve Swallow (whose nimble playing makes it seem like he is playing an acoustic guitar at times). Together the three veterans explore the leader's stunning originals, most of which are ballads, beginning with the buoyant Brazilian-flavored "Phrase 3." "Anticipation" is a tense affair, with the rhythm section introducing a hypnotic, intricate vamp before Wheeler makes a powerful entrance stating its melancholic theme.

Classical violinist Itzhak Perlman is not a jazz improviser, so this meeting with the Oscar Peterson Quartet is more a loving tribute to the melodies (ten veteran standards plus two Peterson originals) than a strong jazz date. While Perlman sticks closely to the themes, one's attention focuses much more on Peterson, who had suffered a serious stroke a few years earlier and had been inactive ever since. Peterson sounds healthy in his supportive role, and although it is doubtful if he sweat much during this relaxed music, his apparent comeback is great news. Guitarist Herb Ellis has the most rewarding solos, although his spots are short.

Lost Vinyl has a knack for unearthing rare Basque rock groups. The only catch is that you have to be careful to check out what axis they fall in. For all intent and purpose, Enbor is a straight melodic rock group with some Anglo progressive influences. Of their Basque cousins, like Itoiz, Haizea, Izukaitz, or Oskorri, Enbor are perhaps the least folky (except for heavier groups like Lisker or maybe Sakre or Koska) and the influence can only be felt in the structure of the melodies.
Enbor's debut is a collection of shorter songs with a melodic softer rock base. There are a lot of gentle and breezy vocal harmonies which float in a typically Spanish or Basque manner over the music…

Elis Regina was one of the most ferociously talented singers to emerge from Brazil. A perfectionist who was frequently dissatisfied, Regina drove herself and members of her band relentlessly, leading to her being dubbed "Hurricane" and "Little Pepper" by musicians and journalists. Her tempestuous nature aside, she commanded the respect of Brazil's leading songwriters, who lined up for the chance to have her record one of their songs, and for much of her short life was the country's most popular female vocalist.

The Cult is Alive is the 11th studio album by the Norwegian black metal band Darkthrone. It was released 27 February 2006 by Peaceville Records. This album represented a shift in the band's style, as they incorporated more punk and crust punk traits. Vocals on "Graveyard Slut" are done by Fenriz, Nocturno Culto does most of the rest of the vocals.