Early Rossini has something buoyant, vibrant, youthful about it – even when it is a “dramma per musica” such as “Sigismondo”, a dark swirl of an opera revolving around a mad king and his delusions, his wife who is allegedly dead but very much alive, the fate of Poland and much more. Premiered in 1814 but rarely played thereafter, the work deserves to be resurrected, if only for its many beautiful and original arias and ensembles, some of which were such brilliant little masterpieces that he reused them in his later successes such as “Il turco in Italia”, “La Cenerentola” and “Il barbiere di Siviglia”. The work was given its first performance from the critical new edition at the 2010 Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro. The press hailed the production as a “perfect symbiosis of music and stage work” that yields “truly brilliant theater”.

On Dream and Dreams, Salvatore Bonafede plays seven compositions that he felt as piano solo pieces and adds three spontaneous improvisations. He attends to melodic imperatives, embodying, as Bonafede's friend Paul Bley once noted, the lyrical, emotional, singing bel canto musical style that characterizes so much of the music of the Italian peninsula.

Where previous installments of Nuggets concentrated on singles, Hallucinations is a true excavation of the vaults, picking overlooked album tracks and neglected singles from a cornucopia of WEA-owned labels, including Warner Bros., Cotillion, Jubilee, Valiant, Reprise, and Atco. While the focus is on acts that released a single or forgotten album, there are a handful of recognizable names – the Association, Kim Fowley, the Electric Prunes, the Bonniwell Music Machine, the Tokens, the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band – and in the Monkees' "Porpoise Song," there's even a genuine hit.

Hall & Oates' 12 Inch Collection brings together a cache of alternate mixes of several of the duo's hits. However, it should be noted that this set is geared toward the dance club and would generally be of little interest to those looking for familiar versions of "Private Eyes" and "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)," which can be found on a bevy of other collections of the group. For those looking for extended and edited Hall & Oates mixes, 12 Inch Collection should do the trick.

Sweet funky electric work from James Moody – and pretty darn nice too! The set was produced by Ed Bland, the force behind the funky James Moody (and Dizzy Gillespie) sessions for the Perception and GWP labels in years back – and at many levels, the feel here is similar to those great sets, but perhaps a bit more mellow overall. Moody's playing alto, tenor, and soprano saxes – in a small combo with Kenny Barron on keyboards, Roland Prince on guitar, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Emanuel Rahim on percussion. Titles include "Funky Jazz Walk", "A Funky Aura", "Keep It Greasy", "Pot Licka", and "A Statement". (Cover has ring & edge wear and some pen on the front.)

This is listed as the final installment in the Eroica’s Mendelssohn quartets series. It also happens to come on the heels of two brand new complete sets—one from the preeminent Emerson Quartet, the other from the pacesetting Pacifica Quartet. Comparisons to these ensembles, though probably unavoidable, are not particularly apt or instructive, for the Eroica is a period-instruments group dedicated to interpretations of 19th-century Romantic works that reflect as closely as possible the performance practices that would have been in vogue at the time the music was written.

The prog rock supergroup spearheaded by much heralded producer/musician Billy Sherwood returns with a timely and magnificent new studio album! Features a star-studded cast with Todd Rundgren, former Queensrÿche vocalist Geoff Tate, Focus’s Jan Akkerman, Ayreon mastermind Arjen Anthony Lucassen, The Flower Kings’ Roine Stolt as well as Derek Sherinian, Steve Hillage, Joe Lynn Turner and so much more! This is the first release under the Prog Collective moniker since 2013’s epic Epilogue! The album is split between new compositions and spectacular versions of familiar classics such as Peter Gabriel’s “Solsbury Hill,” Alan Parson’s Project’s “Eye In The Sky” and more! Includes 3 previously released bonus tracks of Billy Sherwood produced cover versions!

If it were not for Michel Petrucciani's good taste, it is likely that his very impressive technique would dominate his solos. As it is, the pianist has been able to use his technique in surprising ways, avoiding the obvious and showing self-restraint while coming up with ingenious ideas in his improvisations. This solo album, his first for an American label, finds Petrucciani exploring pieces by Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden, and Sonny Rollins, in addition to two of his own songs and a lengthy wandering medley that somehow incorporates "Someday My Prince Will Come," "All the Things You Are," "A Child Is Born," and Bill Evans' "Very Early" into a collage. A very impressive outing.

Masterful 10th album from the Australian country star. Produced by Nash Chambers & recorded in Nashville with a crack team of top session players.

The No Comprendo (Long title: Les Rita Mitsouko Présentent The No Comprendo) is the second studio album by French pop rock group Les Rita Mitsouko. It was released in 1986 and includes the singles "Andy", "C'est Comme Ça" and "Les Histoires d’A.". The album was recorded with veteran producer Tony Visconti at Studio Good Earth, London, Studio Rita Mitsouko, Paris and mixed at Studio Good Earth. Receiving positive reviews the album was originally released as an LP, Cassette and CD in September 1986. CD editions include a bonus track. The artwork was designed by Yves Méry with photography by Brett Walker. The album was the first of two albums by the duo that Les Rita Mitsouko produced on collaboration with Tony Visconti. Together with Visconti the trio shared production and musician roles regularly swapping and sharing duties across a variety of instruments.

Ronnie Earl's first album after suffering from a bout with manic depression that sidelined him from live work for a few years, is a surprisingly modest, unassuming affair. The titular friends include Fabulous Thunderbirds founder/harpist/vocalist Kim Wilson who splits the album's vocal duties with Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson. James Cotton, Band drummer Levon Helm, keyboardist David Maxwell, and New Orleans legend Irma Thomas (who contributes her distinctive vocals to only two stunning tunes) round out the ad hoc band.