In his very favorable review of the Musical Offering, colleague Dan Davis noted how Savall's unique arrangement of the movements augments the performance's overall impact by forming a structurally sound symmetrical "arch" from beginning to end. Here Savall similarly rethinks the structural possibilities of the work, though his organizational choices function primarily as a means to enrich the impression of the fugues' varied sonorities and contrapuntal textures. Tempos also are generally very reserved, reminiscent of Davis' description of those in the Musical Offering as "startling in their slowness".

PSI is a classic defined German band formed in 1975, consisting of five musicians: Matthias Frey as keyboardist and vocalist, Volkmar Zimmermann as guitarist, Bodo Feldmann as bassist Robert Jahn as drummer, and Wilfried Junkler as saxophonist (also mentioned as percussionist). Frey is a more prominent artist, by solo works and collaborations in the genre, Trilok Gurtu or Wolfgang Tiepold being top personalities with whom he played or made music. PSI's referential style is jazz-rock, typical for the German influence, drawing on the Bavarian School of Missus Beastly, Passport, Muniu, taking however the progressive rock angle through some Kraan-like methods. Keen on an artistically music and satisfied by their improvisation impulse, the band shows class and distinguishes memorably.

Fresh, innovative indie swing from Vienna. This trio, led by the sparkling and charismatic Marina, engages spectators in her swing, swing, swing world with personal compositions and an original line-up. Racy gypsy guitars, nimble melodies, airy snare drums and Marina‘s uniquely charming voice conflate into a nostalgic cocktail. Marina & The Kats take you on a dreamy journey into the times of Django Reinhart and Cab Calloway, the Divas and the Crooners, the Lindy Hops and Radio Shows, Buick Rivieras and convertibles Cadillac… Originally a three-piece and now a quartet, Marina & The Kats has been one of the most exciting and trailblazing bands in Austria (if not Europe) for years, as anyone who has ever had the chance to catch one of their many high-octane shows will confirm.

Exodus have officially returned with their first new album in seven years, “Persona Non Grata.” The record, which will be available tomorrow (November 19), offers a full-on thrash attack that is sure to satisfy fans old and new. The effort is chock-full of riffy and shredding guitar work mixed with the kind of blistering vocals one would expect from the band. As one navigates the album, it is clear to see that the group have stayed true to the sound that made them a household name in the Bay Area. All in all, “Persona Non Grata” is a solid record from a band that has been killing it for four decades. There are some parts where the fat could have been trimmed a little bit to make for a more concise piece of work, but other than that it is exactly what fans have been clamoring for, a pure display of classic thrash metal.

After 2 years, the great architects of Heavy/Power Metal return, steering their way through the much anticipated 17th studio album with the same force that defined their iconic sound in 1987. Running Wild hits harder than before; their ten-track journey (+3 bonus tracks) bringing depth and ambition into some of history’s greatest events with a smattering of rock nostalgia.

This disc, well recorded in 1986, is typical of the whole series of Dvorak symphonies. It offers performances that are lively, perceptive and which are presented in glowing sound also giving considerable detail in a natural sound-stage without spotlighting.

Sir Rod Stewart’s rekindled love of songwriting grows even stronger on his brand-new studio album, The Tears of Hercules. This is Stewart’s fourth new album of original songs since 2013 – and his 31st album to date - and for this latest collection, Stewart wrote nine of the 12 songs, including the first single, “One More Time.” In addition to the new tracks, The Tears of Hercules includes covers of Marc Jordan, Johnny Cash, and more. This is a project close to Rod Stewart’s heart, especially the song “Touchline,” which he dedicated to his father, who taught him and his brothers to love football, a tradition Sir Rod has passed down to his sons. Rod Stewart is one of the best-selling artists in the history of recorded music, with an estimated 250 million records and singles sold worldwide. His signature voice, style, and songwriting have transcended popular music genres, from rock, folk, soul, R&B, and even the Great American Songbook; making him one of the few stars to enjoy chart-topping albums throughout every decade of his career.

The pop-minimalist music of Max Richter has been gaining followers beyond his native Germany and his residence of Britain thanks to some highly successful soundtracks and energetic promotion by the Deutsche Grammophon label, which recorded Exiles in 2019 and released it in 2021. Here, he is interpreted by the Baltic Sea Philharmonic and its conductor, Kristjan Järvi. Richter selected the group himself, and it was a good choice. The Baltic musicians have plenty of experience with the glassy, precise textures of minimalism, and they deliver accomplished readings. Exiles comprises 18 short sections with a simple pulse, slightly modifying – in classic minimalist fashion – a pattern laid out at the beginning.

James Blunt’s greatest hits album, 'The Stars Beneath My Feet (2004-2021)’ is out November 19th and celebrates songs spanning a stellar 17-year career that has spawned over 23 million album sales, a global smash hit with ‘You’re Beautiful’, two Brit Awards and two Ivor Novello Awards, as well as receiving five Grammy Award nominations.

The J. Geils Band made many fine, sometimes great, studio albums but where they really captured their full, thrilling potential was on the concert stage. Most live albums tend to be a poor excuse for actually being at the show in question, but the Geils Band's live albums jump out of the speakers with so much joy, fun, and unquenchable rock & roll spirit that you might as well be there. "Live" Full House was their first live record, and it is a blast from start to finish. Recorded in 1972 at Detroit's Cinderella Ballroom, the group runs through songs from their first two albums, The J. Geils Band and The Morning After, kicking out the jams on rockers like the Motown chestnut "First I Look at the Purse," Otis Rush's "Homework," and one of the group's first self-penned classics, "Hard Drivin' Man," as well as positively scorching through an incredible version of John Lee Hooker's dark and evil blues "Serves You Right to Suffer"…