String instruments and especially the violin demanded a key position in Baroque music particularly in Italy. Like many of his contemporaries Tomaso Albinoni composed a large number of pieces for string ensemble and many concertos for the violin. With his concertos for one and two oboes Albinoni more or less introduced a new genre. He did not copy Vivaldi’s violin concerto form but for both form and style drew on his vast experience as an opera composer. Most entertaining Baroque music elegantly performed by the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra under Nicol Matt, with Stefan Schilli, oboe, and Tanja Becker-Bender, violin.

For the Love of Strange Medicine is the second solo album by Steve Perry (ex-Journey singer).
Coming ten years after his first solo album, For the Love of Strange Medicine's lack of success was solid proof that a new decade had no room for Steve Perry's saccharine-induced love songs or makeup and breakup-styled gushiness, even if it was sculpted to sound more mature. "You Better Wait" was the lead single that managed a number 29 spot, mainly because Perry's voice soared throughout its entirety, proving he could still utilize his greatest asset. The rest of the album tries to blend Perry's romantic formula with pumped-up keyboard playing and manufactured rhythms, worsening any sincerity that may or may not have been there in the first place…

Lee Konitz has long been a versatile jazz musician, adaptable to many different styles. This Brazilian-flavored session is one of two that the alto saxophonist recorded during the mid-'90s for Venus; his session partners include trumpeter Tom Harrell, guitarist Romero Lubambo, pianist David Kikoski (who mostly sticks to electric piano), bassist David Fink, drummer Duduka Da Fonseca, and percussionist Waltinho Anastácio. As expected, Konitz's light sound works well with the Brazilian favorites they perform, with Harrell being a particularly inspired foil for the leader. The works of Antonio Carlos Jobim are well represented, including breezy takes of "Favela" and "Wave." Harrell's lyrical "September" (featuring him in a fine muted solo) and Konitz's "Brazilian Serenade" also fit the mood of this relaxing CD very well. This rewarding release is well worth investigating.

This all instrumental album features some mind-blowing original material plus killer cover versions of Paul McCarney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed,” Rod Stewarts “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” (which was co-written by Appice), and more!

Zakk Wylde and the boys of the Black Label Society have gone back to basics, dug deep and delivered an album rooted in the golden age of classic metal, and full of soul and variety. As the name indicates, “Doom Crew” is a genuine love letter to the fans of BLS…

The first commercial recordings from Asia were made in Japan in 1903 by Fred Gaisberg, the legendary producer and recording engineer who traveled the world making recordings for the Gramophone Company (later His Masters Voice). The recording industry barely existed at this time. Man’s ability to record and reproduce sound had only existed since 1877 (with the invention of Edison’s cylinder phonograph) and flat disc records, what we all collect and obsess over today, had only come into being in the late 1890s.

Depeche Mode prepares for the 101st and final concert of its massive 'Music For The Masses' world tour at the Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California, while a group of fans who won a contest travel to the concert across the United States on a bus…

To mark their 50th anniversary, the versatile King’s Singers returned home to King’s College, Cambridge, for a program spanning the entire history of Christmas music. It stretches from the perennial beauty of early plainsong to former King’s Singer Bob Chilcott’s magical “A Thanksgiving,” featuring the National Youth Choir of Great Britain. These two divine works frame sprightly Sweelinck, luscious Herbert Howells, and suave and swaggering Poulenc. The final quarter of this recording features touching arrangements of traditional and popular works, plus the delightful, moving “La Peregrinaçion.”

Bent Sørensen’s 12 Nocturnes comprise a collec­tion of short pieces of great expressive weight. It is wonderfully atmospheric music with a vibrating magical sound that recalls the stars at night, miles above us. Where Chopin’s iconic 19th century nocturnes are dark and full of unease, Bent Søren­sen’s music is luminous, a sounding prism for the tonal spectrum, the nocturne retransformed in the 21st century.

After the releases of his debut album Mannnersachen (2006) and the following album respectively (2007) Roger Cicero was honored as an artist and musician who succeeded in getting a really wide audience enthusiastic about jazz.

Apocalyptica was a cool concept to begin with: four classical cellists playing arrangements of Metallica songs. But that was their first EP, and that was a long time ago. Now they play instrumental hard rock and bring in guest vocalists, and the returns have diminished. "End of Me" features former Bush vocalist Gavin Rossdale. Brent Smith of Shinedown shows up for "Not Strong Enough," a power ballad that sounds like a performance from a televised country music awards show. When the cellos are fed through pedals, the sound can be quite impressive, like a guitar, but five times more room-filling and powerful. And the members of Apocalyptica do use many different effects on their instruments, occasionally creating sounds not unlike those you might hear on a Sunn 0))) album. The best track on 7th Symphony is "2010," which features a guest performance by Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo…