It is a constant source of amazement that to this very day, musical gems even by famous composers often fail to receive the exposure they deserve or have even - despite modern digital access - been unjustly consigned to oblivion. The four works by Carl Friedrich Abel presented here are just such treasures, and two of them - the Sinfonie Concertanti WKO 42 and 43 - are released on record for the very first time to mark the composer's tercentenary in 2023. The reason for this is surely that Abel's activity and fame as a gambist and as a composer for his instrument has obscured the fact that he wrote these four important concertante works for the violoncello. The present recording seeks to help restore the reputation that these works deserve.

As the Manhattan Transfer went on, so did the legacy of the jazz vocal ensemble. In that regard, though the competition was scarce, this group did elevate the art form to a higher level without much compromise. This two-CD, 39-track compilation represents many of the high points of the group. If anything is missing, some of the vocalese influenced by Eddie Jefferson should have been included. Still most fans will recognize "Ray's Rockhouse," "Route 66," "Four Brothers," "Tuxedo Junction," "That Cat Is High," "(Sing) Joy Spring," and their immortal take of the Jon Hendricks lyric to "Birdland." Unless it is a complete collection, you'd be hard pressed to find a better grouping of the Manhattan Transfer's prime body of works.

Curtis Mayfield hit a stride during the '70s that was unparalleled among R&B/soul performers from an album standpoint. He was writing, producing, arranging, and performing on great album after great album, then distributing them on his own label as well. This one included the big hit "Kung Fu," plus the title song, and once more perfectly blended rigorous message tracks and steamy love songs.

The Romantic Piano Concerto series reaches Volume 61, and continues to probe into the obscurest depths of the nineteenth-century piano world. Döhler’s Piano Concerto in A major and Dreyschock’s Salut à Vienne are both first recordings. The two composer-pianists were contemporaries, both child prodigies and both hugely admired in their day. Today their names are not even faintly familiar to concert-goers.

Having endured the loss of yet another bandmember with the passing of original bassist Leon Wilkeson, Skynyrd picks up the pieces yet again and delivers the goods the way only it can. Lyrically, the band hasn't stretched out its list of topics in any new directions, but quite honestly, who cares? This is Skynyrd. This isn't music to study to or scratch your chin by – this isn't the soundtrack to relaxing nights sipping instant coffee and talking about deep feelings. This is homegrown music that's about partying and rock & roll, with a little bit of contemplative soul-searching mixed in for good measure. The music is still top-notch, probably the best it's been since the early '90s.

The British band the Immaculate Fools became so popular in Spain that they eventually moved there. Formed in London, England, in 1984, the Immaculate Fools was comprised of Kevin Weatherill (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, bass), Paul Weatherill (acoustic bass, backing vocals, percussion), Brian Betts (acoustic guitar, slide guitar, percussion, mandolin), and Barry Wickens (violin, dulcimer, acoustic guitar, accordion). Although the group landed on the charts in Britain, their hybrid of Celtic music, folk, and alternative rock found even more success in Spain and Germany. In 1987, their LP Dumb Poet was released in America by A&M Records and the Psychedelic Furs-esque track "Tragic Comedy" was a minor hit on college radio.

Live at Pompeii is a 1972 concert by the English rock group Pink Floyd performing at the ancient Roman amphitheatre in Pompeii, Italy.