Al Kooper, by rights, should be regarded as one of the giants of '60s rock, not far behind the likes of Bob Dylan and Paul Simon in importance. In addition to co-writing one classic mid-'60s pop-rock song, "This Diamond Ring" (though it was written as an R&B number), he was a very audible sessionman on some of the most important records of mid-decade, including Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone." Kooper also joined and led, and then lost two major groups, the Blues Project and Blood, Sweat & Tears. He played on two classic blues-rock albums in conjunction with his friend Mike Bloomfield. As a producer at Columbia, he signed the British invasion act the Zombies just in time for them to complete the best LP in their entire history; and still later, Kooper discovered Lynyrd Skynyrd and produced their best work. Instead, in terms of public recognition, Kooper has been relegated to second-rank status, somewhere midway between John Mayall and Steve Winwood. Apart from the fact that he's made, and continues to make great music, it's the public's loss that he's not better respected outside the ranks of his fellow musicians.

Experience the ethereal sound of The Best of Scottish Pipes & Drums - a distinctive collection of Scotland's best-known melodies.

First-of-its-kind box set of expanded editions of the three stellar albums by renowned RnB/soul and gospel artist Shirley Murdock.A 40-track 3CD deluxe package including Shirley’s trio of albums plus ten bonus tracks.

The album "Thelonious Monk Quartet - Sendesall Bremen, Germany March 8th. 1965 (Live Restauración 2022)" is a live recording featuring the legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Monk and his quartet. This performance took place on March 8, 1965, in Bremen.

"Bill Evans Trio & Herb Geller - Live February 14th. 1972 Hamburg (Restauración 2023)" is a live recording featuring the renowned jazz pianist Bill Evans and his trio, alongside saxophonist Herb Geller. This performance took place in Hamburg on February 14, 1972.

In this landmark recording of violin sonatas by Mozart and Beethoven, pianist Erin Helyard'sintimate knowledge of the soundworldof Classical Vienna is paired with the passionate eloquence of Richard Tognetti on violin: two of Australia's most exciting performers in a double album of chamber music masterworks, including Beethoven's epic, groundbreaking 'Kreutzer' Sonata.

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Joan Osborne is back with Trouble & Strife (Womanly Hips Records), her first album of original material in six years. Osborne self-produced the new collection and penned all ten songs, with two co-writes. Trouble & Strife finds the gifted vocalist offering a strong yet uplifting response to some of the socio-political issues plaguing our nation over the last several years. Osborne beautifully balances the weight of her messages with solace and optimism.

To say that Aretha Franklin was one of the greatest American artists of all time is an understatement. Her multi-octave voice moved millions around the world during an unrivalled career that spanned six decades and garnered the singer-songwriter every achievement and honour imaginable. This album comes ahead of the highly anticipated National Geographic anthology series starring Cynthia Erivo “Genius: Aretha” and celebrates Franklin’s multi-award winning career with a selection of her biggest hits including “I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You),” “A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like),” “I Say A Little Prayer,” “(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone” as well as her signature smash “Respect.”

Tallis lived during a time of tremendous religious upheaval. The succession from Henry VIII to Edward VI, Edward to Mary Tudor and Mary to Elizabeth meant changes from Catholic to Protestant, and back again with Mary, before Elizabeth’s “third way” – a more accepting and moderate form of Protestantism.

This concerto for orchestra in seven parts, is a beautifully crafted work incorporating Eastern European folk and Jewish melodies. While the subject matter is clearly about the Jews and their suffering up to and including the end of World War 2, the music and melodic themes avoid portrayal of the Nazis.

Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710-1784), considered by many the most talented of J. S. Bach's children, is also the least known of the great master's three composing sons. In contrast to his father's orderly, wholesome and responsible lifestile, Wilhelm Friedemann's was erratic and characterized by excesses. Add to that a puzzling inability to "market" himself, and you will easily understand why this genius ended his life in abject powerty.

UK electronic pop icons Pet Shop Boys return with a brand-new studio album ‘Nonetheless’ on April 26, preceded by first single ‘Loneliness’. Produced by James Ford, the music on ‘Nonetheless’ is both uplifting and reflective, mixing electronics, live instruments, and orchestral arrangements. The songs are very melodic and quintessentially Pet Shop Boys with a fresh, open sound, bringing together classic strands of PSB song-writing and moving them in new directions.

FIRST VISIT OF THE COMPLETED ALBERT AYLER WITH DON CHERRY 1964 RECORDINGS WITH GARY PEACOCK & SUNNY MURRAY. A long life can contain a certain amount of waste. Live long enough and posterity doesn’t notice the occasional unproductive gap. A short life adds value to every moment and every creative act. This new issue of Albert Ayler’s brief association with Don Cherry includes further material from their time in Copenhagen, a period when the saxophonist daily reinvented the themes that were coursing through his mind, breath and fingers. These are not a collector’s fetishes. These are fresh documents of a music mind working, day by day. (Brian Morton, June 26, 2024)

With her marriage on the rocks and looking for a fresh start, Carole King moved to Los Angeles in 1967. More specifically, Laurel Canyon, where she fell in with the nascent singer/songwriter crowd. She and bassist/boyfriend Charles Larkey (formerly of the Myddle Class, a band she and then-husband Gerry Goffin had signed to their record label) soon formed a band, adding old friend from NYC, guitarist Danny Kortchmar. The trio spent time at King's house working on a batch of songs she had written with Goffin (some previously released by other acts, some not), plus some co-written by another member of Myddle Class, Don Palmer, and fellow Brill Building refugee Toni Stern. Thanks to their industry connections it wasn't long before they had a record deal.

After a seven-year hiatus, Graham Nash returned to his solo career on Earth & Sky. While much of the material may have originated as an on-again/off-again collaboration with David Crosby (guitar/vocals), by the time the LP hit the racks in 1980 there were only traces of Crosby's input scattered throughout. One primary contribution highlighting the pair is the organic and acoustic "Out on the Island," and is likewise one of the best sides of the effort. In support of Nash is an all-star ensemble centering on the infamous "Mighty Jitters": Russ Kunkel (drums/percussion), Tim Drummond (bass), Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar (guitars), David Lindley (guitar/violin/vocals), and Craig Doerge (keyboards). The opening title cut, "Earth & Sky" has the earmark of a mid-tempo Jackson Browne rocker and boasts a tasty guitar lead from Joe Walsh.