I had been contemplating a 'Definitive' Eric Coates collection for some time but it was the discovery of Michael Payne's Ph.D. Thesis for Durham University "The Man Who Writes The Tunes" that encouraged me to start serious work on it. Michael has since turned this thesis into the definitive book on Coates, "The Life And Music Of Eric Coates" published by Ashgate in 2012, and I was delighted when he agreed to write the booklet notes. The track order: My original concept was to present the recordings in strict chronological order but it became apparent that, although this would be ideal for those wishing to analyse and study Coates' work, some pieces would appear twice on the same CD which would be frustrating for the normal listener. The approach therefore has been to make each disc a varied and enjoyable selection of his work.

The famous alto solo cantatas by J.S. Bach not only display an extraordinary musical variety, but also place the highest demands on the virtuosity of the singing voice. Nowadays, these cantatas are mostly performed by countertenors. The exceptional alto Seda Amir-Karayan is bucking this trend. She is accompanied by the young baroque orchestra Camerata Vivaldiana under the direction of Fritz Krämer. And as a further speciality, she combines this magnificent figural music with the ancient, simple a cappella church chants from her Armenian homeland, which on the one hand form a captivating contrast, but at the same time show an astonishing closeness to the cantatas of the Thomaskantor in their spiritual content.

The Very Best of Diana Krall collects a nice cross-section of tracks the pianist/vocalist recorded beginning with her 1996 breakthrough album, All for You, and moving through to her 2006 effort From This Moment On. These are largely urbane and stylish recordings that range from her intimate and swinging trio work with guitarist Russell Malone and bassist Christian McBride to her lush orchestral and big-band numbers. While this is primarily a compilation for fans of the sophisticated, jazz standards-oriented Krall, Verve does earn some kudos for including at least one cut from her deeply personal and subsequently not as popular effort The Girl in the Other Room. Also featured are cuts from her stellar 2002 concert album Live in Paris. If you're a fan of straight-ahead jazz with a heavy dash of romance and haven't checked out Krall's work, The Very Best is superb place to start.

2014 collection from the veteran French singer, songwriter and performer. This set of songs are sung in English and include appearances from Celine Dion, Elton John, Sting, Josh Groban, Liza Minelli, Frank Sinatra and others. Includes classics like 'She', 'Yesterday When I Was Young', 'You've Let Yourself Go' and more. Aznavour was known for his distinctive tenor voice: clear and ringing in its upper reaches, with gravelly and profound low notes. In a career as a composer, singer and songwriter, spanning over 70 years, he recorded more than 1,200 songs interpreted in 9 languages. Moreover, he wrote or co-wrote more than 1,000 songs for himself and others. One of France's most popular and enduring singers, Aznavour sold between 180 and 200 million records during his lifetime, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He was dubbed France's Frank Sinatra, while music critic Stephen Holden described Aznavour as a "French pop deity".

Marking twenty years since the passing of Carlo Maria Giulini. A true giant of the baton, Giulini was one of the greatest figures of the classical world in the twentieth century, leading the major orchestras worldwide, and building an exceptional discography. Our beautiful comprehensive CD box set is an unmissable testimony of his unique talent. Here we present a high resolution remastering of one of his most splendid achievements, a legendary version of The Marriage of Figaro, with a five-stars cast including Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Anna Moffo or Giuseppe Taddei.

Silent Circle is a German euro disco band formed in West Germany in 1985. The band consists of vocalist Martin Tychsen (Jo Jo Tyson), keyboardist & composer Axel Breitung, and drummer Jurgen Behrens (CC Behrens). Silent Circle first performed in 1979 but soon parted ways. In the early '80s, the trio reformed and decided to form a more solid group. Hence, that marked the beginning of Silent Circle. Their first single, "Hide Away - Man is Comin'!", gained considerable limelight followed by a number of other successful singles like "Touch in the Night", "Stop the Rain", "Love is Just a Word" and "Time for Love". In 1986, they released their first album No. 1, consisting of 11 songs. The album was launched under the Blow-Up label of Intercord Company.

Toyah’s bold, defiant and most experimental work, the 1988 solo album is released for the first time ever as an expanded CD edition in deluxe 7” sized gatefold packaging. This Deluxe 2CD Edition features a previously unreleased live recording of the album from Chichester. In November/December 1988 Toyah formed a new band Fripp Fripp with musician/husband Robert Fripp and embarked on a 22-date tour. On the 7 UK and 15 European gigs Toyah performed the album live, accompanied by Paul Beavis on live drums as the tour’s first act. For Toyah fans and collectors, it’s a fascinating document of Toyah performing an impressive volume of vocals, dialogue and lyrics with precision and defiance.

Released by Edsel, Toyah's 1987 studio album Desire receives it's first ever standalone CD reissue in a new expanded edition, in deluxe 7" sized gatefold packaging. Originally issued on the EG label, the album was produced by Mike Hedges (Siouxise & The Banshees) and recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in the autumn of 1986. This deluxe 2cd edition includes a second disc of 18 rare and 'desirable' bonus tracks including the 12" mix of lead single Echo Beach plus outtakes and B-Sides from the album sessions. Excitingly six previously unreleased tracks feature including the long-awaited release of the post-Desire rarity We Play Machines.

Born around 1380 in the Duchy of Limburg, possibly in the little town of the same name, Johannes de Limburgia was active for a long time in Liège, then in Italy. We have evidence of his presence in Vicenza between 1431 and 1436, and several of his works refer explicitly to Vicenza, as well as to Venice and Padua, demonstrating a strong connection with northern Italy, where his music was compiled. His output – more than 45 works – is contained in three large manuscripts from the first half of the fifteenth century, alongside music by other composers from north of the Alps, such as Johannes Ciconia and Guillaume Dufay.

Valentin Rathgeber was a very successful composer in Germany in the first half on the 18th century. He was born in Fulda and studied theology in Würzburg where he also became a schoolmaster and an organist. In 1707 he entered the monastery at Banz as a chamber musician, and there he was ordained in 1711. In the same year he was appointed choirmaster, a post he held until his death. As a composer he concentrated on writing sacred music for churches which couldn't afford professional singers and players. His music is melodious and technically not very demanding. This was the main reason it became very popular throughout Germany.

Schubert's final four quartets represent the last flowering of the Viennese Classical style. Their melodic generosity has always appealed to music lovers (and quartet players), though in the hands of some less disciplined ensembles the music can tend to sprawl. That's never a danger with these warm, impulsive performances, which allow the music's natural lyricism to flow vigorously without ever becoming sticky or sentimental. Schubert's String Quartet No. 12 is the single movement also known as the Quartettensatz ("Quartet Movement"), but the other three quartets are full-length, indeed epic works that bear comparison with the late works of Beethoven in musical richness and profundity.

The Easy Riders were a folk group comprising the established songwriting team of Terry Gilkyson, Richard Dehr and Frank Miller, who had had success as writers before taking advantage of the booming interest in folk on he college scene. Terry Gilkyson had written the No. 1 hit "The Cry Of The Wild Goose" for Frankie Laine and Tennessee Ernie Ford in 1950, followed more hits, and as a team they had written Dean Martin's No. 1 "Memories Are Made Of This", in 1955. As a folk group, they were precursors of The Kingston Trio and The Brothers Four, but were considerably older - all born during WWI - so did not have the fresh-faced college-boy appeal of those groups. They recorded prolifically during their few years together, and this 62-track collection comprises the A & B sides of singles on Columbia and Kapp from these years, plus the titles not otherwise released on singles from their albums "Marianne And Other Songs You'll Like", "Blue Mountain" and "Wanderin': Folk Songs by The Easy Riders" on Columbia, along with "Rollin'" on Kapp, along with selected titles from their Kapp album "Remember The Alamo". It features their 1957 No. 4 hit "Marianne" and chart entry with "Tina", and their original version of the Brothers Four hit "Greenfields".

Record Store Day 2025. Soul Jazz Records’ special new 18th anniversary one-off limited-edition heavyweight special-edition red coloured vinyl pressing (+ download code) exclusively for Record Store Day 2025 of their out of print classic Rumble In The Jungle. This album is fully remastered, relicensed and with new tracks exclusively for RSD 25.Soul Jazz Records journey in to early 1990s ragga, drum and bass and jungle. The album features all-time classic jungle anthems such as General Levy’s ‘Incredible’ alongside some serious Ragga heavyweight tunes like Cutty Ranks ‘Limb By Limb’ and Congo Natty’s classic re-make of Barrington Levy’s Under Me Sensi’.

Victor Feldman was an English jazz pianist, percussionist and vibraphone player, who made such an impression as a teenage musician on the pioneering modern jazz scene in his home country in post-war years, that Ronnie Scott advised him to move to the USA to find a wider arena for his talents, which he did in 1955. He readily found work performing and recording with a variety of bands, including Woody Herman's Herd, Buddy De Franco and others. He was soon offered the chance to lead his own group in recording sessions, and over subsequent years he regularly fronted bands in the studio while still working assiduously with the top names on the scene. This 38-track 2-CD collection all the tracks from his first four albums under his own name recorded and released after his move to the USA - "Vic Feldman On Vibes/Mallets Aforethought" on Mode, "The Arrival Of Victor Feldman" and Latinsville" on Contemporary and "Merry Olde Soul" on Riverside.

Felt Better Alive is Peter Doherty’s first solo album in nine years and his most confident collection yet. Sprinkled with radiant playfulness, almost innocence at times, shot through with signature melodic nous, quirky poetic realism and his visual story-telling gifts. The songs began in an idyllic rural setting, the Normandy village where Peter and his family live. Peter enlisted his friend and producer/musician Mike Moore, who’s produced Baxter Dury and plays guitar in Liam Gallagher’s band. Peter’s not only a survivor but a creative powerhouse, with more projects, plans and reasons to stay alive than he’s ever had. And in 2025, the year he turns 46, with his fifth solo album Felt Better Alive, he brings us some of the most deft, bouncy and charming songs of his always melodic life.