Dutch band Mr. Albert Show, apparently named after a roadie, was formed in 1969 by Bertus Borgers (saxophone, flute, vocals), Roeland Boogaart (drums), Tom Fautubun (bass), Eric Lintermans (guitars) and Bonki Bongaerts (organ). Strengthened by the vocal talents of Floortje Klomp they make their debut with the single "Wild Sensation" in 1970, followed by their full length debut album "Mr. Albert Show" later the same year. The following their sophomore effort "Warm Motor". The album showed a refined and perfect played music according to the group's pretensions. The 6 titles combined clear structured and epic compositions in typical The Mr. Albert Show vein. The included bonus tracks were non-album 7" tracks and outtakes.
Dutch band Mr. Albert Show, apparently named after a roadie, was formed in 1969 by Bertus Borgers (saxophone, flute, vocals), Roeland Boogaart (drums), Tom Fautubun (bass), Eric Lintermans (guitars) and Bonki Bongaerts (organ). Strengthened by the vocal talents of Floortje Klomp they make their debut with the single "Wild Sensation" in 1970, followed by their full length debut album "Mr. Albert Show" later the same year. The following their sophomore effort "Warm Motor" appeared, while the non-album single "Show Me Your Tongue" was released in support of it. This would prove to be the final release by this short-lived band, who disbanded in 1973 following the departure of Bertus Borgers.
No one knows quite when tango was established in Finland, but the style has a long history there – still little known to outsiders – and combines rhythmic interest and yearning melody with a distinctively Nordic melancholy. In this ingeniously curated programme, two Finnish tangos from the 1950s and a tango-based work by Finnish classical composer Aulis Sallinen are woven into a bold tapestry of music from the Eastern Baltic seaboard. Longing, sadness, and a heightened sense of nature infuse all of these works, which also reveal intriguing stylistic connections: the rocking accompaniment of Sibelius’ 'Einsames Lied' seems to prefigure the ‘Baltic minimalism’ of Vasks, Pärt and Zita Bružaité, while Olli Mustonen’s 'Toccata' alternates rhythmic verve with a rich vein of reflective memory. These original compositions are complemented by Robert McFall’s own sensitive arrangements, for a core McFall’s lineup of five strings and piano, and the programme culminates in a truly unique version of Sibelius’s famous 'Finlandia' Hymn.
American Roots Music thrives on growing new branches from its grand traditions, and the band Mr Sun, and its individual members, have long been actively re-shaping the acoustic musical landscape. For Mr Sun’s tenth anniversary, this celebrated company of virtuoso string players has reinterpreted the legendary Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker Suite, bringing this monumental reimagining of the iconic Tchaikovsky piece into the acoustic string band world.
Mr. Fox always stood out from their '70s British folk-rock contemporaries. They tended to disregard electric guitar for other instruments, and weave complex arrangements that highlighted the music rather than any technical virtuosity. Fronted by Bob and Carole Pegg, there was often a darkness about their own material that's especially evident on this reissue of Mr. Fox (1970) and The Gipsy (1971). Songs like "Mr. Fox" and "The Hanged Man" seemed to linger on the shadows, and the standard of songwriting was consistently good throughout (with a couple of exceptions, "Elvira Madigan," which is far from essential, and the long, overly tedious "The Gipsy"). But they're outweighed by the delights, which even extend to a pair of traditional arrangements, "The House Carpenter" (performed with suitable portent) and "All the Good Things," which saw them taking a brief detour into Americana…