24 Bit Hi Res

His colleague Georg Philipp Telemann, who was only a few years older, described him as “the greatest spirit of his time”. Reinhard Keiser is a striking example of a musician who was held in the highest esteem in his time, but is hardly present today. He wrote numerous stage works for the Hamburg Opera at the Gänsemarkt.

Released in 1962 on the Contemporary Records label, “The Cry!” Is a free jazz album by saxophonists Prince Lasha and Sonny Simmons. Also featured are Gary Peacock and Mark Proctor (bass), and Gene Stone (drums). This new edition features remastered hi-res audio from the original tapes.

Walter Braunfels’ music died twice: first, when the Nazis declared it “degenerate art”; and again when post-war Germany had little use for the various schools of tonal music. This was the period when arbiters of taste considered any form of romantic music – which meant practically the whole pre-war aesthetic – to be tainted.

The present release is a mind-blowing rendition of a contemporary classic by amazing Ukrainian pianist, past winner of Van Cliburn competition. “Recordings usually start to live their own lives after their release. However, this one happened to be very special since it acquired its very meaning long before getting to the publishing phase. Recorded in September 2021, this project survived February 24, 2022 - the date marking for me the end of a fragile balance between humanity and medieval darkness. This recording is dedicated to the people of a free and independent Ukraine, whose unshakable spirit will never be defeated.”

XTC‘s alter egos The Dukes of Stratosphear feature in the latest in the band’s acclaimed ‘Surround Sound Series’ with a new set called ‘Psurroundabout Ride’ which features the complete recordings newly mixed in stereo and surround sound by Steven Wilson.

The king of the Latin-American dance field is Tito Puente. Once again, the diminutive maestro demonstrates his dominance with this new recording of popular Latin-American rhythms. In this exciting outing, Tito Puente and his orchestra lay down a driving irresistible beat that moves from beginning to end in a pulsating performance. Tito Puente and his orchestra create an added appeal with their ensemble singing which lends an authenticity to the music. Their vocal performance like everything else sparkles with vitality.

bar italia are the London based three-piece of Nina Cristante, Jezmi Tarik Fehmi and Sam Fenton. They release their second full length of 2023, The Twits, less than six months after their acclaimed Matador debut, Tracey Denim.

I set myself the challenge of writing a book of 24 preludes and fugues in all the major and minor keys and I approached family, friends, and several institutions I had been associated with, to commission a prelude and fugue each, with many of the resultant commissioners asking for references to pieces of music that had a special meaning for them, a request that I tried to follow through wherever possible. Within a very short space of time, I realised just what a task I had set myself. The project took me 8 years to complete, and it was not until 2019 that I finally put the finishing touches to the concluding B minor Fugue.

Howard Skempton is recognised as one of the UK’s most renowned and respected living composers. Although particularly influenced by Benjamin Britten (with whom he worked), John Cage, and Cornelius Cardew, Skempton’s music inhabits its own unique sound world.

Hampton Hawes, “For Real!” was recorded in 1958 but not released on the Contemporary Records label until 1961. Featuring Hawes (piano) alongside Harold Land (tenor sax), Scott LaFaro (bass) and Frank Butler (drums) the album incudes a mixture of both jazz standards and originals. This new edition features remastered hi-res audio from the original tapes.