39 Minutes of Bliss

Michael Nyman is an extremely accomplished composer, crafting compelling music whether he's been commissioned to score a film or to provide material for symphonies or various bands. Time Will Pronounce collects his chamber commissions from 1992: "Self-Laudatory Hymn of Inanna and Her Omnipotence" for James Bowman and Fretwork, "Time Will Pronounce" for Trio of London, "The Convertibility of Lute Strings" for Virginia Black, and "For John Cage" for London Brass.

The Sensual Mood Music label's Coffee Bar Lounge series of collections invariably and effortlessly creates a cozy atmosphere for relaxation. It is recommended both for minutes of a coffee break or a summer picnic, and as background music for creative personalities in their good undertakings.

Although electronica had its fair share of chillout classics prior to the debut of Air, the lion's share were either stark techno (Warp) or sample-laden trip-hop (Mo' Wax). But while Air had certainly bought records and gear based on the artists that had influenced them, they didn't just regurgitate (or sample) them; they learned from them, digesting their lessons in a way that gave them new paths to follow. They were musicians in a producer's world, and while no one could ever accuse their music of being danceable, it delivered the emotional power of great dance music even while pushing the barriers of what "electronica" could or should sound like…

10th Karfagen album - Symphonic art rock suite inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson`s poetry.

Foreigner - Foreigner (1977). Blissful feelings arise at the mere mention of 70s arena rock. It gives listeners the permission to have fun, sing along to aircraft-hangar-size choruses, play air guitar solos, forget about any troubles, recall the experience of a first kiss, and quite simply, rock out. Few albums better instill these pleasures than Foreigner’s 1977 self-titled debut album, a five-times platinum blockbuster chock full of salacious riffs, soaring vocals, edgy beats, and lyrics that practically demand to be shouted.
Spearheaded by guitar hero Mick Jones, fresh off success with Spooky Tooth, Foreigner rallied around a talented collective pulled from the U.S. and U.K…

The Columbia Two-for-one series provides incomparable quality and value-for-money for anyone who wants easy listening CDs and this album is no exception. Johnny Mathis was at the top of the tree for over four decades and this double (original) album of classic songs showcases some his best recordings. The fabulous track-list includes some of the biggest hits of the 60's (and of all time) and Mathis has never been in better voice.His version of the Elvis hit 'Something', although a little too short is probably the best there is whilst 'Honey come back' is also emotionally peerless. I could get carried away with a description of every song as 'the best: sufficient to say that this is (of about 1500 in my collection) in my top ten CDs

The long-awaited new album by Jamie xx In Waves is the next chapter in the career of one of the most in demand producers of his generation. With In Waves, Jamie replicates the emotional crescendos and thrilling volatility of an almost mystical night out– one where you return home in the cigarette ash dawn, the specifics of the last eight hours already blurring, but aware that these feelings will remain a crystalline memory.

The sister of the Tubular Bells composer Mike Oldfield, Sally Oldfield had contributed to many of her brother's recordings before releasing her solo debut in 1978. Celebration (1980) is her 3rd studio album.
An euphoric collection of songs from Sally Oldfield, the soprano voiced, new-age trailblazer, and she even plays many of the instruments herself. Masterfully produced by Tom Newman, who also worked on Sally's cult-classic Waterbearer record, here is an exquisitely detailed tapestry of sounds. To start, a spell is cast with the steadily rising incantations of Mandala. This rhythmic style returns with Blue Water, which soon takes flight for a progressive folk epic - eight minutes of swirling bliss, a tribal pulse made for dancing ( love those conga drums ) and virtuoso vocals. Meanwhile, Woman of the Night is slow-tempo, aural seduction. A timeless album from Sally Oldfield.