Absolutely Home February 2019

One World Of Music. The ACT label has jazz at its core, and an openness to all kinds of musical directions: pop, rock, the music of singer-songwriters and traditional folkloric forms such as flamenco and tango. These very different genres nonetheless never fail to find new and magical ways to work together. The twelfth Magic Moments compilation presents exciting music "in the Spirit of Jazz". All kinds of pleasure await the listener during its 71 minutes. And what can one expect to hear in this world so far away from a single pre-determined style? There are surprises, obviously. Plus several chances to re-connect with established and familiar stars. And discoveries of some genuinely exciting newcomers.

Mod brings together 4CDs containing 100 tracks that encapsulate the spirit of a sub cultural youth movement that began in London in 1958 focusing on music and fashion.

The Mourning LP is among my absolute favourites. The main attraction here, as most will agree, is the monster track at the end…

Rued Langgaard (18931952) was the major Danish late-Romantic composer who did not gain recognition in his mother country. His greatest successes took place in Germany and Austria, where his Symphonies Nos. 2 and 6 were met with considerable acclaim. Back home, he never received that kind of backing. He died a careworn and despairing individual. On this recording with one of the world's leading orchestras, the tradition-conscious Vienna Philharmonic, one is therefore able to hear Langgaard's music 'return home' to a central European musical culture. At the same time things were going swimmingly for his colleague Jacob Gade (18791963) whose Tango Jalousie has become the absolutely most frequently played piece of Danish music for almost a century.

Carmen McRae was a magnificent composer, vocalist and pianist whose talents were both under-rated and under-appreciated. Indisputably, her legacy lives on as one of the greatest female artists and a five star legendary performer…