Anthony Lazaro

Sides is the fourth solo album from former Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips. A first listen, Sides might only seem to be an adequate Anthony Phillips effort. Although it boasts two bona fide King Crimson members (Giles and Collins), the first half of the album consists of wry but forgettable numbers like the pop of "Um & Aargh" and the divorce kiss-off of "Holy Deadlock." But on the much better second half of the album, Phillips shows his more orchestral side on the instrumentals "Sisters of Remindum" and "Nightmare," as well as his distinctive arpeggiated guitar style on "Magdalen." And as always, the wonderfully whimsical and punning cover art by Peter Cross is reminiscent one of what the world lost when we all switched to cramped CD covers.

For decades there has been only one recording of Admeto available: a quite splendid performance from 1977 (Virgin Records 5613692) directed by Alan Curtis with Il complesso barocco. One of the first baroque operas to be recorded with original instruments, it reflects the best of the historical performance movement. It is thus with considerable anticipation and curiosity that one approaches this new release of Handel’s Admeto, sung in English (to a fine translation by Geoffrey Dunn), directed by Sir Anthony Lewis, and recorded just nine years earlier in 1968. The cast for this recording is no less remarkable. Dame Janet Baker plays the self-sacrificing Alcestis; Admetus is sung elegantly and expressively by Maureen Lehane; Sheila Armstong is a brilliant and stylish Antigona, and the mezzo soprano Margaret Lensky provides a touching portrayal of the lovesick Thrasymedes.

Rarely have I read a sleeve-note that pleads so vehemently in support of the music it introduces as does the one for this collection of works by Henry Lawes. ''I wish this record well,'' writes Anthony rooley, ''for Harry's [Henry's] sake, so that our un-sung genius of song may occupy his rightful place in the halls of Fame, and the late 20th century adopt the same conclusions as his own time''. Certainly you may find it surprising that a composer whose music was praised by such towering contemporaries as Charles I, Milton and Locke should have been neglected so universally by today's champions of early music—surprising, that is, until you hear the music itself.

The Point of It All is the fourth studio album by American R&B and soul singer-songwriter Anthony Hamilton. It was released on December 16, 2008, by Arista Records in the United States. The album serves as a follow-up from his album Ain't Nobody Worryin' (2005). The album's production was handled by Hamilton himself along with Mark Batson, Kevin Wooten, Dre & Vidal, James "Big Jim" Wright and Salaam Remi, among others.