Aurora Aurora (1977) [1999, Shroom, SP 99007]

This is truly astute music, a swift and talkative violin leading the orchestra into atmospheric zones of influence, fusing all the classic aromas such as jazz, jam, funk, world, latin and rock influences, while unafraid to solo away in improvisational mode…

The Complete Hildegard von Bingen, Vol. 2 - Aurora - Sinfonye (1999) {Celestial Harmonies 13128-2}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 241 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 141 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 261 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1999 Celestial Harmonies | 13128-2
Classical / Medieval / Early Music / Religious / Chant

This is the second volume of The Complete Hildegard von Bingen. Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) was born the tenth child to a noble family and was dedicated at birth to the church. At age three she began to have visions of luminous objects, but soon realized she was unique in this ability and kept these visions secret for many years. Hildegard's religious education, which began at the age of eight, consisted of an ascetic life of prayer and contemplation. At a time when few women were accorded respect, she lived to become a highly respected writer, poet, composer and visionary sought after for her counsel by bishops, popes and kings.

Moondog - The German Years 1977-1999 - Anthology & The Last Concert (2004) {2CD Set ROOF Music RD 2433221}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 563 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 284 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 27 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1977-99, 2004 ROOF Music | RD 2633272
Classical / Jazz / Avant-Garde / Modern Classical / Minimalism

This deluxe double-disc box from Germany's Roof Music contains a collection of Louis Thomas Hardin's music recorded from 1977-1999 entitled The German Years as well as a second disc entitled The Last Concert, Mimi-Festival 1999. There are 44 pages of liner notes that lovingly put the complex music into as much perspective as possible, though it is up to the listener to diligently explore the lifework of this creative and unique individual.

George Benson - Weekend In L.A. (1977) {Warner Bros. 3139-2 rel 1999}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 380 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 166 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 22 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1977, 1999 Warner Bros. Records Inc. | 3139-2
Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / Crossover Jazz / Quiet Storm / Guitar

Recording live at Los Angeles' Roxy club – then a showcase for many of the hottest acts in pop – was just the tonic that George Benson and his Breezin' band needed on this often jumping album. With unusually lively crowds (for a record-industry watering hole) shouting encouragement, the band gets deep into the four-on-the-floor funk and Benson digs in hard, his rhythmic instincts on guitar sharp as ever. The balance between vocals and instrumentals is about even – George's voice sounds more throaty and soul-oriented than before – and amid the new material, there is a revisit to a favored CTI-era instrumental, the lovely "Ode to a Kudu."

Ron Carter - Piccolo (1977) {Milestone MCD-55004-2 rel 1999}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 403 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 176 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 14 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1977, 1999 Milestone / Fantasy | MCD-55004-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Post-Bop / Third Stream

This double album is mostly recommended to lovers of bass solos. With Ron Carter functioning as the main soloist on piccolo bass, only the solos of pianist Kenny Barron offer a bit of contrast. Bassist Buster Williams and drummer Ben Riley, who complete the quartet, are mostly featured in support. These performances, which are well-played, are almost all quite long, so listeners who prefer more variety in their music are advised to look elsewhere.

Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk is a disco album by Meco released in 1977. The album uses various musical themes from the Star Wars soundtrack arranged as instrumental disco music. A single from the album, "Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band", reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 1, 1977, holding to that position for two weeks. The album was released on compact disc with two additional versions of the single.

Steely Dan hadn't been a real working band since Pretzel Logic, but with Aja, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen's obsession with sonic detail and fascination with composition reached new heights. A coolly textured and immaculately produced collection of sophisticated jazz-rock, Aja has none of the overt cynicism or self-consciously challenging music that distinguished previous Steely Dan records. Instead, it's a measured and textured album, filled with subtle melodies and accomplished, jazzy solos that blend easily into the lush instrumental backdrops.