Curling (2010)

Cool Norway seems to be the most efficient hothouse for new talents in Europe in recent years. Vocalist Solveig Slettahjell is by no means a new talent, but only now is her third solo disc, with her Slow Motion Quintet, being distributed outside of Norway. Slettahjell was a student of renowned Norwegian vocalist Sidsel Endresen, with whom she collaborated recently in Jon Balke's Batagraf ensemble (Statements, ECM, 2005). She recorded with the experimental all-female vocal quartet Kvitretten, with jazz singers Eldbjørg Raknes, Kristin Asbjörnsen and Tone Åse, and teaches jazz singing at the Norwegian Academy of Music.

Following several years of touring alongside former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora, Orianthi returns to her solo work with her fourth full-length, 2020's O. Produced with Marti Fredriksen, O is Orianthi's first album for Italy's rock-centric Frontiers Records label and fittingly finds the Australian guitarist and singer digging into a heavy, hard rock- and metal-influenced sound. While there is certainly a hefty amount of old-school analog grit to much of the album, O also features an equal amount of contemporary pop sheen throughout. It's a stylistic combination that brings to mind Orianthi's most famous employer, the late Michael Jackson, with whom she worked and rehearsed just prior to his death in 2009. Since that time, Orianthi has carved out her own niche as an adept soloist and performer, drawing inspiration from her early mentors, including Carlos Santana and Steve Vai, as well as other idols like Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix.

After five albums in 15 years, Alter Bridge quickly exited nervy adolescence (remember “Metalingus”?) and has comfortably matured. Their sixth album Walk the Sky shows their updated priorities, from banging heads to moving hearts. Yes, the curling, snarling guitars that permeate “Native Son,” “Pay No Mind,” and “Wouldn’t You Rather” speak to their sharpened metal pedigree. But it’s singer Myles Kennedy and lead guitarist Mark Tremonti’s melodious thunderstorm that is both crushing and refreshing; songs like “Godspeed,” “Forever Falling,” and the album closer “Dying Light” firmly secure their place in the melodic hard rock universe.

Recorded live and mixed by none other than Brian Eno, 'The Surgeon…' is one of Fourth World inaugurator Hassell's most breathtaking full-lengths, capturing the physicality of his performance and matching his lopsided trumpet work with hypnotic synths and ghostly, muted percussion. If you've not jumped into his catalog before, this is the perfect starting point!

When the frost bites your bare skin and the snowflakes stab you in the eye as you fight to make your way back home, your thoughts always go out to the things that keep you warm. But even though the cups of hot cocoa and freshly baked apple pies have staked the upper spots in the list, there will always be one thing you long for the most: some gentle chill tunes to drive the cold away. Much like curling up in your favorite chair with a thick blanket and a good book, ‘Armada Winter Chill’ helps you fight the winter cold until the first signs of spring emerge. Totaling to thirty tracks from the likes of Autograf, Borderless, DubVision, GoldFish, Kölsch, RZLZ, Super Pitcher and more…