David Garrett

Austrian Syndicate…the phrase immediately brings to mind the best-known and most influential of all Austrians in jazz, Joe Zawinul. And yet David Helbock’s project is much more than just a homage to his compatriot. It is a return to the roots of fusion jazz and how things developed from then on. It is also a new direction stylistically for Helbock, who has harnessed a panoply of inspiration with a refreshing openness to new sounds from far and wide. As Helbock himself puts it: "This is close to my heart." Helbock has been able to enlist the best rhythm section in Austria for the Syndicate: Raphael Preuschl on bass and bass ukulele, drummer Herbert Pirker and percussionist Claudio Spieler. The quintet also has an American in it, one for whom becoming Austrian was a matter of choice: pianist Peter Madsen. This Austrian supergroup is also a place where Helbock’s stellar international guests shine brightly: Maria João, Fred Wesley, Dhafer Youssef, Alex Acuña and Lakecia Benjamin.

"Barcelona" is an album recorded by Freddie Mercury, the front-man of the popular British rock band Queen, and operatic soprano Montserrat Caballe. The album was recorded in 1987 and 1988, and released in 1988. It is the final solo album recorded by Mercury, who died of AIDS on November 24, 1991. 25 years after the original release of the lead single, Barcelona, has been given a special re-release in an entirely newly orchestrated re-working.

2Cellos - 2CELLOS (2011) {Masterworks-Sony Music S7066OC-88697919802}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 236 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 101 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 27 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2011 Masterworks / Sony Music | S7066OC / 88697919802
Classical / Classical Crossover / Classical Pop / Cellos

Following in the footsteps of Justin Bieber and Soulja Boy, Croatian cellists Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser, aka 2Cellos, were discovered through YouTube, after six million people viewed their classical cover version of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal." Now with a major-label deal under their belt, the classically trained musicians face the tough prospect of translating what could be seen a one-trick pony novelty into a full-length album. It's a task made even more difficult considering that, unlike violinist David Garrett's forays into classical rock, which add layers of orchestral production on top of his virtuoso skills, the two 24-year-olds' self-titled debut doesn't feature any other instruments. Luckily, the pair's masterful talents, which seem to produce sounds from a cello that otherwise wouldn't seem possible, more than make up for the lack of background support.