Ron Boots: This is our third official live release and it gives an impression of the music we play as specials and encore pieces. In other words: This is all new music. You don't hear any familiar pieces from other CDs. That makes this CD unique, with music that was played once and will never be heard in this form again.
For us musicians this is the greatest way to perform; not being limited to studio versions, it gives us a feeling of freedom on stage and it certainly increases the amount of adrenalin in our vains during the performance…
Villa Pamphili is a double CD set with a selection of 32 tracks by Italian prog bands! In addition to major band tracks, this sampler includes also several rare tracks from vintage 7" singles by less known groups: Fholks, Fiori di Campo and even Krel (an early PFM line-up from 1970). Pay attention: while Villa Pamphili was a live 1970's concert, this double CD is not a live album from that concert.
This is an excellent disc from one of the best mezzosopranos working during the last couple of decades. It does also, I suppose, present a nice survey of Tchaikovsky’s songs (of which there is quite a number, few of which are well-known) and includes at least the two most famous ones, “None but the lonely heart” and “Once Again, Alone” – and the selection consists of songs from both early in his career (the 1869 set including “None but the lonely heart”) and late ones. However, I would warn against listening through this disc in one go – these songs are pretty much all rather dark and sad and slow, focusing on loneliness, regret, sorrow and longing. Taken a few at a time, on the other hand, virtually every single one comes across as a marvelous gem.
Canadian saxophonist Peter Van Huffel currently makes his home in Brooklyn, and has quickly established a reputation as one of the most exciting, unique, new voices on the local improvised music scene. His quintet, which according to All About Jazz Features some of the most outstanding, original and innovative musicians in New Yorks new talent pool, performs regularly at a number of important venues in the rapidly growing Brooklyn scene. Featuring all original compositions, this brand new recording, his third official CD, Silvester Battlefield, benefits of solid backing provided by his New York based quintet.