Early Flights,

Early Pink Floyd recordings make space travel superfluous so long as we have keyboards here on Earth. Compilation, Unofficial Release. 1966 - 1994, Rare, B-Sides, Demos and never released material…

Here's a CD that lives up to its name and more. The Italian chamber repertory of the 17th century receives occasional performances, but it has rarely been as convincingly explored as it is here by veteran Baroque violinist Monica Huggett, leading small ensembles drawn from the Irish Baroque Orchestra. Huggett's biggest coup is simply her selection of unknown but superb repertoire. The Partia VI from the collection of trio sonatas titled Harmonia Artificiosa by Heinrich Biber (the "Italian" label for the music includes examples of Italian style from German lands) is sometimes played, although not as often as the composer's solo violin music; it is a rigorous but colorful exercise in scordatura (the use of unorthodox tunings).

There are so many so called supergroups out there, but QSP is really something different, as it sees three superstars of the 70s glam rock scene joyning forces. The band is QSP – named after the three members: Suzi Quatro on bass and vocals, Andy Scott of Sweet on raucous guitars, and Don Powell of Slade providing stomping drums…

John Coltrane - Live In Japan Vol.1 (1966) {Impulse! Japan, 55XD-573~574, Early Press, 2CD}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 654 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 306 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 162 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1966, 1987 Impulse! / MCA Records Japan | 55XD-573~574
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz / Saxophone

This very interesting four-CD set contains two sets of music by the 1966 John Coltrane Quintet, recorded in Tokyo, Japan. Most of the music had not been released in the United States until 1991. Coltrane (heard on tenor, soprano, and alto) engages in some ferocious interplay with Pharoah Sanders (on tenor, alto, and bass clarinet), pianist Alice Coltrane, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Rashied Ali; fans of Trane's earlier records may not like these atonal flights. However, listeners who enjoy avant-garde jazz will find many stirring moments among the very lengthy performances. The shortest piece is the 25-minute version of "Peace on Earth," and "My Favorite Things" goes on for over 57 minutes.

John Coltrane - Live In Japan Vol.2 (1966) {Impulse! Japan, 55XD-579~580, Early Press, 2CD}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 610 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 289 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 161 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1966, 1987 Impulse! / MCA Records Japan | 55XD-579~580
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz / Saxophone

This very interesting four-CD set contains two sets of music by the 1966 John Coltrane Quintet, recorded in Tokyo, Japan. Most of the music had not been released in the United States until 1991. Coltrane (heard on tenor, soprano, and alto) engages in some ferocious interplay with Pharoah Sanders (on tenor, alto, and bass clarinet), pianist Alice Coltrane, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Rashied Ali; fans of Trane's earlier records may not like these atonal flights. However, listeners who enjoy avant-garde jazz will find many stirring moments among the very lengthy performances. The shortest piece is the 25-minute version of "Peace on Earth," and "My Favorite Things" goes on for over 57 minutes.

With a sound that captures all the elegance, exuberance and flamboyance of the swinging ‘60s, Chaise Lounge delivers music that is high on style and sophistication. This Washington DC based ensemble of six accomplished musicians performs a groovy hybrid of pop-influenced jazz and swing that seems to both embody another era and belong to the present moment. Members playfully describe the group’s style as “ music that sounds like it was recorded at Capitol Recording Studios in 1962”, “early stereo” or “ perhaps lounge with a capital ‘L”.

Quatro, Scott & Powell (QSP) is a supergroup founded in the very heart of glam rock, bringing together the combined forces of three legends of rock ‘n’ roll with Suzi Quatro on vocals and bass guitar, Andy Scott of The Sweet on vocals and guitar and Don Powell from Slade on drums. "We all have similar backgrounds and come from the same ballpark where we learned our craft on the road. Back then, performing was the only way forward. We have huge respect for one another and approach our musicianship in the same way. We share an era and still continue to work and perform separately in concerts all over the world. After many enjoyable late night discussions, it felt like the right time for us to come together to 'pool' our ideas."

The viola works on this recording fuse lyricism with virtuosity, and sometimes invoke folkloric moments as well as more rhapsodic flights. Martinů’s 1955 Sonata plays on elements of folk music and rhapsody, as well as a toccata-like intensity and a pervasive feeling of nostalgia. Kodály’s Adagio is an early work, highly expressive and richly romantic, whilst his compatriot Dohnányi wrote a Sonata of mature distinction, employing variations and transformed themes to magical effect. Joachim, upholder of the German violin school, also composed, and in his Hebrew Melodies crafts great pathos, whilst Enescu’s Concertstück fuses the lyrical with the dashing, as befits a competition test piece.