Election 2 (2007)

The 10 studio albums of Ibrahim Maalouf 2007-2020 grouped together in a collector's box in Limited and Numbered Edition. « Diasporas » (2007), « Diachronism » (2009), « Diagnostic » (2011), « Wind » (2012), « Illusions » (2013), « Kalthoum » (2015), « Red & Black Light » (2015), « Levantine Symphony n°1 » (2018), « S3NS » (2019), « 40 Melodies » (2020).

Although the music of Norah Jones continues to blend pop, soul, folk, and country with a seasoning of jazz, her third album for Blue Note is the first where she's written (or collaborated on) all the material. Beneath the smooth surface lie darker strains on the album-opening "Wish I Could" (about a boyfriend lost to war), intimations of mortality in "The Sun Doesn't Like You," and the post-election horrors of "My Dear Country." The last seems to channel the inspiration of Brecht/Weill, while the equally bleak "Sinkin' Soon" is set to a jaunty Dixieland rag. Throughout, Jones's vocal intimacy and melodic warmth remain as disarmingly understated as ever. The soulful "Thinking of You," the countryish "Wake Me Up," and the syncopated "Be My Somebody" reflect the captivating style of her previous work. Although too much in the same midtempo mode becomes a dreamy lull, cut by cut, Jones's voice is irresistible.

Edvard Grieg - The Complete Songs - Monica Groop (2010) {7CD Set, BIS-CD-1607/09 rec 1993-2007}
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© 2010 BIS Records AB | BIS-CD-1607/09
Classical / Romantic / Chamber Music / Song

The complete 172 songs for voice and piano. The seven discs that make up the collection have previously been released separately, to great acclaim from reviewers around the world: ‘Something of a landmark in the Grieg discography… Monica Groop penetrates the very essence of the Grieg spirit with the artlessness that conceals art’, wrote International Record Review about one instalment, while a BBC Music Magazine review described another as ‘an irresistible new take, thrilling to both the shadows and the bright high-latitude light in this music.’ In her own introduction to the project Monica Groop writes: ‘I have always felt a special and instinctive affinity for Edvard Grieg and his music … I admire his gift of being able to write simple, natural music and I have sought to preserve this in performance.’ In these endeavours the acclaimed Finnish mezzo-soprano has enjoyed the expert support of three fine pianists: Roger Vignoles, Ilmo Ranta and Love Derwinger.

Archie Shepp - Phat Jam In Milano (2009) {Dawn of Freedom DOF0901 rec 2007}
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© 2009 Dawn of Freedom | DOF0901
Jazz / Hard Bop / Avant-Garde Jazz / Hip-Hop / Saxophone

After his rap-jazz collaboration with Public Enemy's Chuck D, saxophone icon Archie Shepp evidently felt the need to continue in the contemporary hip-hop mode. Hence the live PHAT JAM IN MILANO from 2009, featuring yet another rapper, Napoleon Maddox, who muses on life in Amerika under George W. Bush on "Ill Biz." (There is even a radio-edit of this cut provided at the end of the album). Luckily–and apart from the obvious fact that this live set was recorded prior to the election of Barack Obama–the jazz side of the equation isn't neglected here.