Essence From June 2015

Markus Stenz and the Gürzenich Orchestra Köln have demonstrated a special aptitude for performing large scale post-Romantic works, notably the symphonies of Gustav Mahler, which they recorded for Oehms Classics as a series of hybrid SACDs. They have followed that impressive cycle with what is probably the most Mahlerian work Arnold Schoenberg ever composed, the massive Gurrelieder for solo voices, multiple choruses, and large orchestra. This 2015 Hyperion release is impressive in its crisp details, vibrant tone colors, and startling clarity, all of which are evident in the opening instrumental passages in the Prelude, and which continue through the nearly operatic vocal parts, which have remarkable presence in the face of an orchestra that exceeds Wagnerian proportions. The recording is presented on two CDs that offer extraordinary sound for digital stereo, and the only disappointment is that this wasn't released as a multichannel recording. Listeners who find Schoenberg's modernist music difficult may be more receptive to this cantata, which is his most openly Romantic score and strongly reminiscent of Wagner's music dramas. Highly recommended.

The Room are a melodic rock band hailing from the Southeast of the UK. The five band members bring together a broad range of musical influences which has helped form The Room’s distinctive style. Smart songs with great melodies are the essence of the bands sound with all the members involved in crafting the material. Formed in 2010 the band finalised their line up in 2011 before starting work on a promotional single and then their debut album. Martin Wilson and Steve Anderson from progressive rock band Grey Lady Down were joined by Andy Rowe, Andrew Rae and Steve Checkley. The band started writing the album over the winter of 2011, which was subsequently recorded at Platform Studios in the glorious English countryside in the spring and summer of 2012.

On esko we go on a musical journey across Europe to the extraordinary land of Bohemia (popularly known as esko, but officially means Czech), the homeland of two composers we have come to love so much. It doesn't seem to matter that we hardly know their country: the indescribable energy of the music, with its folk melodies and harmonies, revealing the essence of a nation steeped in a deep cultural history, takes us there instantly.

"Quest for the Stones" is the third studio album by British instrumental symph/prog band Yak. The music of Yak is instrumental, melodic and according to the reviews it is mostly being categorised in the genre of symphonic progressive rock. "For the uninitiated, the music of YAK harkens back to the golden age of 70s’ symphonic rock from pioneers like Camel and early Genesis; as well as the solo albums of Steve Hackett (which is amazing considering there is no guitarist). Martin emulates the emotional sustained guitar tones of artists like Steve Hackett and Andy Latimer beautifully. I needed to refer back to the CD sleeve to see if the line “Martin Morgan plays Fernandes guitars” was listed somewhere in the notes".

David "Fathead" Newman - Newmanism (1974) {2015 Japan Fusion Best Collection 1000 Series}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 268 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 106 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 149 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1974, 2015 Atlantic / Rhino / WEA / Warner | WPCR-28166
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Blues Jazz / Fusion / Saxophone

Reissue with 24-bit digital remastering. Comes with a mini-description. Sweet electric grooving from David Newman – a great little album cut with Roy Ayers on vibes and Pat Rebillot on electric piano – both of whom bring a very different feel to the set than Newman's work of the 60s! The style is warm and tight, but never too smooth – as there's these sharp edges and a slightly sinister undercurrent that you don't really find in some of David's other records of the period. Rhythm is by Ron Carter on bass and Andrew Smith or Roy Brooks on drums – plus added percussion from Armen Halburian, who kicks in a slight Latin essence on some numbers – which adds to the hipness of the grooves. Titles include nice versions of Roy Ayers' tracks "Foxy Brown" and "Sweet Tears", plus the cuts "Brandy", "Song For The New Man", "Baby Rae", and "Let Me Know".

Michael Head, former frontman of the Pale Fountains and current co-leader along with his brother John – who is also a Strand – of Brit pop outfit Shack, turns in a stellar chamber pop performance with Magical World of the Strands. Head, who is no stranger to either classy, baroque pop or neo-psychedelia, has composed an album of gorgeously illustrated songs that are lushly orchestrated by a standard rock quartet augmented by a flutist (Leslie Roberts) and a string quartet. The result is an album that, while little known, is a classic, a masterpiece of modern chamber pop.