Facing Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

Using some of the finest early-music soloists of the day, Parrott and his forces give posterity a recording that welds tightly focused emotion to a laudable and uncommon feel for the music. The soloists produce appropriately light but well-focused tone and display an ability to negotiate the intricacies of Handel’s notes evenly and with an exceptional grasp of the phrasing required for successful performance. The choral lines are carefully etched and meticulously balanced, resulting in a superlative overall sound that—in spite of the small choir—is rich and capable of exceeding power when required.

Ahmad Jamal Trio - Complete Recordings feat. Ray Crawford & Israel Crosby (2006) {Definitive DRCD11292 rec 1951-1956}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 591 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 365 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 15 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1951-56, 2006 Definitive Records / Disconforme | DRCD 11292
Jazz / Cool / Bop / Piano

This outstanding 2 CD released contains Ahmad Jamal's complete trio recording with guitarist Ray Crawford and bassist Israel Crosby collected here for the first time ever on one edition. The trio recorded three albums together in 1955 for the Argo (Chamber Music Of The New Jazz) and Epic (Ahmad Jamal trio, Ahmad Jamal) Records Label. This release boasts all of these albums in their entirety including the complete May 5, 1962 Piano Scene session (with Eddie Calhoun replacing Israel Crosby on bass ) that was originally released as part of Epic's 1955 Ahmad Jamal album, featured here as bonus tracks. And speaking of bonus tracks, this released also contains the complete 1956 Argo LP Count 'Em 88 featuring Ahmad Jamal leading a trio with Israel Crosby and drummer Walter Perkins.

Inside the music of drummer-composer-singer Israel Varela is a rare mix Among Latin American-Jazz-and Flamenco colors. Ultimately, though, the surprising artist from Tijuana, has figured a way to integrate all three seamlessly in this dynamic and creative band presenting his new album called“The Labyrinth Project” (JANDO Music) blending traditional forms with contemporary Jazz-Latin and Flamenco roots with a unique eclectic and modern style.

Herbie Hancock - Hear, O Israel: A Prayer Ceremony In Jazz (1968) {Jonny Records JBH025CD rel 2008}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 212 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 91 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 6 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1968, 2008 Jonny Records / Trunk | JBH025CD
Jazz / Post Bop / Modal Music / Soul Jazz / Modern Creative

In 1965, encouraged by his rabbi, the 17-year-old Jonathan Klein wrote a selection of jazz themes for a Jewish Sabbath concert. Originally recorded in 1968 by an all-star cast of musicians that included Herbie Hancock, Thad Jones, and Ron Carter, the collection is a unique, free-flowing series of pieces that perfectly complement the accompanying Jewish Sabbath prayers, and provides a rare opportunity to hear these talented musicians performing in a unique setting that's at once creative and intensely devotional.

This project is based on Israel in Egypt, one of the best-known and most popular oratorios by Georg Friedrich Handel, and has been created on the basis of the common history and roots of three religions; Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Musicians from the (Western) European Baroque tradition (Baroque orchestra and choir), and hence from a Christian background, are joined by musicians from Jewish and Muslim backgrounds. The basic musical form of Handel’s oratorio and its narrative structure remains untouched, for the most parts.

Latest release on VIVAT brings Mendelssohn’s astonishing reconstruction of Handel’s great oratorio Israel in Egypt. Mendelssohn’s 1833 Düsseldorf performance has been painstakingly reconstructed from fragments and sources across Europe: the large and colourful orchestra, playing nineteenth-century instruments, produces vivid new sonorities, and the double choir sings magnificently. Listeners familiar with Handel’s 1739 version will also find new numbers, significant changes to the order of movements and very different orchestrations.

English conductor Harry Christophers was educated at the Canterbury Cathedral Choir School and Magdalen College, Oxford. He founded The Sixteen, the choral ensemble with their accompanying instrumental ensemble, in 1977. The Sixteen performs with an emphasis on early English polyphony, but also in a varied repertoire from the Renaissance to contemporary composers. He has led The Sixteen on tours throughout Europe, America, and the Far East, and on over 70 recordings.

The IPO has recorded a significant repertoire of masterworks during the years. In this special anniversary tribute album, you can find a representative selection of some of the orchestra’s best recordings of the last 50 years.