Historians and some Duke Ellington fans look askance at the brief period he spent on Capitol Records (1953-55). This was a hectic period in jazz, with bebop in the near-view, hard bop coming along as well, and the big band was considered by many to be a relic of bygone eras. Yet Ellington persevered, and not without another adversity: the temporary loss of signature alto player Johnny Hodges, who was off leading his own bands. The resulting five CDs worth of material collected here show an Ellington band more aimed at repetition, both of its own repertoire, which had sounded better in the 1940s, and of other bands' material.
Country music supergroup Western Centuries have announced their second album Songs from the Deluge to be released via Free Dirt Records on April 6th. A follow up to their well-received debut, 2016’s Weight of the World, it combines the songwriting and voices of three distinct artist into one sound representative of the diverse yet conjoined legacy of the American roots music experience.
Recorded on their first concert tour, this is the first release by Dave Bainbridge's new band Celestial Fire. Featuring a mix of IONA music (some rarely played live, such as 'Brendan's Voyage/Return'), music from Dave's solo albums and even a Yes cover or two, this recording shows the astonishing breadth of talent and stunning musical sensitivity in this new line up…
Tal Farlow, was an innovative self-taught jazz guitarist who influenced generations of guitarists following in his footsteps. Although some of his peak years as a recording artist occurred during his association with Verve between 1954 and 1959, relatively few of the tracks were available for decades until the release of this comprehensive Mosaic box set. The music is consistently brilliant, as the leader's solos seem to evolve effortlessly, often finding fresh ground in the many standards and classic jazz compositions performed in this set. Aside from the three opening tracks from Farlow's days as a member of vibraphonist Red Norvo's trio, the guitarist is the leader.
UK five CD box set containing a quintet of original albums packaged in mini LP sleeves and housed in a slipcase. This set from the veteran Scottish Folk/Rock band includes the albums the Cutter & the Clan, the Big Wheel, Searchlight, Mara and Amazing Things
Though Les Rallizes Denudes, also known as Hadaka no Rallizes, were one of the earliest and most revolutionary Japanese psychedelic rock bands, and have existed off and on through four decades, they are also one of the most obscure, barely known even in their native country…