Flugzeug From 1996 06

Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear) is a set of 15 pieces covering approximately 20 years of Vangelis' career. He is, undoubtedly, the most commercial electronic musician ever. He has recorded dozens of major motion picture soundtracks and dozens of delightful albums. This CD is an accurate cross section of those efforts. Contains two unreleased tracks.

Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear) is a set of 15 pieces covering approximately 20 years of Vangelis' career. He is, undoubtedly, the most commercial electronic musician ever. He has recorded dozens of major motion picture soundtracks and dozens of delightful albums. This CD is an accurate cross section of those efforts. Contains two unreleased tracks.

The introduction to the magical world of composer David Helpling. Original percussion samples, textural electric guitar and distinct keyboard melodies with rhythmic orchestrations, are all tastefully combined to define this superb work that ranges from driving and energetic passages to ambient and sublime atmospheres. This highly acclaimed debut release was nominated for the 1997 “Indie” album of the year.

Named after Marillion's Number Two U.K. Chart hit "Kayleigh," this set offers a haphazard track listing (identical to '96's Essential Collection) culled from the neo-prog giants' Fish-fronted period. As such, bona fide hits like the title track, "Lavender" and "Punch & Judy" are combined with less well-known (but usually still top-notch) fare such as "Jigsaw," "Lady Nina," and the monstrously overblown epic "Grendel."

A huge improvement over 1994's I've Known Rivers, on which pianist Billy Childs seemed like a sideman on his own album, 1996's The Child Within is a dandy collection of bop-influenced originals and some well-chosen standards, all of them done in a tight small-combo setting featuring an all-star cast: Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Dave Holland on bass, Jeff "Tain" Watts on drums, and second-generation pioneer Ravi Coltrane on tenor sax. The combo, not surprisingly, cooks throughout, but Childs himself remains at the music's forefront. His playing has always been heavily influenced by Thelonious Monk, to whom he pays tribute twice, first with the swinging original "The Loneliest Monk" and then with a playful, lighthearted solo version of Monk's "Pannonica," one of the late pianist's most charming compositions…

The second album by Dracma contains an excellent collection of modern Progressive rock music, between MarIllion, Genesis and especially IQ. This Spanish band knows how to recreate in its climates and lyrics the tumultuous and meditative feeling of Peter Nicholls' band. The alternation of very quiet acoustic tracks and heavier or floating sequences allows the band to show its full talent.