Funny Birds

zeitkratzer is as always good for a surprise and finally goes Jazz! Looking at the line-up of the “modern composition supergroup” (The Wire) it seems astonishing that it took so long. Saxophonists Frank Gratkowski and Hayden Chisholm both won independently the German Radio SWR Jazz award; the French horn virtuoso Hild Sofie Tafjord grew up with Jazz, as her father and uncle are members of the famous Norwegian jazz group Brazz Brothers; Hilary Jeffery toured with numerous jazz musicians, as did the drummer Maurice de Martin who spent his early years in the New York downtown scene; Reinhold Friedl studied piano with Alexander von Schlippenbach, and Ulrich Phillipp is a known improviser who toured with Charles Gayle… and zeitkratzer is joined by a second bass player: Martin Heinze, member of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

zeitkratzer goes Jazz! zeitkratzer is as always good for a surprise and finally goes Jazz! Looking at the line-up of the “modern composition supergroup” (The Wire) it seems astonishing that it took so long. Saxophonists Frank Gratkowski and Hayden Chisholm both won independently the German Radio SWR Jazz award; the French horn virtuoso Hild Sofie Tafjord grew up with Jazz, as her father and uncle are members of the famous Norwegian jazz group Brazz Brothers…

Lowe may have only one true hit to his credit (1979's "Cruel To Be Kind"), but he is one of rock's most respected artists. Across 86 tracks, THE DOINGS traces his transformation from self-styled "Jesus of Cool" and purveyor of "pure pop for now people" into a bluesy roots-rocker and perennial critics' darling. The fun-filled pure pop on disc 1 was recorded between 1976 and 1982, skipping recordings from Lowe's tenure as bassist/singer in Brinsley Schwarz, Rockpile, and Little Village. The disc kicks off with "So It Goes", Lowe's 1976Stiff Records debut single, and collects obscure B-sides (the rocking "Shake That Rat") and sublime power pop numbers ("I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass", "American Squirm"). Discs two and three explore Lowe's 1983-1998 output and find him moving away from boisterous garage rock ("Half A Boy And Half A Man") in favour of reflective roots rock ("Shelly My Love"). A fourth disc of unreleased studio recordings andlive tracks will be of greatest interest to Lowe's dedicated cult following.

Neutralize It is a 2000 album by Hawaiian singer/guitarist/songwriter Sean Na'auao. It is uncertain what "it" refers to but maybe it is on this album, which is known for one of the final statements of Hawwaiian music of the 20th century, the beautiful "Ka Pilina". This was released by the Poi Pounder label on 22 August, 2000

120 tracks of best lounge music, in six parts: 'Cocktail Time', 'Electro Swing', 'Vintage Lounge', 'Brazilian Sounds', 'Chic & Glamour', 'Spirit Of Chill-Out'.

Compilation from English vocalist who kind of has a Sade thing going on. Big following in France. 13 tracks including 'Sally', 'More, More, More', 'Bad Day', 'I'm Not Afraid Of You' and a cover of 'It's All In The Game' which appeared on the soundtrack to 'She's Having A Baby'.