Gault And Millau 2021

Eighty-six years old at this writing, American composer, arranger, producer and pianist Dave Grusin has composed many scores for feature films and television, won numerous awards for his soundtrack and record work – including an Academy Award and ten Grammy Awards – and is the co-founder of GRP Records. Presented here in their entireties are Grusin’s first and second LPs as a leader, A Jazz Version of the Broadway Hit Subways Are for Sleeping (Epic LN- 3829) and Piano, Strings and Moonlight: The Many Moods of Dave Grusin (Epic BN-26023). The former, recorded in a trio format with bassist Milt Hinton and drummer Don Lamond, focuses on selections from the Broadway musical Subways Are for Sleeping. The latter is a collection of standards (plus the original tune “Sara Jane”) and features the trio (with Ossie Johnson on drums replacing Lamond) with the addition of strings arranged and conducted by Grusin himself.

"Bite The Bullet were originally formed in 1986 by singer songwriter Mick Benton and drummer Graham Cowling. They met in 1984 when they both joined West London rock band “Mother’s Ruin”. Thanks to the legendary Greg Lake, Benton managed to secure a solo deal with Atlantic Records and he asked Cowling to play drums. Its good to see that their collaboration is still strong to this very day. Mick and Graham decided to get writing new material for a second “Bite the Bullet” album and the result is outstanding, coming across like Mr Mister meets Asia. The new songs are a natural continuation of the original BTB sound and have a great feel to them, opener “Rock to Stones” is a killer. A great start to 2021!."

Jeff Liberman is a guitar player in the best tradition of ’70s guitar Gods like Hendrix, Trower, Clapton or Zappa. The perfect mix between virtuosity and feeling with a gift for brilliant songwriting. Between 1975 and 1978, Liberman self–released three albums on his own Librah label which were some of the first private pressings to gain recognition amongst psych collectors in the ’80s. Jeff Liberman was born in South Side of Chicago in 1954. Coming from a place where Blues and Jazz music has a strong scene, he got inspired by a few local musicians, including Charley Wolfer. “He was great and taught me such songs as ‘Suzy Q’ by Creedence and ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’ by Iron Butterfly. Just a great player. Other influences are Phil Upchurch, Leo Pucinakis and Ron Seroggin.”

The million-selling, Grammy nominated progressive rockers launch "Lost not forgotten archives", an archival series that will issue their Ytsejam Records catalogue, as well as new, unreleased material from the band's career. This first release is a performance of their legendary "Images and Words" album, recorded live at the Budokan, Japan in 2017.