H Extremo From February 2010

The group Apollo's Fire, also known as the Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, was founded by its present conductor Jeannette Sorrell. Playing on period instruments, the modestly sized ensemble delves into the later end of the repertoire with this Mozart disc on the Avie album. Sorrell makes the curious choice to open the program with the well-known, powerful Symphony 40 in G minor, a work that concludes with such fervor and drama that it would seem more appropriately placed at the conclusion of the disc. Sorrell's vision for Mozart seems to be one of modest intensity and tempo diversity. Neither of the outer movements are noticeably driven or brisk, and the inner movements are likewise unsurprising in their execution.

Have you ever wondered what the definition of underground music is? Look no further. The PLASTIC PEOPLE OF THE UNIVERSE /PPU/ were exactly that. While the western "underground" bands of the 60s and 70s might have looked a bit freaky, or were simply stoned enough to slightly shock the establishment, the PPU were jailed by the Czechoslovak communist regime solely because they dared to play their music for a bunch of long-haired fans. Nothing more, nothing less, but indirectly causing an immense political effect for the years to come. Due to all the hurdles, the PPU remained in the underground until 1988. Our collection brings together their best tracks from nearly two decades, presented in genuine fidelity underground quality.