High Flyer – January 2019

More than twenty years ago, when the first episode of the Verve & Blue Note Today compilation came out, no one would have thought that the CDs would be so popular to this day. Then as now, the compilations are not only suitable for finding out about new tracks and artists from the jazz scene, they are also great listening pleasure. The colorful mix of well-known jazz artists and young talents this time includes the Blue Note artists Marcus Strickland, Kendrick Scott Oracle and James Francies, the Hollywood star Jeff Goldblum, Earth, Wind & Fire singer Philip Bailey, World Music Diva, who shone for the first time as a jazz pianist Angélique Kidjo, jazz prodigy Jacob Collier, the British high-flyer The Comet Is Coming etc.

Mark Knopfler: BBC Sessions 1988 - 2018. Very Rare and Limited 2019 EU CD Digipack.

When more than twenty years ago, when the first episode of the budget compilation series VERVE & BLUE NOTE TODAY was released, no one would have thought that the series would be so popular to this day. Then as now, the compilations are not only suitable for finding out about new tracks and artists from the jazz scene, they are also great listening fun. With Gregory Porter, Marcus Miller, Melody Gardot, John Scofield and even pop star Seal, there are again greats with new titles that you no longer have to imagine. Interesting discoveries include the high-flyer Sons of Kemet from England, the jazz / techno duo Tony Allen+ Jeff Mills and the promising new discovery Jon Batiste from the USA.

For nearly 40 years, Steve Howe has been at the forefront of rock music as a model and inspiration for other guitarists and musicians. While perhaps best known for his work in the progressive rock band Yes, he has found the freedom to explore his own personal musical journeys in his solo career, which is now updated with the release of Homebrew 4 following the success of 3 previous Homebrew albums. His talent as one of the most expressive and defining guitar players is prominently exposed on the album especially highlighted through the bareness of the acoustic tracks such as Georgia's song. The fourth album succeeds in living up to the quality of the previous Homebrews, a real treat for Howe fans.