Highlights High Five March 2018

Frank Zappa & The Mothers - The Roxy Performances (2018) {7CD Box Set Zappa Records-UMe 0200282 EU Issue rec 1973}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 2.92 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 1.10 Gb
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© 1973, 2018 Zappa Records / UMe | 0200282 | EU Issue
Rock / Experimental Rock / Avant-Garde / Art Rock / Jazz Rock

Zappa Records presents The Roxy Performances. A 7-Disc Box Set that contains the MOTHERLODE of all things Roxy. All 4 public shows from December 9 & 10 1973, remixed in 2016 and presented in their entirety for the first time. Also included is the sound check from December 8th and bonus content that features rehearsal nuggets and unreleased tracks along with highlights from the recording session at Bolic Studios that took place in conjunction with the filming dates. Recording Medium: #M Scotch 2inch 16 Track Analog Tape @ 30ips.

R.E.M. - The Best Of R.E.M. At The BBC (2018) {2CD Set Craft Recordings}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 998 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 351 Mb
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© 2018 Craft Recordings | 00888072068544
Rock / Alternative

A generous sampling from a generous box, The Best of R.E.M. at the BBC culls 34 highlights from its parent eight-disc/single-DVD set. This means this double-disc is swift, passing quickly through the group's various incarnations, as it offers a disc of sessions accompanied by a disc of BBC broadcasts.

This soundtrack album to the acclaimed BBC television series Blue Planet – Seas of Life is by George Fenton. Isolated from their accompanying videos, soundtrack albums often just don't hold up. Even if you haven't seen this television program, however, that is not the case with the Blue Planet CD. Indeed, the music here works quite well as a "sit down and listen" album. It also seems that the neo-classical arrangements surely capture the mystery, majesty, beauty, playfulness, power, and even terror of the ocean world very well. You may be reaching for a towel after listening to this one.

It all came together for Heaven 17 on this album, and as a result it is by far their strongest, most brilliant album. Combining their various influences (including R&B, pop, dance, electronica), Heaven 17 fused these styles together to create an almost perfect sound. There is simply not a weak track on the album. Highlights are numerous, including the very long but very wonderful "And That's No Lie." A strong melody, stunning vocals from Glenn Gregory, and tight production equal a fascinating glimpse into the human struggle. Adding a number of session players, including a guitarist, Heaven 17 was able to expand and build on their solid sound. Gregory is also allowed to branch out on this album and write more personal and political statements that were not clearly heard on their first two albums. Fans will not be disappointed, and in fact, this could be the album to win new fans over. "Sunset Now," "Flamedown," and the brilliant "This Is Mine" are just a few of the reasons for this album's greatness.