Malcolm Is Missin

Malcolm X's cultural rebirth–his improbable second coming–brims with irony. The nineties are marked by intense and often angry debates about racial authenticity and "selling out," and the participants in these debates–from politicians to filmmakers to rap artists–often draw on Malcolm's scorching rebukes to such moves. Meanwhile, Malcolm's "X" is marketed in countless business endeavors and is stylishly branded on baseball hats and T-shirts sported by every age, race, and gender.

Scottish pianist Malcolm Martineau is recognized as one of the leading accompanists of his generation. The second volume of this series charting the complete songs of French composer Gabriel Fauré brings together some of the UK’s finest singers; nine carefully chosen soloists who each lend their own personal imprint to the material, highlighting Martineau’s sensitivity.

This Ondine debut album by the award-winning Lithuanian mezzo-soprano Justina Gringyte, one of the foremost rising stars of the opera world, and pianist Malcolm Martineau is her first solo album and the complete recording of Georges Bizet's (1838-1875) long-forgotten masterpiece, Vingt Melodies (20 Songs), Op. 21. Year 2025 marks the 150th anniversary of the death of Bizet, one of the greatest French composers of all time. During his short career of little more than twenty years Bizet composed a substantial quantity of music, including 15 operas. Bizet has been compared with Mozart in his sensitivity to the human voice and understanding of it's expressive potential. Several of Bizet's operas predate his twenty songs Opus 21, written between 1854 and 1872. Anyone new to these songs, a collection including many masterpieces, may wonder how music of such consistent quality could be so neglected! Clearly, they must be ranked among Bizet's most representative works.

His first album for seven years and the sixth solo album from the ex-Arab Strap man, is set for release on the relaunched Nude Records. In Malcolm's songs, hope and optimism have always existed (they were just well hidden) and 'catchy' has always been his prime prerogative, but with the new album glimmering with heady production, this clearly shines through.