Marc Foster

After initial studies in orchestration, and analysis at the Regional Conservatory of Paris, Franck Bedrossian studied composition closely with Allain Gaussin. He continued his studies at the Paris Conservatory (seminars with Gerard Grisey and later Marco Stroppa), where upon graduation he received unanimously the first prize for Analysis, and the first prize in Composition.

This live recording of the two Shostakovich cello concertos continues audite's successful cooperation with Marc Coppey, who approaches both works with boundless energy and without any sentimentality.

The mastery and vision of the enduring Marc Ribot shine through on this release. Although there have been many attempts to produce authentic indigenous music of various cultures, most have fallen short; this album succeeds in the wake of failure. Ribot delves deep into Cuban rhythms, and indeed the album is a tribute to the Cuban master Arsenio Rodriguez. Here Ribot finds an authentic Cuban sound employing traditional instrumentation: upright bass, wood blocks, cherke, and other percussion sounds. The performance is inspired, and the band consistently tears through Rodriguez's material, as well as some of their own. Ribot's guitar work nears perfection, and he proves himself to be the most soulful white alive. Songs like "Aqui Como Alla" and "Postizo" confirm these assertions.

In Disney's "Mary Poppins Returns," an all new sequel with a fresh sensibility that celebrates the spirit of the original, Mary Poppins is back to help the next generation of the Banks family find the joy and wonder missing in their lives. Emily Blunt ("The Girl on the Train," "Into the Woods") stars as the practically-perfect nanny with unique magical skills who can turn any task into an unforgettable, fantastic adventure and Lin-Manuel Miranda ("Hamilton," "Moana") plays her friend Jack, an optimistic street lamplighter who helps bring light and life to the streets of London….

Despite getting an Oscar nomination for The Constant Gardener, Spanish composer Alberto Iglesias does not have the reputation he deserves in the U.S. In Europe, however, he's well known for his lush, classic-sounding work for Pedro Almodovar. Here he proves really versatile by creating a fitting soundtrack to a drama set in Afghanistan. Iglesias smartly decided to get inspiration from Afghan music, which he described in an interview as "closer to Persian with an admixture of Pakistani music," but not merely ape it, and his score gracefully incorporates elements from various styles (an Iranian zither in "Kite Shop," a wailing electric guitar on "The Stadium") without sounding like a patchwork. Iran-born, U.S.-based avant-garde singer Sussan Deyhim contributes particularly haunting vocals on "End Phone Call." Also of note are a pair of songs, "Tanha Shudam Tanha" and "Az Man Begurezed," by Ahmad Zahir, who was an icon of Afghani music in the 1970s, as well as new compositions ("Omaid e Man" and "Dukhtare Darya") from exiled Afghani musician Ehsan Aman.

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Allman Brothers debut album, New West Records is proud to present, Big Band of Brothers: A Jazz Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band. This record is a true collection of big band jazz interpretations of Allman Brothers classics. The record features guest vocals by Marc Broussard and Ruthie Foster. Big Band of Brothers also features Jack Pearson on guitar, who has performed as a guest of the Allman Brothers Band on numerous occasions, and actually joined as a member of the band in 1997. Together with Dickey Betts, he completed the band's archetypal guitar duo for nearly 3 years. Wycliffe Gordon (of Jazz at Lincoln Center fame) is also featured as a soloist. Gordon is consistently ranked among leading trombone players in the Downbeat critics poll.

Two-time Grammy winner/arranger/producer/songwriter/guitarist Jay Graydon's credits include hits by Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire ("After the Love Is Gone," co-written with David Foster and Bill Champlin), Steely Dan, Dionne Warwick, Air Supply, Chaka Khan, Al Jarreau ("Mornin'"), Breakin' Away, Heart's Horizon, High Crime, Jarreau, This Time, the Manhattan Transfer ("Twilight Zone"), George Benson ("Turn Your Love Around"), Cher, Christopher Cross, DeBarge ("Who's Holding Donna Now"), Barry Manilow (Even Now), and El Debarge, among many others. He also was involved with the soundtracks to Ghostbusters, Miami Vice, and St. Elmo's Fire. Graydon co-wrote "She's in Love," a track on Brenda Russell's Hidden Beach/Epicdebut album Paris Rain issued on July 18, 2000.

n Disney's "Mary Poppins Returns," an all new sequel with a fresh sensibility that celebrates the spirit of the original, Mary Poppins is back to help the next generation of the Banks family find the joy and wonder missing in their lives. Emily Blunt ("The Girl on the Train," "Into the Woods") stars as the practically-perfect nanny with unique magical skills who can turn any task into an unforgettable, fantastic adventure and Lin-Manuel Miranda ("Hamilton," "Moana") plays her friend Jack, an optimistic street lamplighter who helps bring light and life to the streets of London.