The Brain Box is the first deluxe collection celebrating the Hamburg based label who paved the way for many Krautrock and German Psych artists. Limited to 3300 units worldwide, and containing 83 tracks on 8 cd's, a 74 page hardcover book, a Brain records tote bag, and all housed in a green linen wrapped box. CD's 1-6 feature artists like Guru Guru, Cluster, Jane, Embryo, Harmonia and more. CD's 7-8 contain music the from Brain Festivals in Essen during 1977 and 1978.
Ikarus played a very varied sound with complex arrangements and melancholic melodies inspired by early King Crimson and Van der Graaf Generator or reminding to German colleages Thirsty Moon and Os Mundi. The original album contains only 4 tracks (from 6 to 15 minutes) but plays over 40 minutes a rather uniquely spacious and dynamic sound, full of surprises. Their lyrics scrutinized the behaviour of mankind with a particular focus on our darker minds. CD contains 15 minutes bonus track "Sunwave" by pre-Ikarus band Beatiques In Corporation from compilation "Pop and Blues Festival", 1970. CD come with comprehensive band history by Ikarus bass player Wolfgang Kracht and a lot of unseen and rare photos from the band archive of drummer Bernd Schröder. Remastered from the master tape. A Krautrock Classic!
The incomparable richness of medieval repertory in the harmonia mundi catalogue makes this compilation an indispensable reference for a first taste of music from the earliest times. In a programme lasting nearly two hours, listeners are guided from ancient Greek music to the first appearances of Gregorian chant, followed by an interlude with the music of the troubadours and the Carmina Burana. After this they can explore the inventions of the Ars Nova and Ars Subtilior, which will introduce them, finally, to the Franco-Flemish musical empire of the Renaissance. A unique itinerary, entirely devoted to thrilling discoveries and musical passions!
This recording came to fruition thanks to nearly 25 years of effort. In 1997, Marcel Pérès and his Ensemble Organum began a simultaneous exploration of the Mozarabic rite (the liturgical chant peculiar to the Christians living in Spain at the time of Arabrule) and of the Samaa spiritual practice of Morocco. Setting aside the theological differences between the two faiths, the artists discovered a great deal of kinship between the two forms of musical expression. A veritable utopia, the idea for this recording then suggested itself: to regain the lost accord of human brotherhood through music.
Now, completing Jochum’s entire recorded legacy on DG and Philips, comes Jochum’s Complete Opera and Choral Recordings. These 38 CDs include creative and insightful bonus content, original jacket presentation plus a newly-remastered and new-to-DG CD set of Wagner’s Lohengrin with the sensational yet little-known Lorenz Fehenberger, described by Sir Georg Solti as, “one of the most extraordinary tenor talents I have ever worked with.” This latter operatic addition to the catalogue also becomes a stand-alone digital album. Social tools and a trailer will be announced shortly. Booklet notes include an introduction by Jochum’s daughter who clearly understood her father’s art and musicianship.
One of my favorite group of “Flat Chant”, the Schola Hungarica ensemble. In this LP there are some exceptions: There are polyphonic pieces and others accompanied by some instrument (organ or percussion).
An awesome LP example from this vocal group.