Seven (1995)

A Change of Seasons is a strange disc. There are only five tracks but with a total time that approaches an hour anyway. The first track, the 23-minute, seven-part epic "A Change of Seasons," is one of the most impressive pieces of music ever written in the progressive metal vein. With the same heavy sound that marked Awake, but with many other styles mixed in, the track features incredible playing, dramatic, complex instrumental arrangements, and soaring vocals. New keyboardist Derek Sherinian (formerly of Kiss and Alice Cooper) adds his own stamp to the Dream Theater sound as if he'd always been with them. The remainder of the tracks are live cover tunes, recorded from the band's "Uncovered" gig at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club; the material varies widely and includes Elton John's "Love Lies Bleeding" and Deep Purple's "Perfect Strangers." The final track, "The Big Medley," has to be heard to be believed…

After the strong success of the band, not only in Europe but also overseas, the band opted this time for English lyrics. Also, young Polish singer/guitarist Robert Amirian was chosen to join the new lineup (a new bass player was also added). The baptism in fire for this new lineup was a charity gig with Uriah Heep. So the idea of new arrangements of John Lennon songs was chosen and the band entered Wilanów Studio and registered several songs. Nine were chosen: seven by Lennon and two by Lennon and Paul McCartney. The band profoundly changes the songs to a progressive rock style (listeners can trace some Pink Floyd influences in some arrangements) and the results were the best possible. Not only progressive rock lovers but also Beatles fans will highly appreciate this CD, full of melodic, symphonic, and vigorous tunes.

Seven years after his last solo project, Wayne Shorter returns with HIGH LIFE, which proceeds from the point where ATLANTIS, PHANTOM NAVIGATOR and JOY RIDER left off. With the assistance of master bassist-producer Marcus Miller and keyboardist Rachel Z., Shorter has fashioned a sumptuous series of harmonically detailed tone poems, anchored by the contemporary rhythm-n-ning of former Living Colour drummer Will Calhoun.HIGH LIFE won the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance.

This collection was first compiled in 1970 or so from recordings dating as far back as 1961. The set, now remastered and issued on cd, includes performances by three generations of harpsichordists, with Gustav Leonhardt providing the central focus. Leonhardt includes (in BWV 1060, 1062 and 1065) his former teacher from the Schola Cantorum in Basle, Eduard Mueller (the student modestly playing second harpsichord to his mentor in 1060 and 1065) while his own first-generation students Anneke Uittenbosch and Alan Curtis join him for BWV 1061, 1063-1065.

This 45-minute disc of primordial Chet Baker rarities shares its name with a companion volume of William Claxton's timeless photographs. The book visually preserves Baker and company during many of the same recording sessions heard on this release. The two presented here - produced by Dick Bock in Los Angeles during the early to mid-'50s - are the subject of some debate. The first date was originally recorded with the intent for Baker to add lead vocals, which he ultimately did. However, to get the most mileage out of the tapes, producer Bock re-released the same recordings three years later on the Pretty/Groovy album as instrumentals by substituting Baker's vocals with a lead tenor sax, performed by Bill Perkins…

Mongo Santamaria leads a potent octet over two nights at Birdland in this live CD taped in 1992. The conga master is joined by trumpeter/flugelhornist Eddie Allen (who serves as music director as well), tenor saxophonist/flautist Craig Rivers, and alto saxophonist/baritone saxophonist/flautists Jimmy Cozier, with pianist Ricardo Gonzalez leading the rhythm section. Among Santamaria's seven originals, the peppy "Brazilian Sunset" especially stands out, along with two pieces by Marty Sheller, his former musical director. Cozier penned the upbeat "Costa Del Oro," a sizzling Latin blues that features its composer on tenor sax. There's also a fun Afro-Cuban arrangement of the standard "Summertime" and a hip-swaying treatment of Herbie Hancock's huge hit "Watermelon Man."

Compiling material from Willie Nelson's later career, the box set Revolutions of Time: The Journey 1975-1993 provides a thorough overview of the singer's most popular recordings, as well as some of his most obscure. Divided into three thematic discs – "Pilgrimage," "Sojourns," and "Exodus" – the box contains most of his hits from the era, including selections from The Red Headed Stranger and Stardust. These songs are on "Pilgrimage." "Sojourns" concentrates on his duets, while "Exodus" is filled with songs from the late '80s and early '90s…

After rising to fame at the helm of the popular folk-rock band 10,000 Maniacs, Natalie Merchant enjoyed even greater success as a solo artist during the mid-'90s. Her literate, socially conscious songs established her among the preeminent women in pop music, while her solo debut – 1995's Tigerlily – helped pave the way for a number of female performers in a pre-Lilith Fair market. She continued releasing albums well into the 2000s, often examining specific genres or subjects, although Tigerlily remained her biggest-selling record…

Rick Wakeman is an English keyboardist, songwriter, television and radio presenter, and author. He is best known for being in the progressive rock band Yes across five tenures between 1971 and 2004 and for his solo albums released in the 1970s.
Rick Wakeman - The Seven Wonders Of The World (1995). This instrumental song cycle sets out to capture the particular mood of each of the seven marvels of the ancient world and the atmosphere of their individual time and place in our history. Each track is prefaced by a short narrative delivered by the actor Garfield Morgan. The strong modern orchestral rock style has been created entirely on digital keyboards and features the renowned Wakeman dexterity throughout…

Stan Kenton - The Complete Capitol Studio Recordings Of Stan Kenton 1943-47 (1995) {7CD Box Set MD7-163}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 2.19 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 1.05 Gb
Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 22 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1943-47, 1995 Mosaic Records / Capitol / CEMA Special Markets | MD7-163
Jazz / Swing / Vocal Jazz / Big Band

Documenting Stan Kenton's always controversial but never sleepy music, the seven-CD Complete Capitol Studio Recordings of Stan Kenton 1943-47 features the orchestra at a time when it was reaching its greatest popularity, evolving from using the artist's charts into the Pete Rugolo era. In addition to some unreleased tracks, there are also several rare sessions included that were recorded at the time strictly for radio airplay. Most of Kenton's biggest hits ("Artistry in Rhythm," "Eager Beaver," "And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine," "Tampico," "Southern Scandal," "Artistry Jumps," "Intermission Riff," "Across the Alley From the Alamo," and "The Peanut Vendor") are here, as are many concert works. A classic reissue.