The Bridges of Madison County (1995) [re Up]

Here was displayed for the first time the many variants of IDM, showing that there was much more to Ambient than just atmospheric instrumental tracks: from the deep moody electronica of David Morley or Biosphere, to the dub-influenced collages of the Orb's remix of Electrotete, and the Detroit techno of Model 500 at its most subtle, every track here is a gem, making it an unrivalled release.

The Band was born in 1972, on the initiative of Jean-Marie Renard, guitarist from the beginning and manager of the Band today, in the wake of a basic musical current launched by Alan Stivell. He brings together five musicians friends of different musical cultures (traditional, jazz, folk, rock'n'roll) around a common passion, the Celtic music, to form the band Gwendal. At that time in France many bands inspired by the Breton and Irish traditional music appeared. Gwendal distinguished itself from the very start by the choice of what will make the continuity of its style during its entire career: a sound mixing melodies of traditional influence, with arrangements and rhythmic strongly influenced by modern musical currents of various times: jazz, rock'n'roll…

Leitmotiv is a Frédéric Truong musical project that plays principally melanchonic instrumental pieces, full of sadness and pain, but opened to the light at the same time. The music of Leitmotiv is inspired by various themes, as the notes of Suspended Moment retrospective suggest. Through the past full-length albums in fact it’s possible see inspiration by cinema, emotions, feelings, war and racism refuse. The last and wonderful surprise from this artist comes from the birth of her daughter Sophie that became his muse. The most of Leitmotiv works were released by own label, Karismatik, that now is dead. During 2002, Frédéric Truong finally decided to close Leitmotiv project. So after the last album Parc Sainte-Marie, he began to release records under its own name.

Released in time for the 21st anniversary of the Rolling Stones' 1995 live album Stripped, Eagle Rock's Totally Stripped package focuses on the visual element. At its simplest, it's a CD/DVD set, with the DVD containing a documentary following the Stones through studio sessions and rehearsals for their club shows in London, Amsterdam, and Paris, while a super deluxe set contains Blu-rays of the full concerts of each of these gigs. In each incarnation, the CD cherry-picks highlights from these live shows, presenting 13 previously unheard performances plus recycling a "Street Fighting Man" initially released on Stripped.

This CD combines together two unrelated solo piano sets. The nine performances by Thelonious Monk are a bit familiar since these renditions (which are highlighted by "'Round Midnight," "Well You Needn't," "We See" and "Hackensack") had been previously reissued by GNP/Crescendo and Mosaic. However the 13 selections (including three alternate takes) by Joe Turner (no relation to singer Big Joe Turner) are much rarer. Turner, a talented American stride pianist who spent most of his life living in France, had only recorded ten songs as a leader prior to this 1952 session and is in top form for such numbers as "Hallelujah," "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," "Wedding Boogie" and three versions of "Tea for Two." This CD is easily recommended to jazz piano collectors who do not already have the Monk selections.

Angelo Badalamenti's score for The City of Lost Children (La Cité des Enfants Perdus) finds him utilising his orchestration skills to their full extent. His use of the string section in particular is extremely accomplished, with his lyrical writing helping to emphasise the often-melancholic tone of the film. Highlights of the soundtrack include the song "Who Will Take My Dreams Away?" (written with Marianne Faithful), and Badalamenti's sinister organ grinder music composed for the scenes featuring the trained fleas. Overall a very evocative and moving score, and a must for any serious fan of Badalamenti's film music.

Taken from a couple of sessions taped during 1955-1956, Lady Sings the Blues, Vol. 4 finds Holiday in top form and backed by the sympathetic likes of tenor saxophonists Budd Johnson and Paul Quinichette, trumpeter Charlie Shavers, pianist Wynton Kelly, and guitarist Billy Bauer. And while these autumnal sides bear some of the frayed vocal moments often heard on Holiday's '50s Verve sides, the majority here still ranks with her best material. This is especially true of the cuts from a June 1956 date, which produced unparalleled versions of "No Good Man," "Some Other Spring," and "Lady Sings the Blues." See why many fans prefer the "worn out" Holiday heard here to the more chipper singer featured on those classic Columbia records from the '30s.