The Way Things Go

One of the great flute players on today's musical scene, Tara Helen O'Connor is well known for her brilliant technique and musicianship. Winner of an Avery Fisher Career Grant and a two-time Grammy nominee, she is currently a season artist of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Five of the seven works on Ms. O'Connor's new CD were composed specifically for her and long time collaborator, pianist Margaret Kampmeier. They perform this program with a combination of commitment and virtuosity that is truly compelling.

It is a hefty box in every sense: 13 CDs, supplemented with two DVDs, accompanied by a gorgeous hardcover book and a variety of tchotchkes, including a poster that traces the twisted family trees and time lines of the band and, just as helpfully, replicas of legal documents that explain why the group didn't retain rights to its recordings for years…

French act AKIN was formed back in 1998, and following two demo releases that were favouarably received by the local French metal press they were signed to French label Sacral Productions. Their full length debut album Verse was released in 2001, followed by the EP Forecast in 2003. A few years of inactivity followed, but in 2009 the band decided to have another go. The end result became the CD The Way Things End. Initially self-released in April 2011, and following the band signing to US label Progrock Records reissued worldwide later the same year.