Audiovision From Test Magazin From Januar 2014

Although he doesn't often get the same level of attention and critical acclaim that fellow Jamaican producers like Lee "Scratch" Perry receive, Bunny "Striker" Lee was every bit as influential, particularly on the dub scene, where his output was so generous that labels were created to handle it, including Jackpot Records, formed in the 1970s by Trojan Records to provide a conduit for Lee's dub cuts. This fine archival set gathers some of the best and most interesting of these sides, all of which were created and originally released between 1974 and 1976.

Considering that Max Richter's soundtrack work far outpaces the rate at which he releases his own albums, this Deutsche Grammophon collection of four of his earliest works is a welcome reminder of their magic. Retrospective gathers his instant-classic, Franz Kafka-inspired 2004 album The Blue Notebooks, which features the Tilda Swinton collaboration "On the Nature of Daylight" and introduced Richter's expressive mix of classical and electronic music to many listeners; the like-minded Songs from Before, which featured Robert Wyatt reading Haruki Murakami texts over Richter's sensitive, piano-driven compositions; 24 Postcards in Full Colour, an eclectic and emotive collection of ringtone-inspired miniatures; and Infra, a piece composed for the Royal Ballet and inspired in equal measure by T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land and Franz Schubert's Winterreise. The collection also includes bonus tracks for each album, including a full orchestral version of "On the Nature of Daylight" and an essay by Paul Morley. Retrospective offers a wonderful way for fans to experience these albums to their fullest, and for newcomers to learn what all the fuss is about.

Excellent 60 track music compilation. The music on it is a brilliant choice and not a usual 80s Compilation..

The Phil Woods Six - "Live" From The Showboat (1976) {2CD 2014 Japan Jazz Collection 1000 Columbia-RCA Series SICP 3992~3}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 818 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 270 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 337 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1976, 2014 RCA / Sony Music Japan | SICP 3992~3
Jazz / Hard Bop / Post Bop / Progressive Jazz / Saxophone

Reissue with the latest remastering. Comes with liner notes. A double-length, ultra-cool set from saxophonist Phil Woods – yet another aspect of his great body of work from the 70s, and a live date that features Woods at the head of a sextet! The group here features acoustic piano, electric guitar, bass, drums, and percussion – all used in ways that are often a bit more organically building and spacious than some of Phil's more intense Rhythm Machine albums – showing a new sensitivity in Woods' music, but one that still has plenty of room for searing, searching solo moments! Titles include "Django's Castle", "A Little Peace", "Brazilian Affair", "I'm Late", "Superwoman", "High Clouds", "How's Your Mama", and "Rain Danse".

Eddie Cano & His Quintet - Brought Back Live From P. J.'s (1967) {2014 Japan Rare Groove Funk Best Collection 1000 UCCU-90067}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 232 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 81 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 214 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1967, 2014 Dunhill Records / Universal Music Japan | UCCU-90067
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Latin Jazz / Jazz Funk / Piano

Reissue with the latest remastering. Stunning stuff – and one of the best-ever Latin soul albums of all time! Despite the fact that Eddie Cano's earlier albums are more in a Latin easy mode, this late 60's side for Dunhill is totally smoking – and probably his greatest album ever! Forgive the superlatives, but we're totally serious on this one – as the set's a firey batch of Latin instrumentals, with a slammin' boogaloo groove all the way through – filled with mad percussion, jazzy piano riffs, and a non-stop groove that's totally great. The set was recorded live at PJ's nightclub, and it's a non-stop Latin Soul party that includes massive originals like "Slip Slip", "Brown & Blue", "Miro Como Es", and "Don't Ever Change" – plus smoking covers of "El Pito" and "Louie Louie". The set screams with excitement, and is as great as the album is rare!

The Six - The View From Jazzbo's Head (1956) {2014 Japanese Bethlehem Album Collection 1000}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 191 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 89 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 206 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1956, 2014 Solid Records / Bethlehem | CDSOL-6133 | LP BCP-57
Jazz / Bop / Cool

Reissue. Features the latest remastering. Includes a Japanese description, lyrics. Features original cover artwork. A tightly swinging set of tracks dedicated to Al Jazzbo Collins – the famous jazz DJ of the 50s! Collins has little to do with the set – save for his image on the front cover – and the group's mostly a swing-based ensemble, grooving in a style that's similar to other mid 50s albums on Bethlehem, but a bit rougher and more open-ended. The ensemble seems to be led by tenor player Bob Wilber – and features Sonny Truitt on trombone, John Glasel on trumpet, Bob Hammer on piano, Bill Britto on bass, and Jackie Moffitt on drums. Titles include a number of originals – including "Giggles", "Phweedah", "View From Jazzbo's Head", and "The Troglodyte".

A new four-disc box set featuring classic live sets by Frank Sinatra performed in London will be released next month. Universal Muisc Enterprises have worked with Frank Sinatra Enterprises to create the appropriately titled London which focuses on projects from between 1953 and 1984, bringing to light more than 50 previously unreleased tracks.